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 Amman,
Jordan
Destination City: Amman, Jordan
At least 5000 years old, Amman, the ancient capital of
Jordan and one of the oldest continuously inhabited
cities in the World, is sprinkled with Roman ruins,
including a citadel and a forum. Downtown Amman is at
the bottom of four major hills. Government services,
banks, restaurants, Arabian coffee cafes and hotels are
available in Amman. More exclusive hotels, restaurants
and the majority of embassies are located on the main
hill, Jebel. Amman was known in the Old Testament as
Rabbath-Ammon, the capital of the Ammonites around 1200
BC, it was also referred to as "the City of Waters". In
Greco-Roman times (3rd century BC), the City was renamed
Philadelphia (Greek for "The Brotherhood Love") after
the Ptolemaic ruler Philadelphus (283-246 BC). The City
later came under Seleucid as well as Nabataean rule
until the Roman General Pompey annexed Syria and made
Philadelphia part of the Decapolis League - a loose
alliance of ten free city-states, bound by powerful
commercial, political, and cultural interests formed
allegiance to Rome. Under the influence of the Roman
culture, Philadelphia was reconstructed in grand Roman
style with colonnaded streets, baths, an Amphitheater,
and public buildings. During the Byzantine period
several churches were established as Philadelphia was
the seat of a Christian Bishop. As Islam spread
northwards from the Arabian Peninsula, the land became
part of its domain. Its original Semitic name Ammon or
Amman was returned to it.
Amman's modern history began in the late 19th Century,
when the Ottomans resettled a colony of Circassian
emigrants in 1878. As the State of Transjordan was
established, Emir Abdullah bin Al-Hussein Founder of the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan established Amman in 1921.
Amman has since grown rapidly into a modern, thriving
metropolis of close to 2 million people.
Jordan General Information
Official Country Name
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Jordan Population
5.63 million
Capital City
Amman
Amman Population
1.9 million
Language
Arabic (official), English. Many people in Amman can
speak English.
Time Zone
Amman, Jordan - current day, time & weather
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=11
Jordan is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Daylight Savings Time occurs between April and October.
Passport Requirement
A Passport and Visa is required to enter Jordan. U.S.
Department of State Travel Requirements for Jordan:
Visit:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1149.html
Visitors may obtain a visa, for a fee, at most
international ports of entry upon arrival except at the
King Hussein/Allenby Bridge. HIV testing required for
stays exceeding 6 months. For additional information,
travelers may contact the Embassy of the Hashemite
Kingdom of Jordan, 3504 International Drive, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 966-2664, or
nearest the Consulate General: CA (415/546-1155), MI
(248-/557-4377), NY (212/832-0119), or TX
(713/224-2911).
Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan:
www.jordanembassyus.org
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to
change at short notice. You are advised to check your
entry requirements with your destination Embassy and
Consular Services -
Click Here
Visa Requirement
A Visa and Passport is required. Visa Fees and
Requirements -
Click Here
Any non-Arab visitor to Jordan, whether entering for
business or as a tourist, needs an entry visa. The fee
required for a visa, as well as the length of stay which
is granted, depends on the visitors nationality.
Although entrance visas are obtainable at the airport
for visitors arriving by airplane, those arriving by
land must get a visa prior to arrival. These are
obtainable from any Jordanian diplomatic mission abroad,
where they generally take a day to receive. Visas cannot
be obtained at Jordan's land border crossings.
Visas obtained in Jordanian consulates are valid for
3-4 months from the date of issue, and can be issued for
multiple entries. Tourist visas allow a stay of up to
one month initially. However, this period can easily be
extended for up to another two months. After that date
you must exit and re-enter the country, or undergo
immigration procedures. If your visa has not been
renewed properly by the time you leave Jordan you will
have to pay a fine at the border. If you plan to stay
for more than two weeks in Jordan, you will need to
register at the nearest police station.
Exchange Rate
Current Exchange Rate Converter - Click Here
Currency
The Jordanian currency is the Dinar, or JD. It is
subdivided into 1000 fils, or 100 qirsh or piasters. It
appears in paper notes of 20, 10, 5, 1, and 0.5 JD
denominations. Coins come in denominations of 1 JD, 500
fils, 250 fils, 100 fils, 50 fils, 25 fils, 10 and 5
fils. The daily exchange rate is published in local
newspapers.
Credit cards are accepted at most large hotels,
restaurants, car rental companies and tourist shops. The
most widely accepted cards are American Express, Visa,
Diners Club and Mastercard. You can also use your cards
to draw cash (up to 500 JDs) at any bank linked with
your credit card network. The automatic cash machines
outside some banks in Amman can only be used by
Jordanian bank account holders, and you should not
attempt to use them.
US Jordanian Relations
Relations between the U.S. and Jordan have been close
for over four decades. A primary objective of U.S.
policy has been the achievement of a comprehensive,
just, and lasting peace in the Middle East. U.S. policy
seeks to reinforce Jordan's commitment to peace,
stability, and moderation. The peace process and
Jordan's opposition to terrorism parallel and indirectly
assist wider U.S. interests. Accordingly, through
economic and military assistance and through close
political cooperation, the United States has helped
Jordan maintain its stability and prosperity.
Since 1952, the United States has provided Jordan with
economic assistance totaling more than $9 billion ($1.3
billion in loans and $7.7 billion in grants), including
funds for development projects, health care, education,
construction to increase water availability, support for
microeconomic policy shifts toward a more completely
free market system, and both grant and loan acquisition
of U.S. agriculture commodities. These programs have
been successful and have contributed to Jordanian
stability while strengthening the bilateral
relationship. U.S. military assistance--provision of
material and training--is designed to meet Jordan's
legitimate defense needs, including preservation of
border integrity and regional stability. Jordan signed a
Threshold Agreement with the Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC) in October 2006, and was subsequently
deemed by the MCC to be eligible for a Compact Agreement
in recognition of the country's progress on economic,
social, and political reform indicators.
Cuisine
Arabic cuisine and feasting is a preoccupation not
only of Jordan, but of the Middle East as a whole. In
culinary terms, the Middle East enjoys one of the
world's most sophisticated and elaborate cuisines, and
are rated among the finest foods in the world. Dishes
will even satisfy the health conscious because many of
them are made with grain, cheese, yogurt, fresh and
dried fruits and vegetables. With the use of these
grains and vegetables, meat goes a long way and even the
simplest ingredients can produce a surprisingly
attractive creation. Jordan's cuisine, although unique,
is part of this distinctive culinary heritage, which
have been savored for well over a thousand years. Two
Jordanian delicacies are Mansaf; lamb seasoned with
aromic herbs and Stuffed Baby Lamb; roast lamb, stuffed
with rice, chopped onions, nuts and raisins.
Water
Drink bottled water only.
Transportation
Taxis are available from Queen Alia International
Airport to take you into Amman. The trip takes around 30
minutes, depending on traffic, and will cost you around
10 JD. The airport also has a bus service which arrives
at Abdali bus station every hour and costs 0.500 JD.
Passengers using Queen Alia airport for international
flights are requested to check in two hours before
departure.
Regular yellow private taxis are a fast and relatively
inexpensive way of getting around Amman, Aqaba and other
cities. They are found in abundance in most areas, and
you will rarely have to wait long to get one. Taxi
drivers are obliged to use their meter, which starts at
0.150 JD.
A cheaper option to a private taxi is known as a
servees, or a communal taxi. These are usually white
Mercedes or Peugeot 504s which take preordained routes
around Amman. Servees taxis will stop to let you out
anywhere along their route, although there are
registered points where they begin and end their
circuit. Like buses, servees taxis post their
destinations and route numbers in Arabic, so you may
find it difficult to familiarize yourself with their
routes. If you cannot read Arabic, hail a passing
servees, shout your destination, and it may stop to pick
you up. Most servees routes pass through either downtown
Amman or Abdali bus station. Servees fares run between
80 and 120 fils.
Cell Phone
It is advisable to rent a cell phone while in Jordan.
Medical World Travel will assist with this service.
Telephone/Dialing Information
The international dialing code for Jordan is 962,
i.e., 011 962 + 6 +telephone number.
International Dialing Codes:
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/dialing.html?p2=11
Country calling codes:
Click Here
Government
Constitutional Monarchy. Jordan is a constitutional
monarchy based on the constitution promulgated on
January 8, 1952. Executive authority is vested in the
King and his Council of Ministers. The King signs and
executes all laws. His veto power may be overridden by a
two-thirds vote of both houses of the National Assembly.
He appoints and may dismiss all judges by decree,
approves amendments to the constitution, declares war,
and commands the armed forces. Cabinet decisions, court
judgments, and the national currency are issued in his
name. The King, who may dismiss other cabinet members at
the prime minister's request, appoints the council of
ministers, led by a prime minister. The cabinet is
responsible to the Chamber of Deputies on matters of
general policy and can be forced to resign by a
two-thirds vote of "no confidence" by that body.
Head of Government and Head of State
Chief of State--King Abdullah bin al-Hussein II
Prime Minister--Marouf Bakhit
Minister of Defense--Marouf Bakhit
Foreign Minister--Abdelelah al-Khatib
Ambassador to the U.S.--Prince Zeid bin Ra'ad
Ambassador to the UN--Charge d'affaires Bashir Zubi
Climate
Jordan's climate varies dramatically from one end of
the country to the other. The Jordan Valley can be
incredibly hot in summer, around 40°C (104°F), while
Amman and Petra occasionally get snow in winter. The
Plateau area is usually warm and dry, fluctuating
between the low 20°Cs (low 70°Fs) and high 30°Cs (high
90°Fs), while the desert suffers extremes of temperature
(hot dry heat and freezing winds from central Asia).
Jordan Climate and Weather -
Click Here
Health
Consult your doctor prior to departure. Travelers can
check the latest health information with the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta,
Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a
web site at
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx
give the most recent health advisories,
immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice
on food and drinking water safety for regions and
countries. A booklet entitled "Health Information for
International Travel" (HHS publication number
CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202)
512-1800.
People
Jordanians are Arabs, except for a few small
communities of Circassians, Armenians, and Kurds who
have adapted to Arab culture. The official language is
Arabic, but English is used widely in commerce and
government. About 70% of Jordan's population is urban;
less than 6% of the rural population is nomadic or
semi-nomadic. Most of the population lives where
rainfall can support agriculture. Approximately 1.7
million registered Palestinian refugees and other
displaced persons reside in Jordan, many as citizens.
History
The land that became Jordan is part of the richly
historical Fertile Crescent region. Around 2000 B.C.,
Semitic Amorites settled around the Jordan River in the
area called Canaan. Subsequent invaders and settlers
included Hittites, Egyptians, Israelites, Assyrians,
Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arab Muslims,
Christian Crusaders, Mameluks, Ottoman Turks, and,
finally, the British. At the end of World War I, the
League of Nations awarded the territory now comprising
Israel, Jordan, the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem to
the United Kingdom as the mandate for Palestine and
Transjordan. In 1922, the British divided the mandate by
establishing the semiautonomous Emirate of Transjordan,
ruled by the Hashemite Prince Abdullah, while continuing
the administration of Palestine under a British High
Commissioner. The mandate over Transjordan ended on May
22, 1946; on May 25, the country became the independent
Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan. It ended its special
defense treaty relationship with the United Kingdom in
1957.
Social Expectations
Covering your shoulders and legs is a sign of respect
whilst in an Arabic nation. The temperature can get
quite hot, however, wearing shorts or short skirts is
considered disrespectful.
If you require assistance from a stranger, say ya
tiki-afi which means thank you for your kind help.
This is a respectful way to ask for assistance.
The month of Ramadan is a time when visitors should
not eat, drink or smoke in public.
Tipping: Many of the better hotels and restaurants
will add a gratuity of about 10% to your bill. However,
smaller establishments usually expect you to leave a tip
in line with the service you received. Taxi drivers are
generally not tipped, but it is customary to pay the
nearest round figure to the price on the meter. It may
be difficult to get change for a large bill, so carry
plenty of small denominations and coins for taxis.
Area
34,495 sq. mi. (89,342 sq. km.)
Literacy Rate
90.9%
Religion
Sunni Muslim 95%, Christian 4%, other 1%.
Internet Access
Internet access is available in upscale hotels in
Amman. Amman also hosts a number of Internet cafes.
Emergency Contacts
Medical World Travel will provide you with emergency
contacts prior to your departure.
From within Jordan, dial 191 for Police, 193 for Fire
and 4622099 for Ambulance.
The U.S. Embassy
http://amman.usembassy.gov/user/default.aspx in
Jordan is located in Abdoun, Amman (tel. 962-6-590-6000)
and is closed on all U.S. federal holidays and some
Jordanian holidays. Embassy office hours are Sunday
through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tourist Authority of Thailand, 1600 New Phetchburi
Rd., Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand. PHONE: 02/250-5500,
FAX: 02/694-1361, Subway: Sukhumvit; Skytrain: Asok
Emergency information concerning Americans traveling
abroad may be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll
free in the U.S. and Canada or the regular toll line
1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the U.S. and Canada.
Holidays
Holidays in Jordan are either religious (Islamic or
Christian) or celebrations of important events in
Jordanian or Arab history. Non-Islamic holidays are
fixed, while Islamic holidays vary according to the
lunar Muslim calendar.
January 18th - Eid al-Fitr
March 27th Eid al-Adhr
April 17th Hirja New Year
June 25th Al-Mawlid al-Nabawi Al-Sharif
May 5th Coronation Day
November 5th Al-Isra waal Miraj
Friday is the weekly holiday when government offices,
banks and most offices are closed. Most businesses and
banks have a half-day on Thursday, and some businesses
and banks take Sunday as a half-day or a complete
holiday.
Government departments are open from 08:00 to 14:00
daily except Friday. Banks are open from 08:30 to 13:00,
and some have recently introduced afternoon hours from
16:00 to 18:00. Small shops are open long hours, from
around 09:00 until 20:00 or 21:00, often closing for a
couple of hours in the mid-afternoon. Most Muslim shop
owners close early or do not open on Friday, and
Christians follow similar rules on Sunday. However, the
markets and street stalls downtown remain open all week
long, and Friday is their busiest day of the week.
During Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting,
business hours are shorter. Museums are generally open
every day except Tuesday, but opening hours sometimes
vary.
Electrical Current
Jordans electricity supply is 220 volts/50 cycles AC
Travel Assistance and Related Links:
Exchange Rate Currency Converter Calculator:
http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic
US Department of State Background Notes on Jordan:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3464.htm
CIA World Fact Book Jordan
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/jo.html
US Department of State International Travel Public
Announcements -
Click Here
o Up to
date travel warning Israel, The West Bank and Gaza -
Click Here
US Bureau of Consular Affairs
o For the
latest security information, Americans living and
traveling abroad should regularly monitor
the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs
Internet web site at
http://www.travel.state.gov
For additional information on international
travel, -
Click Here.
o
Emergency information concerning Americans traveling
abroad may be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747
toll free in the U.S. and Canada or the regular
toll line 1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the U.S.
and Canada.
US Department of State International Travel
Information -
Click Here
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: Jordan
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/mideast.htm
Tourist Attractions in Jordan
Aqaba, Jordan
Aqaba is a microcosm of all the good things Jordan has
to offer, including a fascinating history with some
outstanding sites, excellent hotels and activities,
superb visitor facilities, good shopping, and welcoming,
friendly people. Snorkel and dive the Red Sea and enjoy
a plethora of coral and marine life.
 Aqaba,
Jordan
Petra, Jordan
Hidden amongst the ancient canyons of Jordan is a mystic
and glorious Jordan national treasure; an eternal
tribute to a lost civilization: The legacy of the
Nabataeans; an industrious Arab people who settled in
south Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Petra was
forgotten for 1000 years and only rediscovered in 1812.
It raised its public profile with an appearance in the
movie Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade. Since its
discovery and up until the 1980s, it was home to a
number of Bedouin families. Petra is a few hours drive
from Amman.
Carved entirely into the naturally pink rocks, the
remains of the once lost Nabataean city of Petra include
temples, Roman theaters, monasteries, houses and roads.
From the entrance, a track leads you down to the Siq,
the narrow gorge that takes you into Petra. The Siq used
to be marked by a Roman archway of which only the
vertical ruins are visible.
Once inside, the path narrows as the cliffs seem to
close about you, and just as you least expect it, the
passage widens and you catch a glimpse of the
astonishing monument that dominates Petra, El Khazneh
(The Treasury). Inspired by classical Hellenistic
architecture, the Khazneh is carved as a tomb for a
Nabataean King depicting Nabataean gods and goddesses
and mythological figures.
Believed to be an important pilgrimage site with
worshipers and priests using a processional route to
congregate in the open area in front of the monument,
The Monastery (Al Deir) was used as a monastery during
the Christian Byzantine era when crosses were painted on
its rear wall.
Hours: Oct-Apr: 6:30am-5:00pm; May-Sep: 6:00am-5:30pm.
 The
Dead Sea
The Jordan Rift Valley is a dramatic, beautiful
landscape, which at the Dead Sea, is over 1,312 ft.
below sea level. The lowest point on the face of the
earth, this vast, stretch of water receives a number of
incoming rivers, including the River Jordan. Once the
waters reach the Dead Sea they are land-locked and
evaporate, leaving behind a dense, rich, cocktail of
salts and minerals that supply industry, agriculture and
medicine with some of its finest products.
The Dead Sea is flanked by mountains to the east and the
rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west, giving it an
almost other-worldly beauty. Although sparsely populated
and serenely quiet now, the area is believed to have
been home to five Biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah,
Adman, Zebouin and Zoar.
Jordan Related Links
Official Web Site of Her Majesty Rania Al Abdullah,
Queen of Jordan -
Click Here
Official Web Site of Her Majesty Queen Noor -
Click Here
The Jordan Tourism Board -
Click Here
Atlas Travel and Tourist Agency:
http://www.atlastours.net/jordan/amman.html
Visit Jordan:
http://www.visitjordan.com/
National Geographic
Jordan, Click Here
Wikipedia Jordan:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan
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JORDAN