Jordan Fast Facts

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Jordan is located on the Arabian Peninsula and borders Iraq, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia and Syria. The kingdom is home to exciting landscapes full of rough canyons, mountains and deserts. The culturally rich country not only includes one of the 7 modern wonders of the world, but also a lot of exciting history. See Andyeducation for education in Jordan.

Capital City amman
Size 89,342 km²
Resident 9,531,712
Official Language Arabic
Currency Jordanian dinar
Time Zone UTC+2
Telephone Area Code +962

Fast facts to know

  • Great destination for nature lovers.
  • No vaccinations are required for Jordan.
  • Jordan has a good tourist infrastructure.
  • To enter Jordan, EU and Swiss nationals need a passport that is still valid for at least six months and a visa that is issued directly at the airport.
  • The export of local currency is limited to 300 JD.
  • Jordan is a Muslim country.
  • Many Jordanians also speak English.

Exciting cities in Jordan

  • Ajloun
  • Aqaba
  • Al Kerak
  • amman
  • Jerash (Gerasa)
  • Madaba
  • Petra

History of Jordan

  • Traces of civilization as early as the 9th millennium BC. Chr.
  • 3200 – 2100 BC BC Immigration of new tribes east of the Jordan.
  • 1500 – 1200 BC Influence of Pharaonic Egypt increases.
  • 106 AD Romans incorporated the area into their empire as the province of Arabia.
  • 634 Battle of Yarmouk: area of ​​present-day Jordan comes under Islamic control.
  • Part of the Ottoman Empire from the 16th century.
  • Arab rebellion, 1916-1918 : under English protectorate.
  • 1946 The emirate gains its independence and Abdullah I becomes the first king of the resulting kingdom.
  • 1947-49 Israeli-Arab War ends with Jordan’s defeat and cession of territories.
  • 1967 Six-Day War: Jordan finally loses all areas west of the Jordan River to Israel, with the following second large wave of refugees from Palestine.
  • 1970 “Black September”: Syrian-backed PLO violently crushed.
  • 1994 peace treaty with Israel.
  • Since 1999, foreign policy has been developing in a pro-Western manner.

Climate & travel weather in Jordan

  • Transition between winter-humid Mediterranean climate and continental, dry desert climate.
  • Northwest: Mediterranean climate (warm, dry summers, wet, mild winters).
  • East & South: continental desert climate (large temperature differences between day and night).
  • Rainy season between November and March.
  • No precipitation between June and August.
  • Recommended travel time:
    • April, May, October, November.
    • Beach holiday on the Red Sea: May and September.

Ideas for trips in Jordan

  • Amman:
    • Roman theater
    • King Hussein Bin Talal Mosque
  • Ma’In Hot Springs
  • Swimming in the Dead Sea
  • Rock city of Petra (one of the 7 wonders of the modern world )
  • Snorkeling in the Red Sea
  • Canyoning adventures in Wadi Mujib

Eating & Drinking in Jordan

  • Classic Levantine cuisine that emerged in Lebanon and Syria: cold and hot appetizers (mezzah) in up to 50
  • Served in small bowls.
  • Breakfast: Hummus (chickpeas) or foul (broad beans), warm flatbread, black tea.
  • The table is richly set, especially at lunchtime.
  • Lunch is very varied.
  • Flatbread is an integral part of every meal and is used as a spoon.
  • The main course in Jordan usually consists of grilled meat (chicken, lamb) with side dishes.
  • National dish Mansaf (rice, mutton, goat’s milk sauce).
  • Barbecues are also popular across the country.
  • Food also plays a significant role in Jordan’s history.
  • Refusing an invitation to dinner is an insult and should be avoided.
  • Most event for the whole family.
  • Street food is also quite popular.
  • Locals often eat with their hands, never eat with the left hand.
  • In the restaurant someone pays the bill, a 10% tip is customary.
  • Popular drinks: fresh juices, drinking yoghurt Laban.
  • After the meal, drink tea with fresh mint or coffee (strong Arabic coffee, sweetened).
  • Alcoholic beverages mostly imported.
  • Popular: Araq, an aniseed liquor.
  • Desserts mostly honey-sweet and high-calorie.
  • Typical dishes:
    • Baba ghanush (grilled eggplant puree).
    • Ferah meshwi (grilled half chicken).
    • Mutabbal (aubergine puree with sesame oil and yoghurt cream).
    • Ful (big brown beans with garlic, oil and lemon juice).
    • Aurak einab (grape leaves stuffed with rice, minced meat, spices).
    • Kibda (small pieces of grilled chicken liver).
    • Baklawa (thin dough with chopped nuts, sweet honey syrup).
    • Kubba (Burgul meatballs stuffed with pine nuts).
    • Kusa mahshi (zucchini stuffed with rice).
    • Mohallabiya (milk pudding with rose or orange blossom water).
    • Falafel (fried vegetable balls in flatbread with salad)
    • Shish kebab (grilled minced meat skewers).
    • Shish taouk (grilled chicken pieces on a skewer).
    • Ma’amul (dry pastry with nuts or dates).
    • Maklouba (rice dish with eggplant and cauliflower).
    • Sambusak (small puff pastry pies filled with minced meat, cheese or spinach).
    • Shawarma (mutton gyros).
    • Tabuleh (grained wheat salad with onions, tomatoes and lots of parsley).

Particularly scenic

  • wadi rum
  • Dead Sea
  • king street
  • Dana National Park
  • Ajloun Forest Reserve
  • Mujib Nature Reserve

Jordan Fast Facts

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