Jordan Information
Where is Jordan?
Is an Arab Muslim country, located in the north of the Arabian Peninsula and in West Asia. Bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south and south-east, and Palestine (the West Bank) to the west. Jordan is named to the Jordan River, which passes on its western border, and Amman is capital.
How big is Jordan?
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a small country with few natural resources, but it has played a pivotal role in the struggle for power in the Middle East.
What is the weather like?
Winter temperatures in the southern and northern highlands range between 9-13°C, while the deserts regions range from 19-22°C. In the Jordanian Valley, summer temperatures range between 38-39°C, while in the desert regions, they vary between 26-29°C. About 75% of precipitation falls during the winter.
How long or short are the days?
There is a big difference between winter and summer daylight hours. From May to August, you won't see much darkness. Conversely, in mid-winter, expect only about four to five hours a day of daylight. Spring and fall daylight hours are roughly the same as in Europe and North America.
How should I dress?
Jordanians are very accepting of other religions and a little under 10% of the population is not Muslim at all, they are Christian and they do not cover their hair. The only place where you should cover your hair, arms and legs is when you are entering an Islamic religious site such as a mosque.
Is drinking alcohol allowed in Jordan?
Alcohol is legal, but heavily taxed .
Do Jordanian speak English?
The official language of Jordan is Arabic, but English is widely spoken especially in the cities.
What is the food like?
As Jordan is positioned in the Levant it takes many influences from North African, Persian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern food. From delicious savoury dinners to sweet desserts, there are plenty of food options to suit all taste buds and budgets.
What is the currency?
The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar, symbol JD, also pronounced as “jaydee.” There are 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 JD notes. The dinar is divided into 100 piasters (pronounced “pee-asters”) or 1000 fils (“fills”).
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS in Jordan:
Banks, businesses, government offices and many shops close all day for public holidays.
Fixed public holidays include:
- New Year’s Day January 1 st
- Labor Day May 1 st
- Independence Day May 25 th
- Christmas Day December 25 th<
A number of public holidays are not fixed. These include Easter and the following Islamic Holidays, which are based on the Lunar calendar:
- Eid al-Fitr - A 3 or 4-day feast marking the end of Ramadan.
- Eid al-Adha - A 4 day feast at the end of the Hajj, or month of pilgrimage to Mecca.
- First of Muharam - Islamic New Year.
- 12 Rabee Al Awal - The Birthday of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).