GENERAL INFORMATION :

What is Jordan?

Jordan is a small country with a big heart. A young country which was established in 1921 by Prince Abdullah the First. It got the independence from Great Britain in 1946 and since then it gained the name The Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan.

The country was highly developed during the rule of his Majesty late King Hussien Bin Talal, who put Jordan on the global map. After the Loss of King Hussien in 1999, King Abdullah the Second Bin Al-Hussien is leading the country towards unlimited improvement and high development. The latest technology is used in Jordan in industries and communication. Internet is commonly used in the country. Internet cafes are spreading in most of the Jordanian cities.

The population of Jordan is around 5 million. Jordanians are very friendly people and they like to offer help to everyone.

As being one of the safest places in the world, Jordan can easily be called The Kingdom of Peace.

What is in Jordan?

In Jordan you can find everything. As the Area has been inhabited by a variety of cultures, every body left a beautiful touch. Greco-Roman cities are spreading at the north of the country. Cities such as Jerash, Um qais, Amman (Philadelphia) and many more can be enjoyed. Petra the Red Rose City And the beautiful desert of Wadi Rum are the best to be seen in the south. Madaba and Mount Nebo are very beautiful places to enjoy the Byzantine Mosaic. The unique Dead Sea and the calm Red Sea are both great experiences to be enjoyed in Jordan.

COFFEE AND TEA

Jordanian Arabic coffee is strong and served in tiny cups; its often with cardamom . Don't try to drink the last mouthful , as it will be full of coffee grounds!

shake the cup to indicate that you don't want a refill . Turkish coffee is also common, And American coffee is available in the cities . Decaffeinated coffee is offered in the lager hotels.
Coffee is an important symbol of hospitality and it is very common to be offered coffee or tea in small shops, or to be invited to have coffee in salmon's home .It is good etiquette to accept .

Tea is served in small glasses and is usually very sweet .Tea with fresh mint makes a refreshing variation .

ALCOHOL

Alcohol is served in most restaurants and bars in the cities ,except during RAMADAN (non-Arabs can still get a drink in a hotel). Alcohol can also be purchased in supermarkets and some shops. Araq is a local liquor similar to Greek ouzo, usually mixed with water and ice.

HOURS

Shopping hours are flexible .Some are open from 9.30-13.30 and 15.30-18.00.
Other may be open long hours ,from 8.00-20.00. Many shops close on Fridays, but the Suq does not.

BUSINESS HOURS

Government Offices
0800-1400 Sat to Thurs.

Private Companies
Summer: 0800-1300 and 1530-1930 Sat to Thurs
Winter   : 0830-1330 and 1500-1830 Sat to Thurs

GOLD AND SILVER

Jordan is famous for its dazzling variety of handmade gold and sliver items ,much of them 24-karat and generally sold by weight ,at prices much lower than in Europe or the USA. Look for bargains in the more than 50 shops in Amman's Gold SUB ,downtown just off king Faisal St. Sliver and amber are good buys, too. A nice souvenir is a tiny gold coffee pot (dalleh), a symbol of Jordan worn on a chain .

The suq is also one of the remaining places where the tradition of bargaining or haggling over the price is still observed . So practice your negotiating skill and pick up a bargain !

BANKS

Banks are open Sun-Thu 8.30-15.30 . ATM's are distributed around the country and most of them accept all major credit cards.

CLIMATE

Jordan is blessed with a Mediterranean climate for pleasurable year-round travel .

Amman is sunny and cloudless from May to October ,with average temperatures around 23c (73F). Spring time brings optimal weather , lush with greenery , and autumn is equally mild and pleasant .July and August are hot and dry but not oppressive .Because of the capital city's elevation ,evening are cool. AQABA and Jordan valley are ideal winter resorts ,with temperatures averaging 16-22c (61-72F) between November and April .There is very little rain in the AQABA area and in the desert.

CURRENCY

The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar , symbol JD. which is often called "JD" notes. The Dinar is divided into 100 piastors or 1000 fils (fills) .One Jordanian Dinar is equivalent to approximately 1.5 US$ .

Currency can be exchanged at major banks and hotels .  US Dollar is accepted in all Tourist Places.

ELECTRICITY

The electrical system is based in 220 AC volts, 50 cycles, and requires rounded two-prong wall plugs. Visitors from the USA will need a transformer , most hotels can provide one.

LANGUAGE

The official language of Jordan is Arabic.

English is widely spoken, especially in the cities, and many Jordanians have traveled or been educated abroad. French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken, but to a lesser extent.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Banks, businesses, government offices and many shops are closed all day on public holidays.

Gregorian New Year's Day - 1 Jan
* Eid Al Fitr -8 Feb, 3 days
* Eid Al Adha -17 Apr, 3 days
Labour Day -1 May
* Islamic New Year's Day -8 May
Independence Day -25 May
Army Day -10 June
* Prophet's Birthday -17 Jul
King Hussien`s Birthday -14 Nov
* Leila Al Mi'raj -28 Nov

* Subject to change depending on lunar cycle