The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy with representative government. The reigning monarch, His Majesty King Abdullah II, is the Head of State, the Chief Executive and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces. The king exercises his executive authority through the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, or Cabinet. The cabinet is responsible before the elected House of Deputies which, along with the House of Notables (Senate), constitutes the legislative branch of the government. The judicial branch is an independent branch of the government. Since 1989, all elements of the Jordanian political spectrum have embarked together on a road to greater democracy, liberalization and consensus building. These reforms, which were guided by the late King Hussein, have placed Jordan on an irreversible road to democratization. The result has been greater empowerment and involvement of everyday citizens in Jordan's civic life, contributing to increased stability and institutionalization which will benefit the country far into the future.

Amman has served as the modern and ancient capital of Jordan. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a 1994 excavation uncovering homes and towers believed to have been built during the Stone Age, circa 7000 BC. There are many Biblical references to the city, which by about 1200 BC had become the Ammonite capital of Rabbath-Ammon. The Ammonites fought numerous wars with Saul, David and others.

The history of Amman between the end of its Biblical references (around 585 BC) and the time of the Ptolemies is unclear. We do know that the city was renamed Philadelphia after the Ptolemaic ruler Philadelphus in the third century BC. The city later came under Seleucid and also Nabatean rule, but the Roman general Pompey’s annexation of Syria in 64 BC and capture of Jerusalem one year later laid the foundations for the Decapolis League, a loose alliance of ten free city-states under overall allegiance to Rome. Philadelphia was part of the Decapolis, as were other Hellenized cities in Jordan including Gerasa (Jerash), Gadara (Umm Qais), Pella and Arabila (Irbid).

Under the influence of Roman culture, Philadelphia was replanned and reconstructed in typically grand Roman style with a colonnaded street, baths, an amphitheater and impressive public buildings.

During the Byzantine period, Philadelphia was the seat of a Christian bishop, and several expansive churches were built. The city declined somewhat during the late Byzantine years, and was overrun by the Persian Sassanians in 614 AD. Their rule was short-lived, however, collapsing before the Arabian armies of Islam around the year 635. The name of the city then returned to it Semitic origin of Ammon, or "Amman." It remained an important stop on the caravan routes for many years, but eventually trade patterns shifted and dried up the lifeblood of Amman. The city declined to little more than a provincial village for many centuries.

Amman’s "modern" history began in the late 19th century, when the Ottomans resettled a colony of Circassian emigrants there in 1878. Many of their descendants still reside in Amman. During that time and the early decades of the 20th century, neighboring city of Salt was more important as a regional administrative and political center. However, after the Great Arab Revolt secured the state of Trans-Jordan, Emir Abdullah bin al-Hussein made Amman his capital in 1921.

Since then, the city has grown rapidly into a modern, thriving metropolis of well over a million people. Amman’s growth has been driven largely by political events in the region, and especially by the Arab-Israeli conflict. After the wars of 1948 and 1967, successive waves of Palestinian refugees ended up in Amman. Moreover, the city’s population was further expanded by another wave of immigrants arriving from Iraq and Kuwait during the 1990-91 Gulf Crisis.

Situated near the southeastern coast of the Mediterranean, Jordan shares borders with Syria to the north, Iraq to the east, the West Bank and Israel to the west, and Saudi Arabia to the east and south.

The land of Jordan and its people have been molded by centuries of passing civilizations. Jordan has always been a crossroad between east and west, and its centrality has given it strategic and economic importance, making it a vital trading and communication link between countries, people and continents.

Jordan's population is estimated at nearly 5.9 million (July 2006 estimates). Jordan's stability in a turbulent region has attracted large numbers of refugees and temporary residents from neighboring regions such as the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. In recent years it has also seen tens of thousands of Jordanian expatriates returning from abroad.

Approximately 78% of Jordan's people reside in major cities. Amman, the capital, comprises 38% of the country's population.

Islam is the prevalent religion in Jordan where Sunni Muslims comprise 92% of the population, Christians comprise 6% of the population (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), and others comprise 2% of the population (several small Shi'a Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 estimates)

The official language of Jordan is Arabic while English is widely understood among upper and middle classes.

Jordan is a relatively small country situated at the junction of the Levantine and Arabian areas of the Middle East. The country is bordered on the north by Syria, to the east by Iraq, and by Saudi Arabia on the east and south. To the west is Israel and the occupied West Bank, while Jordan’s only outlet to the sea, the Gulf of Aqaba, is to the south. Jordan occupies an area of approximately 96,188 square kilometers including the Dead Sea, making it similar in size to Austria or Portugal. However, Jordan’s diverse terrain and landscape belie its actual size, demonstrating a variety usually found only in large countries.

Jordan has a combination of Mediterranean and arid desert climates, with Mediterranean climates prevailing in the north and west of the country, while the majority of the country is desert. Generally, the country has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, with annual average temperatures ranging from 12 to 25 C (54 to 77 F) and summertime highs reaching the 40s (105-115 F) in the desert regions. Rainfall averages vary from 50mm (1.97 inches) annually in the desert to as much as 800 mm (31.5 inches) in the northern hills, some of which falls as snow.

Western Jordan has essentially a Mediterranean climate with a hot, dry summer, a cool, wet winter and two short transitional seasons. However, about 75% of the country can be described as having a desert climate with less than 200 mm. of rain annually. Jordan can be divided into three main geographic and climatic areas: the Jordan Valley, the Mountain Heights Plateau, and the eastern desert, or Badia region.

Jordan can be divided into three physiographic regions, each with a distinct climate.

1. The highlands comprise mountainous and hilly regions that run through Jordan from north to south. The highlands are by no means uniform. Their altitude varies from 600 to 1600 meters (1969-5249 feet) above sea level. Generally wet and cool, also varies from one area to another. The average temperature in Amman ranges from 8.1 degrees Celsius (46.6 Fahrenheit) in January to 25.1 degrees (77.2 Fahrenheit) in July.
2. The Jordan Rift Valley which also runs along the entire length of Jordan. The Rift Valley plunges to over 400 meters below sea level at the Dead Sea, becoming the lowest spot on earth, and reaches a maximum width of 15 kilometers (9.3 miles). The Rift Valley ends in the south at Aqaba, a tropical resort surrounded by mountains. Aqaba also enjoys a warm, sunny climate throughout the year and is a tourist destination sporting some of the world's most spectacular underwater life.
3. The desert region in the east Jordan is an extension of the Arabian Desert, and forms nearly two-thirds of the country. There is an extreme variation in the climate of the desert between day and night, and between summer and winter. Summer temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), while winter nights can be bitterly cold, dry and windy.

Jordan is a small Arab country with inadequate supplies of water and other natural resources such as oil. Debt, poverty, and unemployment are fundamental problems, but King Abdullah II, since assuming the throne in 1999, has undertaken some broad economic reforms in a long-term effort to improve living standards. 'Amman in the past three years has worked closely with the IMF, practiced careful monetary policy, and made substantial headway with privatization. The government also has liberalized the trade regime sufficiently to secure Jordan's membership in the WTO (2000), a free trade accord with the US (2000), and an association agreement with the EU (2001). These measures have helped improve productivity and have put Jordan on the foreign investment map. The US-led war in Iraq in 2003 dealt an economic blow to Jordan, which was dependent on Iraq for discounted oil (worth $300-$600 million a year). Several Gulf nations have provided temporary aid to compensate for the loss of this oil; when this foreign aid expires, the Jordanian government has pledged to raise retail petroleum product prices and the sales tax base. Other ongoing challenges include fiscal adjustment to reduce the budget deficit, broader investment incentives to promote job-creating ventures, and the encouragement of tourism.

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 visitor’s 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.

Inoculations are not required unless you are traveling from an infected location. If you come from a country where diseases such as cholera and yellow fever are prevalent, you will have to show a certificate of inoculation at your point of entry into Jordan. Although not required, it is not a bad idea to have preventative shots for polio, tetanus and typhoid.

Jordan is one of the cleanest and safest countries, but it is nonetheless advisable to take some precautions until your digestive system adjusts. Hotels rated four-star and up have their own filtering systems, and their tap water is safe to drink. In other places, bottled water is recommended. All fruit and vegetables should be washed thoroughly, and salads and cold meats which have been sitting out for a long time should be avoided, especially during summer months. All Jordanian dairy products are pasteurized and safe.

Medical services are well developed throughout Jordan, with a medical center or clinic in every town and village. There are hospitals in Amman, Aqaba, Ma’an, Karak, Madaba, Zarqa, Irbid and Ramtha. In the larger towns and cities many of the doctors have been trained overseas and speak English. Antibiotics and other drugs normally sold on prescription in the West are often available over-the-counter in Jordan. You should carry prescriptions of any medicaments you may need, making sure you have the generic name as your specific brand may not be available. If you wear glasses, bring a spare pair and a copy of the prescription as well.

There are three departure taxes from Jordan: four Jordanian Dinars (JD) across land borders (JD 8 for Jordanians), JD 6 from Aqaba by sea, and JD 10 when leaving by airplane (JD 20 for Jordanians).

Customs regulations exempt from duty most items carried by tourists, including cameras, radios, hair-dryers, video equipment, etc. So far as duty allowances are concerned, you may carry up to 200 cigarettes or 200 grams of tobacco, and either one liter of spirits or two liters of wine. Modest gifts and other effects are exempt from customs duty.

Cars and electrical appliances, from household goods to personal computers and video cameras, are subject to duty which may be very high. If you intend to take taxable goods with you when you leave you should ask the customs officials to enter details of these goods in your passport to avoid paying tax. Upon exit you will be asked to show that your goods were tax exempted.

There are no regulations about bringing pets into Jordan, and the most you may be asked for is a certificate of health for the animal.

Time is GMT + 2 (in winter, +3 in summer), or 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time. Summer time is observed from April through September.

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 1 - New Year
Shawal 1st for 3 Days Eid Al Fitr
The AL Hijeh 1st for 4 Days Eid Al Adha
Muharram 1st Hijra New Year
May 1 - Labor Day
May 25 - Independence Day
12 Rabi' 1 Prophet's Birthday
November 16 - Al Issra' Wall-Mi'raj
December 25 - Christmas

Electrical Current

Jordan’s electricity supply is 220 volts/50 cycles AC. Sockets are generally of the two-pronged European variety, while a variety of other sockets and plugs—especially the 13 amp square three-pinned plug—are in use. To be safe, bring a multi-purpose adapter. American equipment requires both an adaptor and a transformer. Most varieties of adaptors and transformers are readily available in electrical shops throughout Jordan. Electrical current in Jordan is reliable and uninterrupted.

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.

Jordan operates on the metric system. Length is counted in meters, distances in kilometers, weight in kilograms and volume in liters. You may come across the measurement for land: the dunum. One dunum is equivalent to approximately 1000 square meters (10,760 square feet).

Currency and Credit Cards

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.

The rate of exchange is 1 JD = 1.42 US $.

You can change foreign cash or travelers’ checks at any bank in Jordan. Only travelers’ checks will be charged a commission. There are also authorized moneychangers in Amman, Aqaba and Irbid, and you will usually get a slightly better rate of exchange at moneychangers than at banks. Hotels of three stars or above will also change money but at a less favorable rate.

Foreigners are permitted to open accounts at Jordanian banks in either Jordanian Dinars or in foreign currencies. Currency exchange operates under the guidelines and regulations of the Central Bank of Jordan. The Central Bank also sets the minimum and maximum interest rates for financial institutions to follow.

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.

The Education System

Jordan is a relatively young country that places great emphasis on education. Out of a population of 5.6 million, nearly one-third of the entire population are students.

After the nursery and kindergarten years, the education system in Jordan comprises a 12-year comprehensive program divided into two cycles: basic and secondary.

The basic cycle runs from grades 1-10 and is free and compulsory for all Jordanians. At the end of grade 10, the grades of each student for the previous three years (8th, 9th, and 10th) are calculated to determine in which secondary stream that student can continue. Usually, the student’s wishes are taken into account, but the final decision rests with the Ministry of Education. The secondary cycle of two years is divided into two main streams. The first is the comprehensive secondary education stream that ends with a general secondary education examination, the Tawjihi, and consists of a common core curriculum and optional specialized academic or vocational courses. The second is the applied secondary educational stream, which consists of specialized vocational courses; these prepare skilled labor through apprenticeship programs run by the Vocational Training Corporation or the Ministry of Education.

The development of Jordan’s educational system can only be described as dramatic. Starting from almost nothing in the early 1920s, Jordan has forged a comprehensive, high-quality system to develop the human capital of its citizens. Every village and community with 10 or more school-going children is provided with a school, enabling citizens in poor and remote areas to gain access to education. Education is free for all primary and secondary school students, and compulsory for all Jordanian children through the age of fifteen. It is proved that Jordan has achieved over 95 percent enrollment for its school age children. Jordan’s policy of favoring spending on basic education over higher education has facilitated the country’s goal of universal enrollment and has boosted literacy levels throughout the general population. The kingdom’s education record has proven impressive by international standards, and results from the foresight of the country’s leadership, who saw and continue to see the need to focus on building the country’s human capital to meet the challenges of the future.

Jordan’s community colleges offer specialized two- or three-year programs in various areas of study. All community college students have to pass a comprehensive government exam at the end of their studies. Community colleges tend to offer practical education geared towards professions such as education, commerce, computer studies, medicine, pharmacology, hotel management, interior design, social work, nursing, and midwifery.

Eight public universities, and twelve private universities offer university education in Jordan.

Jordan has a complex labor market that simultaneously exports and imports labor. Forty-two percent of the country’s population is under 15 years of age. While Jordan has been an exporter of skilled labor to other Arab countries, notably to the oil-rich Gulf area, foreign labor has a high turnover rate because much of it is involved in seasonal work. This is especially true for Arab workers from neighboring countries such as Syria and Egypt, whose nationals are exempted from residence permits. Unemployment is a major problem that faces consecutive Jordanian governments. It is now at its highest level.

With its relatively limited natural resources, Jordan relies heavily on the human element for its economic and social progress. Due to the quality of the services provided in the country and its wealth of educated and talented people, Jordan is achieving internal success and is also able to export human expertise and skilled manpower to other countries in the region. In order to tap Jordan's human talent, the promotion of science and technology is at the top of both public and private sectors' priority lists. The Higher Council for Science and Technology, the Royal Scientific Society and the R&D programs supported by various private companies are key components of Jordan's science and technology sectors.

Sources:

- The Office of King Hussein I of Jordan --
http://www.kinghussein.gov.jo/jordan.html

- The Embassy of Jordan (Washington, D.C.) --
http://www.jordanembassyus.org/new/jib/factsheets/overview.shtml

- National Information Technology Center --
http://www.nitc.gov.jo/En/

- The Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook --
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/jo.html

- 3D Flags --
http://www.3dflags.com

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