JORDAN

Jordan or Jordan Hashemite Reign is a State of the Near East (Asia). It borders Syria to the north, Iraq to the north-east, Saudi Arabia to the south-east and south, the Red Sea to the south-west and Israel to the west.

92,300 square kilometres.

Some 6 million inhabitants (July 2007). The population density amounts to 60 per square kilometre.

The capital city is Amman, with 3 million inhabitants (2006). After the war in Iraq, some 800 thousand Iraqi immigrants moved to Amman. The other citizens are mainly Palestinians with Jordan citizenship.

Amman:
Amman is Jordan's capital city. It has very ancient origins, and was probably founded in the XII century B.C. Amman is spread with Roman remains, such as the citadel - the place of the most ancient fortifications - and the forum. It is also a modern and chaotic city, arousing a moderate interest. Amman centre is full of economic hotels, stalls, typical restaurants, western-style fast foods and pubs where you can energize yourself with a fresh beer.

Jerash:
Jerash is the ancient Roman city of Gerasa, 41 kilometres north of Amman. This area was probably inhabited since the Neolithic period, but under the Roman occupation it reached its highest magnificence. Owing to the beauty of its monuments, Romans called it the "Eastern Pompeii". Although excavations began in the 1920s, only 20% of the city has been discovered. Zeus Temple, the forum, the southern Theatre (which can have a public of 5,000 people) and Artemis Temple, with its elegant Corinthians columns, are important visits.
You can reach Jerash during a day-long excursion from Amman: take a taxi or a minibus from the bus station in Abdali (in Amman).

Petra:
Lawrence of Arabia described it as "the most beautiful place on earth". Petra is a surprising city excavated out of the rocks, probably it is the most beautiful city of the Middle East. It is the precious legacy of Nabateans, the Arab hard-working people who established in Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. Petra is in a deep canyon, where you can enter thanks to a narrow and devious cervice (siq). It is in gritstone, a polychrome rock that gives its characteristic "pink" colour. The most famous monument of this site is Khazneh, or Treasure, where the wonderful carved façade is the first thing you see when you enter from the siq. While going along tracks and hills, you can also discover hundreds of tombs excavated in the rocks, temple façades, funeral places and bas-reliefs. One day is not enough for the whole visit.

Madaba:
The "city of mosaics" is 30 kilometres south of Amman. The main attraction of Madaba, which is in Saint George Orthodox Church, is a Byzantine mosaic dating back to the VI century; it represents Jerusalem and other sacred places. The map measures 25 by 5 metres and has as much as 5 million tessellas of coloured stone; it all represents mounts and valleys, villages and cities as far as the Nile delta. Today most of the city is incorporated in the archaeological 'park', including the churches of the Virgin and of Prophet Elijah dating back to the VII century, as long as the most ancient room of Hyppolite, where a spectacular mosaic depicts some scenes from the classic Oedipus tragedy of Phedra and Hyppolite. Madaba offers a few places where you can stay for the night; if you prefer an excursion, you can take a bus from Amman.

International Airport of Marka - Amman.

Jordan is the cradle of one of the world's most ancient civilizations: some archaeological finds date back to 9000 B.C. The first documented inhabitants are Canaanites and Amorites, in 3,000 B.C. The Roman Empire conquered Israel in 63 B.C. and left it under the control of a series of consuls, included Erode and Pontius Pilate. This is the period when Jesus lived. During Caligola's government the Jewish deeply rebelled and ended by destroying Jerusalem and issuing the decree that used to constitute Palestine's province. Such a defeat marked the end of the Israelite state and the beginning of 'diaspora', the dispersion of Jewish people. In 331 A.C. the Emperor Constantine was converted to Christianity and officially authorized the Catholic religion, which used to be considered illegal. The Holy Land became a place of pilgrimages and sacred buildings were built, such as the Churches of the Holy Sepulchre and of the Nativity. However, Christian control in this territory did not last for long: in 638 A.C. Jerusalem was conquered by caliph Omar and declared Islam's Holy City because Muhammad prophet had gone to heaven from the tip of the Mount of the Temple. The Christians of all the world reacted to this profanation by occupying Jerusalem in 1099, thus starting a Christian domination that lasted almost one century. In 1187 Muslims won again: Islamic Mamelukes won the last crusaders' stronghold in 1291. The following 500 years were calm. Empires came one after the other, but the Ottoman Empire fell apart only after the First World War, when Great Britain took control of Palestine and created the State of TransJordan, under the control of King Abdullah. In 1948 Arabs and Jewish declared war on each other: TransJordan had the whole West Bank and a part of Jerusalem, and changed its name into Jordan. In 1953 King Hussein ascended the throne and a period of economic growth started. During the six-day war of 1967, Israel repossessed the West Bank and its part of Jerusalem. In 1994 Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty. Since then the Country strengthened its relationship with Arafat's Palestinians, with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. King Hussein died in February 1999 and his successor was his elder son, prince 'Abd Allah ibn al-Husayn (known as King Abdullah II in the west). This sovereign is more and more approved by the international community and by his Country. He wants to continue his father mission for the Region stabilization, and wants to work for a more democratic government, a freer press and improved equal rights of women.
On 17th June 2003 the first parliamentary elections of Abdullah II reign took place. Among one hundred ten deputies, for the first time in the history of the Country, six women were elected for the Parliament.

The 25th May, Independence Day (1946).

Jordan government is a monarchy. The State chief is King Abd Allāh II of Jordan.
The State became independent from the United Kingdom in 1946. Its entry into UN dates back to 14th December 1955.

Arabic is Jordan's official language.

Sunnite Muslims are the great majority, some 92%. Christians are 6%. All the other fellowships constitute the remaining 2% (data of 2001).

The time zone is two hours ahead Italy.

An entry visa is necessary. You can apply for it in a simple way: you just need to address to Jordan consulates in Italy, or directly at the airport in Jordan (it costs 10 Jordan dinars). You can also ask for it at frontiers, except for the border of King Hussein Bridge/Allenby Bridge (the closest to Amman), where Jordan authorities do not issue any visa.

Jordan monetary unit is Jordan dinar. One euro currently is some 0.96 dinars so rounding is easy. We recommend to visit a money-changer website in order to get updated information.

CHECK THE CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE

The main international credit cards are accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants.

No vaccination is required to visit Jordan. Tourists in Jordan rarely have gastro-intestinal problems; anyway, we recommend to bring antidiarrhoeal medicines.

The best period to visit Jordan is spring or autumn, in order to avoid summer hot sun and winter cold winds. Even though winter in most of the Country is very cold, in the area of the Red Sea and of Aqaba, climate is temperate. It often rains in winter and varies from 660 mm of the northwest, to less than 127 mm in the extreme east. Watch weather forecasts in real time.

CHECK THE WEATHER FORECASTS IN REAL TIME

220 volts in the main cities.

To call Italy from Jordan using your mobile phone, just dial the country code for Italy 003, then the area code - including zero for fixed net numbers - and the number you wish to call. Phone calls from hotels are very expensive.
In order to call Jordan from Italy, just dial the country code for Jordan 00962 followed by 6 for Amman, 3 for Petra and Aqaba, 79 for mobile phones and then the number you wish to call.

There is no good choice for men shopping, but women will surely find beautiful embroidered long dresses. Bedouin pendants, made of copper and mother pearl, may represent a nice present for parents and friends. Madaba's hand made carpets are very nice. Almost everyone buys a kefia souvenir, which is a traditional hat for Jordan men, in Italy mainly used as a scarf for political marches. Most of sellers are in Petra, where prices are higher. In this case you have to be very patient and do not hesitate to haggle. It may also be a nice diversion.

There is no good choice for men shopping, but women will surely find beautiful embroidered long dresses. Bedouin pendants, made of copper and mother pearl, may represent a nice present for parents and friends. Madaba's hand made carpets are very nice. Almost everyone buys a kefia souvenir, which is a traditional hat for Jordan men, in Italy mainly used as a scarf for political marches. Most of sellers are in Petra, where prices are higher. In this case you have to be very patient and do not hesitate to haggle. It may also be a nice diversion.

Middle-eastern cuisine is very good for those loving strong and spicy flavours. A typical dish is "mezzeh", a starter made of many tastes, usually served on a buffet table, so you can help yourself liberally. Then it is meat's turn, almost always mutton, cooked in different ways. Arab unleavened bread, or "khobz", is eaten with almost everything. The most famous dishes are falafel, chickpeas rissoles fried in abundant hot oil, "shwarma", lamb joints inserted into a vertical skewer, and "fuul", a cream pudding made of broad beans, garlic and lemon. "Mansaf" is a Bedouin speciality: a whole lamb laid on a rice and pine-kernel bed. Sweets are very ... sweets, with a base of honey and almonds, gluey and delicious. Wine and beer are everywhere. The aboriginal spirit is "araq": an anise liqueur that you can find in shops, bars and restaurants of all Jordan. It is usually diluted with water and ice and you drink it while you eat. In the end, a good mint tea, which refreshes even when it is hot.

Arab traditional music creates a good atmosphere and wherever you go you can find Arab singers accompanied by orchestras playing western instruments along with traditional ones. Bedouins are still tied to their musical traditions: men sing as if in a trance, accompanied by a beautiful belly dancer.

Nightlife in Jordan can be pleasant if you are in tourist places, where you find any kind of restaurant, pubs and Amman dance clubs. Obviously, according to our standards, it is a traditionalist Country, so we always recommend moderation.

The main feasts are connected to Muslim tradition, like Islam New Year's Day (which varies every year), Ramadam, in June, and Eid al-Fitr, the feast celebrating its end. The main civil feast is on the 25th of May, celebrating Jordan Independence Anniversary.

Jordan is a Muslim Country, so most of the women cover their hair - not their faces, though -, wear long and embroidered dresses, which sometimes hide close-fitting trousers and sexy t-shirts. Out of 29 Ministers, though, 3 are women and many women are city majors. The proportion of women is higher than men as for attending school (52%), and University (54%).
Hospitality is a milestone in Arab life. Jordan families, especially families living in the desert, usually welcome foreigners and invite them in their houses. This tradition developed due to the rigours of life in the desert: without food, water and a shelter most of travellers in the desert would have died. If you refuse an invitation, it may not seem polite; however, repaying their kindness is not an obligation.

- Shops opening hours - Shops open from 9 to 13 and from 16 to 19. They close on Fridays.

- Tips- It is very appreciated. Usually 10% of the cost is given to taxi drivers and waiters.

- Tv- News in English are broadcasted on TV.

- Taxi - In Amman and in Aqaba taxis are numerous and tariffs are moderate; nevertheless, we recommend you to arrange the price for longer trips in advance.

-Safety- Jordan is a safe and pacific land to travel in. Jordanians are very helpful and in general you can walk without problems in the city at any time of the day and of the night. Obviously, we recommend to keep your money in a safe place of the hotel. In case you lose your passport, you need to contact the Embassy.

Via Barberini, 3 - Rome - Italy
Telephone: 0039 06 4744 251
Fax: 0039 06 4744 255

Via G. Marchi, 1/B - Rome - Italy
Telephone: 0039 06 8620 5303
Fax: 0039 06 8606 122

Hafiz Ibrahim Street, 5/7
Jabal Al Weibdeh - Amman
Telephone: 00962 6 4638 185/4636 413/4624 342
Fax: 00962 6 4659 730
E-mail: info.amman@esteri.it