1. General Information
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 is actual size, demonstrating
a variety usually found only in large countries. 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. ..
Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from April to September).
Capital:
Amman
Public Holidays 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. . Islamic Holidays top of page As the lunar Hijra calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, each
year Islamic holidays fall approximately 11 days earlier than in the previous year. The precise dates are known only shortly
before they fall, as they depend on the sighting of the moon. Because the Islamic Hijra calendar is lunar, the exact dates
of Islamic festivals can only be determined the night before each celebration Eid al-Fitr: Also known as al-Eid al-Sagheer
(the little feast), marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It is a three day celebration. Eid al-Adha: Known commonly
as al-Eid al-Kabeer (the big feast), falls at the end of the month of Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). It commemorates the Prophet
Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) offering of Isma’il for sacrifice. During this four day celebration, families who
can afford to slaughter a lamb share the meat with poorer Muslims. Hijra New Year: Islamic New Year þ Al-Mawlid al-Nabawi
al-Sharif: The Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. Al-Isra’ wa’al Mi’raj: The celebration of the Prophet
Muhammad’s (PBUH) night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to the heavens, where he led all the prophets
in prayer. .
Government: Constitutional Monarchy since 1952. Head of State:
King Abdullah Ibn al-Hussein since 1999.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Ali Abu al-Ragheb since 2000.
Language: Arabic is the official language. English is also spoken,
predominantly in the cities. French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken.
Religion: Over 90% Sunni
Muslim, with Christian and Shi'ite Muslim minorities.
Business Hours on Thursday, and some businesses and banks
take Sunday as a half-day or a complete holiday. Government departments are open from 08:00 to 14:00 daily except Friday.
Banks are open from 08:30 to 13:00, and some have recently introduced afternoon hours from 16:00 to 18:00. Small shops are
open long hours, from around 09:00 until 20:00 or 21:00, often closing for a couple of hours in the mid-afternoon. Most Muslim
shop owners close early or do not open on Friday, and Christians follow similar rules on Sunday. However, the markets and
street stalls downtown remain open all week long, and Friday is their busiest day of the week. During Ramadan, the Muslim
holy month of fasting, business hours are shorter. Museums are generally open every day except Tuesday, but opening hours
sometimes vary. ..
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 adapter and a transformer. Most varieties of adapters and transformers are readily available in electrical shops throughout
Jordan. Electrical current in Jordan is reliable and uninterrupted.
2. Entry and Visa Requirements
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. .
3. 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 person- al 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. . Animal Quarantine 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.
Departure Tax 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 15 when leaving by airplane (JD 25 for Jordanians).
4. Health Requirements and Recommendations 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. .
5. 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. 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 money- changers 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, Diner Club and Mastercard. You can also use your cards to draw cash (up 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.
Tipping
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. .
