Jordan Overview
Jordan is located in the Middle East and borders Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Israel. The country also has a coast bordering the Gulf of Aqaba and the Dead Sea. From the 16th century until the First World War, the area was part of the Ottoman Empire.
| Capital: | Amman |
| Biggest city: | Amman |
| State: | monarchy |
| Language: | Arabic |
| Religion: | Islam |
| Surface: | 92 300 km² |
| Population: | 7.3 million (2013) |
| Population density: | 69 residents per km² |
| Life expectancy: | 79 years |
| Illiteracy: | 10% |
| Currency: | Jordanian dinar (JOD) 1 dinar = SEK 11.81 |
| GDP per capita: | $ 5,800 (2010) |
| Time difference: | +1 hour |
| Electricity: | 220 V AC, 50Hz |
| National Day: | May 25 |
| Country area code: | 962 |
| 2-Letter country abbreviation: | JO (See more abbreviations on Abbreviationfinder) |
| Business: | service sector 64%, industry 26%, agriculture 10% |
| Climate: | predominantly dry; temperate in the northwest with chilly, humid winters and hot, dry summers |
Prior to independence, the country, along with present-day Israel and the West Bank, was a mandate area managed by Britain. In 1921, this mandate was divided into two parts, and the area east of the Jordan River was named Transjordan. In 1946, Transjordan gained its independence, and in 1950 changed its name to Jordan. In 1967, Jordan lost its territories west of the Jordan River, after the country along with Egypt and Syria lost to Israel in the Six Day War.
Petra was a city in ancient times and is today an archeological site in Jordan. The city was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985 and in 2007 it was named one of the world’s seven new wonders.
WORLD HERITAGE
The following objects in Jordan are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The year in which the item was added to the list is indicated in parentheses.
- Ruins of Petra (1985)
- Quseir Amra Desert Palace (1985)
- The ancient remains at Um er-Rasas (2004)
- Wadi Rum, a desert area with caves, cliffs and 25,000 rock carvings (2011)
ELECTRICAL OUTLET
Electricity and electrical outlets in Jordan
Voltage: 230 V
Frequency: 50 Hz
Type of plug: D, F, G, J
Need an adapter: No, you do not need an adapter.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
Weather in Amman
| Climate | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Christmas | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average temperature °C | 8 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 14 | 10 |
| Day °C | 12 | 13 | 16 | 22 | 27 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 19 | 14 |
| Night °C | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 9 | 5 |
| Rain (mm) | 50 | 50 | 40 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 | 60 |
| Rainy days | 13 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| Soltim / day | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
Akaba
Aqaba is a city in southern Jordan with just over 80,000 residents (2004), and has the country’s only port. The city, together with parts of the surrounding country, forms its own economic free zone, AZES (Aqaba Special Economic Zone), with special tax rules. These are intended to attract foreign investors to the region, and the city has a well-developed tourism. Aqaba borders Eilat in Israel, and has a border crossing that is widely used by tourists. There are also boats from Taba on the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, and south of the city there is a border crossing to Saudi Arabia.
Amman
According to Countryaah, Amman is the capital of Jordan, and has about 2.1 million residents (2005). The city is located on the ruins of the ancient city of Philadelphia. Several buildings were erected during this time, including a theater. This was built between the years 169 and 177 AD. on a natural slope and can take up to 6,000 visitors. It is still possible to use the theater for various cultural events. In the city there is also a Roman odeum that was built during the 100s AD. and which today hosts concerts and other events.
Wadi Musa
Wadi Musa is the city closest to the archaeological site of Petra in Jordan. The city has several hotels and restaurants. The Petra Ministry, which includes Wadi Musa and 18 other villages, with Wadi Musa as the administrative center, has 23,840 residents (2004).
