festivites
Here are some of the prominent festivities or holidays in Jordan:
1. Eid al-Fitr: This is a three-day festival that marks the end of Ramadan, the month-long period of fasting. It is celebrated by Muslims all over the world, including in Jordan. The holiday is typically marked with feasting, family gatherings, gift-giving, and prayers at mosques.
2. Eid al-Adha: Another major Muslim holiday, Eid al-Adha commemorates Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to God. In Jordan, the holiday is observed with similar traditions as Eid al-Fitr, including animal sacrifices and communal prayers.
3. Independence Day: Celebrated on May 25 each year, Independence Day commemorates Jordan's independence from British rule in 1946. The holiday is marked by parades, fireworks, and speeches, as well as cultural events showcasing Jordanian heritage.
4. Christmas: Although Christianity is a minority religion in Jordan, Christmas is still celebrated by many Jordanians. Festivities include church services, caroling, and decorations such as Christmas trees and lights.
5. New Year's Day: Like many other countries, Jordan celebrates New Year's Day on January 1. The holiday is marked with fireworks, parties, and festivities in major cities such as Amman.
6. Prophet Muhammad's Birthday (Mawlid al-Nabi): This holiday commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, and is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. In Jordan, it is observed with religious ceremonies, recitations, and parades.
These holidays are typically celebrated throughout Jordan, but specific traditions and customs may vary depending on the region and community.
seasons
Jordan generally has three tourist seasons:
1. High Season: Runs from March to May and September to November. The weather during this time is pleasant, making it ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing. However, prices for accommodation and tours may be higher, and popular attractions can be crowded.
2. Shoulder Season: Runs from December to February and June to August. During this time, the weather can be extreme – very hot in summer and cold in winter. However, this season can offer better deals on accommodations and fewer crowds at popular attractions.
3. Low Season: Runs from December to February and July to August. This period is characterized by low temperatures, especially in the desert areas of Jordan. Many hotels and restaurants close during this time, and some outdoor attractions may be closed due to weather conditions or lack of visitors. It is not recommended to visit Jordan during this season unless you are interested in skiing or winter sports.
It's essential to check the weather forecast before visiting Jordan and plan your trip accordingly. Additionally, if you're planning to visit religious sites, dress modestly and respect local customs.
visa
Here are some special visa rules for citizens of certain countries who want to visit Jordan:
1. Visa on Arrival: Citizens of many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and most European nations, can obtain a visa upon arrival in Jordan. The cost of a single-entry visa is 40 JOD (approximately $56 USD) and a multiple-entry visa is 60 JOD (approximately $85 USD).
2. Visa-Free Entry: Citizens of select countries, such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, can enter Jordan without a visa for varying periods of time.
3. Prior Visa Approval Required: Citizens of certain countries, including Bangladesh, Iraq, North Korea, and Yemen, must obtain visa approval from a Jordanian embassy or consulate prior to their arrival in Jordan. The cost of this visa varies depending on the country and the type of visa requested.
It's worth noting that visa requirements and costs can change over time, so it's important to check with your nearest Jordanian embassy or consulate to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information.
souvenirs
Here are some of the best souvenirs to buy from Jordan, along with their average prices and suggested places to purchase them:
1. Dead Sea Products: Dead Sea mud, salt, and skincare products are popular souvenirs in Jordan. Prices vary depending on the type of product, but you can expect to pay around JOD 10-20 for a small jar or packet. You can find these products at most tourist shops and markets.
2. Arabic Coffee Pots: Also known as dallahs, these brass coffee pots are a traditional Jordanian item. Prices range from JOD 10-50 depending on the size and design. You can find them at the handicraft market in Amman or in souvenir shops in Petra.
3. Mosaic Artworks: Handmade mosaics are a popular souvenir in Jordan, particularly in Madaba where you can find mosaic workshops and stores. Prices depend on the size and complexity of the piece, but you can expect to pay anywhere from JOD 20-1000.
4. Silver Jewelry: Jordan is known for its silver jewelry, particularly Bedouin-style pieces featuring natural stones and intricate designs. Prices vary widely depending on the quality and size of the piece, but you can expect to pay anywhere from JOD 20-200. You can find silver jewelry in most tourist shops and markets in Jordan.
5. Traditional Clothing: Jordanian thobes (long robes) and keffiyehs (headscarves) make for unique and cultural souvenirs. Prices vary depending on the quality and material, but you can expect to pay around JOD 30-50 for a thobe and JOD 5-10 for a keffiyeh. You can find traditional clothing in most markets and souvenir shops in Jordan.
If you have 1 week
Exciting! Jordan is a beautiful country with a rich culture and history. Here's a suggested one week itinerary for you:
Day 1: Visit Petra - A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Petra is an ancient city carved into red sandstone cliffs. You can explore the iconic Treasury, Monastery, Royal Tombs, and other fascinating ruins. Why? Petra is one of the world's most famous archaeological sites, and it's definitely worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime.
Day 2: Wadi Rum - Take a jeep tour of Wadi Rum's desert landscape, which includes towering sandstone formations, ancient rock art, and Bedouin campsites. Why? The stunning scenery and unique cultural experience make this a must-visit destination.
Day 3: Amman Citadel - Explore the ruins of Amman's hilltop fortress, which dates back to the Bronze Age. You can also visit the nearby Roman Theatre and Museum. Why? Amman Citadel is an important historical landmark that offers breathtaking views of the city below.
Day 4: Dead Sea - Float in the famously salty waters of the Dead Sea, which has been known for its healing properties since ancient times. Why? The Dead Sea is a unique natural wonder that offers a one-of-a-kind experience.
Day 5: Jerash - Tour the well-preserved Greco-Roman city of Jerash, which features impressive arches, temples, and theaters. Why? Jerash is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world, and it's a fascinating glimpse into the past.
Day 6: Dana Biosphere Reserve - Hike through the spectacular canyons and valleys of the Dana Biosphere Reserve, which is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna. Why? The reserve is a natural wonderland that offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration.
Day 7: Aqaba - Relax on the beaches of Aqaba, go snorkeling or diving in the Red Sea, and enjoy some of the region's best seafood. Why? Aqaba is a perfect place to unwind after a week of exploring Jordan's many cultural and natural attractions.
I hope this itinerary helps you make the most of your time in Jordan!
If you have 2 weeks
Hello! You are in Jordan, a country with a rich history and culture. Here's a two-week itinerary that will allow you to explore some of the best sights this beautiful country has to offer:
Week 1:
Day 1-3: Start by exploring the ancient city of Petra. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been carved into the red sandstone cliffs and is one of the most mesmerizing places on the planet. You can take a guided tour, ride a horse or walk through the Siq, and marvel at the Treasury, Monastery, and other stunning structures.
Day 4-5: Head over to Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon. You can take a jeep tour to see the incredible rock formations, enjoy camping under the stars in Bedouin-style tents, and even go hot air ballooning for a bird's eye view of the desert landscape.
Day 6-7: Next, visit the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Float in its salty waters, cover yourself in healing mud, and relax in luxurious spas that offer top-notch treatments.
Week 2:
Day 8-10: Drive north to Jerash, a well-preserved Roman city known for its impressive architecture, temples, theaters, and forums. You can take a guided tour to learn about the history and significance of this ancient site.
Day 11-12: Visit Amman, the capital city of Jordan. Explore its bustling markets, cafes, and restaurants, and check out landmarks such as the Citadel, Roman Amphitheater, and Royal Automobile Museum.
Day 13-14: End your trip by indulging in a unique experience at the Dana Biosphere Reserve. This nature reserve is home to a diverse range of plants, animals, and landscapes including mountains, canyons, and valleys. You can go hiking, birdwatching, stargazing, or participate in a Bedouin cooking class.
I recommend this itinerary because it allows you to experience the best of Jordan's history, culture, and natural beauty. Each destination has its own unique charm that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Culture
Many institutions in Jordan aim to increase cultural awareness of Jordanian Art and to represent Jordan's artistic movements in fields such as paintings, sculpture, graffiti and photography. The art scene has been developing in the past few years and Jordan has been a haven for artists from surrounding countries. In January 2016, for the first time ever, a Jordanian film called Theeb was nominated for the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.
The largest museum in Jordan is The Jordan Museum. It contains much of the valuable archaeological findings in the country, including some of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Neolithic limestone statues of 'Ain Ghazal and a copy of the Mesha Stele. Most museums in Jordan are located in Amman including The Children's Museum Jordan, The Martyr's Memorial and Museum and the Royal Automobile Museum. Museums outside Amman include the Aqaba Archaeological Museum. The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts is a major contemporary art museum located in Amman.
Music in Jordan is now developing with a lot of new bands and artists, who are now popular in the Middle East. Artists such as Omar Al-Abdallat, Toni Qattan, Diana Karazon and Hani Mitwasi have increased the popularity of Jordanian music. The Jerash Festival is an annual music event that features popular Arab singers. Pianist and composer Zade Dirani has gained wide international popularity. There is also an increasing growth of alternative Arabic rock bands, who are dominating the scene in the Arab World, including: El Morabba3, Autostrad, JadaL, Akher Zapheer and Aziz Maraka.
Jordan unveiled its first underwater military museum off the coast of Aqaba. Several military vehicles, including tanks, troop carriers and a helicopter are in the museum.
While both team and individual sports are widely played in Jordan, the Kingdom has enjoyed its biggest international achievements in taekwondo. The highlight came at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games when Ahmad Abu Ghaush won Jordan's first ever medal of any colour at the Games by taking gold in the −67 kg weight. Medals have continued to be won at World and Asian level in the sport since to establish Taekwondo as the Kingdom's favourite sport alongside football and basketball.
Football is the most popular sport in Jordan. The national football team came within a play-off of reaching the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when they lost a two-legged play-off against Uruguay. They previously reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup in 2004 and 2011.
Jordan has a strong policy for inclusive sport and invests heavily in encouraging girls and women to participate in all sports. The women's football team gaining reputation, and in March 2016 ranked 58th in the world. In 2016, Jordan hosted the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, with 16 teams representing six continents. The tournament was held in four stadiums in the three Jordanian cities of Amman, Zarqa and Irbid. It was the first women's sports tournament in the Middle East.
Basketball is another sport that Jordan continues to punch above its weight in, having qualified to the FIBA 2010 World Basketball Cup and more recently reaching the 2019 World Cup in China. Jordan came within a point of reaching the 2012 Olympics after losing the final of the 2010 Asian Cup to China by the narrowest of margins, 70–69, and settling for silver instead. Jordan's national basketball team is participating in various international and Middle Eastern tournaments. Local basketball teams include: Al-Orthodoxi Club, Al-Riyadi, Zain, Al-Hussein and Al-Jazeera.
Boxing, karate, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and ju-jitsu are also popular. Less common sports are also gaining popularity. Rugby is increasing in popularity, a rugby union is recognized by the Jordan Olympic Committee which supervises three national teams. Although cycling is not widespread in Jordan, the sport is developing as a lifestyle and a new way to travel especially among the youth. In 2014, a NGO Make Life Skate Life completed construction of the 7Hills Skatepark, the first skatepark in the country located in Downtown Amman.
As the eighth-largest producer of olives in the world, olive oil is the main cooking oil in Jordan. A common appetizer is hummus, which is a puree of chick peas blended with tahini, lemon, and garlic. Ful medames is another well-known appetiser. A typical worker's meal, it has since made its way to the tables of the upper class. A typical Jordanian meze often contains koubba maqliya, labaneh, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, olives and pickles. Meze is generally accompanied by the Levantine alcoholic drink arak, which is made from grapes and aniseed and is similar to ouzo, rakı and pastis. Jordanian wine and beer are also sometimes used. The same dishes, served without alcoholic drinks, can also be termed "muqabbilat" (starters) in Arabic.
The most distinctive Jordanian dish is mansaf, the national dish of Jordan. The dish is a symbol for Jordanian hospitality and is influenced by the Bedouin culture. Mansaf is eaten on different occasions such as funerals, weddings and on religious holidays. It consists of a plate of rice with meat that was boiled in thick yogurt, sprayed with pine nuts and sometimes herbs. As an old tradition, the dish is eaten using one's hands, but the tradition is not always used. Simple fresh fruit is often served towards the end of a Jordanian meal, but there is also dessert, such as baklava, hareeseh, knafeh, halva and qatayef, a dish made specially for Ramadan. In Jordanian cuisine, drinking coffee and tea flavoured with na'na or meramiyyeh is almost a ritual.
Religion
Sunni Islam is the dominant religion in Jordan. Muslims make up about 95% of the country's population; in turn, 93% of those self-identify as Sunnis. There are also a small number of Ahmadi Muslims, and some Shiites. Many Shia are Iraqi and Lebanese refugees. Muslims who convert to another religion as well as missionaries from other religions face societal and legal discrimination.
Jordan contains some of the oldest Christian communities in the world, dating as early as the 1st century AD after the crucifixion of Jesus. Christians today make up about 4% of the population, down from 20% in 1930, though their absolute number has grown. This is due to high immigration rates of Muslims into Jordan, higher emigration rates of Christians to the West and higher birth rates for Muslims. Jordanian Christians number around 250,000, all of whom are Arabic-speaking, according to a 2014 estimate by the Orthodox Church, though the study excluded minority Christian groups and the thousands of Western, Iraqi and Syrian Christians residing in Jordan. Christians are exceptionally well integrated in Jordanian society and enjoy a high level of freedom. Christians traditionally occupy two cabinet posts, and are reserved nine seats out of the 130 in the parliament. The highest political position reached by a Christian is the Deputy Prime Minister, currently held by Rajai Muasher. Christians are also influential in the media. Smaller religious minorities include Druze, Baháʼís and Mandaeans. Most Jordanian Druze live in the eastern oasis town of Azraq, some villages on the Syrian border, and the city of Zarqa, while most Jordanian Baháʼís live in the village of Adassiyeh bordering the Jordan Valley. It is estimated that 1,400 Mandaeans live in Amman; they came from Iraq after the 2003 invasion fleeing persecution.
Demographics
The 2015 census showed Jordan's population to be 9,531,712 (female: 47%; males: 53%). Around 2.9 million (30%) were non-citizens, a figure including refugees, and illegal immigrants. There were 1,977,534 households in Jordan in 2015, with an average of 4.8 persons per household (compared to 6.7 persons per household for the census of 1979). The capital and largest city of Jordan is Amman, which is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities and one of the most modern in the Arab world. The population of Amman was 65,754 in 1946, but exceeded 4 million by 2015.
Arabs make up about 98% of the population. The remaining 2% consist largely of peoples from the Caucasus including Circassians, Armenians, and Chechens, along with smaller minority groups. About 84.1% of the population live in urban areas.
Jordan was home to 2,175,491 Palestinian refugees as of December 2016; most of them, but not all, had been granted Jordanian citizenship. The first wave of Palestinian refugees arrived during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and peaked in the 1967 Six-Day War and the 1990 Gulf War. In the past, Jordan had given many Palestinian refugees citizenship, however recently Jordanian citizenship is given only in rare cases. 370,000 of these Palestinians live in UNRWA refugee camps. Following the capture of the West Bank by Israel in 1967, Jordan revoked the citizenship of thousands of Palestinians to thwart any attempt to permanently resettle from the West Bank to Jordan. West Bank Palestinians with family in Jordan or Jordanian citizenship were issued yellow cards guaranteeing them all the rights of Jordanian citizenship if requested.
Up to 1,000,000 Iraqis moved to Jordan following the Iraq War in 2003, and most of them have returned. In 2015, their number in Jordan was 130,911. Many Iraqi Christians (Assyrians/Chaldeans) however settled temporarily or permanently in Jordan. Immigrants also include 15,000 Lebanese who arrived following the 2006 Lebanon War. Since 2010, over 1.4 million Syrian refugees have fled to Jordan to escape the violence in Syria, the largest population being in the Zaatari refugee camp. The kingdom has continued to demonstrate hospitality, despite the substantial strain the flux of Syrian refugees places on the country. The effects are largely affecting Jordanian communities, as the vast majority of Syrian refugees do not live in camps. The refugee crisis effects include competition for job opportunities, water resources and other state provided services, along with the strain on the national infrastructure.
In 2007, there were up to 150,000 Assyrian Christians; most are Eastern Aramaic speaking refugees from Iraq. Kurds number some 30,000, and like the Assyrians, many are refugees from Iraq, Iran and Turkey. Descendants of Armenians that sought refuge in the Levant during the 1915 Armenian genocide number approximately 5,000 persons, mainly residing in Amman. A small number of ethnic Mandeans also reside in Jordan, again mainly refugees from Iraq. Around 12,000 Iraqi Christians have sought refuge in Jordan after the Islamic State took the city of Mosul in 2014. Several thousand Libyans, Yemenis and Sudanese have also sought asylum in Jordan to escape instability and violence in their respective countries. The 2015 Jordanian census recorded that there were 1,265,000 Syrians, 636,270 Egyptians, 634,182 Palestinians, 130,911 Iraqis, 31,163 Yemenis, 22,700 Libyans and 197,385 from other nationalities residing in the country.
There are around 1.2 million illegal, and 500,000 legal migrant workers and expatriates in the kingdom. Thousands of foreign women, mostly from the Middle East and Eastern Europe, work in nightclubs, hotels and bars across the kingdom. American and European expatriate communities are concentrated in the capital, as the city is home to many international organisations and diplomatic missions.
Sunni Islam is the dominant religion in Jordan. Muslims make up about 95% of the country's population; in turn, 93% of those self-identify as Sunnis. There are also a small number of Ahmadi Muslims, and some Shiites. Many Shia are Iraqi and Lebanese refugees. Muslims who convert to another religion as well as missionaries from other religions face societal and legal discrimination.
Jordan contains some of the oldest Christian communities in the world, dating as early as the 1st century AD after the crucifixion of Jesus. Christians today make up about 4% of the population, down from 20% in 1930, though their absolute number has grown. This is due to high immigration rates of Muslims into Jordan, higher emigration rates of Christians to the West and higher birth rates for Muslims. Jordanian Christians number around 250,000, all of whom are Arabic-speaking, according to a 2014 estimate by the Orthodox Church, though the study excluded minority Christian groups and the thousands of Western, Iraqi and Syrian Christians residing in Jordan. Christians are exceptionally well integrated in Jordanian society and enjoy a high level of freedom. Christians traditionally occupy two cabinet posts, and are reserved nine seats out of the 130 in the parliament. The highest political position reached by a Christian is the Deputy Prime Minister, currently held by Rajai Muasher. Christians are also influential in the media. Smaller religious minorities include Druze, Baháʼís and Mandaeans. Most Jordanian Druze live in the eastern oasis town of Azraq, some villages on the Syrian border, and the city of Zarqa, while most Jordanian Baháʼís live in the village of Adassiyeh bordering the Jordan Valley. It is estimated that 1,400 Mandaeans live in Amman; they came from Iraq after the 2003 invasion fleeing persecution.
The official language is Modern Standard Arabic, a literary language taught in the schools. Most Jordanians natively speak one of the non-standard Arabic dialects known as Jordanian Arabic. Jordanian Sign Language is the language of the deaf community. English, though without official status, is widely spoken throughout the country and is the de facto language of commerce and banking, as well as a co-official status in the education sector; almost all university-level classes are held in English and almost all public schools teach English along with Standard Arabic. Chechen, Circassian, Armenian, Tagalog, and Russian are popular among their communities. French is offered as an elective in many schools, mainly in the private sector. German is an increasingly popular language; it has been introduced at a larger scale since the establishment of the German-Jordanian University in 2005.
Life expectancy in Jordan was around 74.8 years in 2017. The leading cause of death is cardiovascular diseases, followed by cancer. Childhood immunization rates have increased steadily over the past 15 years; by 2002 immunisations and vaccines reached more than 95% of children under five. In 1950, water and sanitation was available to only 10% of the population; in 2015 it reached 98% of Jordanians.
Jordan prides itself on its health services, some of the best in the region. Qualified medics, a favourable investment climate and Jordan's stability has contributed to the success of this sector. The country's health care system is divided between public and private institutions. On 1 June 2007, Jordan Hospital (as the biggest private hospital) was the first general specialty hospital to gain the international accreditation JCAHO. The King Hussein Cancer Center is a leading cancer treatment centre. 66% of Jordanians have medical insurance.
The Jordanian educational system comprises 2 years of pre-school education, 10 years of compulsory basic education, and two years of secondary academic or vocational education, after which the students sit for the General Certificate of Secondary Education Exam (Tawjihi) exams. Scholars may attend either private or public schools. According to the UNESCO, the literacy rate in 2015 was 98.01% and is considered to be the highest in the Middle East and the Arab world, and one of the highest in the world. UNESCO ranked Jordan's educational system 18th out of 94 nations for providing gender equality in education. Jordan has the highest number of researchers in research and development per million people among all the 57 countries that are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). In Jordan there are 8060 researchers per million people, while the world average is 2532 per million. Primary education is free in Jordan.
Jordan has 10 public universities, 19 private universities and 54 community colleges, of which 14 are public, 24 private and others affiliated with the Jordanian Armed Forces, the Civil Defense Department, the Ministry of Health and UNRWA. There are over 200,000 Jordanian students enrolled in universities each year. An additional 20,000 Jordanians pursue higher education abroad primarily in the United States and Europe. According to the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, the top-ranking universities in the country are the University of Jordan (UJ) (1,220th worldwide), Jordan University of Science & Technology (JUST) (1,729th) and Hashemite University (2,176th). UJ and JUST occupy 8th and 10th between Arab universities. Jordan has 2,000 researchers per million people.
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