Jordan
Capital: Amman
Official name: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Local time: UTC+ 2 (UTC+ 3 from April to September, when the country switches to daylight saving time)
Population: 4 millions
Language: Arabic
Geography
Official name: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Local time: UTC+ 2 (UTC+ 3 from April to September, when the country switches to daylight saving time)
Population: 4 millions
Language: Arabic
Geography
Climate
Language
Currency
Religion
Transport
Electricity
Purchases and souvenirs
National cuisine
Tipping
National Holidays
Geography
Jordan is unique country. Thanks to its location, in the Middle East, it became a part of centuries-old history.
In the epoch of Ancient Egypt caravans with spices, going from South Arabia, passed through Jordan. In the days of Nabataeans and Romans trade-routes laid from India to Rome. Arabic conquerors and crusaders, Turkish- Osman and England visited country.
J
ordanians are very proud by itself: they managed to save the enormous amount of monuments of different epochs and civilizations, and thanks to it hundreds of thousands tourists from over the world visited the kingdom annually.
Jordanian earth is sacred for the representatives of three religions: Christianity, Islam and Judaism. For this reason all citizens of this surprising country live in the world and consent. For Christians and Israelites Jordan – this is a country, where the most religious actions happened about which Scripture tells us.
For Islam Jordan- it is the Blessed Earth, extending between three great Moslem sacred objects: Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem and being the witness of birth of Islam and his converting into world religion.
The enormous amount of old times monuments were saved in Jordan.
Among them is nabatean capital Petra, returned from nonexistence only in 1812.The way to Petra lies through the picturesque and simultaneously frightening passage-way of Es-Sik. Quite good was saved the monument of the Greek-Roman epoch city Dzherash, known as "east Pompeii" because buried under a mud flow, as Pompeii – by lava. The look of old Arabic settlement can be presented on ruins of fortress of Es-Sal't. It will be akso interestingly to see the Arabic castles of El'-Azraka and Madaba, mountain Nebo with remains of church, erected early Christians, fortress of Mukavvir, where Iride Palace was located, and where Ioann Krestitel' was according to legend beheaded.
Rest is in Jordan it is not only trips on the sainted places. Akaba –the unique resort, located on the Red Sea, which is famous among active rest lovers. Cristal clean water, shocking beauty of the submarine world is the real paradise for diving.
There are not many hotels on the
coast of the Dead Sea. However, authorities of country intend to compete with Israel, and they began to attract foreign investors for erection numerous clinics and spa-hotels.
Modern Jordan lives by quiet east life. Jordanians are not very much spoiled by tourist’s attention, therefore traditional Arabic hospitality and goodwill exists here in a primordial kind, without the search of benefit.
Climate
The spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Jordan. The summer, May to September, is hot and dry but often pleasantly cool in the evenings. The exception is The Jordan Valley (much of which lies below sea-level) which is warm during the winter months and extremely hot in the summer. Almost all the rain falls during the months November to March. Snow sometimes falls on areas above 1,000 meters mainly in January and February.
Language
Arabic is the official language of Jordan. English is widely understood among most Jordanians
Currency
The currency is the Jordanian dinar, one dinar being divided into 1000 fils. Notes are in denominations of 20, 10, 5 and 1 dinars as well as 500 fils. Coins are in denominations of 500, 250, 100, 50, 25, 20, 10, 5 and 1 fils. American Express and Visa are the most widely accepted credit cards. Licensed banks and exchange offices accept traveler's checks. Credit cards and traveler's checks are of limited utility outside Amman.
Religion
Over 94% is Muslim. A significant Greek Orthodox Christian minority (6%) resides mainly in the villages around the hill city of Madaba.
Transport
National airline “Royal Jordanian” connects Amman with many capitals of Europa, Asia and Arab countries. There are a lot of regular flights to Amman. From Moscow to Amman flights only Aeroflot airlines (flights on Sunday 9:40 and on Thursdays 21:00 “Queen Alia”) International airport located to the south from Amman and it is one of the most modern in the Middle East.
Jordan's highways are generally in very good shape. The main route is the Desert Highway, which connects Aqaba, Ma’an, and Amman and continues all the way to Damascus
in neighboring Syria.
Service taxis cover much the same routes as buses. Service taxis are definitely more expensive than minibuses, but a lot faster and more convenient.
A lot of sights are in 2 hours from Amman. Traffic signs are in Arab and English languages.
Mail, connection and press: There is wonderful telephone, telex and fax international connection. Postage stamps are for sale in hotels and posts. In news-stands it is possible to purchase the Jordanian press, both in Arabic and on English language, and also foreign magazines.
Electricity: Jordan uses 220V 50 Hz.
Purchases and souvenirs
The most traditional objects of the Jordanian handicrafts are madabs carpets, screw-thread on olive tree, pearl wares, embroidery, Palestinian potteries, khevron glass, silver decorations, and different stone figurines of zooms, Bedouin decorations and hand-made objects, old sables, guns of beginning of the age, goat's hides, leather wares and sand-filled vials.
Walking on the market in "Down town” district in Amman will enable you to see hundreds of the shallow articles of home utensil, which you, possibly, will want to drive away home as a memorable gift or souvenir about a journey to Jordan.
National cuisine
The national dish
of Jordan is the mansaf, prepared with jameed, a sun-dried yogurt.
Musakhan is a chicken dish, cooked with onions, olive oil and pine nuts; Maklouba is a meat, fish or vegetable stew served with rice;
Also popular is the famous Jordanian shish kebab, consisting of chunks of lamb or marinated chicken speared on a wooden stick and cooked over a charcoal fire with tomatoes and onions.
Through the country import alcoholic drinks are freely given and sold, and also local wines, beer and hard liquors. With the dishes of the Arabic kitchen anise vodka arrack is taken.
Tipping
Most restaurants include a service charge in accounts, and that is why to give tip to waiters is unnecessarily. If the cost of service not included to the account, give tips to the waiters in size of 10% from the sum of account. It is accepted also to give tips to the person who serves you in a number. Do not give tips to the taxi-drivers, however if there is not a meter, first necessary to arrange a price.
National Holidays
Jordan uses the Gregorian calendar and many public holidays have fixed dates.
1 May Labour Day.
25 May Independence Day.
[Tags: Tours to Jordan]
Туры в Иорданию (Russian version)
Language
Currency
Religion
Transport
Electricity
Purchases and souvenirs
National cuisine
Tipping
National Holidays
Geography
Jordan is unique country. Thanks to its location, in the Middle East, it became a part of centuries-old history.
In the epoch of Ancient Egypt caravans with spices, going from South Arabia, passed through Jordan. In the days of Nabataeans and Romans trade-routes laid from India to Rome. Arabic conquerors and crusaders, Turkish- Osman and England visited country.
J
ordanians are very proud by itself: they managed to save the enormous amount of monuments of different epochs and civilizations, and thanks to it hundreds of thousands tourists from over the world visited the kingdom annually.Jordanian earth is sacred for the representatives of three religions: Christianity, Islam and Judaism. For this reason all citizens of this surprising country live in the world and consent. For Christians and Israelites Jordan – this is a country, where the most religious actions happened about which Scripture tells us.
For Islam Jordan- it is the Blessed Earth, extending between three great Moslem sacred objects: Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem and being the witness of birth of Islam and his converting into world religion.
The enormous amount of old times monuments were saved in Jordan.
Among them is nabatean capital Petra, returned from nonexistence only in 1812.The way to Petra lies through the picturesque and simultaneously frightening passage-way of Es-Sik. Quite good was saved the monument of the Greek-Roman epoch city Dzherash, known as "east Pompeii" because buried under a mud flow, as Pompeii – by lava. The look of old Arabic settlement can be presented on ruins of fortress of Es-Sal't. It will be akso interestingly to see the Arabic castles of El'-Azraka and Madaba, mountain Nebo with remains of church, erected early Christians, fortress of Mukavvir, where Iride Palace was located, and where Ioann Krestitel' was according to legend beheaded.
Rest is in Jordan it is not only trips on the sainted places. Akaba –the unique resort, located on the Red Sea, which is famous among active rest lovers. Cristal clean water, shocking beauty of the submarine world is the real paradise for diving.
There are not many hotels on the
coast of the Dead Sea. However, authorities of country intend to compete with Israel, and they began to attract foreign investors for erection numerous clinics and spa-hotels. Modern Jordan lives by quiet east life. Jordanians are not very much spoiled by tourist’s attention, therefore traditional Arabic hospitality and goodwill exists here in a primordial kind, without the search of benefit.
Climate
The spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Jordan. The summer, May to September, is hot and dry but often pleasantly cool in the evenings. The exception is The Jordan Valley (much of which lies below sea-level) which is warm during the winter months and extremely hot in the summer. Almost all the rain falls during the months November to March. Snow sometimes falls on areas above 1,000 meters mainly in January and February.
Language
Arabic is the official language of Jordan. English is widely understood among most Jordanians
Currency
The currency is the Jordanian dinar, one dinar being divided into 1000 fils. Notes are in denominations of 20, 10, 5 and 1 dinars as well as 500 fils. Coins are in denominations of 500, 250, 100, 50, 25, 20, 10, 5 and 1 fils. American Express and Visa are the most widely accepted credit cards. Licensed banks and exchange offices accept traveler's checks. Credit cards and traveler's checks are of limited utility outside Amman.
Religion
Over 94% is Muslim. A significant Greek Orthodox Christian minority (6%) resides mainly in the villages around the hill city of Madaba.
Transport
National airline “Royal Jordanian” connects Amman with many capitals of Europa, Asia and Arab countries. There are a lot of regular flights to Amman. From Moscow to Amman flights only Aeroflot airlines (flights on Sunday 9:40 and on Thursdays 21:00 “Queen Alia”) International airport located to the south from Amman and it is one of the most modern in the Middle East.
Jordan's highways are generally in very good shape. The main route is the Desert Highway, which connects Aqaba, Ma’an, and Amman and continues all the way to Damascus
in neighboring Syria. Service taxis cover much the same routes as buses. Service taxis are definitely more expensive than minibuses, but a lot faster and more convenient.
A lot of sights are in 2 hours from Amman. Traffic signs are in Arab and English languages.
Mail, connection and press: There is wonderful telephone, telex and fax international connection. Postage stamps are for sale in hotels and posts. In news-stands it is possible to purchase the Jordanian press, both in Arabic and on English language, and also foreign magazines.
Electricity: Jordan uses 220V 50 Hz.
Purchases and souvenirs
The most traditional objects of the Jordanian handicrafts are madabs carpets, screw-thread on olive tree, pearl wares, embroidery, Palestinian potteries, khevron glass, silver decorations, and different stone figurines of zooms, Bedouin decorations and hand-made objects, old sables, guns of beginning of the age, goat's hides, leather wares and sand-filled vials.
Walking on the market in "Down town” district in Amman will enable you to see hundreds of the shallow articles of home utensil, which you, possibly, will want to drive away home as a memorable gift or souvenir about a journey to Jordan.
National cuisine
The national dish
of Jordan is the mansaf, prepared with jameed, a sun-dried yogurt.Musakhan is a chicken dish, cooked with onions, olive oil and pine nuts; Maklouba is a meat, fish or vegetable stew served with rice;
Also popular is the famous Jordanian shish kebab, consisting of chunks of lamb or marinated chicken speared on a wooden stick and cooked over a charcoal fire with tomatoes and onions.
Through the country import alcoholic drinks are freely given and sold, and also local wines, beer and hard liquors. With the dishes of the Arabic kitchen anise vodka arrack is taken.
Tipping
Most restaurants include a service charge in accounts, and that is why to give tip to waiters is unnecessarily. If the cost of service not included to the account, give tips to the waiters in size of 10% from the sum of account. It is accepted also to give tips to the person who serves you in a number. Do not give tips to the taxi-drivers, however if there is not a meter, first necessary to arrange a price.
National Holidays
Jordan uses the Gregorian calendar and many public holidays have fixed dates.
1 May Labour Day.
25 May Independence Day.
[Tags: Tours to Jordan]
Туры в Иорданию (Russian version)
