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| Location |
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Jordan is located in the heart of the Middle East, Northwest of Saudi Arabia, South of Syria,
Southwest of Iraq, and East of Israel and the Palestenian National Authority. Jordan has access to the Red Sea via the port
city of Aqaba, located at the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba.
Geographic co-ordinates: 29 - 34 00 N, 35 - 39 E
Area
total: 89,213 sq. km (34, 445 sq. miles)
land: 88,884 sq. km (34, 318 sq. miles)
water: 329
sq. km (127 sq. miles)
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Population:
4.9 million
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| Climate and Geography |
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Jordan has a combination of Mediterranean and arid
desert climates, with Mediterranean prevailing in the North and West of the country, while the majority
of the country is desert. Generally, the country has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, with annual average temperatures
ranging from 12 to 25 C (54 to 77 F) and summertime highs reaching the 40 C (105-115 F) in the desert regions. Rainfall
averages vary from 50 mm (1.97 inches) annually in the desert to 800 mm (31.5 inches) in the northern hills, some of which
falls as snow in some years.
Jordan enjoys a range of geographical features, starting from the Jordan Rift Valley
in the West ending at the desert plateau of the East, with a range of small hills running the length of the country in
between.
Lowest Point: Dead Sea, -408 meters (-1338.6 feet)
Highest Point: Jebel Rum, 1734 meters (5689 feet)
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| Currency and Exchange Rates |
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Jordan's currency is the Jordanian Dinar, or JD. It is subdivided into 1000 fils, or 100 qirsh
or piastres. It appears in paper notes of 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 JD denominations. Coins come in denominations of 0.5 JD, 0.25
JD, and 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils. The daily exchange rate is published in local newspapers.
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Currency |
Lowest buying price
(Fils) |
Highest selling price
(Fils) |
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United States Dollar |
708/00 |
710/00 |
(As from June 28, 2001)
You can change foreign cash
or travellers’ checks at any bank in Jordan. Only travellers’ checks will be charged a commission. Also, there
are authorized money-changers 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 favourable rate. Foreigners are permitted
to open accounts at Jordanian banks in either Jordanian Dinar 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.
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| Entry and Visa Requirements |
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Any non-Arab visitor to Jordan, whether for business or tourism, needs an entry visa. Therequired fee
for a visa in addition to the granted stay duration 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 be received. 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.
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| Health Requirements and Recommendations |
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Inoculations are not required unless you are travelling 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 preferable to have preventative shots against
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 pasteurised and safe.
Medical services are well developed throughout Jordan,
with a medical centre 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.
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Source: Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities -
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
web site http://www.tourism.jo/Home/index.htm |
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