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JORDAN
Location
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 Palestinian
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.
Population: 4.9 million
Climate and Geography
 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)
Customs
 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 litre
of spirits or two litres of wine. Modest gifts
and other effects are exempt from customs duty.
Cars and electrical appliances, from household
goods to personal 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.
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Jordan is unique in its historical significance
and geographical diversity. In one day you can travel
from the mountains of Ajloun with its ancient Qalat
Al-Rabad, to the Roman ruins at Jerash, the desert
castles of Karak and the mosaics of Madaba, through
the Rose Red City of Petra and end up at the Red
Sea resort town of Aqaba. If religious history is
your interest, don't forget to schedule a trip to
the site of Jesus's baptism, or you can visit Mt.
Nebo and the burial place of John the Baptist.
 Ajloun
The marvels of nature and the genius of medieval
Arab military architecture have given north Jordan
two of the most important ecological and historical
attractions in the Middle East.
 Amman
By far the largest city of Jordan, it is the only
one with a modern urban infrastructure and houses
almost half of the country's population. It is a
pleasant city and a vibrant place with its own history,
culture and monuments.
 Aqaba
In the resort town of Aqaba, stroll the tranquil
beaches, or swim out a short distance to the coral
reefs, adorned with untold species of plants and
fish.
 Dead
Sea
The Dead Sea is both the saltiest body of water
in the world, with seven times the salt of the ocean,
and the lowest body of water on Earth, lying 408
meters (1,340 feet) below sea level. Situated at
the mouth of the Jordan River, the lake forms part
of the border between Jordan and Israel.
 Jerash
Travel north to Jerash, one of the best preserved
roman outposts in the world. Stroll the street of
columns to the oval plaza and linger till sunset
when the city is awash in golden light.
 Karak
Whether you approach Karak from the ancient Kings
Highway to the east or from the Dead Sea to the
west, the striking silhouette of this fortified
town and castle will instantly make you understand
why the fates of kings and nations were decided
here for millennia.
 Madaba
Whether you approach Karak from the ancient Kings
Highway to the east, or from the Dead Sea to the
west, the striking silhouette of this fortified
town and castle will instantly make you understand
why the fates of kings and nations were decided
here for millennia.
 Petra
Whether you approach Karak from the ancient Kings
Highway to the east, or from the Dead Sea to the
west, the striking silhouette of this fortified
town and castle will instantly make you understand
why the fates of kings and nations were decided
here for millennia.
 Wadi
Rum
Whether you approach Karak from the ancient Kings
Highway to the east, or from the Dead Sea to the
west, the striking silhouette of this fortified
town and castle will instantly make you understand
why the fates of kings and nations were decided
here for millennia.
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