Population – 4.9 million, Area – 34,578 sq mi (89,556 sq km), Currency – Jordanian Dinar (JOD, symbol: JD), each comprising 1000 fils or piastres, Flight times – From London to Amman is 5 hours, Cities – Amman (capital), Irbid, Az Zarqa, Aqaba, Time Zone – GMT+2, Weather – Dry and hot desert, with a rainy season in the west from November to April, Languages – Arabic, English and some French is also spoken, Religion – Sunni Islam (over 90%), Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox), other 2% (several small Shi'a Muslim and Druze populations), Electricity - 220 220V/50Hz (Continental round pin & UK plugs).

Jordan is a Kingdom steeped in history and culture and its rich heritage, all around are remnants of ancient civilizations long since past, yet they still remain, stamped into the very fabric of this amazing Kingdom and etched into the soul of the people who live here. With a reputation for being one of the friendliest countries on earth, it is sad that so few people dare to explore its immense sense of history, as well as two of the most magnificent sights in the Middle East: the ancient rock-hewn city of Petra and Wadi Rum's spectacular desert scenery. The major cities of Jordan are Al'Aqabah, Ramm, Amman, Wadi Musa, and Irbid,

Amman, the capital of Jordan is a sprawling city spread over 19 hills. It is the modern, as well as the ancient capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Known later as Philadelphia, the ancient city now boasts a population of around 1.5 million. Amman offers a variety of historical sites. Towering above Amman, the site of the earliest fortifications is now subject to numerous excavations which have revealed remains from the Neolithic period as well as from the Hellenestic and late Roman to Arab Islamic Ages. The site which is known as the Citadel includes many structures such as the Temple of Hercules, the Omayyad Palace and the Byzantine Church. At the foot of the Citadel lies the 6000 seat Roman Theatre which is a deep-sided bowl carved into the hill and still used for cultural events. Another newly restored theatre is the 500-seat Odeon which is used for concerts. The three museums found in the area offer a glimpse of history and culture, they are the Jordan Archaeological Museum, The Folklore Museum and the Museum of Popular Tradition.

Madaba, “the City of Mosaics “, is best known for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, is home to the famous 6th century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. With two million pieces of colored stone, the map depicts hills and valleys, villages and towns as far as the Nile Delta. Other mosaic masterpieces found in the Church of the Virgin and the Apostles and the Archaeological Museum, depict a rampant profusion of flowers and plants, birds and fish, animals and exotic beasts, as well as scenes from mythology and everyday pursuits of hunting, fishing and farming.

AMMAN BY NIGHT

Petra, The ancient city of Petra is one of Jordan's national treasures and by far its best known tourist attraction. Located approximately three hours south of Amman, Petra is the legacy of the Nabataens, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, Petra is now a UNESCO world heritage site that enchants visitors from all corners of the globe. Much of Petra's appeal comes from its spectacular setting deep inside a narrow desert gorge. The site is accessed by walking through a kilometre long chasm (or siq), the walls of which soar 200 metres upwards. Petra's most famous monument, the Treasury, appears dramatically at the end of the siq. Used in the final sequence of the film "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", the towering facade of the Treasury is only one of myriad archaeological wonders to be explored at Petra

Jerash, Aclose second to Petra on the list of favourite destinations in Jordan, the ancient city of Jerash boasts an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years. The city's golden age came under Roman rule and the site is now generally acknowledged to be one of the best preserved Roman provincial towns in the world. Hidden for centuries in sand before being excavated and restored over the past 70 years, Jerash reveals a fine example of the grand, formal provincial Roman urbanism that is found throughout the Middle East, comprising paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theatres, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates.

Currency

The official currency is the Dinar (JOD), which is divided into 100 piastres or 1,000 fils. Foreign currency and travellers cheques can be changed at any bank or moneychanger, although the latter will usually give a better rate of exchange.

Airport

Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) is located 20 miles (32km) south of Amman. Metered taxis are inexpensive and readily available. There is also a public bus service. Car rental is available and includes major companies such as Avis and Hertz. Facilities within the airport include a bank and bureau de change, duty-free shopping, wireless Internet access, bars and restaurants. A tourist help desk is also available. Facilities for the disabled are good.

More 250,000 patients from other countries sought treatment in Jordan in the year 2007. This included an estimated 45,000 Iraqis and approximately 25,000 patients each from Palestine and Sudan. An estimated 1,800 US citizens, 1,200 UK citizens, and 400 Canadians also sought treatment in Jordan that year. Treatment costs can be as low as 25 percent of costs in the US. The kingdom was rated as number one in the region and fifth in the world as a medical tourism hub in a study by the World Bank.

The World Bank experts have ranked Jordan on top most position as a Medical tourism destination in the Arab region and fifth in the world. Jordan also happens to be the only country that generates more money than it spends on the Healthcare front.There are close to 60 private hospitals in Jordan in a total of over 100, outnumbering public sector hospitals, is also an indicator of the sector’s development

“People started learning about Jordan’s medical development since 1972, when, the first open-heart surgery was conducted at the Al-Hussein Medical City; in 1975 the first kidney transplant took place and in 1985 the first heart transplant was performed. This became more evident during the 1980s and 1990s as many private hospitals were built,” Jordan is also self-efficient when it comes to competent doctors and nursing cadres—over 17,000 doctors—which is in turn a high turn up for a population of five and half million.”Stability and security in light of the current situation in the Middle East are also among the reasons that make Jordan a hub for people seeking treatment.

“Easy procedures, including same language and similar traditions, are also among the reasons that encourage Arab patients, especially those from neighboring countries, to seek medical help in Jordan.’ Over the years Jordan has become a medical hub for patients arriving from neighboring countries. Patients from 46 countries come to Jordan. Foreign patients, who work in countries like Iraq and Palestine and come to Jordan for treatment.”

Premier medical institutions like Al-Hussein Medical City, Jordan University Hospital and of course King Hussein Cancer Center that has achieved brilliant accomplishments in the treatment of cancer. People, who seek Jordan for medical treatment come here because of the good medical services.

A country of almost six million inhabitants, Jordan is firmly rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia. Courtesy and hospitality are among the most highly prized of virtues, and the visitor is sure to be charmed by the genuine warmth and friendliness that awaits them.

Jordanian society is marked by a high degree of tolerance for different lifestyles. Foreigners are free to practice their own religions, alcohol is served in licensed premises and the dress code is liberal. Women face no discrimination and can move around as freely as they would in their own western city.

Some Major Tourist Attractions

Tourist attractions in Jordan include the Roman amphitheater in Amman; Jerash the Greco-Roman city, with ruins of a Triumphal Arch and Hippodrome; the gigantic amphitheater at Petra, the ruins at Umm Qais; the hilltop castle of Qalaat-al-Rabadh at Pella, and Aqaba, famous for its excellent beaches. Other tourist attractions in Jordan include the Dead Sea, Azraq Wetland Wildlife Reserve, the spectacular desert scenery at Wadi Rum, Jebel-al-Qala'a (fortress) and Crusader Castle.

Jerash

Less than one hour’s drive north of Amman through the picturesque hills of ancient Gilead is Jerash. A magnificent Graeco-Roman city on an ancient site, beautifully preserved by the desert sands, Jerash is justly famous for the Triumphal Arch, the Hippodrome, the great elliptical forum, the theaters, baths and gateways, the Roman bridge and the wide street of columns that lead to the Temple of Artemis. The Jerash festival, held in July every year, transforms the ancient city into one of the world's liveliest and most spectacular culture events.

Petra

Petra is one of the wonders of the Middle-Eastern world: a gigantic natural amphitheater hidden in the rocks out of which a delicately colored city with immense facades has been carved; it was lost for hundreds of years and only rediscovered in 1812.

Aqaba

At the northeast end of the Gulf of Aqaba is Jordan’s only port, which can be reached from Amman by road or air. It has grown considerably over the past few years, both as a port and as a tourist center, due in part to its excellent beach and watersports facilities, and its low humidity and hot climate. The town has a variety of small shops and several good restaurants, and it leaves most of the other tourist facilities to be provided for by the hotels. These include windsurfing, scuba diving, sailing and fishing. Most hotels have swimming pools, and will offer continental and some traditional cuisine. Some provide business and conference facilities and excursions to Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum. Aqaba’s Church, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 363 AD, was recently excavated and is one of the oldest buildings in the world.

The Fort at Aqaba.

Famed for its preserved coral reefs and unique sea life, this Red Sea port city was, in ancient times, the main port for shipments from the Red Sea to the Far East. The Mameluk Fort, one of the main historical land marks of Aqaba, rebuilt by the Mameluks in the sixteenth century. Square in shape and flanked by semicircular towers, the fort is marked with various inscriptions marking the latter period of the Islamic dynasty. The current excavations at the ancient site of early Islamic town Ayla with its two main streets intersecting in the middle dates back to the 7th Century already revealed a gate and city wall along with towers, buildings and a mosque. The museum houses a collection of artifacts collected in the region, including pottery and coins. Aqaba also hosts the house of Sharif Hussein Bin Ali, the great grandfather of King Abdullah II. Other places of interest include the mud brick building thought to be the earliest church in the region.

Desert Castles

Jordan's desert castles, beautiful examples of both early Islamic art and architecture, stand testament to a fascinating era in the country's rich history. Their fine mosaics, frescoes, stone and stucco carvings and illustrations, inspired by the best in Persian and Graeco - Roman traditions, tell countless stories of the life as it was during the eighth century. Called castles because of their imposing stature, the desert complexes actually served various purposes as caravan stations, agriculture and trade centres, resort pavilions and outposts that helped distant rulers forge ties with local bedouins. Several of these preserved compounds, all of which are clustered to the east and south of Amman, can be visited on one - or two - day loops from the city.

Qusair Amra, one of the best preserved monuments, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its interior walls and ceilings are covered with lively frescoes, and two of the rooms are paved with colorful mosaics.

Qasr Mushatta, Qasr al - Kharrana, Qasr at -Tuba and Qasr al - Hallabat have been restored and are all in excellent condition. The black basalt fort at Azraq, in continuous use since Late Roman times, was the headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia during the Arab Revolt.

Crusader Castles

For those fascinated by the Crusader Legends and Lore, a second group of castles beckons. The scenic Kings Highway is littered with the remains of Crusaders forts and outposts. The most important among these are Karak and Shobak - fascinating examples of architectural and military traditions of the time. Their galleries, towers, chapels and ramparts still echo with the resolve of the Crusaders who built them almost a thousand years ago.

Ajloun Castle

Ajloun Castle built in 1184 is a fine example of Islamic architecture. From its position, the Ajloun Castle protected the travel path between south Jordan and Syria, and was one of a chain of forts, that used light signals at night from the Euphrates to as far as Cairo. Today, Ajloun Castle is a splendid sight with a fascinating warren of towers, chambers, galleries and staircases to explore, while its hilltop position offers stunning views of the Jordan Valley.

Karak Castle

The fort is a dark maze of stone-vaulted halls and endless passageways. The best preserved are underground, and to be reached through a massive. The castle was expanded with a new west wing added by the Ayyubids and Mameluks.

Shobak Castle.

Shobak Castle is less than an hour north of Petra. Once called "Mont Real", Shobak dates from the same turbulent period as Karak. It is perched on the side of a mountain, with a grand sweep of fruit trees below. The castle's exterior is impressive, with a forbidding gate and encircling triple wall.

Ruins at Umm Qays.

In addition to Jerash and Amman, Gadara and Pella were once Decapolis cities, and each has unique appeal. Perched on a splendid hilltop overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Sea of Galilee, Umm Qays boasts impressive ancient remains, such as the stunning black basalt theatre, the basilica and adjacent courtyard strewn with nicely carved black sarcophagi, the colonnaded main street and a side street lined with shops, an underground mausoleum, two baths, a nymphaeum, a city gate and the faint outlines of what was a massive hippodrome.

Graeco-Roman ruins at Pella.

Pella is exceptionally rich in antiquities, some of which are exceedingly old. Besides the excavated ruins from the Graeco - Roman period, Pella offers visitors the opportunity to see the remains of Chalcolithic settlement from the 4th millennium BC, evidence of Bronze and Iron age walled cities, Byzantine churches, early Islamic residential quarters and a small medieval mosque.

Basalt arches at Umm al Jimal.

The eastern most of the major northern cities, Umm al Jimal is located at the edge of the eastern basalt desert plain, along a secondary road that was close to the junction of several ancient trade routes that linked central Jordan with Syria and Iraq. Among the most interesting structures to visit are the tall barracks with their little chapel, several large churches, numerous open and closed water cisterns, the outlines of a Roman fort and the remains of several town gates.

Excavations at Umm ar Rasas.

Excavations in Umm ar Rasas have uncovered some of the finest Byzantine church mosaics, including a large carpet depicting Old and New Testament cities on both the east and west banks of the Jordan River. Another feature at Umm ar Rasas walled settlement is a 15-metre Byzantine tower used by early Christian monks seeking solitude.

Um ar Rasas is a UNESCO world heritage site.

A towering monolith at Petra.

The Kings Highway winds its way through the different ecological zones of the country, including forested highlands, open farmland plateaus, deep ravines, the edge of the eastern desert, and the warm tropical Gulf of Aqaba. Lining both sides of this 335-kilometre (207-mile) thoroughfare is a rich chain of archaeological sites that reads like an index of ancient history and a biblical gazetteer -- prehistoric villages from the Stone Age, biblical towns from the kingdoms of Ammon, Moab and Edom, Crusader Castles, some of the finest early Christian Byzantine mosaics in the Middle East, a Roman-Herodian fortress, several Nabatean temples, two major Roman fortresses, early Islamic towns, and the rock-cut Nabatean capital of Petra. First mentioned by name in the Bible, the Kings Highway was the route that Moses wished to follow as he led his people north through the land of Edom, which today is in southern Jordan. The name may, however, derive from the even earlier episode recounted in Genesis 14, when an alliance of "four kings from the north" marched their troops along this route to do battle against the five kings of the Cities of the Plain, including the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

CULTURAL INFORMATION

Art Gallery in Amman.

Jordan has a rapidly developing fine arts scene, including an increasing number of female artists. Today, artists from various Arab countries find freedom and inspiration in Jordan. The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts boasts a fine collection of paintings, sculptures and ceramics by contemporary Jordanian and Arab artists.

Cultural Centres

Jordan hosts a number of centres devoted to local arts and culture, such as the Royal Cultural Centre - a modern complex housing theatres, cinemas, and conference / exhibition halls.

Theatres & Cinemas

Foreign language films are shown with the original soundtrack and Arabic subtitles. Times are listed daily in The Jordan Times, the daily newspaper.

Places To Visit

Petra in Ma'an
Petra in Ma'an, the home of Nabateans, is a complete city carved in a mountain. The rocks are colorful, mostly pink, and the entrance to the ancient city is a 1.25 km narrow crack in the mountain - called the Siq. In the city are various structures, all (except 2) are carved into rock, including the al Khazneh - otherwise known as the Treasury - which is now nominated by the New Seven Wonders organization to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Umm Qais
Umm Qais, a town located on the site of the ruined Hellenistic-Roman city of Gadara.

Ajlun
Ajlun, famous for the Islamic al-Rabadh Castle.

Jerash
Jerash, famous for its its ancient Roman architecture, including the colonnaded streets, arches, Roman theatres, and the Oval Plaza.

Amman
Amman contains the Roman theater, in addition to several museums, where one may find remains of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Al Karak
Al Karak contains an important castle from the times of Salah al-Din, known as Al-Karak Castle.

Umm al-Jimal
Umm al-Jimal, the so-called "Black Gem of the Desert", was once a town on the margins of the Decapolis. Rural and well to do, it was a fitting contrast to the surrounding busy cities. Its black basalt mansions and towers, some still standing three stories high, have long inspired poets.

Qusair Amra
Qusair Amra, one of the best preserved Umayyad Islamic period monuments and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its interior walls and ceilings are covered with unique frescoes, and two of the rooms are paved with colourful mosaics.

Natural reserves

Dana Nature Reserve
Dana Nature Reserve covers 308 square kilometres and is a world of natural treasures. It is composed of a chain of valleys and mountains which extend from the top of the Jordan Rift Valley down to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba. The visitor to this area will be awed by the beauty of the Rummana mountain, the mystery of the ancient archaeological ruins of Feinan, the timeless serenity of Dana Village and the grandeur of the red and white sandstone cliffs of Wadi Dana.

Azraq Wetland Reserve
Azraq is a unique wetland oasis located in the heart of the semi-arid Jordanian eastern desert, one of several beautiful nature reserves managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN). Its attractions include several natural and ancient built pools, a seasonally flooded marshland, and a large mudflat know as Qa'a Al-Azraq. A wide variety of birds stop at the reserve each year for a rest during their arduous migration routes between Asia and Africa.

Shawmari Wildlife Reserve
The Shawmari Reserve was created in 1975 by the RSCN as a breeding centre for endangered or locally extinct wildlife. Today, following breeding programmes with some of the world's leading wildlife parks and zoos, this small, 22-square-kilometre reserve is a thriving protected environment for some of the most rare species in the Middle East. Oryx, ostriches, gazelles and onagers, which are depicted on many 6th century Byzantine mosaics, are rebuilding their populations and reasserting their presence in this safe haven, protected from the hunting and habitat destruction that nearly wiped them out.

Transportation

There are three airports, all receiving and sending international commercial flights, two of them in Amman and the third is located in the city of Aqaba. The largest airport in the country is Queen Alia International Airport in Amman that serves as the hub of the regional airline Royal Jordanian. The airport is currently under significant expansion in a bid to make it the hub for the Levant. Marka International Airport was the country's main airport before it was replaced by Queen Alia Airport but it still serves several regional routes. King Hussein International Airport serves Aqaba with connections to Amman and several regional and international cities.

A National Rail System was approved by the Jordanian Government which will connect all major cities and towns by passenger and cargo rail. There are two lines to be constructed. The North-South Line passing through Mafraq, Zarqa, Amman, Maan, and Aqaba with international connections to Syria and Saudi Arabia.

Two connected but non-contiguously operated sections of the Hedjaz Railway exist:

• From Amman in Jordan to Syria, as the "Hedjaz Jordan Railway."
• From phosphate mines near Ma'an to the Gulf of Aqaba as the "Aqaba Railway."

Jordan shares the longest common borders with the West Bank, there are two border crossings between Jordan and Palestine in the Bisan merge (King Hussein Bridge) in the north in the Wadi Araba in the south.