Jordan is an Arab country in Southwest Asia spanning the southern part of the Syrian Desert down to the Gulf of Aqaba. It shares borders with Syria to the north, Iraq to the north-east, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories to the west, and Saudi Arabia to the east and south. It shares control of the Dead Sea with Israel, and the coastline of the Gulf of Aqaba with Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Much of Jordan is covered by desert, particularly the Arabian Desert; however the north-western area, with the sacred Jordan River, is regarded as part of the Fertile Crescent. Jordan has a rich history; its location in the central Middle East has long made it a prized possession. During its long history, Jordan has seen numerous civilizations, including such ancient eastern civilizations as the Sumerian, Akkadian, Israelite, Babylonian, Assyrian, Mesopotamian, and Persian empires. Jordan was for a time part of Pharaonic Egypt, and spawned the native Nabatean civilization that left rich archaeological remains at Petra. Cultures from the west also left their mark, such as the Macedonian, Roman, and Byzantine empires. Since the seventh century the area has been under Muslim and Arab cultures, with the exception of a brief period under British rule.

Aqaba, the Jordanian royal family’s favorite holiday resort, offers some of the finest diving in the world in the Red Sea. The less energetic can simply laze on the beach or visit historical sites such as the recently discovered oldest purpose-built church in the world.

Official languages: Arabic

Currency: Jordanian dinar (JOD)

Time Zone: UTC + 2 (UTC + 2)

Summer (DST): UTC + 3 (UTC + 3)

Internet TLD: .jo

Calling Code: +962

Visa Formalities for Jordan:

Passports
Passport valid for six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas
Required by all nationals of countries referred British, Australian, Canadian, USA, and other EU except the following:
(a) transit passengers continuing their journey to another country by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Transit visas can only be issued at Jordanian airports/airlines and not at embassies or consulates.

Note: Nationals not referred to above visa line are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).

Visa Note
(a) Nationals of countries referred to above visa line can obtain visas on arrival at the airport in Jordan. Multiple-entry visas can only be obtained at the nearest embassy/consulate.

(b) For information about land border crossings, see the Travel - International section or contact the embassy. Visas may be extended for three or six months by registering with a police station in Jordan.

Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Transit and Business: £11 (single-entry); £21 (multiple-entry). Visa on arrival: 10 Jordan Dinars (single-entry).

Validity
Validity varies according to nationality. For Australian, Canadian, UK and US nationals, visas are valid as follows: Tourist: Three months for single-entry if obtained from the embassy or two weeks if obtained at the airport, these can be extended at any Jordanian police station; Multiple-entry are valid for six months; Business: Three months. After the first two weeks of stay, all visitors holding a visa must report to the nearest police station.

Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see General Info.

Working Days Required
Two to three if applying in person; two weeks by post once application has been received.

Warning
Most visits are trouble-free.

However, there is a high threat from terrorism in Jordan. Western interests may be particular targets although attacks could be indiscriminate.

There have been a number of successful and attempted terrorist attacks in Jordan since 2001. On 4 September 2006, a shooting incident in downtown Amman left one tourist dead and a number of others injured. On 9 November 2005, three suicide bombers killed 60 people and injured almost 100 in hotels in Amman. The Jordanian security forces continue to remain on a state of alert.

If you are planning to travel to Jordan, you should be careful about, and confident of, your personal security arrangements throughout your visit.

Extra care should be taken at the borders with Israel and Iraq. In December 2004, a car exploded at the Iraqi-Jordanian Tarbil border post killing two and injuring five others.  You should take particular care when using Jordanian service taxis to cross into neighboring countries.

Developments in the region may trigger public unrest. Take care to avoid demonstrations, which can turn hostile, and be particularly vigilant in public places. 

Attractions in Jordan:

Aqaba

Aqaba, located in southwestern Jordan near the Israeli, Egyptian, and Saudi Arabian borders, is a favorite destination for both Jordanians and foreigners seeking to escape the cold winter weather. Sitting on the Gulf of Aqaba, not far from Egypt, the resort town enjoys balmy weather during the winter months, with temperatures seldom dipping below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21C). Aqaba has been popular with beach-goers for quite a few years, but it is now attracting divers and snorkelers as well. Underwater sights include over 1,000 species of fish, and countless varieties of fringing and fan corals, sea grasses, sponges, invertebrates, and other forms of marine life.

Art Galleries and Museums – Amman

Even though most Arab capitals are cultural wastelands (with the notable exceptions of Beirut and Cairo), Amman has a growing number of fascinating museums and cutting-edge art galleries. The capital's most noteworthy museums include the small but excellent Jordanian Archaeological Museum at the Citadel, with its collection of ancient artifacts; the Folklore Museum and the Traditional Jewels and Costumes Museum, both of which are in the Roman Theater; the Jordan Postal Museum; and the Museum of Jordanian Heritage. In addition, the Jordan University Archaeological Museum displays antiquities from the Bronze Age to the Islamic period. Galleries such as Darat Al-Funun, the Jordan Inter-Continental Hotel Gallery, and Alia Art Gallery showcase artwork by contemporary Jordanian artists.

Hammamat Ma'in

These natural hot springs southwest of Madaba are favorites with visitors and locals alike. On virtually any day of the week, the cascading warm waters are filled with people trying to glean the health benefits associated with immersion within the bountiful springs. A natural sulfur spa bath is an additional attraction. Be aware that Hammamat Ma'in is frequented mostly by men. Women visitors should avoid coming to the area alone.

Jerash

Dating back to the second century AD, Jerash is a spectacularly well-preserved provincial Roman city that was unearthed as recently as the 1920s. The main ruins, lying west of the Zarqa River, include the colonnaded street, the south and north theaters, the Temple of Zeus, and an oval piazza. Jerash also contains 14 churches with fine mosaics from the Byzantine era. Jerash is north of Amman, about halfway between Irbid and the capital, and is billed as one of the nation's top two attractions--the other being Petra.

Madaba

This friendly town located about an hour's drive south of Amman has a large percentage of Jordan's shrinking Christian population. Noteworthy sites in Madaba include St. George's Greek Orthodox Church and the Church of the Virgin, both of which house splendid antique mosaics. Madaba is best known for its wealth of mosaics, most of which date back to the Byzantine era. Additional attractions in town include an archaeological park, a museum, and more historic churches.

Petra

The Nabatean city of Petra is undoubtedly Jordan's most illustrious historical sight. The 2,000-year-old rock-carved city is surrounded by hundreds of breathtaking structures including soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, a carved Roman-style theater, burial chambers, and funerary banqueting halls. Other well-preserved relics include baths, staircases, markets, arched gates, and paved streets, in addition to hidden treasures such as the sprawling monastery (Al-Deir), and the High Place of Sacrifice. Petra is in south Jordan, a few miles west of Wadi Musa, about a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Amman.

Roman Theater – Amman

Just a few minutes' walk east of downtown, the ancient Roman Theater is one of a handful of surviving monuments in Amman that recall the city's bygone past, when Philadelphia--Amman's original name--was a thriving Greco-Roman metropolis. The theater, which is carved into one of the city's seven hills and dates back to the second century AD, was recently restored, and it is once again a venue for entertainment and cultural shows.

Salt

About an hour's drive northwest of Amman, this appealing village is one of the few places in Jordan that has retained a historical aura. Small and in some places untouched, Salt has numerous buildings from the Ottoman era, in addition to natural attractions such as the caves in Wadi Sheib. Salt Zaman, an adorable restored building located in the heart of town, offers antique and handicraft exhibits.

The Citadel – Amman

During its heyday as a Greco-Roman trading post, Amman used to be known as Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love. Few traces of that ancient history remain in modern-day Amman, with the notable exceptions of the Roman Theater, and the Citadel. Much of what constituted the Citadel has suffered under the unkind ravages of time, but travelers can still appreciate the faded glory of the site by visiting the impressive palace that now houses the Jordan Archaeological Museum, and exploring what remains of the famed Temple of Hercules. The Citadel is a few minutes' drive uphill from downtown Amman. Perched upon one of the city's seven hills, with the city of Amman and its Roman Theater spread out below, the Citadel affords a stunning view of Amman's urban sprawl.

The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea, which lies between Israel (and the West Bank) and Jordan, is the lowest point on earth, reaching depths of 13,000 feet (3,900m) below sea level. This enclosed body of water's high salt content makes it impossible for any kind of plant or animal life to survive. For humans, however, the rich accumulation of salt and minerals is highly beneficial, especially for the skin. In addition, the high concentration of salt makes it nearly impossible for even the most inexperienced of swimmers to drown in the sea's waters. The town of Suweimeh offers accommodations for those wishing to spend one or two nights along the sea. There are also numerous plans underway to develop additional towns, including Zara and El Mazra'a, into major tourist resorts. A new coastal highway, linking Jordan to Aqaba, runs the length of the Dead Sea.

Wadi Rum

Between Petra and Aqaba, a haunting, silent landscape of ancient riverbeds and pastel stretches of barren desert, is beautifully shattered by towering sandstone mountains and dramatic cliffs. Wadi Rum, a vast expanse of spectacular desert scenery, is--along with Petra--one of Jordan's most visited attractions. Here, semi-nomadic Bedouins living in goat's hair tents tend their herds of sheep much like their ancestors did thousands of years ago. Throughout Wadi Rum, a rich legacy of rock art depicting hunting scenes and cultic symbols provides a vivid testament to the Thamudic, Safaitic, Nabataean, Greek, and Arabic peoples who passed through or settled in the area. Wadi Rum is also the now mythical place where Lawrence of Arabia carried out his valiant exploits during World War I. Since there are no accommodations in Wadi Rum, the place is usually visited from Petra or Aqaba. This vast desert is a favorite with hiking and mountain-climbing fans.

Climate of Jordan:

July and August are the hottest and driest months of the year, especially in Amman and the Jordan Valley, and in the desert areas, with temperatures over 97°F (36°C). Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to visit with clear, sunny days and moderate temperatures. The winter months from November to April can be very cold, particularly in Amman, with snow, rain and wind, but there is little rainfall in the desert regions and in Aqaba, which makes a pleasant wintertime resort. About 75 percent of the country can be described as having a desert climate with very little annual rainfall. The climate of Amman is pleasantly temperate. Summers are hot and dry, with cool evenings, temperatures remaining at comfortable levels. Winters are cool to cold and wet. Most rain falls between October and March, and snow can occur.