Jorden

Land of the Ancient History, Spectacular Scenery and Cultural Heritage

Jordan, a small, historically rich Middle East country is the perfect destination with its combination of historical heritage, intense culture and spectacular nature landscape it provides travelers with. Jordan is a kingdom full of history and adventure; where you can find the rose-red city of Petra to the deserted land of Wadi Rum. Whether you are a student of the ancient ruins, on a rest leading to Dead Sea or in the arms of its locals, Jordan will give you an invincible experience.

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Geographical Location

Jordan is in the center of the Middle East being surrounded by Syria on the north, Iraq on the east, Saudi Arabia on the south and southwest, and Israel and Palestine on the west. The country also borders the Dead Sea to the west coastline and Red Sea to the south where it bounds the port city of Aqaba. Jordan is in the crossroad between Asia, Africa, and Europe and has always been the crossroad of trading and sharing cultures.

Natural features and landforms

Geography There is a lot of variation in Jordan with deserts, mountains, valleys and coastline composing the landscape. One of the lowest precise centres on Earth is the Jordan Rift valley comprising the Dead Sea. The Desert of Wadi Rum is characterized by its sandy mountain ranges with the towering sandstone and the red dunes in which it is also commonly referred to as the Valley of the Moon. The country also consists of fertile lands especially in the Jordan valley where farms are well established since the river is close by.

Jordan has beautiful valleys and gorges that complement their mountainous land in the central and northern parts of Jordan such as those that exist in the environs of Petra and the Ajloun mountains in the north. The various terrain provides more diversity of outdoor activities such as hiking and rock climbing, diving and watersports on the Red Sea.

The Ancient Civilisations to the Modern Jordan

The history of Jordan dates back to thousands of years, and the state has strong relations with some of the ancient civilizations in the world. Petra is an ancient city that was carved into rose cliffs by Nabataeans and it is considered to be one of the most famous archaeological sites of the whole world. Petra was founded in the 4th century BCE as a great roadside trading point and deserted over the centuries only to be rediscovered in 1812.

Jordan also contains a few major biblical sites. Mount Nebo where Moses had gazed across the Promised Land presents breathtaking sceneries of the Jordan Valley. Jordan is also home to another major religious site Baptism Site of Jesus on the Jordan River, pilgrims flock to this site.

Roman and Byzantine influence

Jordan In the Roman and Byzantine eras, Jordan formed part of the Roman Empire and some of their finest ruins include the ancient city of Gerasa ( modern-day Jerash ). Jerash is famed for its carefully maintained Roman design that consists of temples, theaters and colonnaded streets. The Ammon, another ancient metropolis, was also a big cultural and economic metropolis during this period.

The Rise of Jordan and Islamic Period

The 7th century marked the period when Jordan was conquered by Islam and it took part in successive Islamic empires like the Umayyads, Abbasids and the Ottomans. It was in 1946 that the region had joined the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan following its independence after being under Brits. Hashemites are the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad and they have controlled Jordan up to date.

Modern Jordan

Since the mid-20th century, Georgian used to be in the center of Middle Eastern geopolitics, serving as a key local in the Arab-Israeli conflict, a host to refugees of neighboring states, and a custodian of regional stability. Jordan is a country that has been struggling to embrace modernity and advance its economy as it retains its rich cultural heritage under the reign of King Abdulla II.

Religion and Ethnic Groups

Jordan has a mainly Arab population and minorities like Circassians, Chechen and Armenians. Jordan is an Arab nation with a heavy affiliation to the Islamic and Arab cultures using Arabic as a national language.

Jordan is largely Muslim and most of them are Muslim Sunni. There is also a substantial number of Christians in the country and in this regard, Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic populations have made the country culturally diverse. The nation is characterized by this mutual existence of various religions that are represented in the architecture as well as festivals of the country and their everyday life.

Cultural practices and Traditions

With strong Arab roots and Islamic civilization, the Jordan culture is immensely affected. Hospitality is one of the central values, so it will be typical that Jordanian people will invite their guests to drink tea or have a national meal in their house. Dabke, a traditional Arabic folk dance is practiced in weddings and festivals, Arabic calligraphy and conventional music is highly embraced in the country.

Another thing that the country is known for is its cuisine including such cudis as mansaf (lamb cooked with rice and yogurt sauce), hummus, falafel, and kebabs. Another cultural enterprise is the Jordanian coffee which is what they offer to their visitors as a sign of honor.

Major Festivals and Celebration

Jordan has two major Islamic festivals referred to as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Fitr is the feast that leads to the end of Ramadan, the sacred period of fasting, and is accompanied by family celebration, prayers and feast. Eid al-Adha is observed as the memory of offering and it is characterized by the giving of wealth, praying, and it involves slaughtering sheep and cows.

Jordan also celebrates Christmas particularly in Madaba and Bethlehem towns where the Christian population is high. Another religious holiday is Easter, which is also celebrated by church services and family reunions.

National Holidays

Independence Day (May 25 th) is a central nationwide holiday, and it marks the 1946 withdrawal of the British from ruling conditions. The day is characterized with parades, concerts and cultural events.

King Abdullah II celebrates King?s day on 9 th June; this is a national day of pride and celebration because it marks his birthday.

Cultural Festivals

There are also various cultural programs held in Jordan, the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts is one of them, the festival involves musical performances, dancing and theater productions. Other most popular sport events include the Aqaba International Rally and the Dead Sea Marathon, which enjoy the participation of people all over the world.

Agriculture, Tourism and Industry

Farming constitutes a significant part of the economy in Jordan where the fertile soils in the Jordan Valley and Irbid enable it to engage in agricultural activities, such as cultivating olives, citrus fruits, grapes, tomatoes among others. The herbs and wheat as well as barley are also cultivated in the country to be consumed locally or exported.

Tourism

The tourism industry has been one of the highest contributors to its GDP and receives millions of tourists every year. The most well-known attraction in the country is Petra which is acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage site and visitors travel all over the world to enjoy its sights. The Dead Sea, with its mineral rich waters where visitors can float in the water, Wadi Rum for their desert scenery and Bedouin, and the red sea city of Aqaba where one can enjoy diving and water sports are also other major destinations.

Jordan is also dwelling on both eco-tourism and cultural tourism where it is encouraging tourists to learn the ancient history of the country, allied sites and to its terrific landscape.

Manufacturing and Services

The industrial sector is also diversified in Jordan with production of chemicals, pharmaceuticals and textile products. It also enjoys a well developed financial services industry, with the Amman Stock Exchange the most developed in the region. Another area that Jordan has advanced is in the technology and information sector especially in the ability to develop Silicon Wadi which is a center where technology companies are based.

Must-See Attractions

Petra

One of the most famous archaeological sites placed on the territory of red sandstone cliffs is Petra, the ancient city carved by Nabataeans. The Treasury is one of the most elaborately facaded buildings and it is one of the most photographed attractions and there is a lot to see with the numerous tombs, temples as well as the passageways of this ancient city.

Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum, [the Valley of the Moon], is an epic desert mountainous region characterized by high cliffs, reddish sands and special rock formations. It is the location that made its way into the movie Lawrence of Arabia and where people can enjoy trekking, rock climbing, and spending time out in the open.

The Dead sea

One of the busiest saltiest water bodies in the world, the Dead Sea, is found in the borders of Jordan and Israel. Guests find they have a floating sensation in the rich, mineral-laden dense waters that are therapeutic in nature. A nearby environment provides luxury resorts and spa services.

Healthcare System

The system of health care in Jordan is highly developed, and both the public and the privately-owned hospitals provide quality services. It is a hotspot of medical tourism, especially cosmetic surgery, fertility therapy and cardiology. The Ministry of Health takes care of the healthcare sector with high standards of healthcare delivery.

Education System

Jordanian education is not chargeable and is obligatory to all children below the age of 16 years. The literacy rate in this country is also high with a lot of emphasis being put on education at all levels. Jordan is home to the largest and oldest university which is the University of Jordan in Amman, and other institutions such as Jordan University of Science and Technology contribute to the higher education scenario of the country.

Transport Network

Jordan boasts of an extensive infrastructure comprising well-paved roads, a rail network as well as an international airport in Amman. There is also a seaport called Aqaba located in the country that ensures trade and tourism. There are buses, taxis, and other rental automobiles in the city but most visitors usually choose to take a guided tour since it is convenient.

Urban Development

The capital, Amman, is a fast-growing metropolitan city with a mixture of modern buildings and ancient ruins. The government is engaged in enhancement of infrastructure especially in the field of housing, public services and transportation to meet demands of its increasing population and demands of the tourism industry.

The Convenience of the Traveller

Ideal Seasons

The most comfortable time to travel to Jordan is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) as the weather is mild, and is ideal to undertake outdoor activities. Summer (June to August) is very hot, especially in desert parts of the country and winter (December to February) may turn out to be cool with limited snow fall in the mountains.

Special Events and festivals

The Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts (July) is the perfect time of year to visit (in case one is interested in learning about traditional Jordanian arts and music).

Conclusion: Future of Jordan

Jordan is the land of contrasts, ancient history and contemporary development. Jordan with its diversified history, its beautiful landscape and friendly people are still a tourist destination that is visited by tourists across the world. Jordan has continued to be a major tourist and cultural destination in the Middle East because of the continuous upgrading of the nation with regards to modernization and diversification of the economy and stability in the region where there is turmoil.

Most commonly asked questions

When should I visit Jordan?

Weather is mild during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) and it makes the best time to visit Jordan, as during this season, sightseeing is possible.

Which are the best places of attraction in Jordan?

The main tourist destinations are Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Jerash and Mount Nebo.

Which languages are Jordan spoken in?

Arabic is the official language but English is common across the tourist hot spots and among the youth.

What currency is Jordan?

The currency in use is known as Jordanian dinar (JOD).

Is Jordan safe for tourists?

Yes, Jordan can be regarded as one of the most safe countries of the region in relation to tourists and the crime level is rather low, the atmosphere is warm.

Which religion dominates in Jordan?

Most of the Jordanians are Muslims though there is also a considerable minority of Christians.

Jordan will provide the tourist with a variety of histories, cultures, and adventures. The country, between the ancient ruins of Petra and the calm lake of the Dead Sea, is worth exploring and unforgettable memories.