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Jordan Eye 4 Nights Package
Lost cities, Bible stories, untainted heritage,
Lawrence of Arabia and much more - Jordan is immersed
with romantic associations; a gathering point of
diverse cultures and peoples in the dead-centre of
Biblical territory.
more »
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Jordan Eye 5 Nights Package
Lost cities, Bible stories, untainted heritage,
Lawrence of Arabia and much more - Jordan is immersed
with romantic associations; a gathering point of
diverse cultures and peoples in the dead-centre of
Biblical territory.
more »
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Jordan Eye 6 Nights Package
Lost cities, Bible stories, untainted heritage,
Lawrence of Arabia and much more - Jordan is immersed
with romantic associations; a gathering point of diverse
cultures and peoples in the dead-centre of Biblical
territory.
more »
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Jordan Eye 7 Nights Package
Lost cities, Bible stories, untainted heritage,
Lawrence of Arabia and much more - Jordan is immersed
with romantic associations; a gathering point of diverse
cultures and peoples in the dead-centre of Biblical
territory.
more »
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Jordan |
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Overview
Although a small country, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has played a significant role in the struggle for power in the Middle East, partly because of its strategic location at the crossroads of what Christians, Jews and Muslims call the Holy Land.
The death of King Hussein in 1999 signified the start of a new period of political, social and economic reform. His son King Abdullah has instituted a number of measures: a free trade agreement with the USA, the creation of a low tax Special Economic Zone centred in Aqaba, privatisation of many government-run businesses and joining the World Trade Organization.
Unlike many of its neighbours Jordan does not have oil and its economy depends largely on services and tourism. Visitors are drawn to Jordan by its historical and cultural attractions. It is possible to visit the remains of cities, old before Christ was born, trek along ancient trails and roads mentioned in the Old Testament and through a landscape that has changed little in the last 2,000 years.
Petra the ‘Rose Red City half as old as time’ is commonly called the eighth wonder of the world and a popular attraction since its appearance in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. At Jerash, chariot racing has been re-introduced in the restored Hippodrome. Visitors can stand on the very spot where John baptised Jesus at Bethany by the Jordan, visit Herod’s fortress where Salome performed her dance that got John beheaded or take in the same view of the Promised Land that Moses saw just before he died.
It is possible to follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia from his headquarters fort at Azraq through the deserts to Wadi Rum where David Lean’s epic movie was filmed. There, travellers can trek with camels and live in tents with the local Bedouin.
Aqaba, the Jordanian royal family’s favourite 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.
General Information
Area
89,342 sq km (34,495 sq miles).
Population
5.9 million (CIA estimate 2006).
Population Density
66 per sq km.
Capital
Amman.
Population: 2.5 million (2006 estimate).
Government
Constitutional Monarchy since 1952.
Language
Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken in the cities. French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken.
Religion
Over 94% Sunni Muslim, with Christian and Shi’i Muslim minorities.
Time
GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 between March and October - dates vary).
Climate
Hot and dry summers with cool evenings. The Jordan Valley below sea
level is warm during winter and extremely hot in summer. Rain falls
between November and March, while colder weather conditions occur in
December/January.
Required Clothing: Lightweight clothes are advised between May and September. Warmer clothes are necessary for winter and cool summer evenings.
Rainwear is needed from November to April.
Social Conventions
Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Jordanians are proud of their Arab culture, and hospitality here is a matter of great importance. Visitors are made to feel very welcome and Jordanians are happy to act as hosts and guides, and are keen to inform tourists about their traditions and culture. Islam always plays an important role in society and it is essential that Muslim beliefs are respected. Arabic coffee will normally be served continuously during social occasions. To signal that no more is wanted, slightly tilt the cup when handing it back, otherwise it will be refilled. A small gift is quite acceptable in return for hospitality. Women are expected to dress modestly and beachwear must only be worn at the beach or poolside.
Photography: It is polite to ask permission to take photographs of people and livestock; in some places photography is forbidden.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Dr Marouf Al-Bakhit since 2005.
Head of State
King Abdullah Ibn al-Hussein al-Hashimi since 1999.
Passport/Visa's
Passports
Passport valid for six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Visas
Required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above 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 in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
1. (a) Nationals of countries referred to in the chart above 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 Getting There 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: JD10 (single-entry).
Validity
Validity varies according to nationality. For Australian, Canadian, UK and US nationals, visas are valid as follows: Tourist: Two 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 Contact Addresses.
Working Days Required
Five working days.
Money
Currency
Dinar (JOD; symbol JD) = 100 piastres or 1,000 fils. Notes are in denominations of JD50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, and 500 fils. Coins are in denominations of JD1, 1/2 and 1/4; 10, 5, 2 and 1/2 piastres; and 1 and 1/2 qirsh.
Currency Exchange
Foreign currencies can be exchanged easily in banks and bureaux de change. Most hotels also provide exchange facilities. The daily exchange rates are published in local newspapers.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
American Express, Visa, Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted in hotels restaurants and larger shops. ATMs can be found in most of the larger towns and throughout Amman.
Traveller's Cheques
Those issued by UK banks are accepted by licensed banks and bureaux de change. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars.
Banking Hours
Sat-Thurs 0830-1500. Hours during Ramadan are 0830-1000, although some banks open in the afternoon.
Entertainment
Food and Drink
The cuisine varies, although most restaurants have a mixed menu which includes both Arabic and European dishes.
National specialities:
• Meze (small starters such as fool, hummus, kube and tabouleh).
• Kebabs.
• Musakhan (chicken in olive oil and onion sauce roasted on Arab bread).
• Mensaf (stewed lamb in a yoghurt sauce served on a bed of rice), a dish which is normally eaten with the hand.
• Baklava (pastry filled with nuts or honey).
National drinks:
• Drinking Arabic coffee is a ritual. Coffee tends to be very strong and is served in small cups (with plenty of coffee grounds at the bottom).
• Local beer, wine and other types of alcohol are served in most restaurants and bars, except during the fasting month of Ramadan (non-Arabic nationals can drink alcohol only in hotels during Ramadan).
• Araq is a local liquor similar to Greek Ouzo, usually mixed with water and ice.
Tipping: 10 to 12% service charge is generally added in hotels and restaurants, and extra tips are discretionary.
Nightlife
There are nightclubs, theatres and cinemas in Amman, while some other major towns have cinemas. Often clubs will only admit couples or mixed groups. Many of the 4- and 5-star hotels have popular clubs and bars.
Shopping
Every town will have a souk (market), and there are also many good craft and jewellery shops. There is a particularly good gold and jewellery market in Amman. Special items include Hebron glass, mother-of-pearl boxes, pottery, backgammon sets, embroidered tablecloths, jewelled rosaries and worry beads, nativity sets made of olive wood, leather hassocks, old and new brass and copper items, and caftans hand-embroidered with silver and gold thread. Jordan is famous for its gold and silver; the centre of Amman has a gold souk with over 50 shops. Necklaces with a small golden coffee pot (dalleh, a national symbol) are popular and widely available.
Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0930-1330 and 1530-1800; some open as early as 0800 and close at 2000. Shops are closed Friday except for the souk.
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