Jordan

What do the Roman Emperor Hadrian, the Prophet Moses, and Lawrence of Arabia all have in common? They are just three of the many historical personalities who passed through Jordan through history, and whose itineraries now attract adventure seekers and action vacationers from throughout the world.

There is no mistaking the fact that Jordan is a Kingdom steeped in history and culture. With it’s rich heritage, and remnants of ancient civilizations long since past,

Jordan has so much to offer the modern day traveller, from the mesmerizing beauty of Jordan valleys and canyons to the remote desert castles.

Understand the Geography

Jordan is a country in the Middle East. Almost completely land-locked except for a small outlet on the Red Sea in the Gulf of Aqaba and a frontage on the Dead Sea, Jordan is bordered by Israel to the west, by Syria to the north, by Iraq to the east and by Saudi Arabia to the south.

Jordan consists mostly of arid desert plateau in the east, with Highland area in the west. The Great Rift Valley of the Jordan River separates Jordan and Israel. The highest point in the country is Jabal Rum (1,734 m; 5,689 ft), while the lowest is the Dead Sea (-486 m; -1,594 ft). Jordan is part of a region considered to be "the cradle of civilization".

Cities in Jordan

• Amman - capital of the kingdom.
• Aqaba - located on the Gulf of Aqaba / Eilat, with links to the Sinai and the Red Sea
• Irbid - largest city in the north of the kingdom

Understand the Culture

Jordanians have a notable issue with standing in line-ups for service. Often those near the rear of a line will try to sidle forwards and pass those in front of them. The line members being passed, rather than object to this tactic, will often instead start to employ this same trick themselves, on the line members in front of them. The end result is often a raucous crowd jostling for service at the kiosk in question.

Due to this common Jordanian phenomenon, several strategies are suggested.

• Arrive early, allow for time, and be patient.
• Don't get upset about the line-up yourself, or get caught up in the emotions of the crowd. You will keep moving forward, even if a few people sneak in front of you.
• Avoid the line-up entirely when possible. Often kiosks handle groups in bursts, such as a Customs kiosk that deals with a busload of people at a time. In these cases, if you don't start already at the front of the line, find a comfortable spot away from the crowd and just wait for the rest of the group to make their fractious way through before you. Then make your way up to the kiosk once it's clear. The advantage of being last is that often the kiosk attendant will appreciate your patience and be happy to deal with you.

Climate Conditions

The climate in Jordan is dry and hot, since the country is mainly desert. However, the western part of the country receives greater precipitation during the rainy season from November to April.

What to See And Do

Although the capital of a diverse kingdom, Amman is not what one would call "packed" with things to see, making it a great gateway to explorations further afield. Even so, the city does hold a few items of historical and cultural interest

• The Roman Theatre
• The Citadel - located in the centre of both ancient and modern Amman.
• The Temple of Herakles - Roman period remains
• The Byzantine Church - dating to the 5th-6th centuries
• The Ummayad Palace - situated in the northern portion of the Citadel
• the National Archaeological Museum - situated on the Citadel.
• Darat al Funun or 'small house of the arts' in Jabal el Weibdeh.
• Rainbow St. near the 1st Circle in Jabal Amman is an interesting area to walk around and explore, it is named after the old Rainbow Cinema which is now out of use, but the area has been recently experiencing a revival with many of the old houses being restored and put into use.