Jordan
Visited
At a glance
- Region
- Western Asia
- Capital
- Amman
- Population
- 11.6 million (2024)
- Area
- 89,342 km²
- Languages
- Arabic
- Currency
- Jordanian dinar (JOD)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +962
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Before you go
Overview
Jordan is located in western Asia at the bank of Jordan River.
By 2018 it recorded a population of 9.956 million and covers an area of 89,342 km2. The capital city is Amman. It is the economic, political and cultural centre. It has landmarks such as the famous Roman Theatre built in the 2nd century during the Roman period; has a capacity of 6,000 people for conducting events like commerce, chorals, orations and plays.
Al-Dayr (“the Monastery”) at Petra.
History
Jordan became an independent kingdom in 1946.
It had war with Israel that ended in 1994 after signing a peace treaty. King Hussein died in 1999 and was succeeded by his son Prince Abdullah.
Food & culture
The culture of the country is founded on Arabic and Islamic principles but it is also influenced by Western culture.
The crops grown in the country include wheat, barley, tobacco, cucumbers, cabbages and lentils. The leading industries include fertilizer, mining, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, refining and organic chemicals.
Wildlife
The wildlife living include striped hyena, jungle cat, caracal, sand cat, Arabian wolf, golden jackal, Arabian red fox, Egyptian mongoose, fennec fox and leopard.
Festivals & events
The main celebrated festivals include the Aqaba Traditional Arts Festivals conducted in February to honour Bedouin traditions by activities like displaying their handcrafted goods. Azraq festival is also conducted in February at Azraq town to display the town’s art, crafts and culture. Jerash festival is conducted in July at Jerash city for honouring the culture of the community. Amman International Theatre Festival is also a common festival that is largely attended.
Things to see
Jordan is a modern city which maintains the ancient ruins and historical forts like the Roman Temple of Hercules and Umayyad Palace Complex which are worth seeing.
A famous tourist attraction site in Jordan is Petra which is an archaeological site. It has tombs and temples which look like pink sandstone cliffs which make it to be nicknamed “the Rose City”. It also has a very high temple, Al Khazneh with a Greek-like orate called the Treasury.
Mount Nebo where Moses stood while viewing Canaan. Madaba town preserves mosaic-rich Church of Virgin Mary and artefacts of Roman and Hellenistic ages.
Interesting facts
Majority of the population adhere to Sunni Islam religion.
The official language is Arabic.
The most popular sports are football, basketball and handball.
One of the oldest civilizations on earth is at Petra surrounded by rocks and architecture and is one of the famous tourist attractions in the world.
