Jordan where. Political structure of Jordan

Located in Western Asia. It borders Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, and Israel to the west.

The name of the country comes from the name of the Jordan River.

Official name: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Capital:

The area of the land: 89.2 thousand sq. km

Total population: 5.1 million people

Administrative division: It is divided into 8 governorates (provinces).

Form of government: A constitutional monarchy.

Head of State: King.

Composition of the population: 92% are Arabs, also Armenians, Syrians, Kurds and people from the Caucasus (Circassians and Chechens) live in Jordan.

Official language: Arabic, in business, government and among educated people, English is also widely spoken. Arabic and English are compulsory in schools. French is taught in a number of schools but is not compulsory.

Despite this, a French-speaking layer has formed in modern Jordan.

Religion: 94% profess Sunni Islam, 5% are Christians.

Internet domain: .jo

Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz

Phone country code: +962

Country barcode: 625

Climate

In the north-west of Jordan, a subtropical Mediterranean type of climate prevails, in other regions - a tropical desert. The hottest and driest areas of Jordan are the Dead Sea, which is located below sea level. In the months preceding and after summer, a hot desert wind, the khamsin, often blows here.

The coolest month is January. At this time, in the north-west of the country during the daytime, the air warms up to 11..13 degrees Celsius, and at night the air temperature drops to +2..+4 degrees, in the desert areas during the day it is up to 15..17 degrees Celsius, and at night - +4..+6. The hottest month in Jordan is August. In August, daytime temperatures in the north-west of the country can reach +32 degrees, night - +18, in desert areas the daytime heat reaches +42 degrees, and at night the air temperature drops to +16 degrees.

Precipitation in Jordan is uneven. In the desert, precipitation ranges from 150 mm in the west to several mm in the east, within rift valley- up to 200 mm, in the elevated areas of the northwestern part of the country - up to 600 mm of precipitation per year. The greatest amount of precipitation is observed from November to April. In desert regions, up to 10 mm of precipitation per month falls in winter, and up to 100 mm in the northwest.

Geography

Jordan, a kingdom in Southwest Asia, located in the extreme northwest of the Arabian Peninsula, borders Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Israel. Complete official name states - the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

In the deserts and semi-deserts of Jordan, grass cover appears only during the winter rainy season. Orchards and olive groves grow in oases, bushes in the north-west of the country. Wheat, barley, corn, various fruits and vegetables are grown from agricultural crops.

Animal world

The fauna of Jordan is not much richer than the flora. Predators include jackals, wolves, striped hyenas, steppe lynxes, desert foxes; from other animals - wild boars, gazelles, oryx (rescued from extinction in the Shaumari nature reserve), African jerboas, badgers. Lots of reptiles. The nomads of Jordan breed camels, goats, sheep, donkeys. There are few bird species, but during migration, the Azraq reserve becomes a resting place for many migratory birds. There are many types of tropical fish in the Gulf of Aqaba.

Attractions

Jordan - unique country the Middle East region. Repeatedly mentioned in the Old and New Testaments, its land keeps, according to various estimates, from 16 to 20 thousand monuments of history and culture of past eras. Jesus Christ was baptized here, Moses saw the Promised Land here, he died and was buried here, numerous prophets lived here and dozens and hundreds of sacred events for believers of many denominations took place.

Waves of many peoples passed through this land, leaving their mark both in the architecture and in the culture of modern Jordan. The waters of the warm Red and healing Dead Seas splash here. And finally - this is one of the safest and most peaceful countries in the Arab world.

Banks and currency

The official currency of the country is the Jordanian dinar. 1 Jordanian dinar is equal to 100 piastres and 1000 fils. In circulation there are banknotes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 dinars and coins of 0.25 and 0.5 dinars and 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10 piastres. Fils are almost out of use, but sometimes you can find them.

Major banks are open from 08:30 to 15:30 from Saturday to Thursday, some are open until 17:30. Friday is an official holiday throughout the country. During the holy holiday of Ramadan, opening hours may be reduced.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices, airports and hotels. In large tourist centers credit cards and travelers checks are accepted. To avoid fees when cashing traveler's checks, purchase them in US dollars.

Useful information for tourists

Photographing people is allowed only with their consent, and strategic objects (border points and airports) are prohibited. Women should not wear tight or very revealing clothes in public places - markets, shops, when visiting offices and government agencies. Shoulders and knees should be covered.

Souvenirs - woven rugs from Madaba, bottles of multi-colored sand from Petra (it is better to buy in Petra itself - only real sand of natural shades is used there), olive wood crafts, ceramics and copper utensils, jewelry (cheap gold in Jordan, the price of the metal is fixed, but the price for the work can sometimes be "knocked down" by almost half), Bedouin jewelry made of black silver and much more.

You can buy Jordanian-made cosmetics based on Dead Sea products. As for the famous therapeutic mud, it is not recommended to buy packaged packages at a price of 5 dinars per 500 grams. It is better to ask one of the staff at the hotel on the Dead Sea to help you in your search for her on the shore. The service will cost you 1-3 dinars, depending on the difficulties associated with its provision and the amount of "extracted". The best mud is "radical black". It can be transported in several plastic bags (“matryoshka principle”). Be aware that dirt is very heavy!

Tips are given in gratitude for good service to the hotel staff (0.5 dinars), tour guide (2 dinars per person), driver (1.5 dinars per person), horse driver in Petra (2 dinars), etc. Tipping is usually the main part of the earnings of Jordanians working in the tourism sector - a certain insignificant amount and the postscript “+ tips” are usually indicated in the employment contract, so ignoring this issue by you may simply offend the Jordanian.

The authorities of the kingdom are purposefully developing this “golden” niche in their country, erecting modern hotels, European-level resorts, sanatoriums, and residential real estate.

The tourism industry in Jordan has had different stages: ups and downs. Back in 2010, the 8 million tourists who visited the country in a year generated an income of $3.5 billion. Infusion of about 1 billion "green" made medical tourism. However, the very next year, the reeling in the political life of the region was reflected in the tourism industry, depriving Jordan of $ 1 billion expected.

According to data released by the Minister of Tourism of Jordan, from the beginning of the year to September, 5.1 million tourists visited the Arab country. The peak of "guest raids" fell on the hottest month of July.

The authorities of the Eastern Kingdom introduced new fee for transit tourists traveling to Israel. There were about 90,000 such people in 2016. A considerable income came to the state treasury. The amount of tax when leaving Jordan will directly depend on the days spent in the kingdom and on the number of monuments visited.

All the famous sights of Jordan can be divided into historical monuments, religious buildings (medieval churches, mosques) and nature reserves.

Among historical monuments popular ancient city Nabataean kingdom, carved into the rock, Petra, Jarash, glorious for its Roman architecture, the crusader castle "Krak de Montreal" in the city of Shubak, castles in the cities of Ajloun and El-Karak, the "black pearl of the desert" Umm el-Jimal, Montreal - the castle of the crusaders , the ancient apartments of the caliphs Quseir-Amr and others.

Pilgrims from all over the world strive to see and bow to religious shrines, which include the fortress of Makheron, where John the Baptist was executed, Madaba, which attracts with the Map from Madaba - the oldest image of the Holy Land (6th century AD), Mount Nebo, from which Moses saw before death to the Promised Land.

Not deprived of the attention of the guests of the country nature reserve Wadi Rum, northern Jordan with its mountainous provinces.

Beach holidays are represented by modern infrastructure facilities, medical procedures and recreational activities. Tourists have chosen the resorts of Aqaba, located on the Red Sea. Here guests of the country are offered standard water activities: trips on boats, on yachts, exciting diving.

The small village of Tala Bay is strewn with boarding houses, cottages and is waiting for guests from other countries. Everything is here for a relaxing holiday by the sea.

About a dozen hotels have been built near the shores of the Dead Sea in Jordan, in which modern spa centers and clinics have "settled".

In the resort town of Main, hot and cold waters flow like waterfalls from basalt rocks. mineral springs. Tourists often combine a trip to the Dead Sea with a visit to Main.

The climate of the country and the developed tourism industry attract tourists from all over the world. The terrorist attack in December 2016 in Al-Karak did not reduce the flow of visitors to the country. The unstable political environment does not detract from the merits of the resorts in Jordan. Tourists are warned to be careful during their stay in the kingdom. As you understand, none of us is immune from such tragic events. The tentacles of terror seep into every country in the world. AT resort areas terrorist attacks damage the country's reputation for failing to provide security to its residents and visitors.

National composition in the state

The inhabitants of Jordan are hospitable people, although many nationalities are mixed here. Historically, it so happened that Jordan accepted into its penates all those in need of protection and housing.

Arabs now make up 95% of the population. The number of Jordanian Arabs is only 35%, and Palestinian - 55%. Almost all Jordanians are ethnic Arabs. Nearly 95% of the country's population professes Islam, being Shafi'i Sunnis. Although Christians in the country are only 6%, they occupy 20% in the Jordanian Parliament. Jordanian Christians belong to the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. Chechens, Armenians and Circassians of Jordan are classified as ethnic minorities. They, living in Jordan, retained their native languages. Jordanians, on the other hand, speak Arabic.

Other nationalities also live in the state: Kurds, Turkmens, Balkars and others. There are many Jordanians of European origin, as well as Arabs from Syria and Iraq.

After the Iraqi war, refugees from Iraq poured into the lands of Jordan. Their number reaches 300 thousand people. They live mainly in Zarqa and Amman. Many Christians came from Iraq after military skirmishes - these are Assyrians and Chaldeans. The Israeli-Lebanese conflict of 2006 “added” Lebanese settlers to the country.

For a small country, the number of foreign workers who come to Jordan to earn extra money does not exceed 300,000. The number is big. Arabs come from Egypt, as well as workers from India, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

Economic development of the Middle Eastern country

Jordan is deprived of natural resources. Most of its land (90%) is occupied by colorful desert plateaus, with little rainfall. The lack of water and energy carriers affects the economic development of the country. Until the 1980s, the state received significant assistance from the Arab countries, while the gross national product fell to 10% per year. After the reduction of external assistance, GNP “rolls down” to 2% annually. The country's economy was "shaking" from external debts, political strife and hostilities in neighboring states.

Jordan is an agro-industrial state. The authorities in the country control transport, large-scale industry, tourism, communications, and energy. Private business took "under its wing" agriculture, the service sector and small industry.

The income comes from the extraction of phosphorites, potash salt and oil refining.

The arid climate does not allow agriculture to develop: its share in GDP is only 3.3%. The service sector dominates here - 69.7%, in which 82% of the country's population is involved.

Since the population of Jordan is engaged in the processing of natural raw materials, the chemical industry is developed here. The main factories are located in Aqaba, Al-Safi, Shidiya, Numeira.

The Dead Sea gifts allow the production of cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, while 70% of the products are exported to other countries. The textile and clothing sectors of the economy are also actively developing, but they are export-oriented.

AT agriculture the picture is that most of the land was set aside for olive plantations. Cereal crops are planted, but not enough due to the impossibility of irrigating the land. For this reason, grain is imported from abroad. Vegetables and gourds, fruit trees are grown in Jordan. Animal husbandry is mainly represented by sheep and goat breeding. If the first is about 2 million heads, then the second is about 540 thousand heads.

The country's only port, Aqaba, brings large incomes to the general treasury of the economy, in which transit cargoes account for 15% of the total annual cargo turnover. Tourism in Jordan has exceeded 10% of GDP.

The country's economy regularly receives injections from other countries. The Kingdom was admitted to the WTO, the free trade agreement with the EU came into force. These developments lead to the liberalization of foreign trade.

Political structure of Jordan

The very name of the country contains the name of the ruling dynasty - the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. There is another power in the world named according to the same principle - Saudi Arabia.

The king rules in Jordan. Since February 1999, the throne has been occupied by King Abdullah II bin al-Hussein. The queen also has power, though less. Members of the royal family hold prestigious positions in state and public organizations.

The King and the government of the country are guided by the Constitution adopted in January 1952. The prime minister is appointed by decree of the king. The prime minister forms the cabinet of ministers, having agreed on the candidacies of government ministers with the monarch and the lower house of Parliament. All laws must be approved by the king, only then they will come into force. He also appoints judges, can approve amendments to the Constitution, declare war. The king's "veto" can be overridden by a 2/3 vote of the People's Assembly of the two chambers.

Executive power in the kingdom is given to the king and the Council of Ministers. The government is subordinate to parliament. Parliament, as a legislative body, consists of the Chamber of Deputies (lower house), which has 110 elected members, and the Chamber of Senators (upper house), represented by 55 members appointed by the king himself. The Parliament is elected for 4 years.

A special collegium appoints 6 women for the Chamber of Deputies. 9 places are occupied by Christians, 3 places - by Circassians. Political parties are allowed, but candidates for the Chamber of Deputies are nominated independently.

Judicial power is divided into civil, religious and special courts.

Administrative division of the country

Jordan is territorially divided into 12 governorates (provinces). Each governorate has its own administrative center, which bears the same name as the governorate (only in El-Balk, the administrative center is called Es-Salt). The governors are in charge. They are appointed by the king.

The provinces are subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior. The governorates of the country are divided into 52 districts. Maan governorate occupied the largest territory, while Amman became the most populated governorate - about 2.5 million people. The highest population density is represented in Irbid - 707 people per sq. km. km.

The foreign policy of the kingdom

Jordan is in an explosive place. And despite this, the country's authorities are striving by all means to normalize relations with the Arab powers. The current king of Jordan is popular and authoritative not only in his own country, but also in other states. The kingdom's foreign policy is aimed at close cooperation with Great Britain and the United States, at settling the Arab-Israeli clash.

The country has been a member of the United Nations since 1954. It is a member of the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the worldwide Non-Aligned Movement. The Jordanian government maintains peaceful relations with many countries. Jordan has signed a peace treaty with Israel.

Contacts between Russia and Jordan are regular and dynamic. The king visited Russia more than once, Putin, in turn, paid an official visit to Jordan. Political ties with Russia contribute to the strengthening of the state in the dangerous eastern region.

It is about five times smaller than France and ten times larger than Egypt. Jordan on the world map seems to be enclosed in the tight borders of other states that were imposed on it by Great Britain and some other states after the events of the First World War. Today, this small state impresses with a variety of climatic zones and picturesque landscapes.

Jordan, Wikipedia says, is located for the most part on a plateau that rises 700-1000 meters above sea level. That is why Jordan's capital is Amman located on the highest elevation, yielding exclusively to the capital of Yemen, which is located on the hills of Sana'a. From the Jordanian capital, in less than an hour you can go down to the mysterious, located 400 meters below sea level.

Jordan is a country that attracts many travelers. It strikes with wooded hills in the northern part. To the east, it meets the mountainous heights of Wadi Rum and Petra, as well as the flat basalt deserts and subtropical climate of the Jordan Valley. The country is striking and surprises even experienced travelers visiting the amazing state repeatedly.

The population of the state is represented by residents of modern megacities and nomadic Bedouin tribes. In the country great amount significant sights that can compete with the Egyptian ones in their value. Tourists have the opportunity to:

On the world stage, the country impresses with its originality thanks to the Hashemite royal family. It is noteworthy that she comes from the Hejaz from Saudi Arabia, that is, from the prophet Muhammad himself. Until 1999, King Hussein, who confidently controlled power in Jordan for 46 years, was the 42nd direct descendant of the Prophet.

The current king is Abdullah, son of Hussein. His policy is to keep the peace in Jordan. This is achieved by peaceful relations with Israel and proximity to the United States. However, such a policy has a special response local residents did not receive.

Jordan is directly dependent on outside assistance due to the lack of oil fields in the country. In many ways, she expects help from the United States. A huge part of the economy is tourism. Jordan image of a stable and secure state, which is convenient for traveling and exploring oriental culture. Today, ancient Petra is included in the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World, which is why Jordanians believe that tourism will continue to develop.

Geographical position of the country

After getting acquainted with the main advantages of the country, the question arises, where is Jordan and how to get there. Many dream of going to an eastern country to see with their own eyes numerous attractions, including the city of Madaba and the memorial of Moses.

The state is located in the Middle East in Western Asia. The total area is 89 thousand square kilometers. Of these, water is no more than 500 square kilometers, and the rest of the space is land, which is clearly visible on the world map.

Most of the landscapes of the state are a desert rocky plateau, which is located at an altitude of 650-1250 meters. There are also gorges and valleys. East of the Jordan is north point rift valley that continues to the African Great Lakes. This area considered seismically active, although there have been no such natural disasters in the last century.

The most low point states on the map - the coast of the Dead Sea, and the highest itself - Mount Dzhembel Ram. understand the exact geographical position countries are helped by its extreme points:

Northern: 33°22'N 38°47′E d.
South: 29°11'N 36°04′E d.
Western: 29°21'N 34°57′E d.
Eastern: 32°14'N 39°17′E d.

The total length of the borders is 1619 kilometers. Syria is Jordan's neighbor to the north, and Iraq to the northeast. Near the southern and eastern borders is Israel, and in the west - Palestine. The state is washed by the waters of two seas at once - the Dead and the Red.

What to see in Jordan?

The government of the country carefully develops tourism, so there are really many significant sights here. Among the main ones are the following:

In addition, the amazing city of Amman has been chosen as the center of Arab religion and culture. It allows you to learn more about the features of life in Eastern countries, their culture, get acquainted with traditions and customs. Hospitable Amman contributes to the fact that the rest was at a high level.

Jordan

Jordan is a country ideal for exotic. Here the tourist will find both magnificent and stunning landscapes, ancient ruins, and colorful eastern cities. However, you can get to know the country only by visiting it. Our article will help future tourists understand what the real one is, with all its amazing tourist discoveries, luxurious and purely oriental hospitality.

Geography

To find out where Jordan is located, take a look at the world map. This country is located on the Arabian Peninsula. It borders Iraq and Syria, and Israel, Palestine and Egypt. There is access to the Dead and Red Seas.

Most of the country's territory is a desert, only in the west of Jordan do hills rise. The highest point is Umm ed-Dami with a height of 1854 m, and the lowest is 427 m below the conditional level of the world ocean. The famous one flows on the border of Jordan with Israel.

The climate is warm and dry, with little rainfall. Most of them are from November to March. The holiday season in Jordan is considered to be spring, when it is still not hot and you can enjoy a holiday on the coast, and autumn, when it is better to devote time to recovery or, for example,.

Statehood

The full name of the country is the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Its flag is a rectangular panel divided into 3 equal stripes of black, white and green. This is a symbolic designation of the three caliphates: the Abbasids, Umayyads and Fatimids, respectively. On the right side of the flag of Jordan is a red triangle (the Hashemite dynasty), on which a white seven-pointed star is visible (the unity of the Arab clans).

The form of government in Jordan is a dualistic monarchy. This means that the king, together with the council of ministers, governs the country, and their power is mutually limited.

Administratively, the country is divided into 12 governorates (governorships), which, in turn, are divided into 52 districts.

Cities and resorts

The capital and largest city of Jordan is. It is located in the northwest of the country and surprises many tourists who have already traveled to the Middle East. Unlike neighboring Egypt and Syria, the Jordanian capital is a completely modern Arab city with new quarters, fashionable shops, and so on. However, the oriental flavor is still present here, expressed in the narrow streets of the old city, the abundance and, of course, the traditions of hospitable and hospitable Jordanians.

In second place in terms of attendance among the cities of Jordan is, a photo of which often appears on the covers of travel brochures. His main hallmark is the location: in fact, Aqaba is the only resort in Jordan for relaxing on the Red Sea. This attracts many foreign guests who want to relax on the beautiful warm Jordanian beaches.

Other important cities for tourism are,. Each of them is interesting in its own way, and even a review of it will give a lot of impressions and food for thought.

Population, religion and language

The vast majority of the population of Jordan are Arabs. They make up 95% of the 6.2 million people. The remaining 5% are Chechens and Circassians, Armenians and Turks, Kurds and Assyrians. Nowadays, many refugees from Iraq and Syria live in the country.

Islam is not the official state religion of Jordan, although Muslims are in the majority here. Christianity is also widespread (both Orthodox and Greek Catholics live here). Among religious minorities, the Ismailis and adherents of the Baha'i beliefs should be mentioned.

As for the language, be prepared for the fact that in Jordan they speak mainly Arabic, which is the state language. Mandatory for studying in schools and English, also quite common. Among the population of different parts of the country, one can often hear dialects of Arabic, which often sound like a completely different language - these are ash-sham, ammiya, Palestinian, Bedouin and various regional dialects.

Economy

In economic terms, Jordan is not the most successful country. Unlike more fortunate "neighbors" - Saudi Arabia - there is a shortage of energy resources, and the unemployment rate is quite high. Jordan has its own advantages - the presence of historical monuments that attract tourists, and a free economic zone (port of Aqaba). Recently, however, political instability has hampered the development of tourism, and GDP growth has slowed significantly.

The currency of Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar. It is with them that tourists pay for excursions, in shops, restaurants, etc. Small purchases, payment for a taxi can be made in dollars. Exchange offices is on every street major cities such as Aqaba and Amman.

What to see in Jordan?

The main value of the country for international tourism is not at all its luxurious beaches. Jordan has rich history, which stretches from the depths of centuries. The first Christians left their mark on history here, and before that, the Nabataeans and the Romans. Therefore, travelers who are interested in the past, a trip to Jordan will be very interesting. The main monuments of the history of the region and its are:

Holidays in Jordan

Tourists coming to this hospitable country have many different options for how to spend precious vacation time:

admire in parks, reserves, deserts and wadis. Those who have seen other countries will appreciate the colorful and original nature of Jordan.
Engage in the study of antiquities. This is the most common type of tourism, because on excursions in Jordan you can see a lot interesting places, learn new facts about its rich history.
Make a pilgrimage to holy places.
improve your health, having arrived at, or at the resorts of the Dead Sea, the waters of which are famous for their healing effect on the human body.
Enjoy a beach holiday. In Jordan, this can be done in Aqaba and, where most of the beaches belong, and therefore are equipped and comfortable, or on the coast of the Dead Sea, where tourists go to Amman Beach.
Rest actively- the country offers lovers of such a pastime magnificent and no less exciting snorkeling, desert safari on an off-road vehicle, flights on balloons and paragliding, golf, paintball, horseback riding and mountain trekking.
Devote time to shopping and bring home the very best.

Jordan Hotels

Accommodation in the institutions of the country as a whole can be described as comfortable. The service here is pleasant and unobtrusive, all hotels speak English, and in some places you can even hear Russian.

The choice of hotels is also quite wide: from the best 5-star hotels in Jordan resort hotels to simple hostels and campsites - they can be found in the capital. The largest number of hotels is concentrated in the resorts of the Dead Sea and in Aqaba. The variety of services and the level of comfort are at their best even in 3* and 4* establishments.

Nutrition

in the capital and major cities Jordan tourists will not have problems with food: here you can find European restaurants, steakhouses, coffee houses, and chain eateries. If you decide to fully immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy the taste, be sure to try the following:

delicious baklava with pistachios;
crispy falafel;
spicy mutable;
Arabic pizza manakish;
first class shawarma.

Don't leave Jordan without tasting strong coffee, mint tea, strong anise arak and local wines.

What to bring from Jordan?

The best gifts from Jordan will be those that reflect its flavor:

multi-colored sand of Petra;
handicrafts made of olive wood and ceramics;
natural cosmetics from the Dead Sea;
Bedouin silver jewelry;
copper utensils.

When shopping, keep in mind that many shops may be closed on Fridays and Sundays for religious reasons. And bargaining in Jordan is customary in a completely different way than in neighboring Arab countries: sellers here do not impose their goods, and the buyer will not be able to significantly bring down the price. In addition, in many stores the cost of goods is fixed.

Safety in Jordan

Tourists need not worry about this issue: the situation in Jordan today is considered one of the safest for tourists in the entire Middle East. Despite armed conflicts in neighboring countries, it continues to remain neutral, and the Jordanian authorities are directly interested in both their own residents and guests of the country. That's why they provide everything. necessary measures, and travelers have nothing to fear even outside of hotels and tourist areas.

The only thing to remember is that Jordan is an Arab state with its own rules, laws and that should be respected.

Visa and customs

Residents of the CIS countries who want to relax in Jordan can receive both in their homeland by contacting the embassy, and upon arrival, at. The latter option makes visiting Jordan very convenient and contributes to the development of tourism in the country. When going on vacation, be sure to study the list of things allowed and prohibited for import so as not to have problems at the border. It is also useful to know that Jordan has a tax-free system, in which you can return part of the money spent on the purchase. To do this, look for stores with the appropriate sticker and keep receipts to present them at customs.

Transport

System passenger traffic within the country has its own characteristics:

How to get there?

There are several ways to get into the country, which differ in duration, cost and level of comfort:

direct flight of the Royal Jordanian company to one of the airports in the Kingdom of Jordan;
by plane to Israel, from there by bus to Amman;
by plane to Sharm el-Sheikh, then by ferry to Aqaba.

The Kingdom of Jordan is beach holiday and treatment on the shores of the Red and Dead Seas, the rock city of Petra and the entertainment of the resort of Aqaba, excursion tours all year round and best hotels Middle East. All about Jordan: map, photo, weather and reviews of tourists.

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The Kingdom of Jordan equals Israel plus visa formalities minus sectarian strife. The constants of this equation are the rich “excursion”, the Dead Sea, diving, snorkeling and the vast expanses of the Wadi Rum desert. A country with a thousand-year history - the cradle of civilization, one of the main cultural centers in the Middle East - is actively developing its tourism potential.

Regions and resorts of Jordan

The capital of the ancient state - Amman, unexpectedly modern and dynamic. At the same time, his age “according to his passport” is very impressive: already in the 13th century BC. e. it was known as Rabbat-Ammon, the center of the Ammon kingdom. But today only a few Greco-Roman monuments concentrated in the Old City remind of distant times, and they are unlikely to be enough to satisfy fans of the historical “excursion”.

It is worth going to Amman to feel the rhythm of life of a modern Arab metropolis with business centers, shopping malls, restaurants and art galleries that have grown up in the middle of poor neighborhoods.

Time difference with Moscow

no in winter −1 hour

with Kaliningrad

with Samara

with Yekaterinburg

with Omsk

with Krasnoyarsk

with Irkutsk

with Yakutsk

with Vladivostok

with Severo-Kurilsk

with Kamchatka

Climate

The climate in the country is subtropical Mediterranean, sharply continental, very dry. Average temperatures in January are +8...+14 °C, in July +24...+30 °C (at average daily temperatures around +35 °C). The best time to visit Jordan is spring and autumn. In the north, it rains from November to March.

The Dead Sea and Aqaba are usually warm, you can swim all year round. Water temperature in Krasny dead seas the whole year does not fall below +21 °C. Summer nights in these places are warm. At the same time, most central regions The countries are quite cool at night: tourists need to take long-sleeved clothes and trousers with them when traveling through them.

Visa and customs

Citizens of Russia and the CIS countries, except for Moldova, receive a visa upon arrival in the country. In addition, it is worth taking out a medical insurance policy for the entire duration of the trip in advance.

You can import up to 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200 g of tobacco into Jordan duty-free; 1 liter of alcohol; perfumes, cosmetics and jewelry for personal use. When importing luxury goods, you must fill out a special declaration and pay a fee. hand luggage and items for personal use are not subject to duties, as well as gifts and souvenirs worth up to 150 USD. The import of foreign (except Israeli) and national currencies is not limited, amounts over 10,000 JOD must be declared. You can also export foreign currency without restrictions, the limit for the national one is 300 JOD. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Seeds, seedlings, vegetables and fruits are subject to mandatory declaration.

Pets are only allowed in if they have an international veterinary certificate and rabies vaccination documents. Drugs, ammunition, poisons, weapons without permission and psychotropic substances without a doctor's prescription are prohibited for import, as well as items or materials that can offend the religious feelings of Muslims (according to eyewitnesses, even the Bible or Torah can be taken away).

It is forbidden to export raw corals, stuffed animals, any ivory products, as well as samples of fauna and flora taken from the Red Sea from Jordan. When importing and exporting antiques, you must have a receipt issued by the seller.

tax free

Consumer goods in Jordan are taxed up to 16%. For foreign tourists the TAGI system is in effect Tax Free A: You can get a full or partial sales tax refund if you shop at a store with a matching logo (minimum refundable amount is 362 JOD, rates for items purchased are shown on the sales receipt).

In the store, you will need to fill out a special form with information about the product and the buyer's passport data, and then within 70 days stamp it at customs and present it along with purchases, a passport and a sales receipt at the counter at the airport. When making a refund, you can get cash right on the spot, but if the tax amount exceeds 500 JOD, you will have to wait for the transfer to a bank account.

What documents are needed to travel to Jordan with a child

How to get to Jordan

Main international Airport Jordan is located in the vicinity of Amman and is named after Queen Alia. Direct flights from Moscow are available from Royal Jordanian (530 USD one way) and Es Seven (421 USD), all departing from Domodedovo, duration - 4.5 hours. Charters « north wind» cheaper and faster: from 235 USD one way with departure from Sheremetyevo, flight time - 4 hours.

Most low prices on the connecting flights- with Aegean Airlines: from 200 USD in one direction, 13 hours with a transfer in Athens. " Qatar Airways"carried through Doha for 495 USD one way and 11 hours 35 minutes, "Aeroflot" and "Tarom" - through Bucharest for 530 USD and 19 hours.

If you are planning a vacation at sea, you can fly straight to Aqaba, where the second Jordanian international airport is based, bearing the name of King Hussein. North Wind charters fly here from Moscow: tickets - from 230 USD one way, you have to spend about 5 hours in the air. Petersburgers will need to make 2 transfers: "Es Seven" and "Royal Jordanian" are transported through the Russian and Jordanian capitals in 11 hours and 352 USD in one direction.

From airport to city

Shuttle buses run every half hour between the airport and the Northern Bus Station (about 5 JOD), as well as taxis (39-50 JOD, more expensive at night) to the center of Amman. Transfer from Aqaba airport is most often provided by hotels, but you can also use the services of taxi drivers (15-18 JOD).

Find flights to Jordan

Transport

The national carrier Royal Jordanian operates regular direct flights from Amman to Aqaba costing from 67 JOD one way and lasting 55 minutes. There are no other domestic flights in the country, but intercity bus service is well established. Jett transport runs between large settlements (off site in English), tickets can be purchased at the box office of bus stations (preferably a few hours before departure) or by phone.

The only way to travel between small towns is by private buses: their network of routes is more extensive, tickets are cheap, but there is no timetable, and travel in eternally crowded cabins without air conditioning is hardly a pleasure for passengers. Railway still bored with nothing to do: earlier, trains ran regularly from Amman to Damascus through Az-Zarqa, but due to civil war they were canceled in Syria.

Public transport within cities

The structure of public transport is more or less streamlined only in the capital: in the rest settlements chaotic movement. You can move inside the cities by buses, minibuses and "services" - 5-7-seater cars that depart along a given route as the passenger compartment fills up.

Navigation on Jordanian streets is extremely confusing: the names of stops and destinations are in Arabic, so you can’t do without a good map and the help of local residents (of course, very conditional - only a few understand English).

The fare is paid directly to the driver, a half-hour trip around the capital costs an average of 0.50 JOD, you can get to the suburbs for 1.50-3 JOD (in the "services" you will have to pay twice as much). in Amman public transport goes quite often, while in the outback there is a risk of hanging around at a half-day stop.

Taxis are ubiquitous, most metropolitan cars are equipped with meters and air conditioning. Taxis can be caught on the street, called by phone or found at special parking lots. The average landing cost is 0.3 JOD, each km - 0.50 JOD, at night the fares double. The amount on the counter can be indicated in pre-inflationary fils: for example, 700 fils is 0.70 JOD. It is worth having small coins in your pocket (taxi drivers often do not give change), and if the price is too high, feel free to bargain without falling for the tricks of cunning drivers.

Views of Jordan

Rent a Car

The country has both international and small local rental offices. To rent a car, you will need an international driver's license and credit card(only for short stays in the country). Depending on the car class, a deposit from 150 to 500 USD is blocked on the card. It is somewhat cheaper to take a car through a travel agency than directly.

Renting a standard car costs from 60 JOD, a premium model - from 90 JOD, a minivan - from 150 JOD per day. The cost of gasoline in Jordan is 0.94-0.98 JOD per 1 liter.

Rented vehicles are distinguished from others by green license plates. Cars have the same numbers. travel companies. It is forbidden to drive a rented car outside of Jordan. Movement in the country is right-handed. In Amman and Irbid, the traffic is crazy: the streets are congested, the traffic is huge, the drivers are generally polite but not too careful. Most central parking lots are paid, marked with special signs or blue and white markings (after 19:00 and on weekends, parking is usually free). You can also leave your car at shopping centers, supermarkets and residential buildings if there are no prohibition signs nearby: most likely you won’t have to pay.

The inscriptions on the road signs are in Arabic and English. There are also special brown tourist road signs showing directions and driving directions to popular attractions.

In the event of an accident due to the fault of a tourist, a deposit from his card is paid to the police (according to the road law of the Kingdom of Jordan). If the amount of damage exceeds the amount of the deposit, all the necessary expenses for the repair of the car are paid by the person responsible for the accident. Police officers are polite with tourists: the main thing is to behave adequately in response.

Communication and Wi-Fi

Network mobile communications covers the territory of the capital, large cities and resorts. The main Jordanian operators are Zain, Orange and Umniah. Prepaid SIM cards are sold at branded kiosks at airports, shopping malls and supermarkets. To connect, you need to present your passport and fill out a questionnaire, it is better to ask the seller to activate the SIM card, the balance is replenished using scratch cards.

Orange has packages starting at 6 JOD per week (1 GB mobile internet, 60 minutes of free calls and unlimited SMS to local numbers). Negotiations with Russia cost 0.35 JOD per minute.

You can also call home from pay phones that accept cards with a face value of 1-20 JOD. They are sold at newsstands and post offices, but international calls are quite expensive.

Internet access is provided in most large hotels (this pleasure costs 10 JOD per day) and numerous Internet cafes open in Amman and in resorts (connection hour - 2-3 JOD). Wi-Fi is also available in catering establishments, but most often paid (on average 5 JOD per hour) and at a low speed. A pleasant exception are some coffee shops and eateries where you can go online for free. And in order to constantly stay online, it is better to connect a SIM card of one of the operators.

Jordan Hotels

Aqaba hotels are located both in the city itself and in the suburbs of Tala Bay. On first coastline fashionable "fives" lined up, a little further - comfortable "fours" and "treshki". There are fewer hotels on the Dead Sea, but the entire resort infrastructure is concentrated in them: from restaurants and entertainment centers to spas with treatments based on natural ingredients.

The voltage in the Jordanian electrical network is 230 V, sockets are found both in the usual European ones (types C and F), and three-pin ones, which require an adapter.

Police - 192, traffic police - 843-402, ambulance - 193, fire department (Amman) - 462-20-90, single emergency number - 196.

City codes: Amman - 6, Aqaba - 3.

Jordan beaches

Pilgrimage

The Holy Land - the Middle Eastern territory between the Mediterranean, Red and Dead Seas, Lake Kinneret and the Jordan River - is a very special place for Christians, Muslims and Jews. It was here that the main events described in the sacred books of the three world religions took place, it was here that the earthly path of Christ began and ended. The once united ancient Palestine is today divided into several states: Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan are full of reminders of a great past.

Thousands of pilgrims annually strive to visit the Holy Land, worship shrines and gain a unique spiritual experience. Most routes cover several countries at once, but Jordan deserves a separate visit. Start a pilgrimage Moses saw the Promised Land for the first time, and at the place where the Church of Our Lady in Anjar stands today, Christ and Mary stopped on their way from the Sea of Galilee to Jerusalem. In the Jordan River, the Savior was baptized, and if the entrance to the symbolic pool on the Israeli shore is paid, then from the Jordanian shore you can dive into the sacred waters completely freely.

shopping

From Jordan you can bring Madab wicker rugs, bottles of multi-colored sand from Petra (it is better to buy them in Petra itself - there is natural sand of different colors from the canyons of the rocky city, and not artificially colored, as in most other places), olive wood crafts, ceramics and copper utensils, jewelry, Bedouin black silver jewelry and much more. Jordanian cosmetics based on Dead Sea products are very popular.

Unbelievable, but true: the traditional "eastern" bargaining in Jordan is practically absent. Prices, if dropped, are not much and mostly Bedouin boys selling souvenirs in Petra. In stores and shops, sellers behave extremely helpfully, politely and always with dignity: no one allows themselves to grab their sleeves and other Middle Eastern attributes.

Friday is a public holiday in Jordan. Christian-owned shops may be closed on Sunday as well. There is no single work schedule for retail outlets here: each owner determines it himself.

If a tourist is suddenly seized by an obsession to personally pick up dirt directly from the shore of the Dead Sea, one can ask one of the attendants at a coastal hotel to help in search of it on the shore. The service will cost 1-3 JOD, depending on the difficulties associated with its provision, and on the amount of good extracted. The best dirt is “radical black” and can be transported in multiple nested plastic bags. We advise you not to engage in independent "mud-searching" activities.

Cuisine and restaurants in Jordan

Jordanian cuisine as a whole is true to Arabic culinary traditions, but has many characteristic features. Contrary to popular belief, local dishes are not as hot and spicy as people think. But mint, a variety of greens and herbs, lemons, onions, pickled olives, and pine nuts are added to food everywhere. Salads, stews, pastries with various fillings, as well as dishes from finely grated peas with greens - falafel and hummus are popular among appetizers.

In addition to various types of lavash and ragyf bread, kmaj cakes are popular in the country, which are often used as a kind of “edible spoons”. Meat dishes are most often chicken, lamb or veal with rice or potatoes. Traditional side dishes - different types salads and stews.

The local sweets are considered among the best in Arab world. These are cookies sprinkled with sesame seeds, baklava (baklava) with pistachios, the famous canafa with cheese, kataef pies, guava dessert Zhavafa, excellent ice cream, candied fruit.

Alcoholic beverages can be purchased at any time, except for the month of Muslim fasting. Of the local strong drinks, you should try "arak" with the smell and taste of anise, it is diluted with water. Good wine too. Beer is offered in many cafes and restaurants (but not all) and sold in specialized stores.

Street food like shawarma or fruit mix costs 2-3 JOD. Lunch in an average metropolitan cafe costs 7-10 JOD, dinner in an Aqaba restaurant costs 20-30 JOD for two, excluding alcohol.

The best Jordanian eateries are concentrated in Amman: spacious, decorated with an oriental flavor, they offer all kinds of national dishes prepared by talented chefs. For the most fastidious gourmets, gourmet restaurants with equally high prices are open. In the neighborhood there are more democratic pizzerias, steakhouses, coffee shops, gelaterias and chain eateries, so there will be no problems with the usual European food. In the vicinity of Jerash, Arab cafes are notable, where vegetables and bread are baked on stones in huge traditional ovens. The pride of Aqaba is fish restaurants, popular not only among tourists, but also among local residents.

Guides in Jordan

Entertainment and attractions in Jordan

Christian pilgrims and people interested in the history of the first centuries of Christianity should visit the sights of Madaba and its environs: Madaba itself, the memorial of Moses on Mount Nebo, the site of the Baptism of Jesus in Tel al-Harrar, as well as many others historical sites. And tourists interested in the history of the Crusades should definitely visit the crusader castle in Karak, whose walls remember the era of Salah ad-Din.

On the way from Petra to Aqaba, you can visit the Wadi Rum desert to enjoy unique landscapes that are not like anywhere else on the planet.

Anyone who is interested in the history of the Arab Caliphate should not miss the unique monument of that era - the medieval baths of Qasr Amra, decorated with frescoes depicting people and animals.

For fans active rest You won't be bored in Jordan. You can rent an SUV and travel from north to south of the country with a visit biblical cities and fortresses of legionnaires. Or, as part of a caravan, cross the central highlands and the desert in the east of the country in a week, stopping in a new place every night. These same routes can be covered on a World War I train that runs along the very edge of the desert. In addition, you can fly in a balloon or paragliding over the Wadi Rum desert, play paintball or golf, ride horses or go hiking in the mountains.

Is it possible to combine Egypt, Jordan and Israel in one tour
Get healed with healing mud and thermal waters in the first-class balneological complex "Ashtar", which is 70 km from Amman.
Capture the moment when the colors of the rocks surrounding Aqaba change.

Holidays and events

West New Year January 1st is celebrated in Jordan: tourists from all over the world come to the shores of the Red and Dead Seas for the winter holidays. The Muslim counterpart is Ras al-Sana: the beginning of the first month of the lunar calendar, Muharram, and an occasion for celebrations throughout the country. January 15 is Tree Day, or rather, a palm tree, revered in the Middle East since biblical times: the Virgin Mary gave birth to baby Jesus under a palm tree, and at the beginning of winter, Jordanians are actively planting new trees to the delight of environmentalists.

Sports are loved in Jordan: on fine spring days, they organize an Ultramarathon on the Dead Sea under the patronage of the royal family, and also a prestigious car rally in the vicinity of Jerash.

In February, a festival of traditional arts dedicated to the culture of the Bedouins is held in Aqaba, in March-April in Amman - the International Theater Festival, which turns the capital into a grandiose stage, and at the end of summer in Jerash - a festival of arts with concerts and fairs against the backdrop of ruins. Twice a year, congratulations on the birthday of the kings: January 30 - Abdullah, November 14 - Hussein.

March 21 - Mother's Day, May 25 - Independence Day, June 10 - Army Day with large-scale parades in the presence of crowned persons. Eid al-Adha marks the end of fasting, which is obligatory in the month of Ramadan, Eid al-Adha symbolizes absolute faith in the Almighty. And on December 25, Catholic families gather at the festive table in honor of the Nativity of Christ: it cannot be otherwise in the Holy Land.