Map of jordan with resorts in Russian. Jordan on the map

Let's go on vacation to Jordan! What kind of country is this, where there is beach tourism (Red and Dead Seas) and ancient history. Getting to know Jordan in an easy to read article, everything you need to know: where to go, beautiful sights, best beaches, weather, when to go and even show it all on a map! Begin...

Since ancient times, the countries of the Middle East have been of burning interest among the inhabitants of the planet, who love to explore unfamiliar worlds, unlike other corners of the Earth, neither in history, nor in their way of life, nor in culture, nor in the behavior of the natives. Among the states exotic by the standards of travelers, the eastern one has found its worthy place. Kingdom of Jordan about the features, secrets and mysteries of which our site has prepared a detailed story for you.

Despite the fact that 90% of the territory of this Arab state is occupied by deserts and desert areas close to them in terms of relief and climate, Jordan is successfully developing and prospering, wisely using the remaining 10% of its possessions. Luxury resorts Gulf of Aqaba, framed by outlandish coral reefs, side by side with the most ancient monuments of architecture. Medical resorts on the shores of the Dead Sea are ready to compete with the level of service with the famous health resorts of the world. The heritage of the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Turkish eras organically intertwined on the streets of Jordanian cities into a tart cocktail of historical monuments and cultural traditions. The zest to the overall color was added by modern ingredients of the Western standard of living, which harmoniously complemented the overall motley picture.

Big words Good THERE does not like, but we are always on the side of fair assessments. Jordan is full of amazing places that you can and should get to know better, especially since the state is recognized as one of the safest territories among the precious necklace of the Arab countries of the Middle East region.

general information

Population

Given Jordan's neighborhood with such restless states as Israel, Palestine, Iraq and Egypt, the population in the country is constantly fluctuating in one direction or another due to refugees. At the moment, the official figure is 6.2 million people. At the same time, the native Jordanian Arabs make up approximately 1/3 of the population, 50-60% of the population gives the statistics an influx of immigrants from Palestine. Encounters in the expanses of Jordan with Circassians, Chechens, Armenians, Kurds and Turkomans are not uncommon, their total number is approaching 10%.

Form of government

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan dualistic monarchy. The power of the royal person is able to restrain and establish the framework of her influence by the constitution of the state, which, however, does little to prevent the king from keeping his subjects in check. To help the monarch manage the affairs of the country, the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, endowed with special privileges, is authorized. Jordan is legally divided into 12 districts (governors), each of which is led by a governor appointed by the king himself.

Language

The official language of communication and office work in Jordan is Arab. Given the mutual interest of the eastern kingdom and the western powers, in the country's educational institutions, English is also compulsory for study, and French has become an optional language recommended in schools and universities in recent years.

Religion

Over 95% of Jordanians profess the Islamic religion with a Sunni bias of the Shafi'i direction. About 6% of Christians constantly come to serve in Orthodox churches, all religious rites here are usually performed in Greek, although Arabic, French, Italian and Spanish can often be heard in an Orthodox cathedral. Jordanians and Jordanians are loyal to representatives of other religious denominations, preferring to pray in peace and not enter into aggressive conflicts with non-Christians.

Currency

Until the middle of the 20th century, the Palestinian pound was the monetary unit of Jordan, now the country is ruled by a currency ball Jordanian dinar, equal in par value to a smaller currency - 100 piastres. Information about the nominal value of each dinar is presented on coins and banknotes in 2 languages: Arabic and English; they adorn banknotes of the person of the royal dynasty. The Russians will have to pay for 1 JOD about 93 rubles, cheaper than the Jordanian banknote and the American currency, 1 JOD can be exchanged for 1.4 USD. Good THERE strongly advises users who decide to visit Jordan to constantly check the floating rates of the dollar and ruble using the services of an electronic convector.

Landing code of Jordan

Treasured numbers of long-distance telephone code: +962

Among the phones that are important for foreign guests, it is worth highlighting:

• communication with the Russian embassy in the kingdom - + (962 6) 464-11-58 or 464-25-32;
• Russian Consulate - +(962 6) 568-25-09;
• a single reference switch - 1212;
• police department - 191, 192;
• metropolitan tourist police - +(962 6) 530-14-65;
• ambulance - 193;
• fire service call in Amman - +(962 6) 462-20-90;
• work with road accidents - 190.

Location of Jordan in the world

Going on a trip to the border areas with Jordan, travelers get a truly unique opportunity, see 4 states at once. Magic vision is mostly available at night. At the hour when evening lights are lit in the houses of Jordan, Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, magical light messages are reflected in the waters of the Red Sea near the border of Egypt and Israel. The picture is almost unbelievable, in the dark surface of the water there are reflections of the illumination of all these 4 Arab representatives of the Middle East.

Hashemite kingdom, located in the Middle East, neighbors to the north with Syria, shares the northeastern border with Iraq, the west falls on the border lines separating Jordan from Israel and Palestine. The east and south of Jordan is covered by the territory of Saudi Arabia. From the side of the Red Sea, opposite the Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt is located, here the coastline with Jordan is decorated with the lights of Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, this is the very fabulous place that is well THERE told you earlier.

With water reserves, especially fresh water, Jordan is not dense. But the country can boast of 2 seas at once: Red and Dead. Both reservoirs invariably attract an army of tourists to this region - fans of diving on the shores of the Red Sea and minerals on the coast of the Dead Sea, slightly reminiscent of jelly in appearance, the concentration of dissolved salts in its waters is so high. Key freshwater artery of Jordan - jordan river, whose name is associated with the history of the baptism of Jesus Christ.

Climate

The climate of an exotic eastern kingdom very hot, especially during the summer months. The air temperature steadfastly stays at around +45C in the shade, tourists populate Jordanian beaches more and more in spring and autumn, when the heat is losing ground a little and the thermometer drops to +30 ... +35C. The water in the Red Sea almost never drops below +20C, some travelers continue to indulge in beach pleasures all year round. You can’t ask for rain from the sky in summer, only from November to March the weather can become more favorable and shed long-awaited drops of life-giving moisture on the lands of Jordan.

In a state shrouded in the secrets of ancient history, there are many interesting sights, the charms of which are better to get acquainted with in the cold seasons. The air temperature for this is the most appropriate - + 10 ... + 15 C, for evening promenades it is better to grab warm uniforms, sometimes in regions close to the desert the thermometer suddenly drops to zero.

Cities and resorts of Jordan

In the capital of the Hashemite kingdom, bearing the name Amman, entwined into a single whole 2 completely different incarnations. Oriental scenery from the fairy tales of Scheherazade and a dynamic modern metropolis with bright strokes of European civilization live peacefully side by side, without interfering with each other to amaze tourists who were stunned with surprise. The eastern districts of Amman love to fool travelers who have lost their way among the same streets with their houses, slightly similar to cardboard boxes from under the cake, painted in even pastel colors. The hot climate dictates its own conditions to the locals: building materials and their shades should reflect the scorching rays of the sun as much as possible and be able to keep cool inside.

The western possessions of the Jordanian capital, like twin brothers, are similar to any European city with an abundance of modern buildings, catering establishments, entertainment centers and shops. Key attractions in Amman: the citadel on the hill of Jabal al-Qalaa, the remains of the once picturesque palace and park of the Umayyads and the temple of Hercules. Jordan is full of other outlandish places, so our site is of the opinion that you should not spend more than 1-2 days exploring Amman, this time is enough to get to know the main city of the kingdom.

in Jordan it is worth paying close attention to several more settlements, which cannot be called large objects. These cities and villages have filled a significant niche, especially for the tourism industry, which is the generous breadwinner of the entire Arab state:

Ajlun village

Gathers on its territory fans of ancient castles and charming landscapes of the Jordan Valley. The Ayyubid castle was built back in 1184 and has been well preserved to this day. The building is rightfully considered a unique standard of Arab-Muslim architectural creativity.

Ajloun Village, Jordan

Jerash

Through the olive groves runs a tourist route to the city of Jerash - the crown of popularity of Jordan's guests from all over the world who came to admire its ancient rarities. Experts have long identified Jerash as an ideal example of an ancient Roman province.

Jerash, Jordan

Petra

The pink stone bins of Petra, the main city of the ancient Nabatean kingdom, managed to take the 1st line of the hit parade of tourist attractions in Jordan, become the scenery for one of the series of the Indiana Jones adventure saga and join the list of modern 7 wonders of the world. Our site considers that all comments here are superfluous.

Petra, Jordan

Aqaba

The fashionable beach resort of Aqaba has not needed additional advertising for several years now; all tours to this paradise on the Red Sea are sold out in advance. The luxury of hotels, premium service, the gentle sea that is never cool and the mountains that create a saving barrier for the summer heat.

Aqaba, Jordan

Karak

The fortified city of Karak is a legacy of the dominance of the Ottoman Empire in Jordan, which left the remains of the Karak castle and impressive fortress walls as a warning to posterity, which became an alluring bait for legions of tourists from all countries.

Al Karak, Jordan

Gadara

Greetings from the representatives of the old bohemia creative people consider the city of Gadara - a haven of poets and philosophers. In the religious world, Gadara is famous as a place of manifestation of the miraculous abilities of Jesus Christ, who cured the holy fool in front of the crowd.

Gadara, Jordan

Wadi Rum desert

As if descended from the screens of Hollywood blockbusters, which is not surprising, given the fact that it was among the ornate stone landscapes dotted with canyons, arches and other intricate structures that episodes of the films The Martian, Red Planet and Star Wars were filmed.

Pella

The settlement of Pella, literally replete with ancient architectural curiosities, is also the place of domination of the queen of ancient sciences - archeology. The Roman theater Odeon, the remains of Byzantine temples, traces of fortifications of the Iron and Bronze Age are perfectly preserved on the territory.

spa resorts

Spa resorts on the Jordanian coast The Dead Sea also does not need a separate presentation for a long time. The mineral composition of the reservoir is a miraculous natural healer for many ailments. The level of professionalism of local doctors is high, medical services are in demand.

The Arab kingdom knows how to surprise and puzzle

That Jordan- an amazing country, no experienced traveler will argue, and yet our site has collected a small list of wonders of the kingdom, which our users had not even suspected before:

• The history of Jordan, according to various estimates, has more than 250 thousand years. Scientists have not yet come to a consensus on this matter, but for now, archaeologists’ finds in the form of Neanderthal stone weapons, Neolithic plaster sculptures, Chalcolithic copper products and skillful handicrafts of the Bronze Age have become evidence of the sprouts of life in this territory;
• once modern Jordan was part of the ancient Jewish state, until the beginning of the 1st century BC. the enterprising Jewish people managed to build several solid settlements and bring cattle breeding to perfection on small green pastures. This fact does not cause any doubts among scientists;
• later, the Nabataean civilization, the Hellenes, the Roman Empire, Byzantium, the Arab Caliphate and the Ottoman Empire managed to be noted in the desert expanses of Jordan, which became the beginning of the accession of the Middle Eastern state to the Islamic world;
• in the 20th century, Jordan, along with other Arab neighbors, came under the jurisdiction of Great Britain, the country's independence was officially enshrined in treaties between East and West in 1950;
• in 1952, the legendary Arab ruler, King Hussein, who ruled the country for 47 long years, ascended the royal throne, he was replaced in this post by the current monarch, Abdullah ΙΙ ibn Hussein;
• Queen of Jordan Rania Al-Abdullah is recognized as a woman of unearthly beauty on the world Olympus, she also entered the collection of world records as the youngest monarch who married the prince, being a bank employee;
• Jordanian men are incredibly lucky, official polygamy is enshrined in the kingdom, 6-12 kids in a family are a common practice;
• local residents are diligent in achieving goals and hardworking, they were able to grow an army of olive trees on tiny patches of fertile land near the desert plateaus, their number was 4 times the size of the population in the country;
• snowfall in Jordan is a natural disaster, in the event of such a brazen revelry of the elements, Jordanians are sent home from work and from their place of study, otherwise you never know, because it is completely incomprehensible how one should behave with this snow;
• guests of the Arab kingdom should know that in Jordan it is considered bad manners to agree to sit down at the table after 1 invitation and eat dishes with your left hand, tourists will not break the tradition if they agree to share a meal with the hosts after the 3rd call;
• there is a hypothesis that the "paradise" mentioned in the Bible was located on the territory of this eastern monarchy.

The scientists of the world consider it a unique fact that the air over the territory of Jordan contains 8% more oxygen than in any other corner of the planet.

What types of recreation are better to choose in the colorful eastern kingdom

It is a common practice in the tourism industry to position Jordan as a good and safe destination for a wide range of desired traveler preferences:

• like Egypt and Israel the country has all the conditions for beach holiday on the coast of the Red Sea. Jordan is a tidbit for divers, 110 species of soft corals and 120 species of their hard counterparts in the marine family live in the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba, thousands of marine life in the bay are ready to show their beauty to curious diving fans;
• the country has long been strongly associated with tourists with visiting the legendary Nabataean stone treasury- the ancient city of Petra, for those who rest nearby in Egypt or Israel organize special tours with a visit to the exotic capital, Jordan's guests have a wonderful opportunity to visit Petra at any time convenient for them;
• a wide range of excursion offers provided the Middle Eastern state with a strong place among the countries recommended for sightseeing holidays, however, our site advises users to combine the excursion program with other types of recreation;
• high level of medical and preventive services in the resorts of the Dead Sea gained popularity among fans of medical recreation;
• Jordan has a rich cultural heritage, woven from the contributions of several significant ancient civilizations, in between beach activities, the country has a lot of amazing places to discovering old secrets;
• unforgettable impressions will be received by tourists who choose a trip to the Wadi Rum desert or Wadi Mujib National Park. Both tours can be safely attributed to extreme types of recreation, in the desert, aerobatics will be a balloon flight over the territory of unearthly beauty, often compared to Mars, in the gorge travelers will have to overcome the water route formed by a frisky river and a rocky canyon.

Holidays in Jordan offhand can be compared with trips to Israel and Egypt, only in the Arab kingdom everything seems to be flavored with hot spices, more exotic, more colorful, more unpredictable. Good THERE does not assume responsibility, give an unambiguous answer, where is it better and which Middle Eastern country to choose for recreation. Everywhere is no worse and no better, another wording will be accurate: everything is different in Jordan, and it is better to evaluate the country after a personal visit.

What holidays will be interesting to celebrate with Jordanians

Like other inhabitants of the Earth, the Jordanians have holidays on a planetary scale, such as:

• New Year;
• Muslim holiday Ramadan;
• Catholic Christmas;
• Orthodox Easter;
• Labor Day May 1
• Solemn events related to the internal structure of the state. Previously, it was a non-working day in the kingdom on January 30 - the birthday of King Abdullah and the "Day of Loyalty to King Hussein", more recently, these 2 holidays have been canceled by an official decree of the royal person. But Independence Day May 25 in Jordan it has the status of a national holiday and is always filled with a series of colorful events.

An unusual holiday is the Jordanian tradition of celebrating January 15 Tree Day. The events are centered around the cult of the Palm Tree and have a religious basis. For 3 whole days, local residents are busy planting new seedlings throughout Jordan, and the royal couple is certainly involved in the general labor impulse. Worship of the Palm Tree is associated with the biblical story of the birth of Jesus. Tradition says that this event took place under a palm tree, the succulent leaves of which hid the Virgin Mary from persistent sunlight. After tens of thousands of young plants have been planted, all families gather around the table to praise nature in general and green spaces in particular.

An interesting fact is that the proportion of trees in the areas of Jordan is only 1%, almost all representatives of the flora here are chosen on the basis of a small need for frequent water irrigation.

National cuisine of Jordan

The climatic conditions in the country dictate to the inhabitants what products can make their table satisfying and healthy. In Jordan, lamb, poultry, vegetables of all kinds, and rice are often cooked in combination with various ingredients.

• The most common dish of the eastern kingdom is deep-fried balls made from minced beans and a mixture of spices.
• For the holidays, housewives in every house try to cook a dish called "Mansaf", which is pieces of lamb stewed in sour cream with rice.
• Like all Eastern peoples, Jordanians love sweets, tart coffee, rennet cheeses and spicy greens.

It becomes a severe test for the natives muslim holiday ramadan, whose traditions forbid quenching thirst and eating before dark. If tourists have a trip during the days of this religious holiday, they should respect other people's faith and not provoke local residents with a delicious destruction of food stocks in front of all honest people. After sunset, life in the settlements begins to beat with a “tasty” spring, the Jordanians will be happy to share a meal with a random guest, generously treating him to everything that Allah sent them that day. A well-fed one does not understand a hungry one, but a hungry one will always understand a colleague in loyalty to traditions.

In the expensive fashionable restaurants of Amman and resort towns, tourists will be happy to cook local delicacies:

• roast larks;
• baked fish in a salty crust;
• spiced pâté made from raw young lamb meat.

Working well in Amman large chain supermarkets, where you can find any products familiar to Europeans, these establishments are located in the western modern part of the Jordanian capital. Organic food products, elite delicacies are not cheap, and dining in a luxurious restaurant will cost a tidy sum. But in the eastern market in any settlement there is everything your heart desires and at a more democratic cost. In Jordan, you can endlessly feast on fried nuts with spices; an impressive bag of pistachios costs no more than 1 dinar. The markets offer a rich selection of high-quality dried fruits, ripe vegetables and southern fruits, and the sale of spices and seasonings by weight is amazing.

Tours to Jordan - the best choice for a comfortable stay

Evason Ma "In (Evason Mine) hotel, Jordan

Monitoring information about Jordan made it possible to do Good THERE some useful findings, which we will now share with you. Light extreme gives adrenaline, independent travel can be budgetary, but Jordan is best visited as part of an organized tourist tour.. It should be remembered that the Eastern peoples have their own idea of ​​the stars of hotels, the decoration of rooms and their categories. Having booked a Boutique Hotel 5 * through the booking systems of accommodation facilities, you can easily find yourself in a nice and cozy hostel with all amenities in the corridor.

Practice has shown that resort hotels in Jordan checked by travel agencies are much more likely to meet international hotel standards. Organize an independent trip better for those tourists who are fluent in English or Arabic and are well acquainted with the national mentality of the eastern kingdom. There are many desert areas in Jordan, among which you can easily get lost, and the tourist package already includes all the necessary transfers.

How to get to the Middle Eastern country

For Russian citizens, a visa to Jordan is not required in advance; tourists receive an entry voucher upon arrival in the Arab kingdom. The best wayget to the shores of the Red Sea or to the capital of the state Amman - use the services of air traffic. The easiest way to get a glimpse of Petra and the Gulf of Aqaba is to purchase a combined Israel + Jordan tour or book a day trip to Jordan from Egypt or Israel.

Good THERE collected a small information block for those who decided to go to Jordan on their own and do not want to bind themselves with contractual obligations with tour operators:

• the cheapest air ticket from Moscow to Amman without transfers will cost the traveler 25 thousand rubles, the travel time is approximately 4 hours;
• a flight St. Petersburg - Amman with a transfer at Domodedovo Airport in Moscow will cost a little cheaper, the ticket price for the 1st person is 20.6 thousand rubles, the airliner will reach Jordan's Queen Alia air harbor in 8 and a half hours;
• 21.8 thousand rubles will cost a ticket for a plane on the route Kazan - Amman with 1 transfer all at the same Moscow Domodedovo airport, flight time - 10 hours 40 minutes;
• a longer period will be needed for tourists traveling to Amman by plane from Yekaterinburg, the ticket price is 21.2 thousand rubles, the journey will take 16 hours and 45 minutes, 1 transfer is planned on the way in Moscow;
• it will not be easy to get to Jordan from Vladivostok, a flight with 2 transfers will take more than a day, approximately 30 hours and 20 minutes, connecting flights pass through the airports of Seoul and Abu Dhabi, the ticket price is about 23 thousand rubles. The fastest flight with 1 transfer and a change of airports in Moscow will last 18 hours 35 minutes, the ticket price is pretty “biting” and amounts to 90 thousand rubles.

An analysis of the results shows that the best way out for travelers is to book tours with air travel on charter flights, then the total cost of the travel package will no longer seem astronomical to tourists.

The subtleties of moving around the country

You can get around Jordan itself using public transport, taxis or rented cars. Car rental in Jordan is not cheap, an elite car can cost the customer from 200 to 500 euros per day, a more economical option is to book an organized tour on a shared bus.

Presents from Jordan, dear to the heart

Souvenirs for friends and family brought from an Arab country are always colorful and original, here is a list of popular souvenirs that you can buy in Jordan:

• Experienced ladies try to buy in Jordan natural fabrics;
• it is worth emphasizing the fact that Jordanian shoemakers are pretty decent at their craft. Summer sandals for men and women, made with notes of national color, are worn for a long time, are comfortable and arouse great interest among others with their unique charm;
• worthy of a separate ode sweets, nuts and dried fruits which the Jordanians know how to pack beautifully and tastefully. Such a nice gift will remind you of the hot sun and exotic landscapes of Jordan for a long time, and will not disappoint the recipients with taste;
• delicious topic it's time to continue with praise Jordanian herbs and spices, which any hostess wants to have in the kitchen arsenal.

Customs regulations strictly prohibit the import and export of drugs, weapons and some religious books from Jordan. It is better to get acquainted with the current list and rules for the import and export of other items on specialized resources before traveling to Jordan, laws and decrees sometimes change.

Organizational conclusions and useful instructions

• The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is the safest Middle Eastern state, you can come here on vacation without any fear;
• Jordanians know a lot about fashionable holidays and know how to organize it;
• to rest in Jordan and not see the new wonder of the world to Peter is an unfortunate mistake and an unforgivable omission;
• It is better to choose the type of recreation in accordance with your preferences and physical capabilities, extreme excursions in Jordan are not for all tourists.
• Dead Sea resorts in the Arab kingdom can really have a beneficial effect on health;
• when choosing an excursion to the Wadi Rum desert, do not be stingy and book a hotel room located in the heart of the desert, wake up in the morning in a luxurious establishment overlooking the "Martian Chronicles" - worth a lot in terms of unforgettable experiences;
• diving enthusiasts should definitely take a swim in the Gulf of Aqaba to discover sunken military equipment under water: an airplane, a tank and a ship, you will never see such finds in the underwater world;
• on your 1 day trip to Jordan, carefully plan your time so as not to lose sight of the most interesting sights;
• On the last day of your holiday, don't forget to complete your collection of vacation photos with unique shots from the exotic Middle East region.

Good THERE sincerely wishes all travelers of the planet not to be afraid to dream of the most daring trips, even if at first these dreams seem unattainable. Jordan waits for guests 12 months a year and is ready to give them hospitality and good nature.

The endless expanses of deserts, the healing power of the extraordinary Dead Sea, a rich excursion program - all this is offered by the amazing country of Jordan. The official name of this Middle Eastern state is the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Interestingly, the word "Hashimi" testifies to the origin of the ruling dynasty of the country from the family of the Prophet Muhammad himself.

Jordan belongs to the Middle East region. In the north, the state borders with Syria and Iraq, in the south and east - with Saudi Arabia, and in the west - with the Palestinian Authority and Israel.

Arabic is recognized as the official language in Jordan. True, in the political and economic life of the country, English is often used, which is compulsory for studying in schools.

Despite the fact that most of the territory of Jordan is desert, the country has a well-developed light industry, oil refining, phosphate mining, the cement industry and, of course, the tourism industry.

Jordan can be safely called the scientific and cultural center of the Middle East. There are about 40 military units operating in the country, three of them have a military specialization.

Holidays in Jordan are mainly chosen by couples with children. Tourists in this stunning country are interested in the incomparable sandy beaches and amazing coral reefs of Aqaba, amazing ancient monuments and, of course, the amazing beauty of the Dead Sea. A separate part of the holidaymakers in the Kingdom are Christian and Muslim pilgrims. After all, Jordan is considered the "cradle of mankind." The country has a huge number of historical sites and monuments that are mentioned in the New and Old Testaments. Most of them are concentrated in the capital of the state amman, and also in Madabe and Jeyran.

Capital	Amman
Population	6,259,932 people (as of 2012)
Population density	68 people/km²
	Arab
Religion
Form of government	A constitutional monarchy
	Jordanian dinar
Timezone	UTC+2, summer UTC+3
International dialing code
Domain zone
Electricity

Climate and weather

The climate of Jordan is dry, subtropical. Weather conditions in different parts of the country vary depending on the relief. The average daily air temperature in January is about +10 °C (at the same time, in the valley Jordan noticeably warmer - about +14 °C), and in the warmest month, July, the air warms up to +30 °C (near the Jordan - +35 °C). It is worth noting that in the eastern regions of Jordan, there are sharper temperature fluctuations. And on the uplands of the country sometimes snow falls in winter, however, it lies only a few days a year. Brief rains in Jordan are observed from October to May. Summer in the country is dry and hot.

The holiday season in Jordan lasts all year round. The water temperature in the Dead and Red Seas does not fall below +21 °C.

The best time to visit Jordan is spring and autumn. During this period, the air temperature takes on optimal values ​​for human adaptation.

Nature

More than 90% of the territory of Jordan is occupied by spacious deserts and semi-deserts. And only small oases are visible among the sands. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is located on a plateau that is cut by a tectonic depression. Ghor. This depression is considered the deepest: the lowest point of the Dead Sea is at around 793 meters below sea level. ghor occupied by the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley. On both sides, the depression is surrounded by relatively low mountains. The highest point in the country Mount Jebel Ram, whose height is 1753 meters.

The most impressive natural treasure of Jordan is the area along the unique Dead Sea. The salt concentration in this reservoir is 7.5 times higher than normal for ordinary sea water. Apart from some bacteria, no one survives here. Even fish that accidentally swam here from the Jordan are instantly covered with a thick layer of salt. Near the coast of the Dead Sea, there are numerous thermal springs, which, with their unique composition of water, have attracted many tourists for more than a thousand years.

Jordan boasts one of the most beautiful deserts in the world - Wadi Rum. The locals call it Moon Valley. Here, the unusual combination of massifs of mountains and sand, which here takes on various shades from pale yellow to bright red, is especially impressive.

Jordan is dominated by desert, semi-desert and steppe landscapes. Rarely there are oases where mainly date palms are grown. In the deserts, grass cover, consisting of aristides, capers and desert bluegrass, appears only during the rainy season. The hills are covered mainly with vegetation of the Mediterranean type. The Jordanian steppes are covered with wormwood, sometimes there are lonely growing trees and shrubs.

The fauna of Jordan is more diverse than the flora. Here you can meet ibexes, goats, wild boars. There are also jackals, hares, wild cats, foxes, hyenas, gazelles. Of the birds, vultures and golden eagles are the most common.

Unique flora and fauna Gulf of Aqaba. It is here that the northernmost coral reefs in the world are located. About 1000 species of fish, mammals and crustaceans are found in the waters of the bay. Here tourists can meet dolphins, sea turtles and even whale sharks.

Attractions

Jordan is an ancient country. Its history spans over 10,000 years. A huge number of historical and cultural attractions are concentrated on the territory of the state, which attract historians, art critics and even pilgrims from all over the world.

Traveling in Jordan should start from its capital - Amman.

Here are particularly noteworthy the ruins of the temple of Hercules, the ancient amphitheater, the city Citadel, the palace of the governor of the Ummayads.

The pearl of Jordan is the ancient city Petra. Interestingly, the entire city was carved into the rocks.

His heritage includes more than 800 monuments, which are of great interest to the culture not only of the Middle East, but of the whole world.

The ancient Greco-Roman city is interesting for tourists Jerash.

Here is located Temple of Artemis, Temple of Zeus, Arch of Hadrian, ancient theaters and hippodromes, as well as the notorious Roman baths.

A unique underground mausoleum, a cathedral and the ruins of a basalt theater can be seen in one of the most ancient cities Umm Kaise.

And the ancient Karak famous for its well-preserved castle El Karak, which was built in 1142 by the knight Labutellier. The castle is a labyrinth of secret passages and galleries.

Orthodox pilgrims come to Jordan to visit the famous city Madaba.

Here, the most famous attraction is the mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land in Church of St. George. This map is considered the oldest of all existing.

One of the main attractions of Jordan is considered mountain Sky mentioned in the Old Testament. It was from here that Moses saw the Promised Land. It is also believed that the prophet died and was buried on this mountain. Later, a temple was erected on this site, which, unfortunately, has not survived to this day.

Jordanian land is also rich in natural attractions. An absolutely stunning place is the Wadi Rum desert. Not only adherents of ecological tourism come here, but also safari lovers and climbers.

Near Madaba located in a unique place - Zarka Main with numerous thermal springs. It is said that King Herod the Great himself used these springs for medicinal purposes.

Nutrition

Jordanian cuisine mainly consists of the main Arab culinary traditions, however, it has several features. Many people think that local dishes are extremely spicy and spicy, like in other Arab countries, but this is not the case. Jordanian chefs prefer to add a variety of herbs, onions, mint, pine nuts and pickled olives. The most popular dishes in the country are various salads, stews, mashed pea dishes. hummus" and " falafel". In addition to different types of lavash, flat cakes are popular in Jordan. kmage and bread ragif».

Meat dishes are often prepared from veal, lamb or chicken. As a side dish, local chefs use rice and potatoes.

Jordan is famous for its sweets, which are considered the best in the Middle East. Foreign tourists prefer to buy sesame cookies, " canafu" with cheese, " baklava» with pistachios, pies « kataef", dessert " Javafa» with guava, candied fruits and amazing ice cream.

Alcoholic drinks in Jordan are freely available at any time, with the exception of Ramadan (the month of Muslim fasting). Of the local drinks, you should try " arak". This vodka has the color of milk and the smell of anise. Before use" arak» It is recommended to dilute with water. Jordanian wines and beer are especially popular with foreign tourists. True, not all restaurants can order these drinks.

The cost of food in Jordan is relatively low by European standards. Lunch in a small street cafe will cost $10. And for a three-course dinner for two people, you will have to pay about $20-30.

Accommodation

Tourists traveling in Jordan will not experience housing problems. In almost any locality of the state, you can find comfortable hotels that provide their customers with decent service. True, in cities far from a large influx of tourists, the choice of housing will be severely limited to 1-2 hotels. These hotels are focused mainly on local business travelers. It should be noted that the level of comfort in these hotels is quite low. Very often the rooms do not have air conditioning and hot water, and they are located in uncomfortable and noisy parts of the city. A huge plus when placing in such hotels is the low cost of rooms compared to hotels Aqaba and Amman- only $30.

In tourist centers, there is a huge selection of hotels for every taste and, of course, a wallet. Tourists often stay in luxury hotels of large hotel chains. In addition to expensive hotels in Jordan, you can stay in state boarding houses, which are mainly located in national parks. These hotel complexes are equipped with lounges, swimming pools and restaurants. True, most of these complexes look very untidy.

The cost of living in hotels in Jordan varies from $80 to $150, depending on the location of the hotels and the equipment of the rooms.

Entertainment and recreation

Hospitable Jordan offers a rich excursion program. Unique monuments of antiquity, legendary religious sites, unique natural attractions make this country popular with many travel lovers.

Fans of active recreation will also not be bored in Jordan. Many travel companies organize unique off-road safaris through the amazing desert. Wadi Rum. Often these walks are accompanied by visits to the majestic fortresses of legionnaires and the legendary biblical cities.

Some tourists go on an exciting journey through the central highlands and the eastern desert as part of a real caravan. Many foreign tourists want to look at the unique beauties of the unique desert Wadi Rum bird's-eye. Companies organize paragliding and hot air balloon flights.

The Jordanian coast has gained great popularity among diving enthusiasts. Gulf of Aqaba. Diving enthusiasts will appreciate the azure waters of the Red Sea, rich in a variety of wildlife.

Sandy warm beaches of the Dead and Red Seas attract those who want to bask in the gentle sun from all over the world. Some companies claim that Jordan's beaches are among the best in the Middle East.

Healing climate, unique thermal springs have made Jordan the center of world healing. Medicinal mud, mineral waters and hot springs will help relieve stress and improve health.

A rich cultural holiday is offered by the magnificent capital of Jordan - Amman. The city is located Royal Cultural Center, which is located near the Sports City Al Hussein. The center includes a large complex of buildings housing drama theatres, exhibition halls and cinemas.

In the major tourist centers of Jordan ( Amman, Aqaba) at the hotels there are bars, discos and even nightclubs. True, visitors to these establishments are exclusively foreign tourists, because the strict norms of Islam prohibit believers from such entertainment.

Purchases

Pleasant souvenirs for the memory of a great vacation in the mysterious Jordan can be purchased in every city that deserves the attention of tourists. Original wicker rugs from Madaba, excellent bottles filled with multi-colored sand, ceramic and copper utensils, beautiful olive wood crafts, traditional Bedouin jewelry made of white and black silver and other jewelry. Women do not miss the amazing opportunity to acquire famous Jordanian cosmetics based on products from the Dead Sea.

Interestingly, in Jordan there is no bargaining characteristic of Arab countries. Prices here, if they reduce, then quite a bit. And often, seeing foreign tourists, local sellers set incredibly high price tags.

There is no general opening hours for stores in Jordan. Each owner of a retail facility sets the closing time of his establishment himself. It is worth noting that Friday is declared an official holiday in the country, and not Sunday, as in Europe.

Transport

Despite the rather difficult landscape, Jordan has an excellent transport system. Public transport is represented by buses, minibuses and services. The last locals call small five-seater cars, which, like minibuses, follow a certain route. The fare in such transport is 50% higher than the price of bus tickets and is slightly less than $3. You can also travel in cities by taxi. Only in the capital of the state this transport is equipped with meters, in other cities you will have to agree on the cost of the trip in advance. In Amman, the price on the counters is $ 1, an additional $ 0.4 is charged for landing. After midnight, the fare increases several times. You can also rent a taxi for the whole day. This service will cost $30-35.

To move around the country, the best option is road transport. The quality of Jordanian roads deserves the highest praise. Movement in the country is accepted right-hand. Road signs are made in two languages: Arabic and English. True, many do not recommend foreigners to drive themselves in Irbid and Amman, where there are constant traffic jams on the roads.

All Jordanian cities are connected by regular bus passenger service. Transportation is carried out by the rolling stock of the company Jett. It is recommended to purchase tickets for them in advance. In addition to these buses, you can use small (15 seats) taxis. It is worth noting that they do not have a fixed schedule. Often, the departure of such transport is carried out only after it is completely filled with passengers.

There is a small railway in Jordan, which provides exclusively passenger traffic between Amman and the Syrian Damascus. It is worth noting that after the start of the civil war in Syria, not only the railway communication, but also the domestic airline from Amman before El Mafraka stopped working indefinitely.

Near Amman located international Queen Alia airport. This airport is considered one of the most modern in the entire Middle East. Jordan is connected not only with neighboring countries, but also with major cities in Europe and Asia by regular air links. Flights are operated by two local airlines − Royal Jordanian and Royal Wings. The latter performs domestic flights on the route Amman — Aqaba. The cost of such a flight is only $ 5.

The Gulf of Aqaba is the country's only seaport, which provides cargo transportation to neighboring countries. In addition, regular ferry service between Jordan and Egypt is well established.

Connection

Communication systems in Jordan are quite modern. You can call within the country and abroad from telephone sets installed in hotels, or from a cell phone. Mobile communications in the country are provided by two operators - " MobileCom" and " FastLink". Calls within the network cost phone owners $ 0.14 per minute. You can call abroad, for example, to Moscow for $1 per minute. Therefore, for international calls, it is recommended to purchase a SIM card from local operators.

Widespread not only in the capital of Jordan Amman, but also in other large cities of the country received network technologies. Numerous Internet cafes offer access to the worldwide web. In addition, you can wander through the endless expanses of the "electronic web" in large hotels and inns where there are Wi-Fi access points.

Security

Jordan, despite its proximity to Palestine and Syria, is considered one of the safest and most stable countries in the Middle East. As in a strictly Muslim state, there is practically no crime and interfaith conflicts. Recently, Jordanian law enforcement authorities have strongly advised foreign citizens not to plan travel to areas close to the borders of Syria, Israel and Palestine in connection with the declared martial law in neighboring states.

The sanitary situation in Jordan is favorable. Some experts still recommend tourists to be vaccinated against polio, typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A, and tuberculosis. Children entering the country must be vaccinated against whooping cough, measles, rubella and diphtheria.

It is recommended to use only bottled water in Jordan, especially during the summer period, when the quality of tap water deteriorates significantly. Meat and fish must be thermally processed before eating, and vegetables and fruits must be thoroughly washed.

Business climate

Jordan boasts excellent conditions for the development of foreign business. A pleasant climate, an abundance of unique cultural and religious attractions make this country one of the most popular tourists in the Middle East. Such an increased interest of foreigners in Jordan is preferred by numerous investors who decide to invest large sums of money in the development of the country's tourism industry. Every year in the major tourist centers of Jordan (especially in the capital on the shores of the Dead and Red Seas) new modern hotels, entertainment complexes and shopping centers are being built.

Coast Gulf of Aqaba is not only a world-class holiday destination, but also the center of business activity in Jordan. Here is the free economic zone of Aqaba. This title implies the presence of favorable conditions for foreign investment. Many investors are attracted to this region by simplified company formation procedures, low income taxes (only 5%), business opportunities not only in the Middle East, but also in North Africa, ready-made equipped sites for medium and light industries.

The property

The favorable geographical position, excellent climate, the country's rich mineral resources for healing mud and mineral springs have made the Jordanian real estate market one of the most attractive throughout the Middle East, which was practically not affected during the 2008 global crisis. The overall decline in prices did not exceed 10%, and since 2010 the market has returned to the pre-crisis level.

The stability and high profitability of the Jordanian economy attracts numerous real estate investors. Currently offered for sale apartments in the center of the capital of the Kingdom Amman at an average price of $1300-1700 per square meter. Apartments in residential areas of the capital will cost about $80,000-100,000. Citizens from wealthy countries show the greatest interest in Jordanian housing Persian Gulf.

The purchase of real estate in Jordan by foreign citizens does not have any restrictions. For registration of the relevant documents, only a foreign passport is required. However, one condition still exists: foreigners cannot sell the acquired property in the next 5 years after the purchase transaction.

In the capital of Jordan Amman and large cities there is an increased demand for rental apartments. The cost of rental housing corresponds to the European level. So, for a month of living in a small one-room apartment with all amenities, you will have to pay from $150 to $400, depending on the location of the apartment relative to the city center.

A wonderful holiday full of unforgettable experiences will give you the excellent Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. As in any Muslim state, staying in Jordan requires the implementation of certain rules of conduct.

Being in public places obliges foreigners to wear certain clothes that comply with all the canons of Islam. The person's elbows and knees must be covered. Women are required to cover their heads in public places. Lovers are forbidden to express their feelings in public. During Ramadan (the month of Muslim fasting), Jordanians adhere to the rejection of all worldly things from the first rays of the sun until sunset. Foreign tourists are also required to exercise restraint during this time. Women in this Islamic state are forbidden to touch another man, even in the case of a greeting. Many restaurants have separate "women's" restaurants. By the way, eating in Jordan is customary with the right hand. The left hand of Muslims is considered "unclean".

Photo and video shooting is possible only after obtaining permission. It is strictly forbidden in Jordan to photograph transport infrastructure, military and government facilities.

When planning a trip to Jordan, you need to take care of a quality sunblock. Be sure to take care of your eyes while swimming in the Dead Sea, because the high salt content irritates the mucous membranes.

There are no restrictions on movement within the country with an appropriate visa. True, it is advisable to always have a foreign passport with you for checking documents by local police. Especially this warning concerns the border areas with Syria, Palestine and Israel.

When buying souvenirs in Jordan, you should remember that the customs rules of the state prohibit the export of expensive items and antiques abroad without a special receipt, which the seller must issue to you. Naturally, both the export and import of drugs and weapons are prohibited. You can export foreign currency without restrictions, however, more than 300 Jordanian dinars cannot be transported.

Visa Information

To visit Jordan, citizens of Russia and the CIS countries need a visa, which is issued directly at the border or at the airport, as well as at the consulate of Jordan. To obtain a visa at the airport, a tourist needs to present only a foreign passport, the validity of which exceeds six months at the time of entry. Sometimes officers may require a document confirming the hotel reservation. The cost of obtaining such a visa is only $ 28. It is worth noting that visas are not issued at border crossings with Israel and Syria.

Applying for a visa at the consular section of the Jordanian Embassy will require the following documents: a foreign passport; visa application form filled in English or Arabic; one photo. The consular fee in this case is $31.5.

For more information, please contact the Jordanian Embassy in Moscow: 103001, Moscow, per. Mamonovsky, 3 or by phone 299-43-44.

• 50,000-4000 BC e. Hunting weapons of this time have been found in Wadi Rum and Azraq. The first settled settlements and the beginning of agriculture in the Jordan Valley.
• 4000-1200 BC Exodus from Egypt of the Jews led by Moses. 1250 BC e. - Joshua took the city of Jericho and divided Palestine between the 12 tribes of Israel.
• 1200-539 BC e. The kingdoms of Ammon, Moab and Edom, located east of Jordan, and Wadi Araba are in constant conflict with the Israelite tribes. 800-539 BC e. - Assyrians and Babylonians conquer Jordan.
• 538 BC e. The Nabataeans come to power in the south; Petra becomes their capital.
• 332 BC e. Alexander the Great (Macedonian) conquers Palestine.
• 63 BC e. The Romans, led by Pompey, conquer Palestine and Jerusalem.
• 63 BC e. - 106 n. e. The Decapolis is formed, a federation consisting of ten cities in Northern Jordan, and joins Syria, a Roman province, in which it remains until 106 AD. e.
• 37 BC e. - 4 n. e. Dominion over Judea by Herod the Great, an Idumean by origin, who converted to Judaism.
• 4 BC e. - 30 n. e. The birth and life of Jesus Christ.
• 106 n. e. The Romans conquer the Nabataean kingdom and annex it to the province of Arabia.
• 324 Christianity becomes the state religion of the Roman Empire.
• 636 Battle of Yarmouk. The Arabs defeat the Byzantines and force them to withdraw from Jordan, Palestine and Syria. Islam triumphs in Jordan.
• 661-750 The Umayyad dynasty - Islamic caliphs with the capital of the caliphate in Damascus.
• 1095-1187 Crusaders. 1099 - Jerusalem fell to the crusaders. 1171-1187 - Saladin liberated Jerusalem; his Ayyubid dynasty rules over the region.
• 1263-1516 Mamluk rule in the region under the leadership of Baibar from Egypt.
• 1520-1566 Suleiman the Magnificent extended the power of the Ottoman Empire to the entire Arabian Peninsula.
• 1916 The Ottoman Empire enters the First World War on the side of Germany. Arab uprising of tribes fighting for independence.

• 1917-1918 Arabs capture Aqaba. Allies capture Jerusalem. General Allenby fights the Turks in Palestine and Syria. End of Ottoman dominance over the Arab countries.
• 1920-1946 Transjordan and Palestine become mandated territories of the British Empire.
• 1946 Declaration of Independence of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
• 1948 Establishment of the State of Israel in the mandated territory of Palestine. The first wave of Palestinian refugees arrives in the West Bank.
• 1950 Jordan annexes the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
• 1952 Hussein becomes king at the age of 17, after the murder of his father.
• 1967 Six Day War. Israel is reclaiming the richest region of the kingdom, the West Bank of the Jordan River, and part of Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Gaza Strip and Sinai from Egypt.
• 973 Israel captures the Golan Heights in the Yom Kippur War.
• 1980-1988 First Iran-Iraq war. Jordan supported Iraq, giving it the opportunity to use the port of Aqaba and sending its volunteers to Iraq.
• 1990-1991 Iraq invades Kuwait. The United States, with the support of the Gulf States, Syria and Egypt, is trying to liberate Kuwait. Jordan is isolated from the rest of the Arab world for refusing to condemn Saddam Hussein.
• 1994 Jordan signs a peace treaty with Israel ending 46 years of formal state of war. US ends boycott of Jordan.
• 1999 Death of King Hussein. His son Abdullah becomes King of Jordan.
• 2000-2006 A series of terrorist attacks in Amman is ruining Jordan's reputation as a calm country open to tourism.

Politics

Associated inextricably and in many ways with the destinies of Israel and Palestine, with which it borders, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan faces a choice in many respects. It began its existence as a mandated emirate of Transjordan under the rule of Emir Abdullah (of the Khaishmit clan) in 1921 and achieved independence in 1946 when Britain withdrew its mandate. During its short but turbulent history, the country has experienced many crises, most of which were caused by the influx of Palestinian refugees from the West Bank, who now make up 40% of the country's population.

parliamentary system

An elected parliament debates and approves legislation issued by the king and his government, but the real power still rests with the king. Democratization has made significant progress - 19 political parties are registered in the country. The last elections were held in 2003 under the "one person - one vote" system approved by the Constitution, with quotas for women, religious minorities and ethnic groups.

Relations with Israel

In 1994, Jordan signed a historic peace treaty with Israel in which the parties agreed to remove economic barriers and cooperate on security and water issues. The agreement resulted in large-scale assistance from the United States and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)- Their economic plan was to stabilize the country's finances in order to reduce its dependence on subsidies that wreaked havoc on food prices. In 1999, Jordan formally renounced its claims to the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Relations with Israel are now quite tense, but they can be called completely pragmatic - in 2002, both countries worked out a joint plan to save the Dead Sea, which provides for the construction of a pipeline from the Red Sea. The cost of the project is 800 million US dollars, this is the largest joint project ever carried out in the world. Jordan reopened its embassy in Israel in 2005 (ambassador was recalled in 2000 after a riot by Palestinian rebels). Relations became tense again when King Abdullah II delivered an anti-Israeli speech in the US in the summer of 2006 after the Israeli army attacked Lebanon.

The problem of Arab unity

First King of Jordan Abdullah (1882-1951) gave a vivid description of the difficulties experienced by the Arabs in 1945 in the formation of the Arab League. It was, he said, "like a sack with seven heads sticking out (seven first Arab countries), tied with ropes of foreign power and Arab impotence. You can breathe in this state, but any attempt to move is tantamount to suffocation.

Choice of the future

The death of King Hussein in 1999, after 46 years of rule, left the country in an uncertain position. The new king, Abdullah, Hussein's eldest son by his second wife, Tony Gardiner, an Englishwoman, was to join the struggle for stability and at the same time try to implement a series of political, economic and social reforms. He is assisted in this by his wife, Rania, a Palestinian, but the country's close ties to the US are not popular among the people, especially among the Palestinians, and reforms have proven difficult. Another problem for the country is restoring the image of a safe region after al-Qaeda attacks on the capital's hotels in late 2005.

culture

Amman was chosen as the Capital of Arab Culture by UNESCO in 2002. The city's contribution to novelistics and poetry was also recognized, although Jordan boasts many internationally recognized contemporary artists. There is also a highly developed handicraft culture in the country with the most popular areas - embroidery and jewelry. Folk arts and crafts are supported by numerous public organizations and foundations, such as the Queen Hyp al-Hussein Foundation and the Jordan River Foundation. Music and dancing are not very popular - musicians and dancers can only be seen and heard at such folk festivals as the festival in Jerash.

Literature

Prior to the 1970s, literature in Jordan was poorly represented; Cairo and Beirut were considered recognized centers of education and literature. But in the mid-1980s, poet and artist Salma Khadra Jayusi founded the PROTA Foundation to support translations from Arabic, and works by Jordanian authors began to appear in English.

In Jordan, there were originally traditions of oral literary creativity: singing poetry to the accompaniment of musical instruments and stories about the history of the tribes. Until now, this folklore has only been translated into European languages ​​to a small extent, so that only Arabic scholars can get acquainted with it. But the Palestinians have a rich literary tradition that goes back hundreds of years, so the world knows best, for example, the works of such authors as Haydar Mahmoud, Mahmoud Darwish and Ibrahim Nasrallah.

Modern Art

Cultural life in Jordan is developing very actively with the support of the Amman House of Arts (Darat-al-Funun), widely regarded as one of the leading contemporary art centers in the Arab world.

Modern art originated in the region in the 1880s, during the Ottoman rule, when Ottoman army officers were required to learn the basics of drawing and topographic surveying.

The first significant Jordanian artist was former Ottoman army officer Ziyadin Suleiman, an impressionist whose first solo exhibition in Amman was held in 1938. The royal family patronized him and other artists who began working at that time, buying their work and thus setting an example of patronage to other wealthy families.

After 1948 and the first Arab-Israeli war, many Palestinian artists ended up in Amman as refugees and joined the cultural life of Jordan.

In the 50s of the XX century. A remarkable constellation of Jordanian female artists arose in the country, including the famous Afaf Arafat, the first Jordanian citizen who studied abroad, in the English city of Bath, on a government scholarship.

The Six-Day War of 1967 halted the cultural development of Jordan for several years, and many Palestinian artists emigrated to the United States and Europe. By the end of the 1970s, with the advent of the Royal Society of Fine Arts, founded in 1979 as a non-profit organization, the culture in the country began to revive. The first museum appeared - the National Gallery of Fine Arts.

In the 1990s, the Shoman Charitable Foundation, founded by the artist Suha Shoman, created Darat al-Funun, a wonderful exhibition center. Several galleries have sprung up in Amman sponsored by leading Jordanian banks and companies.

Beginning as predominantly impressionistic, Jordanian contemporary art does not have a distinct direction. Sometimes national motifs are used, such as Nabataean, but the overall nature of the work is deeply personal and experimental.

Festivals and holidays

In summer, folklore concerts and performances are held in Amman, in the Roman Amphitheater and Odeon, as well as in the cities of Salt and Fuheis. But the main cultural event of the year is the festival in Jerash.

The festival lasts for about two weeks in late July - early August. Established by Queen Hyp in 1981, it began as a six-day festival but has since grown into a longer one. The program always includes costumed folk dances, performances by Jordanian military bands with bagpipes, Arabic plays, and even performances by gymnasts and trapeze acrobats. A Western girl in a bikini hanging upside down from a trapeze suspended from the ceiling, and a woman wrapped in black from head to toe admiring her, is a very curious sight. Most of the concerts take place in the two theaters of Jerash and the Oval Hall, while the traditional venue for official events is the Amman Royal Cultural Center. Special children's events are held at the Haya Cultural Center. Some events are also celebrated in the theaters of Umm Qais and Mount Nebo.

Religious holidays

Muslim religious holidays have "floating" dates, as they are associated with the lunar calendar and therefore shift annually by 11 days. The Muslim calendar starts from 622 AD. e., the year when the Prophet Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina, where he founded the first mosque. This year is considered the first year of Hijri. (translated from Arabic "resettlement"). Saudi Arabia is the only Arab state still using this reckoning; the rest switched to the standard Gregorian system, the same as we have in the West.

There are two main religious holidays celebrated in all Arab countries, and the main one is the national holiday of Eid al-Adha, a four-day feast of sacrifice; Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac is noted. The second holiday - Eid al-Fitr, a three-day holiday of breaking the fast after the end of the fast, is celebrated at the end of the month of Ramadan.

Both holidays are marked by visits to relatives and friends, joint eating of sweets, drinking coffee, and other delicious things. Children are given new clothes and other gifts.

Ramadan

In Ramadan, paradoxically, more is eaten than on any other day of the year, especially meat and sweets; this is due to the fact that Muslims observe fasting all day and begin to eat only after sunset. Government agencies and commercial firms are shortening their working hours and working half-heartedly - not because of fasting, but because of lack of sleep caused by a sleepless night spent on food and entertainment.

Ideally, visiting Jordan should take at least a week, but in practice, most tourists spend much less time there, combining a visit to this country with a trip to Israel, Syria or Egypt. A thorough trip would take two weeks - the country is small, the roads here are good, and there are practically no traffic jams outside Amman.

You won't need an SUV to visit most of the sights, except that Wadi Rum may be an exception. There are practically no railways in Jordan, but the bus service (JETT) well developed. Renting a car is easy; this will give you more freedom of movement on the suggested routes. Within Amman, it is better to use a taxi service - you can catch it anywhere, and it is inexpensive. In winter, the days are short: it gets light at 6.30 and gets dark at 17.00 - keep this in mind when planning your movements. Traveling by bus will take you a little longer.

long weekend

• Day 1. Arrival to Amman.
• Day 2. Visit the citadel in Old Amman with its Roman temples, museum and recent excavations of Umayyad ruins. Then, heading north, see the great Roman city of Jerash with its two theatres, oval forum, cobbled streets, temples and churches. Stay overnight at the Dead Sea.
• Day 3 After swimming in the Dead Sea, drive to Petra. Stay overnight in Petra.
• Day 4 Spend the day exploring Petra. It will take you several hours to climb the paths carved into the rocks. A good level of physical fitness is welcome.
• Day 5 Return to Amman and flight home.

One week

Two weeks

When to go

The most convenient time of the year to visit Jordan is March, April, May; you can go in the fall - in September, October or the first half of November. But the best month is April: it's not too hot yet and everything is in bloom. Christmas and New Year in Jordan are also quite popular. If you are going to go at the indicated time, book a hotel room in advance, especially if you are going to a place where the number of places in hotels is limited, in particular to Petra or to a nature reserve, such as Dana or Azraq - if there is no free house for you, it will be better to stay just nowhere.

Variety of natural conditions

Despite the fact that the territory of the country is small, the climate here is very diverse. The main determining factor is the height above sea level. On the central plateau, located at a height of 1000 meters, a cool breeze blows in summer, and icy winds in winter; snowfalls are frequent. In the lowlands, around the Dead Sea, it is much hotter and more humid; in July and August it is simply unbearable: the temperature rises to 40 ° C and even higher.

In South Jordan, in the region of Aqaba and the Red Sea, the climate is milder: in winter, when it snows in Amman, you can swim in the sea here.

Aqaba

Jordan's Red Sea resorts have become popular winter holiday destinations and are striving to keep up with their nearest competitor, Eilat in Israel. In January, the average temperature here is about 20 ° C, so it is quite possible to swim, although it is best to come to these resorts in spring and autumn. In summer, sea water has the temperature of a very warm bath.

Petra

At the height of summer it is better not to come to Petra - it will be very difficult for you to climb uphill under the scorching sun; however, you can do it at dawn or just before sunset.

It's nice here in winter, especially if it snows - then everything looks just fabulous.

Do not forget to take a warm sweater with you - it will come in handy in the evenings.

Daylight hours

Jordan has a short daylight hours, so it is better to start any trip or excursion early. See the sights in the morning before the crowds of tourists come running. Below is the time of sunrise and sunset - this table will help you plan your day.

	sunrise	sunset
March 21	5.40	17.45
21st of June	5.30	19.45
September 21	6.30	18.30
21 December	6.30	16.30

Transport

Public transport in Jordan is primarily a very well developed bus system linking the main cities. If you want to travel away from populated areas, such as Jerash, Pella, desert castles or Umm Qais, traveling by car is the best choice.

By bus

Comfortable, air-conditioned buses run from Amman, from the Abdali Central Bus Station, to most major cities in Jordan, as well as to Damascus. The national bus company is called JETT (Amman, Al-Malek Al-Hussein Street, Shmeisani. Tel: 06-566-4146) and provides excellent passenger service.

For a trip to Damascus, it is better to choose the Challenge bus (Abdali bus station. Tel: 06-465-4004)- it runs twice a day, the journey takes 3-4 hours, including crossing the border, and such a trip is inexpensive, about 12 dinars.

In a comfortable bus you will be offered sweets and carbonated drinks. At the border, you can go out and stretch your legs, go to the toilet and buy some food or visit a duty-free shop.

By car

Major car rental firms such as Avis, Hertz and Europcar have offices in Amman and at the airport; there are also many local businesses. The minimum rental period is two days, the driver must be at least 21 years old. An international driver's license is not required; enough rights issued in your country, with a photo. The services of large firms will cost much more, especially when ordering a car in advance, through a website. On the spot, you will most likely be given significant discounts. A small car will cost you about 25 dinars per day with unlimited mileage; jeep type 4x4 - almost twice as expensive. Carefully read the terms of insurance - its total amount is often higher than indicated; must be included in the contract as a separate clause. If you plan to put someone in the back seats, check if the seat belts work. Child seats are rare here - you are unlikely to get them.

You can rent a car with a driver if local conditions scare you - the prices for such a service are quite reasonable, about 25 dinars per day, so that the driver can pay for food and accommodation. Some drivers are also trained to provide guides and interpreters, which can come in handy.

You can use a credit card to pay. Rental cars have green numbers, private cars have white numbers, and government cars have red numbers.

By own car

You can enter Jordan with your car if you have an import customs clearance from the Automobile Owners Association (AA) or the automobile club of the country of residence. Such a document gives permission for the temporary import of a vehicle into the country for a period not exceeding three months. Insurance (for a third of the amount) bought at the border. International driving license is desirable but not required.

Road network

In general, the roads in Jordan are good - some of the best in the Middle East; highways and two-lane roads link Amman with Aqaba in the south; Irbid and the Syrian border in the north. Outside the cities, traffic is usually very calm. Secondary roads are well maintained, the surface is even, without potholes and potholes, so driving on them in remote areas is a real pleasure. Driving at night is more difficult, so try to calculate your route in such a way that by night - bearing in mind that the night comes early here, especially in winter - get to the place of lodging for the night.

By Middle Eastern standards, drivers in Jordan and Amman are relatively competent and well-mannered, not least because driving licenses are hard to get and impossible to buy. Even vision has to be checked every time, "updating" the rights, that is, every 10 years.

Gasoline, by European standards, is cheap. Unleaded gasoline is a rarity and can only be obtained in Amman. Be careful not to run your tank more than a quarter empty away from the cities - the distances between gas stations are sometimes very long here, especially in desert areas such as Azraq, where there is only one gas station outside the city, on the Iraqi highway.

By plane

Domestic flights are operated only between Amman and Aqaba using Royal Wings aircraft, subsidized by the Royal Jordanian. Flights are daily, the flight takes 45 minutes, the ticket price is 40 dinars one way; it's much faster than going the same way on the Desert Highway (the road will take you 4-5 hours and most of it will be quite boring).

Sitting at the window on the plane on the way to Aqaba, you can enjoy a bird's eye view of the desert scenery and mountains around Wadi Rum.

By taxi

There are yellow taxis in cities and towns - they are comfortable and the prices are reasonable - you can get to almost anywhere in Amman for 1 dinar. Tipping taxi drivers do not expect. In addition, there are "shuttle" taxis - usually large cars like Peugeots or Mercedes with seven seats for passengers, stopping at certain points within the city. Traveling by them is no faster than by bus, they are less convenient and more expensive. They do not run on schedule, leaving the stop when they are full of passengers.

By train

The only branch of the passenger railway, from Amman to Damascus, was once part of the Damascus-Hijaz railway, built at the beginning of the 20th century. Turkish soldiers to transport pilgrims from Damascus to Mecca. This railway fully functioned throughout its entire length until 1914, when it was bombed; she helped the pilgrims reach their goal in three hours - and before they rode camels for 50 days! The section from Amman to Aqaba is now used only for the transport of goods, mainly phosphates.

Accommodation

Jordan offers accommodation for every taste, from five-star international luxury hotels to one-star hotels; you can also settle in a camp site in the reserve, among the wild. There is a YMCA in Amman (Young Christian Association), and camping in the desert is possible anywhere except in the protected area of ​​Wadi Rum or the territory of the reserve. In small towns such as Madaba, there is practically nowhere to settle - keep this in mind when planning your trip. Outside of Amman, Petra and Aqaba, you can find a hotel in Irbid, Ajlun, Azraq, Pella, the Dead Sea, Zarqa Main, Kerak and Wadi Rum.

Top class

Four- and five-star hotels in Jordan meet all international standards; chains such as Kempinski, Intercontinental, Marriott and Movenpick are represented here, and ultra-luxury hotels on the Dead Sea are recognized as one of the best spa complexes in the world. Prices are high, but with an overabundance of high-end hotels, especially in Amman, you can always count on significant discounts that will cost you as much to stay in a luxury hotel as in Europe - a three-star accommodation. Always be interested in discounts and book a room in advance to achieve the maximum discount.

Middle class

There are no more old, luxurious hotels in Jordan; the last, the Philadelphia Hotel, built in the 1920s across from the Roman Forum, was bulldozed in the 1980s. Preference is given to glitz and glamor, the "oriental atmosphere" is now out of favor. A few exceptions are the Taybet Zaman hotels in Amman and Petra, where they try to recreate a traditional ethnic village atmosphere, and the camp sites in nature reserves, where the very closeness to nature creates an atmosphere of simplicity - but living here is surprisingly expensive.

budget class

There is no shortage of cheap housing in Jordan; few people like the shower and toilet "on the floor", so, as a rule, only students and hikers stay here. Women traveling alone should avoid such places.

Seasonal Options

The high season here usually lasts from March to May and from September to October inclusive. At this time, the hotels are full, because the weather is wonderful. Of course, after the terrorist attacks, mass travel cancellations begin, and this can be used to obtain exceptional conditions. Arab tourists from the Persian Gulf usually come in July - August, when it is especially hot in their countries, but they prefer to stay in boarding houses with kitchens, so they do not affect hotel occupancy.

Aqaba has a particularly large influx of visitors to hotels in winter, as well as from October to April, and the low season here lasts from May to September, and at this time you can get discounts on accommodation.

Rooms in luxury hotels on the Dead Sea must be booked in advance, as various conferences are often held here and tourist groups settle; in addition, rich people from Amman constantly come here for weekends.

Food and drink

Food is the main event of any Islamic holiday. Sharing a meal with someone means making friends, it's almost a ritual. Food for satiety is a personal matter, it is combined with relaxation and takes place at home. Therefore, until recently, eating in restaurants was considered bad form here.

Breakfast

Breakfast in hotels is usually served from 6.30 to 10.00; standard breakfast is a buffet with standard European dishes such as cereals, toast, juices, yogurt, fresh fruits and dried fruits; hot dishes such as boiled eggs, omelettes, fried sausages and mashed potatoes are also served.

A typical Arabic breakfast consists of fuula (cold beans) in olive oil with white cheese, olives and pita (Arabic flatbread). You will also be offered tea and coffee. Arabs don't drink tea with milk, so you'll have to specifically ask for it, or add milk to your tea from a milk jug meant for cereal. Usually there is also an assortment of pastries and croissants.

Dinner and supper

Lunch is usually served in Amman restaurants from 13.00 to 15.00 and dinner after 20.00. In other cities, the schedule is more flexible. The cuisine in most restaurants is international; in some places you will be offered Middle Eastern and Jordanian national dishes. Below we will talk about some of them.

Daoud Pasha

It is a ball of rice stuffed with onions, pine nuts and tomatoes.

This meat dish is taken only with the right hand from the common dish, sitting on the floor. Meat - lamb, sometimes camel meat - is boiled, coarsely cut and laid out on a dish with rice. Sometimes pine nuts and spices are added to it for flavor and poured with a sauce of whipped yogurt and lamb fat for juiciness.

It is a traditional Bedouin food and is prepared on special occasions such as weddings or religious holidays. Don't be surprised if the conversation over this dish falls silent. An Arabic proverb says: "When the food is served, the conversation is silent."

Makluba

This Jerusalem dish is meat with vegetables, usually eggplant and cauliflower.

These are snacks, cold and hot, very diverse, some of them will completely replace the second. Lebanon has the best mezze, and Jordan takes an honorable second place.

Here are some standard cold mezzes: hummus (chickpeas with sesame gravy); baba ganuy (eggplant sauce); mutabbal (eggplant sauce with pea paste); tahina (sesame paste); tabbouleh (chopped tomatoes, mint and croutons) and labneh (creamy yogurt with walnuts).

Hot meals are kibbeh (balls of minced meat with nuts, onions and croutons), fatair (triangular flour products with cheese or spinach) and falafel (balls of peas fried in oil).

Muluhiya

This is a meat dish. (usually lamb) with vegetables like spinach. It is sometimes served in cafes along the Desert Highway. It's actually an Egyptian dish.

This dish is prepared in the West Bank of the Jordan. It consists of chicken fried in olive oil, onion and sumac; all this is mixed, put on bread and covered with onions on top.

Vegetarian dishes

In Jordan, as in all Arab countries, it's not difficult to be a vegetarian, as there are plenty of easy-to-prepare cold cuts made from fresh vegetables, chickpeas, and sesame seeds. They are very varied, and as a second course you will be offered an omelet. Cheese is rarely served - usually it is a liquid substance like homemade cheese, or melted triangles (Penguin or La Vache Qui Pit), or melted slices for sandwiches. But everywhere there is an abundance of fresh fruit.

Fast food

The Middle East has its own, wonderful fast food - these are stalls that stand in the center of cities and in other crowded places. Usually they sell falafel in a pita with salad - this is a standard cheap snack; shawarma (similar to Turkish doner kebab)- lamb, planed from a rotating and gradually roasting piece; it is also wrapped in pita with salad. In Amman and Aqaba, and now in Petra, you can also buy a hamburger and Kentucky fried chicken - American fast food costs more than traditional Arabic, but is nevertheless popular among wealthy local youth.

Alcohol and soft drinks

Local wines are not bad - vintage reds, whites and rosés, all produced in the West Bank. Good restaurants serve imported wines, but they are very expensive. Local beer "Amstel" is also quite expensive. Arak, aniseed vodka that turns cloudy when diluted with water, is the national drink throughout the Levant. It is 40% ABV and is softer than ouzo, its Greek counterpart. If you drink it with ice and water, then it goes well with lamb and other fatty meat dishes. Alcohol can be bought at any store and supermarket.

In the Lower City of Amman and some small towns, you will find street stalls where you will be offered freshly squeezed juices: orange, pomegranate, strawberry and banana; It is very nice to freshen up with such juice on a hot day.

Mineral water without gas is cheap and sold everywhere - it is better to drink it than tap water. It is produced by several companies, and usually the water bears the name of the source from which it is extracted. It tastes almost the same.

Where to buy food and drinks

Everything for a picnic can be bought in mini-supermarkets in Amman and most major cities. The easiest way to stock up on bread, cheese, tomatoes and various fruits - bananas and oranges, as well as nuts and salty chips (there is a large selection of them here). For drinks, buy a large bottle of Coke or Seven Up. There are also health food stores here, but there are far fewer of them in Jordan than in other Middle Eastern countries.

Tips

In all top-class restaurants, 10% of the order value is automatically added to the bill. In luxury restaurants, it is also customary to round the bill up.

In ordinary restaurants and cafes, it is not customary to tip and nothing is added to the bill.

Entertainment

People don't come to Jordan for entertainment and nightlife - in this sense, it has practically nothing to offer. Except for the festival of folklore music and dance in Jerash, there is no way outside the capital. you will not find entertainment - except for holidays in large hotels in Aqaba and Petra, which are devoted mainly to food.

Entertain yourself

There are many opportunities to have fun on your own in Jordan. Local residents visit each other and sometimes gather in restaurants - on special occasions. Of course, many people have satellite TV at home and thus are aware of everything that happens in the world. There are CD and DVD rentals in big cities.

Cultural life in Amman

At the reception of any large hotel, you can get a free monthly Jordan Today magazine, in which you will find a schedule of all cultural events taking place in the city. These events are also covered in the English weekly Jordan Times.

Cinema

There are several modern cinemas in Amman, where the latest world cinema is shown. Foreign films are always shown in their original language with Arabic subtitles. Tickets cost about five dinars. Cinemas in the Lower City are more likely to show films about martial arts, such as kung fu, dubbed into Arabic. Such films are swarmed by the local youth, full of "fighting spirit", so that Western tourists, especially women, should not go to such cinemas.

Concerts and shows

Jordanian and foreign cultural centers in Amman regularly organize performances by musicians and artists; they usually take place in the conference rooms of large international hotels.

Exhibitions and musical evenings

Amman has two cultural centers that put on concerts and performances, usually in Arabic; foreign cultural centers also organize exhibitions, musical performances and lectures, inviting artists from their countries. Amman also has a modern exhibition center and fine arts gallery.

Night clubs

Almost all metropolitan night and disco clubs are located in the buildings of large hotels. They are often visited by wealthy Arabs, so we do not advise women to go there alone - this can be misunderstood.

Buy an apartment

A non-standard way to have fun in Aqaba is to buy an apartment here. A few hours flight from Europe, it's warm all year round - the average temperature is 20°C even in January, and real estate prices here are the lowest in the region. So if you are looking for a place in the sun, this is worth considering. Jordan has liberal property laws that allow foreigners to buy property here, so you can buy an apartment in the city itself or in one of the ever-growing seaside suburbs. Some enterprising people have already appreciated the benefits of this opportunity to relax at any time and escape from winter. Aqaba has an airport from where you can fly to Egypt and any country on the coast of the Persian Gulf.

Purchases

Although Amman cannot be compared with Damascus, Jerusalem, Aleppo (Aleppo) and Cairo, where there are wonderful oriental bazaars, traditional Bedouin and Palestinian folk crafts also exist here, and there are many places in the capital of Jordan where you can buy such products. In addition, gold is surprisingly cheap here.

Souvenirs

All large four- and five-star hotels have souvenir shops, but their prices are an order of magnitude higher than in the shops of the Lower City; besides, no matter how many things you buy here, you will not get a discount.

In large cities such as Petra and Jerash, stalls sell local craftsmanship, most of which are outright kitsch, such as leather camels, colorful bottled sand, and onyx animal figurines.

It is worth paying attention to Bedouin silverware and Palestinian clothes embroidered in red on a black background. You can also find antique items made of copper and brass here - when buying, you should bargain in order to achieve an acceptable price.

In the Amman area, it is best to buy souvenirs in the village of Kann Zaman, near the airport. From the city center you can get there in 20 minutes. This is a reconstructed village of the 19th century. The cobbled streets are full of shops and boutiques selling high-quality goods; you can see how carpets and decorations are made. There are also cafes and restaurants serving freshly baked traditional bread.

Another good place in Amman - Jordan Design and Trade Center (Jordanian Center for Design and Commerce) in front of Amman Orchid Hotel in Shmeisani (open: Sat-Thu 8.00-19.00). Handmade carpets, high-quality ceramics, embroidery and hand-made paper are on display here. All this is the result of Queen Hyp's charitable action aimed at reviving old crafts and creating jobs for thousands of women from remote areas. There are branches of the store in the tourist centers of Petra and Jerash, in Aqaba opposite the fort and in Madaba on Haret Jdoudna street.

Gold

There is a gold market in the Lower City of Amman (bitch); there are shops selling gold in every major city in Jordan.

Gold is sold here by weight, and its prices are among the lowest in the world. Outside Jordan, products of the same quality and samples are sold for three to four times more. You will not find samples, look for a stamp indicating the content of pure gold in 1000 g: 875 is equivalent to 21 carats, 750 - 18 carats. Upon purchase, you will receive two receipts - one indicates the weight of the product, the other - the cost of work. Gold merchants value their reputation very highly, so don't be afraid - you won't be deceived.

As for precious stones, they are very expensive in Jordan, as they are brought from abroad, and you should not buy them here.

Market (bitch) in Amman. Near King Faisal St, in a maze of streets between Cairo Amman Bank and Arab Bank. Open: Sat-Thu 8.30-19.00.

Sports and recreation

Jordan has plenty of opportunities for extreme sports, such as rock climbing and camel rides in Wadi Rum, as well as hiking in nature reserves. Applications for participation in such events must be submitted in advance through local travel agencies, such as Wild Jordan, or through local guides directly in the reserves. The Red Sea in Aqaba has everything you need for water sports and diving - this can be found at the hotel. There are many spa complexes on the Dead Sea, where you will be offered a full range of treatments, from massage to skin care.

Football is a national spectator sport. The Premier League championship lasts for six winter months. In addition to the ubiquitous football, spectator sports such as camel and horse racing, held at Amman's only hippodrome, are popular here. Most major competitions, including the Pan Arab Games, take place at the large Sports City stadium in northern Amman. Two road and desert rallies are organized annually: the 700 km Jordan International Rally and the 50 km Amman-Dead Sea Marathon (www.deadseamarathon.com).

Air sports

Royal Aerosports Club (Royal Aero Sports Club) located at Aqaba airport (Tel: 06-487-3261. www.fly.to/rpacj). It is one of the leading clubs of its kind in the Middle East. On a two-seat light aircraft, you can take a number of sightseeing flights, from a simple 20-minute flight along the coast for 25 dinars to a flight to Wadi Rum (300 dinars for five passengers), during which you will get a unique experience by seeing the mountains and the desert from above. You can also fly a tandem paraglider from 3,000 meters and take a one and a half hour hot air balloon flight over Wadi Rum.

There is also a hang gliding club in Amman. (Royal Jordanian Gliding Club) (Tel: 06-487-4587), based at Marka airport; here you will be offered to fly over the capital for 20 dinars per hour.

Climbing enthusiasts can make serious climbs in Wadi Rum, where there are steep cliffs and deep canyons. All the details - in the book by Tony Howard "Hiking and climbing in Wadi Rum" (Tony Howard. Treks and Climbs in the Wadi Rum. Cicerone, 1994)- in it the ascents are ranked according to the degree of difficulty. Here you can go mountain climbing all year round, so it is very convenient to come here when the climbing season in Europe is over.

Experienced local instructors are available to accompany you. The easiest ascents, such as the Burda Rock Bridge, can be made without special training, but a certain level of physical fitness and dexterity is required.

Walks and Hiking

Thanks to the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature) (PO Box 1215, Amman, 11941. Tel: 06-533-7931. www.rscn.org.jo) walking and hiking have become a popular pastime in Jordan.

The Dana and Wadi Mujib reserves have well-signposted trekking routes ranging from short hikes of a few kilometers to full-day hikes. The Wadi Rum Conservation Area also has marked desert walking trails, ranging from hour-long to overnight hikes, as well as camel rides ranging from hour-long to two- and even seven-day tours, for those who want to fully experience the “desert” look. life.

Water sports

All types of scuba diving are based in Aqaba - there are several professional diving centers located on the 27 km coastline between Aqaba and the Saudi Arabian border. The hotels in Aqaba have everything you need for water skiing, windsurfing, as well as catamarans for skiing along the coast.

Children

Like all Arabs, Jordanians love children; they will be glad to see them in hotels and restaurants. Local children are allowed to stay up late at restaurants with their parents, and by Western standards, they may seem spoiled, but you rarely see a cranky or irritated child here. As for food, children receive small portions of the same dishes that parents order - there is no special "children's table" for them - so there are no problems with food, and there are simply no children here who are picky eaters.

About the smallest

Small children are carried in special backpacks on their backs, and they can be fed with dry mixes diluted with mineral water from a bottle.

A variety of juices are sold everywhere, and they can also be diluted with water to the desired concentration.

About kids who can walk

Children who can already walk pose a problem, as they are not able to travel long distances, which is necessary, for example, when visiting Petra or Jerash, and the road surfaces here are not suitable for wheelchairs. So, if you have such a child, it is better to limit yourself to a beach holiday in Aqaba or the Dead Sea.

The older the better

The best age for a child to take with you to Jordan is over 10 years old. Children at this age have enough strength and energy to hike long distances, and they will get a lot of pleasure from climbing the rocks to the castles of the Crusaders and camel rides in Wadi Rum. And these children will remember their impressions, unlike toddlers. They will also be happy to look at ostriches and musk oxen in the Shaumari reserve, sit by candlelight at the camp site in the Dana reserve.

Children who love water will enjoy coming to the Dead Sea and riding a catamaran or a boat, and in Aqaba, those who are younger will admire the coral reefs through the transparent bottom of the boat, and those who are older can also snorkel or scuba dive.

Hotels

Many hotels offer rooms with three beds, so that children can stay with their parents.

When it comes to breakfast, most large hotels offer a buffet, so the child can choose food to their liking and get a supplement if desired. Larger hotels have swimming pools, and some also have tennis courts and playgrounds.

Precautions

The most important thing is to protect a child of any age from overheating.

Make sure that your child is well protected from the sun, since 80% of skin damage occurs before the age of 20. Use sunscreen with a high protection factor. It is best to keep children out of direct sunlight between 11.00 and 15.00.

If you are traveling alone, by car, always carry a sufficient supply of water and carbonated drinks, as well as nuts or chips that do not spoil, so that the child can have a snack at any time.

Arrival

By plane

Amman has two international airports: Queen Alia, which handles all intercontinental flights, and Marka, for shorter flights within the Middle East. Upon arrival, you can purchase a visa, it's simple and fast.

Queen Alia Airport has two terminals on either side of the highway. Terminal 1 is used primarily by Royal Jordanian while Terminal 2 is used by other airlines.

There are many taxis waiting for passengers outside the airport building; an acceptable price according to the meter for travel to the city center should be 15-18 dinars (be on the lookout - they will try to charge you 25 or more!). Check that the counter is zero when you move off. You should not be charged extra for luggage.

To avoid problems, you can go to the taxi office at the airport - on the left in the arrivals hall - and pay at the official rates; you will be given a ticket which you will hand over to the taxi driver. There are offices of several car parks here, so choose the best price.

Royal Jordanian arrivals and departures. Tel: 06-445-3200; www.rja.com. Other fleets - tel: 06-445-2700.

by sea

From the Egyptian port of Nuweiba to Aqaba, two ferries run daily across the Red Sea. The faster one will take you in an hour, the slower one in 4-5 hours.

Avoid coming here by sea during Hajj (Muslim pilgrimage)- December (especially "hot" will be December 2008) when the ferries are packed with pilgrims returning from Mecca to Egypt. If you want to leave Jordan this way, Egyptian visas can be bought at the entrance to the ferry.

Arab Bridge Maritime Company. Tel: 03-209-2000. www.abmaritime.com.jo.

By land

There are two checkpoints on the Syrian-Jordanian border, both of which operate quickly and smoothly. Border formalities will take you from 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the workload of customs, which is unpredictable.

Fridays and public holidays are usually the busiest days. Border checkpoints operate around the clock.

Comfortable air-conditioned international buses belong to two companies: Jordanian JETT and Syrian Challenge; the latter are cheaper: buying a ticket from Amman to Damascus in Jordan, you will pay 12 dinars, in Syria - 8 dinars.

The trip will take about 4 hours, including crossing the border and related formalities; you will be offered free soft drinks and sweets. There are two buses every day, usually at 8.00 and 15.00.

Another type of transport that you can use to come to Jordan by land is the "service taxi" (minibuses). They run from the Abdali bus station around the clock, as they fill up. The prices for them are slightly higher than for buses, but they also travel a little faster, and you will cross the border faster, because there are fewer passengers in the car, and customs control will be faster and faster.

challenge. Abdali bus station, Amman. Tel: 06-465-4004. Fax: 06-465-4005. JETT (Jordanian Express Travel & Tourism). Al-Malik Al-Hussein St, Shmeisani, Amman. Tel: 06-566-4146.

By train

Few people now travel on the old Heyjaz railway line to Syria, as the trains here are very slow and only twice a week; so there is no need to book tickets in advance.

Trains leave from the beautiful old station on King Abdullah I Street, 2.5 km east of Raghadan Station in Amman.

Cash register. Tel: 06-489-5413. Open: from 7.00.

Departure

You will see signs "To the airport" everywhere in the center of Amman. The airport is located 35 km to the south, just behind the Desert Highway. The fare there by taxi is about 15 dinars, the journey will take about 45 minutes.

If you are flying on a Royal Jordanian aircraft, you can use the City Terminal for check-in and control (City Terminal), located on the 7th circle (open: 7.30-22.00). Here you can store your suitcases from 3 to 24 hours before departure and even get permission to carry an additional 15 kg of baggage. From there, a private bus runs directly to the airport every half an hour, you will have to pay only 3 dinars; and upon arrival at the airport, you will walk along the "green corridor" directly to the passport control desk. After passing through passport control, you can take the escalator up to the duty-free shop, which sells a wide variety of goods, from sweets to traditional ceramics and rosaries; all this can be bought if you have not prepared gifts for everyone yet.

When leaving Jordan by bus across the Syrian border, you will have to pay a customs fee of 5 dinars. The ticket price includes this amount.

Customs regulations

You can import 200 cigarettes, 1 liter of spirits and 2 liters of wine into the country duty-free. Expensive items may be subject to customs duty, but only if customs officers suspect that you are going to sell them in Jordan. Anything containing pornography (magazines, DVD), will be confiscated.

There are no restrictions on the import and export of any currency.

Electricity

The mains voltage in Jordan is 220 V, the current frequency is 50 Hz, as in Europe. Power outages are rare and the power supply is stable. In new houses and large hotels, sockets are square, with three holes; in old houses - traditional round, with two holes, so take a universal adapter with you so as not to have problems.

Email and Internet

Internet cafes are everywhere - come in, check your mail and send letters if you have a Hotmail or Yahoo account. Larger hotels have business centers where you can also access the Internet, but prices may be higher and access is limited to business hours. If you have a laptop with you, please also bring a UK-US adapter.

Large five-star hotels have Internet access from every room.

Etiquette and body language

Dress as conservatively as possible, especially if you are a woman: cover your arms and shoulders, as well as legs up to your knees - and you will not have problems, no one will pester you on the street. Keep eye contact with men to a minimum - otherwise you may be misunderstood and mistaken for sociability for encouragement. Women should not be the first to reach out for a handshake - this is considered immodest.

If a Western woman demonstrates accessibility by her behavior, she will certainly become the object of harassment by the Arabs.

Public displays of emotion between men and women are considered indecent here, whether they are married or not. Even holding hands is not worth it - it will be considered an inappropriate demonstration of intimacy. Homosexuality is prohibited, although there is a small gay community in Amman, but it cannot be compared with Tel Aviv, Beirut and Cairo. However, same-sex public displays of affection are considered acceptable in Arab culture: men can walk around holding hands and kiss when they meet; the same applies to women.

Neither men nor women are advised to point their fingers at anything - it is believed that in this way you can jinx it. You can not show the soles of your feet when you are sitting - this will shock others. You can only eat from a common plate with your right hand, the left is for ablutions.

Money

Jordan seems expensive compared to Egypt and Syria, but compared to Israel or Europe, it can be considered quite cheap. The biggest expense you can expect is the cost of entrance tickets to popular destinations like Petra (21 dinars) and Jerash (8 dinars). Accommodation prices in Petra are also very high compared to other cities in the country.

Currency

Country currency - Jordanian dinar (abbreviated JD - jay-dee).

1 dinar is equal to 1000 fils, or 100 piastres, but these words, like the money itself, are usually not used.

Banknotes in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 dinars are in circulation; on one side they have Arabic inscriptions, on the other - English, so you will not confuse them.

As of 2014, 1 dinar is approximately equal to 55 Russian rubles or 1.1 Euros.

Avoid 50 and 20 dinars banknotes - they are difficult to exchange anywhere except in hotels and expensive restaurants. Four coins are also considered running: half a dinar (golden heptagon with a silver circle in the middle); quarter dinar (same, but smaller and without silver insert); coins of 10 and 5 piastres (both thin, round, silver). All coins have their denominations in English, but very small, and it is difficult to find these inscriptions.

Currency exchange

Jordanian currency can be bought at any Western bank before traveling; you must have at least 50 dinars with you to buy a visa at the border and take a taxi to the hotel. If possible, it is better to change the entire required amount in advance so as not to pay local fees. (they are pretty high) and don't change money in a hurry at the airport upon arrival. There are no restrictions on the import and export of currency, so do not be afraid to exceed the limit.

Theft is extremely rare in Jordan, so don't be afraid to carry large amounts of cash.

Banks work on a strict schedule, but in big cities there are currency exchange offices, and the exchange rate is usually higher there. Unlike other Middle Eastern countries, where dollars circulate freely and local sellers often prefer the US currency, Jordan prefers the national currency.

Traveler's checks are an expensive way to store currency; in addition, in Jordan, the procedure for exchanging them for dinars may be delayed, and the rate is likely to be lower than if you were changing cash.

ATMs

All banks in Amman and other large cities have ATMs that operate 24 hours; it is very easy to use them. Usually the daily limit for issuing money is from 100 to 300 dinars.

Make sure your PIN is valid abroad before relying entirely on this method of receiving money.

Credit and debit cards

In Jordan, credit cards are freely accepted for payment in large hotels, licensed restaurants and supermarkets, VISA cards are the most widely accepted. However, you may find that the bank is taxing you and that the exchange rate is not what you would like.

Do not pay with a credit card for advance payments made through an ATM - you will have to pay a very large tax.

Opening hours

Archaeological sites are usually open daily from 8.00 am to dusk.

Banks are open from 8.30 to 12.30 and sometimes from 16.00 to 17.30. On Fridays they are closed.

Government offices are open from 8.00 to 14.00, closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

Museums are open from 9.00 to 17.00 and are closed on Fridays.

Shops in the city center are open from 8.00 or 9.00 to 20.00 or 21.00, but most of them are closed for two hours a day on Fridays - at the time of the noon prayer.

Passports and visas

It is best to have your passport with you at all times in case of checks and other unforeseen circumstances. Also make a photocopy of your passport in case it is lost or stolen.

All foreigners entering Jordan must obtain a visa - you can buy it at the border if you are arriving by land, or at the airport if you are arriving by plane.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry. The standard price of a visa is 10 dinars or the corresponding amount in foreign currency; You can also pay through an ATM. However, the exchange rate in this case will be unfavorable, so it is better to change a small amount in advance than to change more at a bank in the city center.

All tourist visas are valid for 30 days; if you want to stay in the country for a longer period, you must register with the police to extend your visa for up to three months. This does not require an additional fee and is done in a few minutes. If you arrived in Aqaba, you are granted a free 30-day visa, but it is more difficult to extend it.

Pharmacies

There are many of them in all cities, and they have a large selection of toiletries and hygiene items. Prescription drugs can be purchased over the counter after consulting a pharmacist - all of them, as a rule, have excellent command of English. Items such as condoms, tampons and pads are sold freely.

Mail

Postcards and letters sent by air mail, as a rule, take a very long time to travel from Jordan to Western Europe - about two weeks, and to the USA or Australia - up to a month. Stamps cost from 300 to 500 fils, they can usually be bought in stores along with postcards at a small extra charge, and there are always long queues at the post office.

It is best to send letters from the hotel, as mail is rarely taken out of mailboxes on the streets.

Public holidays

Day off - Friday. On this day, excavation sites, parks and reserves are crowded with families going on a picnic, as well as groups of schoolchildren.

During the holy month of Muslims - Ramadan - shops, museums and institutions work with a shortened working day and usually close at 14.00 or 15.00. Large tourist sites, such as Petra and Jerash, operate on a regular schedule, but at smaller sites, guards can simply pack up and go home.

Annual Public Holidays:

• January 1 - New Year January 30 - Birthday of King Abdullah
• March 22 - Day of the League of Arab States
• March/April - Good Friday
• May 1 - Labor Day
• May 25 - Independence Day
• June 9 - King Abdullah Ascension Day
• June 10 - Army Day and anniversary of the Arab Revolt
• November 14 - Memorial Day of King Hussein
• December 25 - Christmas

Smoking

Arabs smoke a lot, this habit is deeply rooted in the Arab mentality, therefore, despite the fact that smoking in public places is officially prohibited, this ban is constantly violated. Everyone and everywhere smokes - for example, in a fixed-route taxi your neighbor may well light up and blow smoke right in your face.

If you are a non-smoker, it is preferable for you to travel in an air-conditioned bus where smoking is not permitted.

markups

A 16% mark-up is added to the bill in hotels and restaurants of the middle and upper class; in prestigious institutions, the mark-up is 10%.

Such markups can shock an unprepared person who sees that the bill has increased by 25%.

Phones

The telephone network in Jordan is monopolized by the recently privatized Jordan Telecom. To call Jordan from Europe, dial the country code (962) , then the local area code (no leading 0), then the local number. Within the country, all local lines have a two-digit local code and a seven-digit number. There are only four local codes: 02 - Northern Jordan; 03 - South Jordan; 05 - the Jordan Valley and the east of the country; 06 - Amman area.

To call from Jordan to Russia, dial 00 followed by 7 (code of Russia), area code, subscriber number.

Useful phone numbers

• Internal Help Desk: 1212 or 06-464-0444.
• International inquiry service: 1213.
• Operator 1322.

Mobile phones

Mobile phone numbers in Jordan are eight digits prefixed with 07. If your mobile phone is GSM it will work fine in Jordan and all you have to do is secure international roaming. SMS is the best and cheapest way to stay in touch with friends and family as calls will cost you too much.

If you have come for a long time or are going to visit Jordan regularly, we advise you to purchase a Jordanian phone in the Fastlink or MobileCom salon - it will cost you only 50 dinars; here you can also purchase a SIM card, get a Jordanian number and make an advance payment in accordance with the selected tariff.

Time

Time in Jordan is 1 hour behind Moscow time; daylight saving time is practiced, due to a mismatch in the dates of transition to which in Jordan and Russia, the “lag” can be 2 hours.

toilets

In smaller towns, public toilets are rare, but tourist sites have them, usually at the entrance. In big cities, you can easily use the toilets in restaurants.

When using public toilets, you will find that they are not so bad if they are serviced by dedicated workers offering toilet paper or paper towels. Usually there is a choice between a "hole in the floor" and a comfortable seat, but in any case, do not forget to throw the used paper into the bucket and by no means into the drain - otherwise it will become clogged.

Information for the disabled

Jordan is not well adapted for tourists with disabilities, so it is better for people with disabilities to travel in groups whose members are aware of the problem and are ready to provide the necessary assistance. There are practically no wheelchair ramps in hotels, restaurants and public buildings, and the pavements in cities are narrow, uneven, and the edges of the sidewalks are high.

Petra - perhaps the only place that a disabled person can visit - he will be taken by cart along the Siku to Qasr al-Binta, and from there, subject to prior arrangement, you can take a car and return to the hotel along Wadi Turkmanieh (Wadi Turkmaniyeh) through the checkpoint.

On the map, Jordan is located in the Middle East. Most of the country's border in the south and southeast separates Jordan from Saudi Arabia. This is 728 kilometers out of 1620 of the entire length of the border.

To the east is Iraq, to ​​the north is Syria. The western border with Israel starts from the Gulf of Aqaba, after the name of the city of Aqaba, runs through the Arava Valley, the Dead Sea, the Jordan River and ends at Lake Kinneret.

Jordan on the world map

The map of Jordan shows that most of the cities are located in the north-west of the country. This is due to the lack of water and fertile land in Jordan. Almost 90 percent of the territory is occupied by desert, mountains, rocky plateaus. Jordan's main source of water is the Jordan River. Therefore, on the map, the cities of Jordan are located closer to fertile soils and water. The largest cities and the capital Amman are located in this region.

In the very south there is only one tourist and port city of Aqaba.

The same geographical position of cities on the map is typical for neighboring Israel, where the center of the country is separated from the city of Eilat by a desert.

Lack of water, fertile soil suitable for agriculture, scarcity of minerals, dependence on imported oil and coal put the country in a difficult economic situation. Therefore, the government is trying to replenish the budget by increasing the flow of tourists.

Ancient Jordan is known for its historical sites and hotels on the shores of the Dead Sea. You will find a lot of them on the map of Jordan. The most popular and famous places are Petra, Wadi Rum, Madaba, Mount Nebo, al Magtas, the place of Jesus' baptism, Main thermal springs.

Jordan ( Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan) is an Arab state whose name comes from the name of the Jordan River. It occupies an area equal to 92300 sq. m.

About 90% of the entire territory is occupied by deserts and semi-deserts, and the remaining 10% are suitable for a comfortable life for people.

Jordan is surrounded on all sides by land territory and nature is not diverse.

Where is?

The coordinates of the state on the map are as follows: 31° 0’ 0″ north latitude and 36° 0’ 0″ east longitude. Jordan belongs to the region "Near East". Located in Asia (in the southwestern part).

From the northern part the state borders on Syria, from the northeast- with Iraq from east and south- with Saudi Arabia from the western- with . From the south side The territory is washed by the Red Sea.

Watch the video about the detailed location of Jordan on the world map:

Natural resources

A huge part of the country's territory is occupied by desert plains. There are mountains Avarim, Nevo) and hills. It was on Mount Nebo that Moses saw the promised land, and here he was buried.

On the territory of the country there is sparse vegetation and fauna corresponding to the desert area.

There are forests consisting of:

• Cedar;
• Pines;
• Eucalyptus;
• Duba;
• olive trees.

The fauna is represented by camels, oryx, gazelles, lynxes, jackals, hyenas, wolves, foxes, rabbits, rats.

Jordan has two seas: Red and dead. Water resources are almost non-existent.

There are rivers Az-Zarqa, Ermuk and the river Jordan, which separates the territories of Jordan and Israel, the gulfs of Aqaba (First North).

According to ancient tradition, it was on the Jordan River that John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Now this Sacred Land is a favorite place for pilgrims.

Here in the Jordan River, anyone can accept baptism.

Climate

Two types of climate prevail in the country: subtropical and tropical. Average air temperatures are 11-17 degrees during the day and 2-4 at night.

– hottest month At this time, the air temperature can reach 32 degrees. In desert areas, the thermometer can reach up to 42 degrees Celsius. The average annual rainfall is from 25 to 200 mm.

How to get from Russia?

To get from Russia to Jordan, the easiest way is to fly with a Jordanian company "Royal Jordanian". Other airline options offer flights with transfers only.

Another option flight - to Israel or the resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in one of the many flights. And from there you can already get by bus, ferry to Jordan.

To quickly book a plane ticket, use this search form. Enter information about cities of departure and arrival, date, number of passengers.

Information about the state

The country's history is dominated by the great influence of third-party states, and the country's territory is divided into mufahazy and areas.

Story

According to preliminary data, the first representatives of Homo Sapiens appeared on the territory of modern Jordan as early as 250 thousand years ago. And the proto-city appeared here around the end of the 4th millennium BC.

The territory of Jordan has repeatedly fallen under the rule of various peoples who have contributed to the development of the area.

Among them are such peoples:

1. Egyptians;
2. Jews;
3. Ammonites;
4. Moabites;
5. Edomites;
6. Romans.

So, under the rule of the Roman Empire, there is an increased growth of cities and trade, the construction of roads is developing. In the Middle Ages, the territory of Jordan fell under the influence Arab Caliphate. During this period, there was an active spread of Islam among the population. Jordan continues to fall under the influence of various countries and nationalities.

Under British patronage, the territory receives the name of an emirate Transjordan. The independence of Transjordan was proclaimed only on May 25, 1946. On April 25, 1949, the state became known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as it is called to this day.

As a result, there are clashes with the terrorist organization for the liberation of Palestine. On September 27, 1970, a truce was declared between the warring parties.

Administrative division

The territory of the state is divided into twelve governorates, which, in turn, consist of fifty-two districts. The heads of the governorates are called governors.

Capital of Jordan Amman. It is one of the largest cities in Jordan. It is an industrial center. Amman is located on the banks of the Az-Zarqa River. This is the oldest city, to which pilgrimages are made to this day.

old names - Rabbath-Ammon, Philadelphia. In the 13th century BC. e. Rabbat-Ammon was the capital of the Ammon state. Then the city fell under the influence of the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, Nabataeans, Romans, etc. The Egyptian ruler Ptolemy II renamed Rabbat-Ammon to Philadelphia. In 326, Christianity reigned in the city. Subsequently, Philadelphia became Amman.

Jordan is a dualistic monarchy. This means that the power of the king is limited by the Constitution of 08.01.12.

Economy

Jordan is famous for its very scarce natural resources. There is shortage of water, oil and coal. The country imports energy products. There is a large amount of phosphates that are exported. Jordan is one of the largest producers of olive oil.

GDP per capita- 12490 dollars. In the economic situation in Jordan, in general, there is a budget deficit, poverty, unemployment, and inflation. The country is dependent on international support.

Population and language

Population is 6472000 people. Arabs make up the majority, other nationalities are represented in smaller numbers: Circassians, Chechens, Armenians, Kurds, etc.

The official state language is Arabic. Unofficial, but also widely spoken, are English and French.

Culture and religion

Most of the people confess Islam(most of them are Sunnis), about 5% are Christians(most of them are Orthodox). There is Ismailis, Baha'is.

The culture of Jordan is determined by religious characteristics. Women walk in clothes that are closed from head to toe. It is considered indecent to be interested in the affairs of the owner's wife.

Although Jordan is an eastern state, according to legend, a large number of biblical stories.

The people of the country are kind and friendly, but also hospitable. Greetings among Jordanians are accompanied by handshakes. All gestures are made only with the right hand, since the left hand is considered unclean.

Detailed map of Jordan with cities in Russian

major cities in the state are considered:

Az-Zarqa- the administrative center of the Mufahaza of Ez-Zarqa. The population is about 500 thousand people. Translated from Arabic, the name of the city sounds like "blue". The city was founded in 1902 by Chechens.

Ez-Zarqa - large industrial center, where almost half of the country's enterprises are concentrated. Among the famous attractions here is the Qasr Shabib castle and the country's largest nature reserve.

• Irbid- the administrative center of the governorate of the same name. The city has a capacity of 327,543 people. It is the industrial, scientific and cultural center of Jordan. Here is the largest higher educational institution in the entire Middle East - Yarmouk University.

Petra- the oldest city, one of the wonders of the world. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the Siq Canyon. The name of the city is translated from Greek as "stone". Indeed, the city is built of stone. Previously, Petra was the capital of Idumea and the Nabataean kingdom.

On the territory of the city flows the river Wadi Musa (“river of Moses”). According to legend, it was here that Moses got water from the rocks.

Here is one of the majestic buildings - temple-mausoleum of El-Khazneh. Another attraction of the area - carved into the rock Monastery "Ed-Deir". Famous films were filmed in this city, including Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Main resorts on the Red Sea are:

Aqaba- one of the resorts located on the northeastern coast of the Red Sea. The climate of the area is favorable for recreation, since the entire territory of the resort is surrounded by mountains.

There are many attractions of its own. Among them - Hussein bin Ali's house. The diverse underwater world attracts drivers here. Fishing, water skiing, and sailing are also practiced on the waters of the Aqaba coast.

• tala bay- Another of the popular resorts of the Red Sea. Everyone here will find exactly what he needs. Architecture lovers can admire here medieval art intertwined with modern design. Active guests can indulge in water sports.

• Required to visit the country international medical insurance;
• Take pictures local people can only be with their consent;
• Women not allowed to wear revealing clothes on people;
• It is considered polite, if the guest refused to eat three times before he sat down at the table.