2.1. Geography, Climate and Borders
The Hashemite Kingdom
covers about 90,100 square-kilometres. Jordan is bordered by Syria to the
north, Iraq to the north-east, Saudi Arabia to the east and south and Palestine
and Israel on the west. Jordan has only a short coastline around Aqaba in
the south. Aqaba Port is Jordan's only access to the Red Sea.
The River Jordan, the Dead Sea (392 m. below sea level) and the Wadi Araba
are all parts of the great north-south rift valley called El Ghor. The sides
of the rift rise steeply through broken hill country to cover 1,000 meters;
on the east the old Hejaz railway and the modern highway through Ramtha, Amman
and Ma'an mark the start of the desert plateau which stretches into the neighbouring
countries.
For a country composed of 80 % desert land Jordan is fascinatingly diverse.
A country of contrast, the climate in Amman and most of the populated area
is tempered by altitude. The summer is dry and warm, reaching 35° C but
cooling noticeably at night. Rainfall is very unevenly distributed. The fertile
hill country receives an average of 600 millimetres of rain a year and parts
of the desert and the south receive as little as 25 millimetres. The average
annual rainfall for the entire country is under 100 millimetres. The rain
and thunder storms occur generally between November and March. Snow sometimes
falls at the higher elevations.
The climate of Jordan varies as much as the countryside with Mediterranean
areas (warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters) and desert type areas (hot,
dry summers and mild winters). Spring and autumn are both extremely pleasant
with spring particularly very picturesque with wild flowers carpeting the
countryside.
In areas below sea level temperatures in summer rise to 50° Celsius while
the climate in the mountains is still pleasant. During the winter snow is
common in the mountains, but Aqaba, the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley are
ideal winter resorts, with mild and warm temperatures between November and
April.
Best Time To Travel
Climate: The climate in
Jordan is very balanced and moderate which enables you to travel to Jordan
all year long in comfort. The best time for a round-trip vacation is in the
Spring. During this season the country is lush green and the desert blossoms
are beautiful. Autumn is also a recommended time to travel to Jordan.
In high season, especially Easter and Christmas a lot of the hotels charge
supplements.
During the winter you will find that it sometimes snows at higher grounds,
however in the summer you will find very moderate climate (here the temperature
does not exceed 35° Celsius).You will find summers in the south and in
the Jordan Valley of Aqaba hot, but a nice breeze from the ocean makes the
climate tolerable.
Safety: Jordan is one of the safest tourism countries. Robberies are rare;
violent crime more or less does not exist
Contents of the Guide Book
| 1. | Welcome to Jordan |
| 2.. | The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan |
| 2.1. | Geography, Climate and Borders |
| 2.2. | Entry and Departure Procedures |
| 2.3 | Population |
| 2.4. | Currency |
| 2.5. | History |
| 2.6. |
Government |
| 2.7. | Economy |
| 3. | Jordan, where the Adventure awaits you |
| 3.2 | Amman, the Dynamic Capital City |
| 3.2. | The
Kings´Highway (Madaba, Mt. Nebo, Mukawir, Wadi Mujib, Karak, Shobak) |
| 3.3. | Petra, the Spectacular Rose-Red City |
| 3.4. | The Cities of Decapolis (Pella, Gadara, Abila, Philadelphia, Gerasa, Umm el Jimal) |
| 3.5.. |
Following
the Footsteps of "Lawrence of Arabia"; |
| 3.6. | Aqaba, Jordan´s year-round Red Sea Resort |
| 3.7. | The Dead Sea and Termal Spas; The healing power of the Dead Sea; The Hot Springs of Zarqa Ma´in |
| 3.8. | Biblical Sites in Jordan |
| 3.8.1. | The
Biblical Sites from North to South; Gadara, Anjara, Pella, Bethany, Machaerus, Madaba, Mt. Nebo, the Kings´Highway, Wadi Musa, Sodom & Gomorra, Ayla |
| 3.9. | Nature Reserves in Jordan; Wadi Rum, Dana, Zubia, Azraq, Shaumari |
| 4. | The Tourist Facilities in Jordan |
| 4.1. | Transportation;
Flight Connections, Tourist Buses, Bus-, Train-, Ferry-Connections; Car Rental and Driving in Jordan |
| 4.2. | Communication |
| 4.3. | Sports; Aquatic Sports and Diving; Horseback Riding and Camel Trips; Ballooning; Glimbing and Hang-gliding |
| 4.4. | Culture and Entertainment; Museums and Galleries; Festivals; Other Entertainments |
| 4.5. | Restaurants |
| 4.6. | Shopping and Souvenirs |
| 4.7. | Tourist Guides |
| 4.8. | Accommodation; |
| 5. | Incentive Travel |
| 5.1. | Incentive Special Events |
| 6. | Helpful Facts about Jordan |
| 6.1. | Best Time to Travel and Safty |
| 6.2. | Tipping (Bakshish) |
| 6.3. | Holidays, Ramadan, Business Hours |
| 6.4. | Local Customs - How to Dress? |
| 6.5. | Electric Current, Water Supply |