Jordan is a captivating land, rich in ancient legends and steeped in historical traces, the most famous of which is the Nabatean jewel of Petra. Beyond the stunning city carved into the heart of the rock, you’ll find the burning sands of the Wadi Rum desert with its vivid colors, the ancient Roman ruins of Jerash (once known as Antioch), Mount Nebo, the capital city Amman, beautiful Madaba, and the legendary King’s Highway. But these are just some of Jordan’s many wonders.
Jordan is a constellation of small gems nestled among mountains and framed by a vast sandy desert, whose dreamlike atmosphere is so enchanting it steals your heart.
Undoubtedly, one of the most extraordinary places on Earth is the Jordanian Rift Valley, near the Dead Sea, which lies 400 meters below sea level. It’s the lowest land depression on the planet, a vast body of water fed by several streams, most notably the great Jordan River. Once water reaches the Dead Sea, it has no outlet—it is, in fact, a giant salt lake, where the water evaporates and leaves behind a rich cocktail of salts and minerals, renowned for their healing properties.
LANGUAGE: The official language is Arabic, though English is widely spoken throughout the country and taught in schools. French is also taught in some schools.
RELIGION: The dominant religion in Jordan is Sunni Islam, but there are also Catholic, Coptic, Orthodox, and Protestant minorities.
TIME ZONE: UTC +2
CLIMATE: The climate is generally arid-temperate, with relatively cold winters and hot, sunny summers, moderated by altitude. Most of Jordan lies on a plateau between 700 and 1,200 meters above sea level, interrupted to the west by the Jordan Valley, which lies below sea level and therefore experiences higher temperatures—very mild winters and scorching summers. Rainfall is typically low and occurs mainly from November to April, peaking in winter between December and February.
DOCUMENTS: To enter Jordan, you must have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry. A visa is also required, which can be obtained at diplomatic offices, the airport (with payment in local currency), or land borders—though there are some significant exceptions. The fee for a single-entry visa is 40 Jordanian dinars. Exemptions may apply in certain cases, such as when using a Jordanian tour operator.
CURRENCY: The Jordanian Dinar (1 Dinar is approximately €1.29).
Curiosity
Jordan is located in a politically “hot” region, yet it remains a very stable and neutral country with low crime rates. It is often nicknamed “the Switzerland of the Middle East.”
Only 3% of Jordan's land is arable—the rest is made up of rocky and breathtaking deserts, among the most beautiful in the world.
If you love diving, the Red Sea offers excellent opportunities for scuba diving.
Jordan is a Muslim country, but it follows a moderate form of Islam. Women choose whether or not to wear the veil, and Queen Rania of Jordan has long been a strong advocate for women's rights in the country.
rights in the country.
Our advices
TO READ:"Two Years in the Desert of Ramm" by Flavia Tesio Romero. The author lived for two years with nomadic Bedouin tribes, gathering material for a book that explores not only the traditions, culture, and anthropology of the people, but also their culinary customs, practices, and worldview.
TO LISTEN TO: Jordanian music has strong connections with Arabic musical traditions. The country’s songs often tell stories of love, death, and family. Performances typically feature small orchestras accompanying storytellers, using traditional instruments like the rababah and gerbeh, although younger generations also enjoy rock and pop.
TO WATCH: Many films have been set in Jordan’s deserts, including Mission to Mars, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and several entries in the Star Wars saga.
TO EAT: Traditional Jordanian dishes include appetizers (called mezzeh), unleavened bread (khobz), falafel, lamb, and mansaf—a Bedouin dish made of whole lamb served over rice and pine nuts. Alcoholic beverages are relatively common, despite Islamic teachings.
