Capital: Amman

Political system
Constitutional monarchy

Geography
Area: 89,000 square kilometers

Jordan is located between Israel, the Palestinian territories, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, with no seacoast except Aqaba which opens onto the Red Sea. This country is part of a fertile crescent, thanks to the Jordan valley to the west which descends to the Dead Sea, 394 m below sea level. In the middle is a large north-south plateau where cities and major sites are located, once the route of caravans and conquerors. To the east is the Arab desert with extreme temperatures and mineral steppe landscapes.

Climate
Jordan's climate is temperate and dry in the west and desert in the east. Winter can be cold and rainy, with about 12° C in the north and 20° in the south (it can snow in Amman.) Summer is hot, with daytime temperatures around 30° in Amman and 40° in Aqaba. Spring and fall are the best times to visit.

Language
The official language is near-Eastern Arabic. English is widely spoken.

Culture
Religious values still are the basis for Jordanian social life, though the cities are very westernized.
The ancient Bedouin tribal structure remains more or less intact, though their numbers are decreasing and many Bedouins have moved into the cities.
Centuries of building have given Jordan many architectural marvels: the minarets of more recent mosques, ancient Roman sites (including the superb Jerash), Nabateen sites (Petra) or crusader sites (Kerak). The mosaics of Madaba and Mount Nebo and the frescos of Qusayr Amra enchant both experts and amateurs.

Religion
Islam is the official religion. 93% of the population are Sunni Muslim, 4.9% Christian (mostly Armenians and Greeks).

Customs
Dress modestly and respect Islamic custom and tradition. The left hand, used in toilet, is considered impure and must not be used to give or receive anything.
You may be invited to take a glass of tea, a sign of hospitality.

Festivals and Events
Many religious feasts, both Christian and Muslim, are respected, as well as anniversaries relating to political life and the royal family. Muslim feasts follow the lunar calendar, so the dates vary from year to year.