LocationMiddle East.
Area92,300 sq km (35,637 sq miles).
Population6.1 million (estimate 2007).
Population Density66 per sq km.
CapitalAmman.
Population: 2.5 million (2006 estimate).
GovernmentConstitutional Monarchy since 1952.
LanguageArabic is the official language. English is widely spoken. French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken in many tourist areas.
ReligionOver 92% Sunni Muslim, with 2% Shi’a and Druze Muslim. A significant Greek
Orthodox Christian minority (6%) resides mainly in the villages around the hill city of Madaba.
TimeGMT + 2 (GMT + 3 between March and October - dates vary).
Electricity220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are mostly used but newer buildings may have three-pin plugs.
Head of GovernmentPrime Minister Nader al-Dahabi since 2007.
Head of StateKing Abdullah Ibn al-Hussein al-Hashimi since 1999.
Recent HistoryCrown Prince Abdullah ascended the throne on King Hussein’s death on 7 February 1999. He has gone to great lengths to plan long-term improvements to the economy of Jordan and is one of a new generation of Arab leaders in favor of social and economic reform. He has backed the promotion of women’s rights (in 2007, for example, 20% of seats in municipal councils were reserved for women) and actively encouraged information technology, democracy, liberal economic policies and integration with the rest of the world. Bilateral relations with Syria are continuing to improve under his reign and he has won international acclaim for promoting a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian intifada. Parliamentary elections last took place in November 2007 with independent, pro-government candidates winning the majority of seats. The new prime minister, Nader al-Dahabi, has a strong backing in parliament but has yet to convince the electorate of his abilities.
TelephoneCountry code: 962. Card phones are available in most big cities and major tourist sites; cards can be purchased at numerous shops. International calls from hotels and post offices carry a three-minute minimum charge.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good.
InternetThere are Internet cafes throughout the country.
MediaJordan’s TV and radio services are centralized through Jordan Media City (JMC), a private company with government support. JMC currently transmits 120 program channels. Freedom of the press is tempered by local sensibilities.
PostPackages should be left opened for customs officials. The Central Post Office in Amman (
www.jordanpost.com.jo) is the only post office where packages can be sent. Airmail to Western Europe takes three to five days. For a higher charge, there is a rapid service guaranteeing delivery within 24 hours to around 22 countries.
Post office hours: Sat-Thurs 0800-1900 in summer and 0700-1700 in winter, Fri 0700-1300.
Press• Arabic-language daily publications include
Ad Dustour,
Al Ra’y and
Al Arab al Yawm.
• The English-language newspapers are
The Jordan Times (daily) and
The Star (weekly).
Radio• State-run
Jordan Radio and Television provides services in Arabic, English and French.
• Radio Fann is an FM entertainment station run by armed forces.
• Mood FM and
Play 99.6 are private, pop music stations.
• The
BBC Arabic Service and
Radio Monte Carlo Middle East are available on FM in Amman and in northern Jordan.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
20091 Jan New Year's Day.
9 Mar Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet).
10 Apr Good Friday.
13 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
25 May Independence Day.
10 Jun Army Day.
20 Jul Prophet's Ascension.
22 Aug Ramadan begins.
20 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
27 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Dec Islamic New Year.
25 Dec Christmas.
20101 Jan New Year's Day.
26 Feb Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet).
2 Apr Good Friday.
5 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
25 May Independence Day.
10 Jun Army Day.
9 Jul Prophet's Ascension.
11 Aug Ramadan begins.
10 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
16 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
7 Dec Islamic New Year.
25 Dec Christmas.
Note(a) Christmas and Easter holidays are only observed by Christian business establishments. (b) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.
Contact Information:Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the UK6 Upper Phillimore Gardens, London W8 7HA, UK
Tel: (020) 7937 3685.
Website:
www.jordanembassyuk.orgOpening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1500.
Jordan Tourism Board in the UKKennedy House, 1st Floor, 115 Hammersmith Road, London W14 0QH, UK
Tel: (020) 7371 6496.
Website:
www.uk.visitjordan.comEmbassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the USA3504 International Drive, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 966 2664
or 2861 (consular section).
Website:
www.jordanembassyus.org Jordan Tourism Board in the USA6867 Elm Street, Suite 102, Mclean, VA 22101, USA
Tel: (703) 243 7404/5
or 1 877 733 5673.
Website:
http://na.visitjordan.com/
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