Sofex 2008

About Jordan
 

Click here to View the Jordan Tourism Board Video.

Jordan is a country of culture, beauty and surprising contrasts. It is an ancient land, yet a modern Kingdom, offering the discerning traveler fascinating diversity, safety and traditional hospitality. Few nations boast such close affinity to the great historical epochs of the world nor do many match its beautiful climate. Here the very destiny of mankind has been reshaped, time and centuries, resulting in layer after layer of unparalleled spectacles of nature and human achievements.

The journey can begin in Amman, the modern capital of Jordan previously known in history as Rabbath Ammon and in Graeco-Roman times as Philadelphia. The city is a busy administrative center with many fine hotels, restaurants, art galleries and museums. Amman is crowned by the Citadel, a hill with ruins of the Temple of Hercules, Umayyad Palace and a Byzantine church. At the foot of the Citadel lies the 6,000 seat Roman Theatre.

Only half an hour's drive north of Amman is the Graeco-Roman city of Jerash (Gerasa in ancient times), which boasts an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years. The site is now generally acknowledged to be one of the best preserved Roman provincial towns in the world compromising paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, spectacular theatres, spacious public squares, plazas, baths and fountains. The Jerash Festival held in July each year, transforms the ancient city into one of the world's liveliest and most spectacular cultural events.
 

In addition to Amman and Jerash, Gadara (now Umm Qays) and Pella (now Tabaqat Fahil) were once Decapolis cities and each has a unique appeal. Famous for the Biblical story of the Gadara Swine, Umm Qays was renowned in its time as a cultural centre. Perched on a splendid hill-top overlooking the Jordan Valley and Lake Tiberia, Umm Qays boasts impressive ancient remains, such as the stunning black basalt theatre, the basilica and the underground mausoleum. Pella is exceptionally rich in antiquities. Besides the excavated ruins from the Graeco-Roman period, Pella offers visitors the opportunity to see the remains of Chalcolithic settlements from the 4th century BC. A trip south of Amman along the 5,000 year-old King's Highway is one of the most memorable journeys in the Holy Land, passing through a string of ancient sites.

 The first city along the way is Madaba (the city of Mosaics), which has been intermittently inhabited for nearly 3,500 years. The chief attraction in this city is a wonderful vivid 6th century Byzantine mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. There are also literally hundreds of other mosaics scattered throughout Madaba's churches and homes.

Mount Nebo, the memorial to Moses and the presumed site of the prophets death and burial. From the platform in front of the church one can enjoy a breath-taking view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea.

Top

Other places of interest in the vicinity are Mukawir (Machaerus), the mountain top fortress, where John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded, and Umm al Rasas, home to some of the finest Byzantine church mosaics in the Middle East and the 15 meter high Byzantine tower.
The ancient city of Petra is one of Jordan's national treasures and its best known tourist attraction. Located about three hours south of Amman, Petra is the Legacy of the Nabataens, an industrious Arab people who settled in south Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. Much of Petra's appeal comes from its spectacular setting deep inside a narrow desert gorge. From the main entrance the visitor travels on foot through the awesome "Siq", an immense crack in the sandstone that winds for one kilometer between overhanging cliffs.
Petra's most famous monument, the Treasury, appears dramatically at the end of the Siq and various walks and climbs reveal literally hundreds of buildings, facades, tombs, baths, funery halls, temples and a 3,000 seat theatre from the 1st century AD.

Jordan's deserts are dotted with ancient castles, farming estates, forts, hunting lodges and caravanserai. Widely varied in function, architectural style and creative embellishment, most were the domain of Ummayad Princes in the first half of the century.

Qusayr' Amra one of the best-preserved castles, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its interior walls and ceilings are covered with lively frescoes, while two of the rooms are paved with colorful mosaics.
 

For those fascinated by the legends and folklore surrounding the Crusaders, a second group of castles beckons. The scenic King's Highway is spotted with the remains of Crusaders' forts and outposts. The most important among these are Karak and Shobak Spiritually, Jordan is at the heart of the Holy Land. It is the location from where all the revealed Abrahamic faiths trace many of their basic moral values. Visitors and citizens walk daily through the plains, valleys, hills mountains and streams whose names were forever fixed into human consciousness by the simple deeds and the profound messages of prophets Mohammad, Abraham, Moses, Lot, Aaron, Elijah, Joshua, John the Baptists and Jesus Christ.

The Kingdom is home to the most significant religious discovery of our time, The Baptism Site at Bethany Beyond the Jordan (John 1:28). Other sites of importance are the site of Moses' death at Mount Nebo, the site of the beheading of John the Baptist at Machaerus, prophet Elijah's birthplace at Listib and the modern shrine to Our lady of the Mountain Anjara. All of which were designated as Great Jubilee Pilgrimage sites.

Top

As for the Islamic faith, Jordan is a blessed land that links Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, and accordingly has witnessed the birth of Islam and its growth as a global religion. A large number of Prophet Mohammad's companions were martyred and buried in Jordan. Three important historical sites are the battle of Mutah and the two sites of the battles of Yarmouk and Fahl.
Naturally, Jordan has a dramatically diverse environment that can be arrestingly beautiful as it is ruggedly stark. Among its natural wonders is the most stunning deserts cape in the World, Wadi Rum. This vast, echoing and God-like desert is a nature lover's paradise. Serious mountaineers relish its challenging climbs, while casual hikers enjoy the peace and tranquility of its sweeping vistas, towering rock faces and boundless empty spaces.

Within the folds of the Jordan Valley lies the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, which has a historical and spiritual legacy of its own. Rich in minerals that have seeped from adjacent wadis, the Dead Sea, as well as having exceptionally buoyant water, is believed to have curative powers. The visitor can relax in the gentle lapping waters without sinking, or try the well-known healing powers of minerals from the sea's muddy floor.

Surrounded by rugged mountains that subtly change colours as the day unfolds, Aqaba is Jordan's only port city. Its crystal clear waters, abundant marine life and pleasant climate, make it an ideal location for year round scuba diving, snorkeling and other water sports.
The 300 esq. Dana Nature Reserve, which extends from top of the rift valley to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba, is remarkable for its diverse habitat and the large number of plant and animal species making it their home. In addition to Dana, the Shaumari and Mujib Nature Reserves are home to the Arabian Oryx, ostrich, gazelle, onager and the Nubian Ibex.

The Government

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy with representative government. The reigning monarch, His Majesty King Abdullah II, is the Head of State, the Chief Executive and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces. The king exercises his executive authority through the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, or Cabinet. The cabinet is responsible before the elected House of Deputies which, along with the House of Notables (Senate), constitutes the legislative branch of the government. The judicial branch is an independent branch of the government. Since 1989, all elements of the Jordanian political spectrum have embarked together on a road to greater democracy, liberalization and consensus building. These reforms, which were guided by the late King Hussein, have placed Jordan on an irreversible road to democratization. The result has been greater empowerment and involvement of everyday citizens in Jordan's civic life, contributing to increased stability and institutionalization which will benefit the country far into the future.

Top

Basic Facts

Population: 5,460,265 (July 2003 est.)
Geographic co-ordinates: 29 - 34 00 N, 35 - 39 E
Location: Jordan is located in the heart of the Middle East, Northwest of Saudi Arabia, south of Syria, Southwest of Iraq, and east of Israel and the Occupied West Bank. Jordan has access to the Red Sea via the port city of Aqaba, located at the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba.

Area

Total: 89,213 sq. km (34, 445 sq. miles)
Land: 88,884 sq. km (34, 318 sq. miles)
Water: 329 sq. km (127 sq. miles)
Language: Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken.
 

Climate and Geography Jordan has a combination of Mediterranean and arid desert climates, with Mediterranean climates prevailing in the north and west of the country, while the majority of the country is desert. Generally, the country has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, with annual average temperatures ranging from 12 to 25 C (54 to 77 F) and summertime highs reaching the 40s (105-115 F) in the desert regions. Rainfall averages vary from 50mm (1.97 inches) annually in the desert to as much as 800 mm (31.5 inches) in the northern hills, some of which falls as snow. Currency and Exchange Rates Jordan's currency is the Jordanian Dinar, or JD. It is subdivided into 1000 fils, or 100 qirsh or piasters. It appears in paper notes of 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 JD denominations. Coins come in denominations of 0.5 JD, 0.25 JD, and 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils. The rate of exchange is 1 JD = 1.42 US $.

Top

Business Hours

Fridays and Saturdays government offices, banks and most offices are closed. Government departments are open from 08:00 to 15:00 daily, Sunday to Thursday.

Public Holidays for 2008
 

 

Jordan is a Middle Eastern oasis of stability, security and median between regional states, with exceptionally friendly relationships with all of its neighbors and the wider international community. Due to its standing amongst the international community, Jordan is able to attract participants from every corner of the globe to discuss the challenges and needs of modern-day armies, in addition to acting as a gateway to an international market that is estimated to make up 60% of global defense spending. With a modern infrastructure, world class facilities and a comprehensive range of services, Jordan and SOFEX 2008 offer participants an exceptional venue to do business.