Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. capital of jordan

Jordan (officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan) is one of the most peaceful and prosperous countries in the Middle East, which successfully combines ancient traditions and modern technologies. The capital of Jordan is the city of Amman, the country's area is 92,300 km² (90% of which is desert or semi-desert), and about 9,856,000 people inhabit it. Jordan borders Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the south and east, and Jordan's western neighbors are Israel and Palestine. Jordan has access to the Dead and Red Seas. The official language of Jordan is Arabic, but English is also spoken in many areas of life. At the same time, in Jordan you can find many dialects of the Arabic language, which can be very different from each other. Most of Jordanians - Muslims, mostly Sunnis. Among religious minorities, Christians play an important role (6% of the population).

Regions and resorts

Jordan is divided into 12 regions called governorates.

Governorates of Jordan:

• Ajlun.
• Aqaba.
• Amman.
• Jarash.
• Irbid.
• Maan.
• Madaba.
• Az-Zarqa.
• El Balka.
• El-Karak.
• El Mafraq.
• Al-Tafilah.

Resorts in Jordan:

• Aqaba.
• Amman.
• Peter.
• Coast Dead Sea.
• Thermal springs Main.

Difference in time

Climate

Jordan has a dry and warm climate. The coldest month is January, when the temperature drops to +4°C at night, and the hottest month is August, when the air warms up to +42°C. Most a large number of rainfall in Jordan is observed between November and March. Therefore, spring and autumn are considered the most comfortable seasons for traveling to Jordan, which allow avoiding the summer heat and cold winter winds.

Visa and customs

citizens Russian Federation can obtain an entry visa to Jordan, giving the right to stay in the country for 30 days, directly at the airport upon arrival by paying a visa fee of 40 Jordanian dinars (about $57). At the same time, tourists entering Aqaba and not intending to leave it are exempted from paying a visa fee. Unfortunately, to get a visa at the airport, you often have to go through a long queue. To avoid the queue, and also if you are going to stay in Jordan for more than a month or get the right to enter the country multiple times, you can apply for a Jordanian visa at the consular section of the embassy. In this case, you must provide the following documents:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months.
• One color photograph 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm. The image must be placed on a white background, corners and ovals are not allowed.
• Correctly completed in English or Arabic questionnaire.
• Sometimes the embassy may request an invitation or hotel reservation.

If you are going to take a child with you, you will additionally need:

• Child's birth certificate.
• A notarized power of attorney on permission to leave the child from the other parent, if only the father / mother is traveling with the children.

For a single entry visa you will need to pay about $68, for a multiple entry - $188.

Jordanian customs regulations are fairly standard, but it is worth noting that it is forbidden to bring any material into Jordan that could offend the population of the country.

From equipment, you can bring one camera and one video camera for personal use, one laptop computer.

In addition, there are tacit restrictions on the importation of religious literature into Jordan, in particular the Bible and Torah.

How to get there

The easiest way to get to Jordan is to use the services of the Jordanian airline Royal Jordanian, which operates flights from Moscow 3 times a week. You can also use the services of other airlines offering flights with transfers.

On average, flights from Moscow to Amman and back will cost around $400 with a transfer and $500 with a direct flight.

If you want to save money, you can fly one of the inexpensive flights to Israel, and from there get to Jordan by bus in 3-4 hours.

Excursions

Tourists Jordan can offer as beach holiday on Red and dead seas, as well as many ancient historical sights and architectural masterpieces.

The most popular tours in Jordan:

• Excursion to the ancient city of Petra.
• Excursion to the ancient city of Jerash.
• Excursion to the capital of Jordan - the city of Amman.
• Excursion to the "Khalifa Palaces" - Qasr Amra, Qasr Harran, Qasr Hallabat and Azraq Castle.
• Beach holidays and diving in the city of Aqaba.

Transport

The most convenient way to travel around the cities of Jordan are taxis. There are two types of them - fixed-route (white) and ordinary yellow taxis. Taxi meters are installed, but just in case, it is better to discuss the price with the driver in advance. On average, for one kilometer of the way you will have to pay about 0.3 dinars.

Amman, Irbid, Zarqa and Aqaba have urban transport, represented by buses and minibuses. Unfortunately, it is not very convenient for tourists, since all the inscriptions in it are made only in Arabic, and the route lines run from the city center to the sleeping areas.

There is a bus route from the center of Amman to international Airport Queen Aliyah. Buses depart from the city bus terminal Royal Jordanian airlines in the western part of Amman around the clock every half hour, and the fare in them is two dinars (about $ 3).

There are various ways to travel between cities in Jordan. For example, the Royal Wings airline operates 4 times a day domestic flight Amman - Aqaba. The flight duration is 50 minutes, the cost is $50 one way and $90 round trip.

All cities of the country are interconnected by routes intercity buses JETT companies, tickets for which can be booked by phone or bought at the bus station ticket office. In addition, you can get from one city to another by flights of smaller bus companies, but their cars are often less comfortable and run without a schedule as the cabin fills up.

If you are interested by rail, then the Amman-Damascus train departs from Amman at 8 am 2 times a week. The train runs through the Az-Zarqa and Al-Kerba al-Samra stations, and at 10:30 it arrives at the Mafraq border station.

As in many other countries, you can rent a car in Jordan. This will be one of better ways movement around the country, as the roads are in excellent condition, and the distances between cities are small. The cheapest and most reliable way to book a car is through large online agencies eg orbitz.com, lastminute.com, travelocity.com, etc. When renting a car, you will need a credit card that will hold $150 to $500, which will be refunded to you when you return the car.

The average cost of renting a car of the simplest class will cost $45.

Communication and Wi-Fi

There are three mobile operators in Jordan - Orange, Zain and Umniah. For tourists, only prepaid options for tariff plans of these operators are available. Local calls cost about 0.1 dinars per minute, a minute of conversation with Moscow - about 0.7 dinars, incoming calls are free. You can buy a SIM card at the offices of these operators, for example, at Amman Airport. The account is replenished using scratch cards, which can be easily found in any store.

Free Wi-Fi access in Jordan can be found at Starbucks, Gloria Jeans, Che Che. In hotels, for him, most likely, you will have to pay about 10 dinars per day. In cafes and restaurants, Wi-Fi can also be paid, about 5 dinars per hour.

Internet cafes, both in the format of rooms with computers, and simply in the form of a Wi-Fi access point, are very common in Jordan. An hour of using the Internet in them costs from two to four dinars.

There are no pay phones in Jordan. International calls from hotels are usually very expensive.

Money

The official currency of Jordan is the Jordanian dinar, denoted as JOD or JD.

Calculations are made mainly local currency, but for various tourist services it is quite possible to pay in dollars or euros.

When traveling to Jordan, it is best to take US dollars with you, as the euro exchange rate is very unfavorable, and Russian rubles cannot be exchanged at all.

You can exchange currency in Jordan at banks, exchange offices, airports, and hotels. It is best to exchange currency in banks in large cities. It is worth changing money in hotels only as a last resort, since the exchange rate there is less favorable. IN small towns if you can find exchange office, then the exchange rate is likely to be unfavorable.

In major cities of Jordan in banks, shopping malls and other institutions you can easily find ATMs. But in small towns, ATMs are likely to be found only in bank branches. You can pay by credit card in large hotels, restaurants and large stores.

Approximate prices in Jordan for a taxi

• Taxi from Wadi Arawa checkpoint to Aqaba - 10-15 JOD ($14-21).
• Taxi from Aqaba airport to the city - from 15 JOD ($21).
• Taxi from Amman Airport to the Dead Sea - from 35 JOD ($50).

Food prices in Jordan

Street food stalls:

• Falafel - from 0.25-0.5 JOD (about $0.4-0.7).
• Grilled chicken with garnish (whole) - 5 JOD (about $7).
• Shawarma with garnish - 2-3 JOD (about $3-4).
• Barbecue - from 5-10 JOD (about $7-14) depending on the meat.

Store prices:

• Pasteurized milk - 1.35-1.50 JOD (about $ 2).
• Butter, 100 g - 1.4 JOD (about $ 2).
• Apples, kg - 1.30-1.50 JOD (about $ 1.8-2).
• Bananas, kg - 1.5 JOD (about $ 2).
• Citrus fruits, kg - 0.75-1.25 JOD ($ 1- 1.8).
• Potatoes, kg - 0.4-0.9 JOD (0.6-1.3 $).
• Beef - 5-6 JOD (about $7-8.5).
• Fresh lamb - 10 JOD (about $14).
• Frozen imported lamb - 6-8 JOD (about $9-11).
• Frozen hake fish - 2.60-2.80 JOD (about $ 4).
• Fresh-frozen trout fish - 12.5 JOD (about $ 17.5).

Entrance fees for attractions:

• Aqaba Castle + Museum - 1 JOD ($ 4).
• Wadi Rum desert (entry ticket) - 5 JOD ($ 7) + jeep tour (you can’t drive your own car) on average 40-50 JOD ($ 56-70).
• Petra (1,2 or 3 days) - 50 JOD (70.5$), 55 JOD (77.5$) or 60 JOD (84.5$).
• Chaubac Castle (Montreal) - free of charge.
• El Karak Castle + Museum - 2 JOD ($ 2.8).
• Archaeological Museum of Madabe + Archaeological park in Madaba + Ruins of the Church of the Apostles in Madaba - 3 JOD ($ 4.2).
• Citadel in Amman + museum - 3 JOD ($ 4.2).
• Roman theater in Amman - 1 JOD ($ 1.4).
• Ajlun Castle - 3 JOD ($2).
• Ruins of the Roman city of Jerash - 10 JOD ($14.1).
• Ruins of Pella - free for now.
• Ruins of Um Al Jamal - free of charge.
• Hammam Castle - free of charge.

Most attractions can be visited with a single JordanPass ticket. Ticket price: 70 JOD (99$), 75 JOD (106$) and 80 JOD (113$) depending on the number of days visiting Petra.

Hotels

How to avoid problems

Jordan is one of the most peaceful and developed countries in the Middle East, so visiting it will be quite safe. Local population quite tolerant of minor and unintentional violations of the norms of Islam. However, to avoid problems, remember the following:

• If you want to take a photo of someone, be sure to ask permission before doing so. People in uniform and with weapons and important strategic facilities photography is not worth it at all.
• Be sure to keep your passport with you in case you meet the police.
• You should not actively gesticulate when communicating with Jordanians - many gestures can accidentally offend the interlocutor.
• You should not give or receive anything (money and especially food) with your left hand, it is considered "unclean".
• As in other Islamic countries, one should dress modestly and avoid short skirts, shorts, and clothes with bare arms and shoulders.
• Some mosques are forbidden for non-Muslims.
• It is considered indecent for women to sit in the front seat of a car.

Big cities

The ten largest cities in Jordan are:

1. Amman.
2. Az-Zarqa.
3. Irbid.
4. Ar-Rusayfa.
5. Al-Kuwaysim.
6. Wadi al-Sir.
7. Tila el Ali.
8. Huraybat as-Suq.
9. Aqaba.
10. Es Salt.

shopping

When shopping in Jordan, it is important to consider that the price of any product here includes a 16% sales tax. But if you are a foreign tourist, then you can claim a refund of this tax. Therefore, it is worth shopping in stores with a Premier sign Tax Free, because when you buy in them, you are guaranteed to receive a sales tax refund, which will allow you to save significantly.

One of best shopping there will be Dead Sea cosmetics (body and face mud, shampoos, soaps, creams, bath salts), which are better to buy in pharmacies or specialized stores.

Popular souvenirs from Jordan:

• bottles with multi-colored sand;
• woven carpets;
• wood products;
• ceramic and copper utensils;
• Hebron and Nabataean glassware;
• national embroidery;
• hookah;
• tobacco;
• spices;
• Coffee and tea;
• sweets;
• Jewelry;
• Bedouin handmade jewelry;
• stone figurines of animals;
• ancient coins;
• a traditional souvenir of Jordan - a gold pendant dalleh (coffee pot);
• bottles in the form of a cross with holy water from the Jordan River;
• candles from Jerusalem.

Kitchen

Jordanian cuisine is very similar to that of other Middle Eastern countries. So, a dish common to all Middle Eastern cuisines is shawarma, well known to Russians. The most popular Jordanian dishes:

• Falafel is very common in Jordan.
• But an example of a typical Jordanian dish is mansaf - lamb with rice, boiled in sour cream.
• Adas - yellow lentils with chicken and onions in lemon juice.
• Makluba - meat-potato-rice casserole served on a large platter with sour cream.
• Mluhiya - meat, chicken or rabbit soup with garlic, rice and lemon juice. The leaves of various herbs growing in Arab countries.

The traditional way of making coffee in Jordan is wasat - a mixture of lightly roasted coffee beans with cardamom.

Although Jordan is Islamic country, there is a traditional aniseed vodka called "arak". It is usually served diluted with cold water, or with ice.

Entertainment and attractions

The most popular among tourists are the following Jordan attractions:

• Desert of Wadi Rum.
• Mount Nebo.
• City of Petra.
• City of Jerash.
• Citadel of Amman.
• Umayyad Palace.
• Kan Zaman.
• Royal Automobile Museum in Amman.
• Coast of the Dead Sea.
• Al-Kahaf cave.
• Roman amphitheater in Amman.
• Ruins of the palace of Herod the Great.
• Temple of Hercules in Amman.

Holidays and events

• January 1 - Christian New Year.
• January 15 is Tree Day.
• January 30 - Birthday of King Abdullah II (the holiday is not a day off).
• March 22 - Day of the League of Arab States.
• March 25 - Independence Day.
• May 1 is Labor Day.
• June 9 - Day of ascension to the throne of King Abdullah II.
• June 14 - Army Day.
• November 14 - King Hussein's birthday (the holiday is not a day off).
• December 25 - Catholic Christmas.

There are also a number of Muslim holidays celebrated on lunar calendar.

Historical facts

• Until 1950, Jordan was called Transjordan.
• The sacred Jordan River flows through the territory of Jordan, which is considered the place of the baptism of Jesus Christ.
• One of the main attractions is the city of Petra, some of whose buildings date back to the 18th century BC.
• It is believed that the prophet Moses was buried on Mount Nebo in Jordan.
• In the Jordanian city of Aqaba, the ruins of the world's oldest Christian church of the late 3rd-early 4th century were found.
• On the outskirts of Amman, scientists have found limestone figurines created 7,000 years before our era.
• In Jordan is ancient castle Quseir-Amra, built at the beginning of the 8th century.

• In gratitude for good service, it is customary to tip - hotel staff (0.5 JOD), tour guide (2 JOD), driver (1.5 JOD per person), horse driver in Petra (2 JOD), etc.
• As in other hot countries, it is worth drinking exclusively bottled drinking water.
• Before arrival, it is better to be vaccinated against typhoid, polio, hepatitis A, tetanus.
• Since the Dead Sea is very salty, take care of your eyes when swimming in it.
• The portion sizes of most dishes are simply huge, so it is more profitable to take one dish for a company of 2-3 people.

• Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan is considered the most beautiful queen in the world.
• Almost all buildings in the Jordanian capital Amman are faced with white limestone slabs.
• The national flower of Jordan is the black iris.
• The Dead Sea is actually not a sea, but a lake, the water in which surpasses all other water bodies in the world in salinity. Local water and mud are widely known for their healing properties.
• Jordan is home to the world's largest geological fault.
• If it snows in Jordan (which happens extremely rarely) - local residents can officially not go to work. The last snowfall in this country was in 2012.
• There are 4 times fewer Jordanians than there are olive trees growing on the desert lands of this state.
• In Jordan, polygamy is officially allowed, and families always have many children - usually from 6 to 14.
• There is a special tradition in Jordan, according to which the guest must refuse food three times before agreeing to sit down at the table.
• Jordan has the perfect air for relaxation, as oxygen levels are 8% higher than in any country in the world.
• Men in Jordan must earn 50,000 dinars (about $75,000) for their wedding, and only after that, his mother goes to neighboring houses in search of a worthy bride.

The Kingdom of Jordan is a beach holiday and treatment on the shores of the Red and Dead Seas, the rocky city of Petra and the entertainment of the resort of Aqaba, excursion tours all year round and best hotels Middle East. All about Jordan: map, photo, weather and reviews of tourists.

• Tours for May Worldwide
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The Kingdom of Jordan equals Israel plus visa formalities minus sectarian strife. The constants of this equation are the rich “excursion”, the Dead Sea, diving, snorkeling and the vast expanses of the Wadi Rum desert. Country with thousand years of history- the cradle of civilization, one of the main cultural centers in the Middle East - is actively developing its tourism potential.

Regions and resorts of Jordan

Capital ancient state- Amman, unexpectedly modern and dynamic. At the same time, his age “according to his passport” is very impressive: already in the 13th century BC. e. it was known as Rabbat-Ammon, the center of the Ammon kingdom. But today only a few Greco-Roman monuments concentrated in the Old City remind of distant times, and they are unlikely to be enough to satisfy fans of the historical “excursion”.

It is worth going to Amman to feel the rhythm of life of a modern Arab metropolis with business centers, shopping malls, restaurants and art galleries that have grown up in the middle of poor neighborhoods.

Time difference with Moscow

no in winter −1 hour

• with Kaliningrad

• with Samara

• with Yekaterinburg

• with Omsk

• with Krasnoyarsk

• with Irkutsk

• with Yakutsk

• with Vladivostok

• with Severo-Kurilsk

• with Kamchatka

Climate

The climate in the country is subtropical Mediterranean, sharply continental, very dry. Average temperatures in January are +8...+14 °C, in July +24...+30 °C (at average daily temperatures around +35 °C). The best time to visit Jordan is spring and autumn. In the north, it rains from November to March.

The Dead Sea and Aqaba are usually warm, you can swim all year round. The water temperature in the Red and Dead Seas does not fall below +21 ° C all year round. Summer nights in these places are warm. At the same time, most central regions The countries are quite cool at night: tourists need to take long-sleeved clothes and trousers with them when traveling through them.

Visa and customs

Citizens of Russia and the CIS countries, except for Moldova, receive a visa upon arrival in the country. In addition, it is worth taking out a medical insurance policy for the entire duration of the trip in advance.

You can import up to 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200 g of tobacco into Jordan duty-free; 1 liter of alcohol; perfumes, cosmetics and jewelry for personal use. When importing luxury goods, you must fill out a special declaration and pay a fee. hand luggage and items for personal use are not subject to duties, as well as gifts and souvenirs worth up to 150 USD. Import of foreign (except Israeli) and national currency unlimited, amounts over 10,000 JOD must be declared. You can also export foreign currency without restrictions, the limit for the national one is 300 JOD. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Seeds, seedlings, vegetables and fruits are subject to mandatory declaration.

Pets are only allowed in if they have an international veterinary certificate and rabies vaccination documents. Drugs, ammunition, poisons, weapons without permission and psychotropic substances without a doctor's prescription are prohibited for import, as well as items or materials that can offend the religious feelings of Muslims (according to eyewitnesses, even the Bible or Torah can be taken away).

It is forbidden to export raw corals, stuffed animals, any ivory products, as well as samples of fauna and flora taken from the Red Sea from Jordan. When importing and exporting antiques, you must have a receipt issued by the seller.

tax free

Consumer goods in Jordan are taxed up to 16%. For foreign tourists, the TAGI Tax Free system operates: having made purchases in stores with the corresponding logo, you can return the sales tax in full or in part (the minimum refundable amount is 362 JOD, rates for purchased items are indicated on the sales receipt).

In the store, you will need to fill out a special form with information about the product and the buyer's passport data, and then within 70 days stamp it at customs and present it along with purchases, a passport and a sales receipt at the counter at the airport. When making a refund, you can get cash right on the spot, but if the tax amount exceeds 500 JOD, you will have to wait for the transfer to a bank account.

• What documents are needed to travel to Jordan with a child

How to get to Jordan

Jordan's main international airport is located in the vicinity of Amman and is named after Queen Alia. Direct flights from Moscow are available from Royal Jordanian (530 USD one way) and Es Seven (421 USD), all departing from Domodedovo, duration - 4.5 hours. Charters « north wind» cheaper and faster: from 235 USD one way with departure from Sheremetyevo, flight time - 4 hours.

The lowest prices for connecting flights- with Aegean Airlines: from 200 USD in one direction, 13 hours with a transfer in Athens. " Qatar Airways"carried through Doha for 495 USD one way and 11 hours 35 minutes, "Aeroflot" and "Tarom" - through Bucharest for 530 USD and 19 hours.

If you are planning a vacation at sea, you can fly straight to Aqaba, where the second Jordanian international airport is based, bearing the name of King Hussein. North Wind charters fly here from Moscow: tickets - from 230 USD one way, you have to spend about 5 hours in the air. Petersburgers will need to make 2 transfers: "Es Seven" and "Royal Jordanian" are transported through the Russian and Jordanian capitals in 11 hours and 352 USD in one direction.

From airport to city

Shuttle buses run every half an hour between the airport and Amman to the center of Amman. North bus station(travel - about 5 JOD), as well as a taxi (39-50 JOD, more expensive at night). Transfer from Aqaba airport is most often provided by hotels, but you can also use the services of taxi drivers (15-18 JOD).

Find flights to Jordan

Transport

The national carrier Royal Jordanian operates regular direct flights from Amman to Aqaba costing from 67 JOD one way and lasting 55 minutes. There are no other domestic flights in the country, but intercity bus service is well established. Jett transport runs between large settlements (off site in English), tickets can be purchased at the box office of bus stations (preferably a few hours before departure) or by phone.

The only way to travel between small towns is by private buses: their network of routes is more extensive, tickets are cheap, but there is no timetable, and travel in eternally crowded cabins without air conditioning is hardly a pleasure for passengers. Railway still bored with nothing to do: earlier, trains ran regularly from Amman to Damascus through Az-Zarqa, but due to civil war they were canceled in Syria.

Public transport within cities

The structure of public transport is more or less streamlined only in the capital: in other settlements, traffic is chaotic. You can move inside the cities by buses, minibuses and "services" - 5-7-seater cars that depart along a given route as the passenger compartment fills up.

Navigation on Jordanian streets is extremely confusing: the names of stops and destinations are in Arabic, so without a good map and help local residents(of course, very conditional - only a few understand English) is indispensable.

The fare is paid directly to the driver, a half-hour trip around the capital costs an average of 0.50 JOD, you can get to the suburbs for 1.50-3 JOD (in the "services" you will have to pay twice as much). in Amman public transport goes quite often, while in the outback there is a risk of hanging around at a half-day stop.

Taxis are ubiquitous, most metropolitan cars are equipped with meters and air conditioning. Taxis can be caught on the street, called by phone or found at special parking lots. The average landing cost is 0.3 JOD, each km - 0.50 JOD, at night the fares double. The amount on the counter can be indicated in pre-inflationary fils: for example, 700 fils is 0.70 JOD. It is worth having small coins in your pocket (taxi drivers often do not give change), and if the price is too high, feel free to bargain without falling for the tricks of cunning drivers.

Views of Jordan

Rent a Car

The country has both international and small local rental offices. Required to rent a car driver license international standard and a credit card (only for a short stay in the country). Depending on the car class, a deposit from 150 to 500 USD is blocked on the card. It is somewhat cheaper to take a car through a travel agency than directly.

Renting a standard car costs from 60 JOD, a premium model - from 90 JOD, a minivan - from 150 JOD per day. The cost of gasoline in Jordan is 0.94-0.98 JOD per 1 liter.

Rented vehicles are distinguished from others by green license plates. Cars have the same numbers. travel companies. It is forbidden to drive a rented car outside of Jordan. Movement in the country is right-handed. In Amman and Irbid, the traffic is crazy: the streets are congested, the traffic is huge, the drivers are generally polite but not too careful. Most central parking lots are paid, marked with special signs or blue and white markings (after 19:00 and on weekends, parking is usually free). You can also leave your car at shopping centers, supermarkets and residential buildings if there are no prohibition signs nearby: most likely you won’t have to pay.

Road signs are in Arabic and English. There are also special brown tourist road signs showing directions and driving directions to popular attractions.

In the event of an accident due to the fault of a tourist, a deposit from his card is paid to the police (according to the road law of the Kingdom of Jordan). If the amount of damage exceeds the amount of the deposit, all the necessary expenses for the repair of the car are paid by the person responsible for the accident. Police officers are polite with tourists: the main thing is to behave adequately in response.

Communication and Wi-Fi

The mobile communication network covers the territory of the capital, large cities and resorts. The main Jordanian operators are Zain, Orange and Umniah. Prepaid SIM cards are sold at branded kiosks at airports, shopping centers and supermarkets. To connect, you need to present your passport and fill out a questionnaire, it is better to ask the seller to activate the SIM card, the balance is replenished using scratch cards.

Orange has packages starting at 6 JOD per week (1 GB mobile internet, 60 minutes of free calls and unlimited SMS to local numbers). Negotiations with Russia cost 0.35 JOD per minute.

You can also call home from pay phones that accept cards with a face value of 1-20 JOD. They are sold at newsstands and post offices, but international communication is quite expensive.

Internet access is provided in most large hotels (this pleasure costs 10 JOD per day) and numerous Internet cafes open in Amman and resorts (connection hour - 2-3 JOD). Wi-Fi is also available in catering establishments, but most often paid (on average 5 JOD per hour) and at a low speed. A pleasant exception are some coffee shops and eateries where you can go online for free. And in order to constantly stay online, it is better to connect a SIM card of one of the operators.

Jordan Hotels

Aqaba hotels are located both in the city itself and in the suburbs of Tala Bay. On first coastline fashionable "fives" lined up, a little further - comfortable "fours" and "treshki". There are fewer hotels on the Dead Sea, but the entire resort infrastructure is concentrated in them: from restaurants and entertainment centers to spas with procedures based on natural ingredients.

The voltage in the Jordanian electrical network is 230 V, sockets are found both in the usual European ones (types C and F), and three-pin ones, for which an adapter is needed.

Police - 192, traffic police - 843-402, ambulance - 193, fire department (Amman) - 462-20-90, single phone emergency service - 196.

City codes: Amman - 6, Aqaba - 3.

Jordan beaches

Pilgrimage

The Holy Land - the Middle Eastern territory between the Mediterranean, Red and Dead Seas, Lake Kinneret and the Jordan River - is completely special place for Christians, Muslims and Jews. It was here that the main events described in the sacred books of the three world religions took place, it was here that the earthly path of Christ began and ended. The once united ancient Palestine is today divided into several states: Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan are full of reminders of a great past.

Thousands of pilgrims annually strive to visit the Holy Land, worship shrines and gain a unique spiritual experience. Most routes cover several countries at once, but Jordan deserves a separate visit. Start a pilgrimage Moses saw the Promised Land for the first time, and at the place where the Church of Our Lady in Anjar stands today, Christ and Mary stopped on their way from the Sea of ​​Galilee to Jerusalem. In the Jordan River, the Savior was baptized, and if the entrance to the symbolic pool on the Israeli shore is paid, then from the Jordanian shore you can dive into the sacred waters completely freely.

shopping

From Jordan, you can bring Madab wicker rugs, bottles with multi-colored sand from Petra (it is better to buy them in Petra itself - there is natural sand of different colors from the canyons rock city, rather than artificially painted as in most places), olive wood crafts, pottery and copper utensils, jewelry, Bedouin black silver jewelry, and more. Jordanian cosmetics based on Dead Sea products are very popular.

Unbelievable, but true: the traditional "eastern" bargaining in Jordan is practically absent. Prices, if dropped, are not much and mostly Bedouin boys selling souvenirs in Petra. In stores and shops, sellers behave extremely helpfully, politely and always with dignity: no one allows themselves to grab their sleeves and other Middle Eastern attributes.

Friday is a public holiday in Jordan. Christian-owned shops may be closed on Sunday as well. There is no single work schedule for retail outlets here: each owner determines it himself.

If a tourist is suddenly seized by an obsession to personally collect dirt directly from the shore of the Dead Sea, one can ask one of the attendants at a coastal hotel to help in search of it on the shore. The service will cost 1-3 JOD, depending on the difficulties associated with its provision, and on the amount of good extracted. The best dirt is “radical black” and can be transported in multiple nested plastic bags. We advise you not to engage in independent "mud-searching" activities.

Cuisine and restaurants in Jordan

Jordanian cuisine is generally faithful to Arabic culinary traditions, but has many characteristic features. Contrary to popular belief, local dishes are not as hot and spicy as people think. But mint, a variety of greens and herbs, lemons, onions, pickled olives, and pine nuts are added to food everywhere. Salads, stews, pastries with various fillings, as well as dishes from finely grated peas with greens - falafel and hummus are popular among appetizers.

In addition to various types of lavash and ragyf bread, kmaj cakes are popular in the country, which are often used as a kind of “edible spoons”. Meat dishes are most often chicken, lamb or veal with rice or potatoes. Traditional side dishes - different types salads and stews.

The local sweets are considered among the best in Arab world. These are cookies sprinkled with sesame seeds, baklava (baklava) with pistachios, the famous kanaf with cheese, kataef pies, guava dessert zhavafa, excellent ice cream, candied fruits.

Alcoholic beverages can be purchased at any time, except for the month of Muslim fasting. Of the local strong drinks, you should try "arak" with the smell and taste of anise, it is diluted with water. Good wine too. Beer is offered in many cafes and restaurants (but not all) and sold in specialized stores.

Street food like shawarma or fruit mix costs 2-3 JOD. Lunch in an average metropolitan cafe costs 7-10 JOD, dinner in an Aqaba restaurant costs 20-30 JOD for two, excluding alcohol.

The best Jordanian eateries are concentrated in Amman: spacious, decorated with an oriental flavor, they offer all kinds of national dishes prepared by talented chefs. Restaurants open for the pickiest gourmets haute cuisine with equally high prices. In the neighborhood there are more democratic pizzerias, steakhouses, coffee houses, gelaterias and chain eateries, so there will be no problems with the usual European food. In the vicinity of Jerash, Arab cafes are notable, where vegetables and bread are baked on stones in huge traditional ovens. Pride of Aqaba - fish restaurants popular not only with tourists, but also with locals.

Guides in Jordan

Entertainment and attractions in Jordan

Christian pilgrims and people interested in the history of the first centuries of Christianity should visit the sights of Madaba and its environs: Madaba itself, the memorial of Moses on Mount Nebo, the site of the Baptism of Jesus in Tel al-Harrar, as well as many others historical sites. And tourists interested in the history of the Crusades should definitely visit the Crusader castle in Karak, whose walls remember the era of Salah ad-Din.

On the way from Petra to Aqaba, you can visit the Wadi Rum desert to enjoy unique landscapes that are not like anywhere else on the planet.

Anyone who is interested in the history of the Arab Caliphate should not miss the unique monument of that era - the medieval baths of Qasr Amra, decorated with frescoes depicting people and animals.

Fans of outdoor activities will not be bored in Jordan. You can rent an SUV and travel from north to south of the country with a visit biblical cities and fortresses of legionnaires. Or, as part of a caravan, cross the central highlands and the desert in the east of the country in a week, stopping in a new place every night. These same routes can be covered on a World War I train that runs along the very edge of the desert. In addition, you can fly hot-air balloon or paragliding over the Wadi Rum desert, play paintball or golf, ride horses or go to hiking into the mountains.

• Is it possible to combine Egypt, Jordan and Israel in one tour
• Get healed with healing mud and thermal waters in the first-class balneological complex "Ashtar", which is 70 km from Amman.
• Capture the moment when the colors of the rocks surrounding Aqaba change.

Holidays and events

Western New Year in Jordan is celebrated on January 1: tourists from all over the world come to the shores of the Red and Dead Seas for the winter holidays. The Muslim counterpart is Ras al-Sana: the beginning of the first month of the lunar calendar, Muharram, and an occasion for celebrations throughout the country. January 15 is Tree Day, or rather, a palm tree, revered in the Middle East since biblical times: the Virgin Mary gave birth to baby Jesus under a palm tree, and at the beginning of winter, Jordanians are actively planting new trees to the delight of environmentalists.

Sports are loved in Jordan: on fine spring days, they organize an Ultramarathon on the Dead Sea under the patronage of the royal family, and also a prestigious car rally in the vicinity of Jerash.

In February, a traditional arts festival dedicated to the Bedouin culture is held in Aqaba, in March-April in Amman - the International Theater Festival, which turns the capital into a grandiose stage, and at the end of summer in Jerash - an arts festival with concerts and fairs against the backdrop of ruins. Twice a year, congratulations on the birthday of the kings: January 30 - Abdullah, November 14 - Hussein.

March 21 - Mother's Day, May 25 - Independence Day, June 10 - Army Day with large-scale parades in the presence of crowned persons. Eid al-Adha marks the end of fasting, which is obligatory in the month of Ramadan, Eid al-Adha symbolizes absolute faith in the Almighty. And on December 25, Catholic families gather at the festive table in honor of the Nativity of Christ: it cannot be otherwise in the Holy Land.

Jordan is located in the heart of the region, most often called the Middle East - at the junction of Eurasia and Africa. The official name of the country is the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The country got its name from the Jordan River, which flows through northern section western border of the kingdom.

Jordan is a continental state with only one small outlet to the Gulf of Aqaba at the northern end of the Red Sea, with a length of about 26 kilometers. If you look at detailed map Jordan, you can see that most of its borders are represented by broken lines. 90% of its territory is occupied by deserts, in which the boundaries are a very tricky and vague concept.

Jordan on the world map: geography, nature and climate

Jordan is a relatively small state. total area country is about 92,000 km 2. It is difficult to name the exact area due to the fact that it is increasing every year. With the shallowing of the Dead Sea, Jordan is expanding by several square kilometers per year.

The country's largest neighbor is Saudi Arabia, located in the south and southeast of Jordan. The length of their joint borders is 728 km, which is almost half the length state border. In the east, the country borders on Iraq, and the northern border separates it from Syria. The clearest borders of Jordan are in the west - here they are tied both to the relief and to the national composition of the population. The country's western neighbors are Israel and partially recognized Palestine.

Geographical position

Jordan on the world map is located in a unique place. The coast of the Dead Sea, the waters of which the country shares with Israel, is the lowest land point on the planet. At the moment, it is 430 meters below the level of the world ocean, but every year this figure increases by an average of 1 meter.

The territory of Jordan is represented mainly by desert plateaus up to 1200 meters high. The highest point in the country is Mount Jabal-umm-ad-Dami (1854 m). In the southeast and northeast of the country are vast regions of the Syrian desert. The northwestern part of Jordan, fed by the river of the same name, is more habitable. There are practically no large permanent lakes and rivers, apart from the salty Dead Sea, in the country. Only the Jordan River and its tributaries Yarmuk and Seil ez-Zarqa, often indicated on the map of Jordan in Russian as Yabbok, do not dry up during the season. However big rivers it is difficult to name them - the width of the Jordan is at the very large place does not exceed 40 meters, and the depth rarely reaches 2 meters. In addition, they are actively used in Jordanian agriculture and neighboring countries, which becomes very shallow and pollutes the rivers. The area of ​​a few lakes and reservoirs is rarely more than a few square kilometers.

Animal and plant world

The flora of Jordan is extremely poor, which is typical for a desert state. Grass cover in semi-desert areas appears only with the winter rainy season. Only the north-western part of the country, which is relatively comfortable in terms of climatic conditions, can boast of shrub vegetation of the Mediterranean type. The fauna of the region is represented by typical desert inhabitants: striped hyenas, steppe lynxes and foxes. It is also possible to meet several types of gazelle. Of the other animals, various lizards and small desert birds are abundant.

Climate

Most of the country is in a dry desert sharply continental climate. Only along the western borders is it more similar to the Mediterranean subtropical. Save Jordan from unbearable heat fairly constant westerly winds. But hot air currents from the Arabian Peninsula are not uncommon. The average temperature in the western and northwestern part of the country rarely drops below 8 0 C in winter, and varies from 25 to 30 0 C in summer. The desert regions are, of course, much hotter. The average annual rainfall in Jordan is extremely low. In the north-west of the country, it can still reach 400 mm per year, while in the rest of the territory it will not even reach 100 mm.

Map of Jordan with cities. Administrative division of the country

The Kingdom of Jordan is divided into 12 governorates. This is a common administrative-territorial unit in Arab countries. At the same time, up to 85% of the population of Jordan lives in the north-west of the country, and less than 2% of the inhabitants live in the largest region of Maan, which occupies a third of the country's area. The map of Jordan with cities in Russian directly demonstrates this feature, which is classic for desert states.

Amman is the capital and largest city of the country. About 25% of Jordanians live in it, and the Amman agglomeration has concentrated almost 80% of the country's population. It's a big one industrial centre Middle East, located on one of the key oil transportation hubs.

A small town is located 35 kilometers north of the capital Ajlun, famous castle Kalat ar-Rabat. This 12th century fortress is considered a gem of Muslim medieval architecture. Near the city is also located the largest botanical garden in the region.

Jordan's only port is the city Aqaba. It is both commercial and tourist centre countries. It is noteworthy that the flag set in the city port is considered the largest in the world.

It is about five times smaller than France and ten times larger than Egypt. Jordan on the world map seems to be enclosed in the tight borders of other states that were imposed on it by Great Britain and some other states after the events of the First World War. Today it small state strikes with a variety of climatic zones and picturesque landscapes.

Jordan, Wikipedia says, is located for the most part on a plateau that rises 700-1000 meters above sea level. That is why Jordan's capital is Amman located on the highest elevation, yielding exclusively to the capital of Yemen, which is located on the hills of Sana'a. From the Jordanian capital, in less than an hour you can go down to the mysterious, located 400 meters below sea level.

Jordan is a country that attracts many travelers. It strikes with wooded hills in the northern part. To the east, it meets the mountainous heights of Wadi Rum and Petra, as well as the flat basalt deserts and subtropical climate of the Jordan Valley. The country is striking and surprises even experienced travelers visiting the amazing state repeatedly.

The population of the state is represented by residents modern megacities and nomadic Bedouin tribes. The country has a huge number of significant attractions that can compete with Egyptian ones in terms of value. Tourists have the opportunity to:

On the world stage, the country impresses with its originality thanks to the Hashemite royal family. It is noteworthy that she comes from the Hejaz from Saudi Arabia, that is, from the Prophet Muhammad himself. Until 1999, King Hussein, who confidently controlled power in Jordan for 46 years, was the 42nd direct descendant of the Prophet.

The current king is Abdullah, son of Hussein. His policy is to keep the peace in Jordan. This is achieved by peaceful relations with Israel and proximity to the United States. However, this policy did not receive much response from local residents.

Jordan is directly dependent on outside assistance due to the lack of oil fields in the country. In many ways, she expects help from the United States. A huge part of the economy is tourism. Jordan image of a stable and safe state which is convenient for travel and acquaintance with Eastern culture. Today ancient Petra included in the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World, so the Jordanians believe that tourism will continue to develop.

Geographical position of the country

After getting acquainted with the main advantages of the country, the question arises, where is Jordan and how to get there. Many dream of going to an eastern country to see with their own eyes numerous attractions, including the city of Madaba and the memorial of Moses.

The state is located in the Middle East in Western Asia. The total area is 89 thousand square kilometers. Of these, water is no more than 500 square kilometers, and the rest of the space is land, which is clearly visible on the world map.

Most of the landscapes of the state are a desert rocky plateau, which is located at an altitude of 650-1250 meters. There are also gorges and valleys. To the east of the Jordan is the northern point of the Rift Valley, which continues to the African Great Lakes. This area considered seismically active, although over the last century of similar natural Disasters did not have.

The lowest point of the state on the map is the coast of the Dead Sea, and the highest point is Mount Dzhembel Ram. understand the exact geographical position countries help her extreme points:

1. Northern: 33°22'N 38°47′E d.
2. South: 29°11'N 36°04′E d.
3. Western: 29°21'N 34°57′E d.
4. Eastern: 32°14'N 39°17′E d.

The total length of the borders is 1619 kilometers. WITH north side Syria is Jordan's neighbor, Iraq is located in the northeast. Near the southern and eastern borders is Israel, and in the west - Palestine. The state is washed by the waters of two seas at once - the Dead and the Red.

What to see in Jordan?

The government of the country carefully develops tourism, so there are really many significant sights here. Among the main ones are the following:

In addition, the center of Arab religion and culture is chosen amazing city Amman. It allows you to learn more about the peculiarities of life in Eastern countries, their culture, get acquainted with traditions and customs. Hospitable Amman contributes to the fact that the rest was at a high level.

Jordan

Jordan is a Middle Eastern country, where holidays are becoming more popular for Russians every year. No wonder: Jordan successfully combines the advantages of Egypt and Israel, is famous for its excellent hotel service and many unique attractions.

Why go

Jordan is a strong competitor to Israel and Egypt. This country has both the Red and the Dead Sea, it is warm and sunny here every day; the desert without end and edge is fraught with ancient sights known throughout the world. The last and, perhaps, the most important trump card - the prices for tours to Jordan are consistently low. You can safely go to hotels in Jordan both with a youth company and a family with children; Elderly couples will also enjoy holidays in the resorts of Jordan.

How to get there

Jordan is located in the Middle East. Its closest neighbors are Israel (in the west), Egypt (in the southwest), Saudi Arabia (in the southeast and east). The border divides the Dead Sea roughly in half between Jordan and Israel. All resorts in Jordan are very far from the "hot spots".

Most often, tourists fly into Queen Alia International Airport or King Hussein Airport. The plane flies from Moscow at about 4 o'clock, at 3.5 o'clock. Buses run from both airports to the city centre.

Tours to Jordan

Prices for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with departure from Moscow

Currency

The currency in Jordan is the dinar, divided into 100 piastres. For 100 dollars, you can get about 70 Jordanian dinars. The coins and banknotes depict the royal family, which is highly revered in Jordan. Dollars and euros are in circulation only in resort towns, it is better to immediately exchange currency at the airport.

Visa

Russian tourists do not need to obtain a visa in advance to visit Jordan, it is issued at the airport. The main condition is a passport valid for another 6 months from the date of departure from Jordan. The visa fee is about $70. With such a visa, a tourist can stay in the country for 30 days.

Resorts

Most popular places, where tourists most often come - the capital, a resort on the Red Sea, ancient Petra and hotel complexes on.

Hotels

The largest selection of hotels is in, where you can find both a luxurious hotel and a modest guesthouse. There are several hotels on the Dead Sea with good infrastructure. The beach tourism center offers a wide range of hotels, including well-known world lines.

Attractions

Place number 1 for all tourists who came to Jordan - the ancient city of Petra, the capital of the Nabatean kingdom. The whole city was carved into the sandy rocks before the birth of Christ. Petra is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

You can get to Petra by bus (3 hours from or) or by car. Entrance to the territory of Petra is paid, about 50-90 dinars. The winding path through the Siq canyon is unlike any other place on earth - the rocks that change their color, bizarre shadows and figures amaze the imagination.

The most famous photograph from Petra - the palace of El-Khazneh, the ancient treasury. It is he who can be seen in Steven Spielberg's film "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." Petra is especially beautiful at night - thousands of candles light up around.

On excursions they go to the ancient city of Petra, neighboring Egypt and Israel.

Souvenirs

From Jordan, tourists bring oriental sweets and coffee, Dead Sea cosmetics, ceramics, jewelry (for example, a dalleh pendant - a small golden coffee pot). Popular souvenirs are Nabatean glass vases and sand paintings. You have to bargain in the market.

Kitchen

Jordanian cuisine is similar in tradition to Lebanese, Egyptian and Israeli. It is worth trying cakes with hummus, chicken in pita bread, falafel.

Jordan's most famous drink is sage tea. By the way, sage can be bought and brought home. In Jordan, they like to drink sweet coffee, adding cardamom grains to it. Dates and baklava are served with tea and coffee.

Alcohol

There is no prohibition on the consumption of alcohol in Jordan, except for a reasonable restriction on drinking in public places. The easiest way to buy alcohol is in - the city is a duty-free zone. In other resorts, alcohol is served in bars and restaurants, and you can buy it in some grocery stores.

During Ramadan, all bars and liquor stores are closed. This does not apply to some establishments in tourist areas - a special tourist license for the sale of alcohol is issued for them. No difference between daytime and night price there is no alcohol in Jordan.

Local alcohol is of very poor quality, so we recommend that alcohol lovers pay attention to familiar European brands.

Safety

Jordan has very restless neighbors - Israel, Iraq, Syria and others. Surprisingly, the level of tourist security in this country is maintained at a high level. The main resorts where tourists (including Russian ones) go - to, to the Red Sea - are far removed from all war zones in neighboring countries. Tourists should only be afraid of the ubiquitous pickpockets in the bazaars.

Good to know

• Jordanian time in summer does not differ from Moscow time, and in winter it is 1 hour behind.
• The plane flies from Moscow at about 4 o'clock, at 3.5 o'clock.
• differ from Russian ones, they most often have three holes. An adapter can be purchased locally.
• Friday in Jordan is a day off, but many establishments are closed on Sunday.
• Jordan Pass- single ticket to the sights of the country. It can be pre-ordered online.
• Jordan is a Muslim country, so women are not recommended to appear in public places in shorts, clothes with open sleeves and necklines.