Jordan Country & Tourist Information

Location
Middle East.

Area
89,342 sq km (34,495 sq miles).

Population
5.9 million (CIA estimate 2006).

Population Density
66 per sq km.

Capital
Amman.
Population: 2.5 million (2006 estimate).

Government
Constitutional Monarchy since 1952.

Language
Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken in the cities. French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken.

Religion
Over 94% Sunni Muslim, with Christian and Shi’i Muslim minorities.

Time
GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 between March and October - dates vary).

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Dr Marouf Al-Bakhit since 2005.

Head of State
King Abdullah Ibn al-Hussein al-Hashimi since 1999.

Telephone
Country 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 Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good.

Internet
There are Internet cafes throughout the country.

Media
Jordan is trying to persuade Arab commercial satellite broadcasters to relocate to its media free zone, though investors remain concerned about safeguards against censorship. In 2003, the government repealed legislation that provided for jail terms for harming the king’s reputation or for inciting strikes, criminal activity or illegal gatherings.

Post
Packages should be left opened for customs officials. The Central Post Office in Amman 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 0800-1800 in summer and 0700-1700 in winter, Fri 0700-1300.

Press
• Arabic-language daily publications include Ad Dustour, Al Ra’y, Al Ghadd 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 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
20 Jan Muharram (Islamic New Year).
30 Jan King Abdullah II’s Birthday.
31 Mar Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet).
6 Apr Good Friday.
9 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
25 May Independence Day.
10 Jun Army Day.
11 Aug Prophet’s Ascension.
13 Sep Ramadan begins.
13 Oct  Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
14 Nov King Hussein Remembrance Day.
20 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas. 

2008
1 Jan  New Year’s Day.
10 Jan Islamic New Year.
30 Jan King Abdullah II’s Birthday.
20 Mar Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet).
21 Mar Good Friday.
23 Mar Easter Monday.
1 May Labor Day.
25 May Independence Day. 
10 Jun Army Day.
30 Jul Prophet’s Ascension. 
2 Sep Ramadan begins. 
2 Oct  Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
14 Nov King Hussein Remembrance Day. 
9 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas. 
29 Dec Islamic New Year.

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 UK
6 Upper Phillimore Gardens, London W8 7HA, UK
Tel: (020) 7937 3685.
Website: www.jordanembassyuk.org
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1200 (consulate enquiries); 1400-1500 (visa collection).

Jordan Tourism Board in the UK
Kennedy House, 1st Floor, 115 Hammersmith Road, London W14 0QH, UK
Tel: (020) 7371 6496.
Website: www.visitjordan.com/uk

Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the USA
3504 International Drive, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 966 2664 or 2861 (consular section).
Website: www.jordanembassyus.org

Jordan Tourism Board in the USA
6867 Elm Street, Suite 102, Mclean, VA 22101, USA
Tel: (703) 243 7404 or 1 877 733 5673.
Website: www.seejordan.org


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