Jordan Facts
Climate:
The climate depends on which district you are visiting in Jordan,It is dry in summer with average temperature in the mid-30°C (mid-90°F) and relatively cold in winter averaging around the 0 °C (32 °F). The western part of the country receives greater precipitation during the winter season.
From June to September are most the hottest months of the year where temperature rises to average 32oC (89.6 F) while between December and March are the coolest period. Snowfall often occurs and temperatures stay around 15oC (59 F) during the day.
Rain falls between November and March, while colder weather conditions occur in December/January.
Required clothing:
Lightweight cottons and linens are advised between May and September. Heavy Warmer clothes are necessary for winter and cool summer evenings. Rainwear is needed from November to April.
Currency:
The currency of Jordan is Jordanian Dinar (JD) which equals 1.4 $ US Dollars (One US Dollar = 0.708 JD). One JD is 1000 fils.
Coin denominations are: 10, 25, 50, 100 fils, Paper denominations are: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 dinars.
Exchange facilities are available at all points of entry, banks, hotels, and currency exchange offices. Rates are displayed and you may wish to ask for a receipt. There are no restrictions on visitors to bring in and take out foreign currencies. Cash can be withdrawn from inside banks as well ATMs are available. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, car rental agencies, shops and restaurants. Major cards accepted are Visa,Master Card, AMEX and Diners Club.
Working Hours:
Government Offices = 8:00 to 16:00 (Sun to Thu)
Banks = 8:30 to 17:00 (Sun to Thu) – ATM services available.
Shops – Malls = 9:00 to 21:00
Private Sector = 9:00 to 18:00 – with one or two hours lunch break
Note: during the holy month of Ramadan working hours are usually reduced.
Public Holidays:
Friday and Saturday are the official weekly holiday. Some tourist services stay open while businesses and banks are closed.Fixed public holidays include:
• New Year’s Day 1st, January
• King Abdullah II’s Birthday 30th, January
• Labor Day 1st, May
• Independence Day 25th, May
• The late King Hussein’s Birthday 14th, November
• Christmas Day 25th, December
• A number of public holidays are not fixed.
• These include the following Islamic holidays, which are based on the Lunar calendar:
• Eid al-Fitr A 3-day feast marking the end of Ramadan
• Eid al-Adha A 4 – day feast at the end of the Hajj, or month of pilgrimage to Mecca
• First Muharam Islamic New Year
• Eid al-Isra’ wal Mi’raj Celebrating the visit of the Profet Mohammed (PBUH) to heaven
• Al Mawled Al Nabawi The Birthday of the Profet Mohammed (PBUH)
Note : Subject to change depending on lunar cycle
Language:
Arabic is the first and official language of Jordan , the second speaking language is English , some private schools teach French and some other foreign languages as well .
Population:
The population of Jordan IS ABOUT 6,700 Million people , in the last 15 years it was slowly increasing effected by the big amount of refugees from other countries around .
Shopping:
Shopping in Jordan is very open and wherever you go in touristic sites you can find some hand crafts and souvenirs of the area , there are a wide range of hand crafts made locally and the goods in different sites , usually around the gates of the sites or on the main road between the cities in big bazaars where people can have break for coffee or tea ,when you are in the main cities like Amman or Aqaba you can always explore the city center and find many things to buy .
When To Go:
Jordan is a destination of four season , all year around you can find good spots to visit , because the climate in Jordan is different from place to other , but the best time recommended for visit is ( March , April , September , October ) .
Accessibility:
Mostly of the nationalities around the world can get visa upon arrive from either the airport or the land borders , usually visas can be valid for 2 weeks but it can be extended at the nearest police station .
Clothing:
Jordan consider one of the most open and educated countries in the Arabic world but it still Muslim country , so as a tourist they need to put on some acceptable clothes to respect the culture specially for women traveler need to cover up little bit but not important to cover completely as a Muslim .
Local Time:
• October – March : Greenwich Mean Time plus 2 Hours (G.M.T + 2 )
• April – September : Greenwich Mean Time plus 3 Hours (G.M.T + 3 )
• Jordan is 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Time
Electric Current:
The 220 AC volts, 50 cycles, requiring rounded two-prong wall plugs. The travelers from the US will require atransformer , which is mostly provided by every hotel.
Medical Care:
Jordon facilitates excellent medical services. Most of the doctors are bilingual that is they can speak both Arabic and English
Water:
The 3 star hotels in the country have their own filtering system and the water available in the hotel premises is very safe to drink. The tourists can also buy bottled water, which is easily available in various regions of the country.