Capital: Amman
Continent: Asia
Currency: Jordanian dinar (JOD)
Dialling Code: +962
Driving Side: Right
Official Language: Arabic
Population: 8.1 million (2015)
Time Zone: EET (UTC+2)/EEST (UTC+3)
Jordan, an Arab nation on the east bank of the Jordan River, sits strategically at the crossroads of the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe. The country is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the East and South; Palestine, Israel, and Dead Sea to the West; Syria to the North; Red Sea to the extreme South-West; and Iraq to the North-East.
Jordan can be divided into four main regions: the Northern Jordan, King's Highway, Eastern Desert, Southern Desert and the major cities are Amman, Aqaba, Jerash, Madaba and Zarqa.
Only five hours drive away (from anywhere in the city), the modern (and historic city) of Amman, the capital city, serves as the country's economic, political and cultural centre. The cosmopolitan city is also the most populous in Jordan and is among the most popular locations in the Arab world for multinational corporations to set up their regional offices, alongside Doha and only behind Dubai.
Tourism is one of the most important sectors in Jordan's economy. The country is home to the famous archaeological site of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985, dating back to around 300 B.C.E. Other major tourist attractions sites include – the Jordan River, Mount Nebo, Madaba, numerous medieval mosques and churches, and unspoiled natural locations such as the Wadi Rum.
Jordan is also well known for education tourism, shopping tourism, health and medical tourism, focusing on the Dead Sea area. Hiking and scuba diving for nature enthusiasts also should not be missed in the Aqaba's reefs along the Gulf of Aqaba.