Jordan
Jordan is a compact desert kingdom where rose-red canyons, ancient trade routes, and the lowest point on Earth's surface converge in a landscape shaped by millennia of passage and settlement.
Overview
Located in the heart of the Middle East, Jordan borders Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Israel, and the Palestinian territories, with a short coastline on the Red Sea at Aqaba. The capital, Amman, is home to roughly a third of the country's population of around 10 million. Arabic is the official language and the Jordanian dinar the currency. The country is a constitutional monarchy with a broadly Arab and Levantine cultural identity, known for its hospitality and relative regional stability.
Visa Requirements
Many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at Queen Alia International Airport and most land borders, or apply in advance through Jordan's official Jordan Pass system, which bundles entry fees for major attractions. Jordan Pass holders may have the visa fee waived subject to minimum night-stay conditions. Travellers should verify current eligibility through official Jordanian government channels before departure.
Airports in Jordan
3 airportsAirlines based in Jordan
4 airlines
Famous Attractions in Jordan
Petra, the Nabataean rock-cut city in southern Jordan, remains the country's most recognisable site — its treasury façade carved directly into sandstone cliffs. Wadi Rum is a vast red-sand desert valley used as a location for multiple major films. The Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth at around 430 metres below sea level, draws visitors for its dense salt water. Jerash preserves one of the best-surviving Roman provincial cities in the world, and the Byzantine mosaics of Madaba are widely regarded as exceptional examples of the form.
Weather & Climate
Jordan has a semi-arid to arid climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Amman sees summer highs of 32–36 °C and winter temperatures that can drop to 4–8 °C, occasionally with frost or light snow on higher ground. The desert south is significantly hotter in summer. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the most comfortable conditions for sightseeing. Light layers are advisable even in summer, as evenings cool quickly in the desert.
Interesting Facts About Jordan
- Dead Sea sits roughly 430 metres below sea level.
- Petra was carved by the Nabataeans around 300 BCE.
- Jordan hosts one of the world's largest refugee populations.
- The country has no significant domestic oil reserves.
- Jerash has hosted an annual arts festival since 1981.
Official Resources
- visitjordan.com — Jordan Tourism Board official travel information
- moi.gov.jo — Ministry of Interior, visa and residency information
- jordanpass.jo — Official Jordan Pass portal for combined visa and attraction entry
- jma.gov.jo — Jordan Meteorological Department, weather forecasts and climate data