Jordan is an Arab country, located in the heart of the Middle East. It stands bordered by Syria in the north, Iraq in the north-east, Israel and the West Bank in the west, and Saudi Arabia in the east and south. Apart from that, it also shares the coastlines of the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba, with Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Jordan also has an access, though narrow, to the Red Sea, via the port city of Aqaba. Officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the country has a king who exercises his executive authority through the Prime Ministers and the Council of Ministers, or Cabinet. In case you want to get more information of Jordan, make use of the lines provided below.
Fun & Interesting Facts about Jordan
- The official name of Jordan is the ‘Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’.
- The official language of Jordan is Arabic, but English is also understood amongst the upper and middle classes.
- Majority of the population in Jordan comprises of Sunni Muslims, followed by Greek Orthodox, Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Protestants and Shia Muslims.
- Arabs, Circassians and Armenians comprise of the main ethnic groups of Jordan.
- The currency of Jordan is Jordanian Dinar.
- The capital of Jordan is Amman.
- Jordan follows the system of ‘Constitutional Monarchy’, with a representative government.
- Jordan is a member of the Arab League, established in 1945.
- The Ain Ghazal site, situated near Amman, is said to have been first inhabited over 9,000 years ago.
- Ammon, Edom and Moab were the ancient kingdoms in the Jordan region.
- It is believed that Moses is buried on Mount Nebo of Jordan.
- Petra, the capital of the Nabataean Arabs, is a city that was carved into rock two thousand years ago and remained unknown to Europeans until the 19th century.
- It is said that John the Baptist was imprisoned at Mukawir, a palace situated to the south of Madaba.
- Holidays in Jordan are either religious (Islamic or Christian) or celebrations of important events in Jordanian or Arab history.
- The national dish of Jordan is Mansaf, a large tray of rice with chunks of stewed lamb and jameed, a yogurt sauce.
- In Jordan, it is usually polite to decline the offer of a meal three times, before accepting
- Jordanians believe that excessive praise of children brings bad luck, so it should be avoided.
- Jordan used to be a part of the Fertile Crescent in the ancient times.
- The Kings' Highway, running from Amman to Aqaba, has many historic sites along the route.
- Jordan was administrated by Great Britain, under the League of Nations' Mandates System, till 1946.
- In 1946, Jordan was established as an independent country, with Emir Abdullah being its king.
- King Hussein (1935-1999) ruled Jordan for forty-seven years.
- King Abdallah II is the son of King Hussein and his second wife, Princess Muna. He is married to Queen Rania.
- The Dead Sea, in the northwest of Jordan, forms the lowest point on earth.
