Capital: Amman.
Time
During most of the year coincides with the local. From April to October, the country switches to summer time – during this period, due to a mismatch in the dates of the transition, a short delay can be 1 hour.
Geography
State in the Middle East. It borders on Syria to the north, Iraq to the east, Israel to the west, and Saudi Arabia to the south and southeast. A small section of the southern border of the country is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Aqaba of the Red Sea.
Most of the country is occupied by rocky and sandy deserts, framed by low mountains and plateaus up to 1500 m high. Only a small part of the territory in the north-west of the country (the Ghor or El Gor depression), as well as a narrow strip along the Dead Sea, are suitable for agriculture. In the central and southern regions, deserts and mountainous semi-deserts predominate, in which small oases are occasionally found. The highest point of the country – the city of Jebel Ram (1754 m) is located in the south of the country, the lowest – on the coast of the Dead Sea (about 400 m below sea level). The total area of the country is about 89.2 thousand km2.
Population
About 5 million people, mostly Arabs (Jordanians and Palestinians). In addition, there are Armenians, Syrians and people from the Caucasus (“Circassians” or “Sherkasi”).
Political structure
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniya al-Hashimiyah) is a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is King Abdullah II. The legislature is a bicameral parliament. The King appoints the Prime Minister, who in turn (in consultation with the monarch and with the approval of the lower house of Parliament) appoints the government ministers. All laws come into force only after approval by the king.
Money in Jordan
Jordanian dinar (JOD), equal to 100 piastres and 1000 fils. In circulation are banknotes of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 dinars and coins of 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 25 and 100 dinars. Fils are almost out of use, but 5, 10, 25, 100, 250 and 500 fils coins still have limited circulation.
Banks and currency exchange
Banks are open from 08:30 to 12:30 and from 15:30 to 17:30 from Saturday to Thursday (the ticket office usually closes at 12:30). During Ramadan, most banks are open only from 08:30 to 10:00, although some large banks are open in the afternoon.
Payment for goods and services usually takes place in dinars, foreign currency is almost never accepted for payment. Money can be exchanged at the airport, hotels, banks and specialized exchange offices. Credit cards and traveler’s checks are accepted only in major tourist centers, hotels, ticket offices and large stores (American Express and Visa are the most common – they are accepted almost everywhere, Dinners Club is less widespread, cashing MasterCard cards is also often difficult, so they are better do not use). In the interior of the country, it is almost impossible to pay with credit cards. British Bank of the Middle East accepts Eurocheques. The commission for cashing travelers checks is usually 5 dinars, regardless of the amount.
Communications and communications in Jordan
Cellular
There are two cellular operators in Jordan – FastLink (a somewhat larger coverage area) and MobilCom. Mobile phone numbers usually start with “079”. Local calls cost about 0.1 dinars per minute, a minute of conversation with Moscow – about 0.7 dinars, incoming calls are free, so it is recommended to purchase a SIM card from a local operator. When calling a mobile phone, the caller is charged the same as for a long distance call, and in some hotels, a call to a mobile phone may even be billed at an international rate. In addition, most hotels charge a minimum of 3 minutes. conversation, regardless of its actual duration.
Telephone communications
The communication system is quite modern. Calls within the country and abroad can be made from a hotel or from a cell phone (phone-boxes of ALO and JPP companies, which worked with magnetic cards costing from 1 to 20 dinars, have not been working since the spring of 2003). When calling within the country from one zone to another, “0” is placed before the city code (when calling from abroad, “0” is not necessary before the city code).
To call the country, dial 8 – 10 – 962 (Jordan’s international dialing code) – the subscriber’s number. Codes of some cities: Jerash, Irbid, Ajlun – 02; Aqaba, Petra, El-Karak – 03, Es-Salt, Madaba – 05; Amman, Naur, Sahab – 06, Et-Tafilah – 7, Ez-Zarqa – 09.
Emergency services
Single phone – 196.
Helpful Hints:
Jordan is the most stable and secure country in the Middle East. There is almost no crime, police patrols are often found on the streets of cities, but due to the great influence of tribal traditions, the Jordanians themselves maintain order in their village, so there are usually no difficulties in this matter. There are also no interfaith conflicts.
There are no restrictions on movement around the country, with the exception of several areas on the coast of the Dead Sea. If you have a visa, no additional permits are required to move around the country.
Muslim holidays are celebrated according to the lunar calendar, which is 10–12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. The official days off are Friday and Saturday, some institutions are closed on Sunday (museums – and on Tuesday). Religious holidays such as Eid al-Adha (Sacrifice Feast, 3 days), Eid al-Fitr (Feast of Conversation – 3 days), Mawlid al-Nabawi (Prophet’s Birthday), Ras al-Sana (Muslim New Year), etc. etc. are also non-working. In addition, attention should be paid to the fact that on holidays a large number of the local population flocks to Aqaba and the Dead Sea, which is why hotels often do not have enough free places, and the roads are clogged with vehicles. In addition, during the holidays, a large number of schoolchildren also visit the main attractions, which only adds to the complexity of the movement.
Jordan is a Muslim country, so many traditions and customs have a religious connotation, although less prominent than in most other Islamic countries. Jordanians are naturally very friendly and hospitable, but somewhat slow and forgetful. Even if a guest unknowingly shows frank faux pas, they will always explain everything with pleasure and without unnecessary emotions.
During the Muslim fast in the month of Ramadan, the renunciation of all worldly things continues from dawn to dusk. Foreigners are also advised to exercise restraint during fasting, especially in public places.
Greetings and farewells are usually accompanied by a handshake and traditional questions about business (questions about personal life, and especially about your spouse, are considered indecent). Clothing should be modest (especially for women) and not provocative (light and comfortable casual clothes and sturdy shoes are recommended for excursions). Short skirts and open arms can cause a lot of negative emotions, even shorts on a man in a public place are considered indecent. Some mosques are not allowed for non-Muslims. Women should remember that sitting in the front seat of a car is considered the height of indecency. A woman is not recommended to touch a “strange” man in any case, even for a greeting (handshakes and kisses between friends of the same sex are common). There are special halls “for women” in restaurants and cafes.
Before photographing someone, be sure to ask permission from the subject. To avoid problems, do not remove military installations and transport infrastructure.
Local gesture etiquette is quite complicated, so you should not actively gesture “in public” – many of our gestures may seem offensive to a local resident. Most gestures are performed with the right hand, as the left is considered “impure”. Food is also offered and accepted only with the right hand (at least three fingers). The owner of the house takes food first, he must also finish the meal. If something fell on the table, it is not shameful to pick up the fallen and eat it.
The portion size of most dishes is simply huge, so it is more profitable to take one dish for a company of 2-3 people, adding other snacks if necessary, since most of them are automatically added to a particular dish. Meat dishes with a side dish are often served on a huge tray, from which everyone can independently set aside the required amount of food for themselves, although it is not considered shameful for everyone to eat from the tray. It is considered proper to take food from the nearest tray or dish. The guest will definitely be offered coffee – it is not recommended to refuse it, even under the guise of health problems, as it is more a sign of respect and tradition, and not just a drink. And the size of local coffee cups is small. Drink tea or coffee should be slow and it is better to take at least three sips. Blowing on hot food and drinks is indecent.
Almost all foods are considered safe for health, but you should still not drink unbottled or unboiled water, unpasteurized milk, uncooked meat or fish, vegetables and fruits from the tray or not pre-treated. The heat and the usual dehydration of the body for these places can be dangerous for patients with cardiovascular and kidney diseases, although these adverse factors are mitigated by the special microclimate of the country. Evenings are quite cool even in summer. While swimming in the Dead Sea, it is necessary to protect your eyes, as the high salt content in the water can irritate the mucous membranes. It is best to wear goggles. Thick flip-flops are also recommended – the shores are quite rocky.
Photographic services and film are quite expensive, so it is better to bring the necessary stock of film with you.
Mains voltage 220 V., 50 Hz. Sockets are standard, with two pins.
Tipping is given to hotel staff (0.5–1 dinars), a guide (1–2 dinars per person), a driver (up to 1.5 dinars per person), drivers and voluntary guides (2 dinars), etc. Tipping is usually make up a large (often the main) part of the earnings of Jordanians, so not giving a tip means depriving a person of the main source of income.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS – JORDAN
Important information for citizens of the Republic of Belarus planning to stay in the country
Visa
Citizens of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation can travel to Jordan without a pre-arranged visa.
Details https://intercity.by/tours/country/jordan/visa/
Arrival airport
During the flight, passengers must wear personal protective equipment – masks and gloves. All screening procedures will be fully applied at the entrance for all passengers (arrival/departure).
Certificate with a negative test result for coronavirus, a second PCR test upon arrival and other requirements:
- Passengers entering Jordan must submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test no later than 72 hours prior to arrival in Jordan. Only children under the age of 5 are exempted from providing a certificate.
Help Requirements:
- the period of 72 hours is counted from the time and date of sampling of the biomaterial in the laboratory (should be indicated in the certificate), and not from the date of receipt of the certificate;
- a certificate with the results of the analysis must be issued by an official laboratory and have the seal of the laboratory;
- the certificate must contain information about the type of test carried out; it must be indicated that the person was tested type RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method, the so-called RT-PCR);
- certificate with test results must be issued in Arabic or English;
- a certificate in the original or an electronic form with a QR code (it is necessary to make sure that the code is read in advance) with a negative PCR test must be available at check-in for the flight.
- Upon arrival, passengers must re-take the COVID-19 PCR test, which must be paid before departure at the link https://www.gateway2jordan.gov.jo/form/The cost of the test is 20 JOD (about $ 30). Passengers must have an electronic receipt with a QR code confirming payment in paper or electronic form.
Children under the age of 5 are exempted from taking the test on arrival.
- The passenger must have travel medical insurance. In order to avoid any problems, before checking in for a flight, passengers must have a printed medical insurance on hand. In case of hospitalization, treatment for COVID-19 is covered by the medical policy.
On vacation
The country has restrictions on the capacity of hotels, restrictions on movement at night and a mask regime in public places (masks are allowed to be removed only during meals).
Tourists can participate in group or individual excursions organized by the tour operator, accompanied by a tourist guide, while maintaining social distance and wearing masks throughout the entire excursion program.
