Jordan

Welcome to Jordan

Jordan is a lovely country situated in the Middle East, on the eastern bank of the Jordan River. It shares borders with Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Palestinian territories and has a maritime border with the Red Sea. This country is remarkable for its breathtaking natural landscapes, a rich tapestry of cultural traditions, and a history that stretches back millennia. However, when it comes to Jordan’s history, it is evident that this land has seen many different phases and adversities to become one of the most beautiful countries. First, this land was once a part of the Nabatean Kingdom, which was famous for their advancement in both engineering and trade networks. Second, Jordan was occupied by both the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Rule, and the city of Jerash (ancient Gerasa) is an example of a Roman city in Jordan that has been well maintained. Later, in the 7th century, this region became a part of the Rashidun, Ummayyad, and Abbasid caliphates after the rise of Islam. Nonetheless, it was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, and it was governed by the Ottomans as part of Syria’s Vilayet. But after that, during World War I, the Great Arab Revolt against Ottoman control began in Jordan, and finally, in 1946, Jordan gained full independence as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Since then, Jordan has managed to maintain its stability and relative tranquility and has contributed to regional peace and political efforts.

Amman is the capital city of Jordan and home to over 2.2 million people. This city was first chosen as the capital in 1921 and remained as the capital after Jordan declared full independence in 1946. Amman is also well-known as the “City of Seven Hills” and it is due to the fact that it was first constructed on seven hills and then later it was enlarged to cover more than 19 hills. Uniquely, this city caters to all tastes and interests. For instance, if you are more of a history person, then you should visit Amman Citadel, as ruins from several eras can be found at this archeological site, including the Byzantine church, the Umayyad Palace, and the Roman Temple of Hercules. However, if you’d love to visit the modern parts more, you cannot miss out on Rainbow Street, which is famous for its restaurants, cafes, and shops and provides an ideal atmosphere. After that, you should visit King Hussein Park, where you can enjoy the gardens, sports facilities, and playgrounds, and it is perfect for having a relaxing moment. While staying here, you might enjoy some of the Jordanian dishes, such as Mansaf (lamb meat cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt and served with rice or bulgur), Maqluba (layers of rice, meat, and vegetables), and Knafeh (a delicious pastry composed of semolina dough or thin noodle-like pastry, soaked in sweet syrup and layered with cheese or cream).

Fun Facts About Jordan

• There are over 100,000 archaeological sites in Jordan.
• Amman is one of the oldest cities on the planet.
• Unlike other Arab countries, Jordan does not have its own oil.
• In Jordan, it’s considered polite to refuse a meal three times before accepting it.