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Population: 6,342,948 Dialing Code: +962 Languages: Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes Religions: Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shia Muslim and Druze populations) Internet TLD: .jo Located: Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia, Border with Israel Area: 92,300 sq km Residents with HIV: 600 Literacy: 89.9% Comparative Size: slightly smaller than Indiana Nationality Noun: Jordanian(s) Nationality Adjective: Jordanian currencyJOD |
Nestled in the Middle East, Jordan is the land of the Sunni Muslims. Unlike its neighboring Gulf countries, the country is devoid of oil and has few natural resources but its resplendent sites more than make up for what it lacks. Petra of the Nabatean City-a UNESCO World Heritage Site-stands most resplendent among them, once serving as a rose-colored city carved and hewn from stone. Amman, on the other hand, is one of the most culturally diverse and the most progressive societies in the region.
Other interesting sites include the Al-Deir Monastery that stands atop a mountain, greeting tourists with its huge façade. The imposing Roman amphitheater in central Amman, capital of Jordan, was built under Emperor Antoninus Pius. Flanking the amphitheater is an odeon or a small theater which has been restored and is occasionally used for concerts and theatrical productions.
One can freely navigate the path that leads to the Rakabat Canyon and discover its mesmerizing rock-formation or float in the glinting water of the Dead Sea, deep in the Jordan Valley. The calming nature of the landscape exudes a surreal experience that seems to dispel one's worries. One can also commune with nature and mingle with the migratory birds as one uncovers the Azraq Wetland Reserve. For years, its marshes provide a permanent breeding place to all sorts for wildlife.
Jordan's many charms include its timeless appeal. On the granite cliffs and the arid region of Wadi Rum, Bedouin women herd flock of sheep and goats. The Roman ruins in Jerash, mistakenly referred to as the Pompeii of the Middle East (it was never buried by a volcano), are some of the largest in the region. On the outskirts of North Jordan is the hill town of Ajlun where a massive ruin of the 12th century castle, known today as the Ajlun Castle, is found.
Jordan is a constitutional monarchy led by King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein. The late king Hussein was known as the father of modern Jordan. Its history stretches back through antiquity, and the remnants of that distant past can still be seen some its remarkable locations. Nowadays, Jordan is a moderate nation and a hub of trade and communication within its Middle East neighbors.
Whether a king or a commoner, one can have a taste of falafel (the local version of sandwich of pita bread and tahini) or the national dish mansaf (a crepe-like bread with sun-dried yogurt and chunks of lamb).