Jordan General Information Guide
Area
89,342 sq km (34,495 sq miles; not including West Bank).
Population
5,039,000 (2000). The West Bank is now administered by the Palestinian
National Authority; see Israel section for details of area and
population.
Population Density
56.4 per sq km.
Capital
Amman. Population: 1,864,500 (1999).
Geography
Jordan shares borders with Israel, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The Dead
Sea is to the northwest and the Red Sea to the southwest. A high plateau
extends 324km (201 miles) from Syria to Ras en Naqab in the south with the
capital of Amman at a height of 800m (2625ft). Northwest of the capital, are
undulating hills, some forested, others cultivated. The Dead Sea depression,
400m (1300ft) below sea level in the west, is the lowest point on earth. The
River Jordan connects the Dead Sea with Lake Tiberias (Israel). To the west
of Jordan is the Palestinian National Authority Region. The east of the
country is mainly desert. Jordan has a tiny stretch of Red Sea coast,
centred on Aqaba.
Government
Constitutional Monarchy since 1952. Head of State: King Abdullah Ibn
al-Hussein al-Hashimi since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister
Ali Abu al-Ragheb since 2000.
Language
Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken in the cities.
French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken.
Religion
Over 90 per cent Sunni Muslim, with Christian and Shii Muslim minorities.
Time
GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from April to September).
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Lamp sockets are screw-type, and there is a wide range
of wall sockets.
Communications
Telephone
IDD service is available within cities, with direct dialling to most
countries. Country code: 962 (followed by 6 for Amman). Outgoing
international code: 00. There are telephone and facsimile connections to
Israel from Jordan.
Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network in use. Network providers include Jordan MTS
(website: www.fastlink.com.jo)
and MobileCom (website:
www.mobilecom.jo).
Fax
The use of fax is increasing. Most good hotels have facilities and the main
post office in Amman also provides a fax service.
Telegram
The overseas telegram service is reasonably good. Telegrams may be sent from
the Central Telegraph Office; Post Office, First Circle, Jebel Amman; Post
Office, Jordan Intercontinental, Jebel Amman; or from major hotels and post
offices.
Internet
There are Internet cafes in Amman, Aqabam Jerash and Jordan. The main ISP is
Destinations (website: www.jonet.com).
Post
Packages should be left opened for customs officials. Airmail to Western
Europe takes 3 to 5 days. For a higher charge, there is a rapid service
guaranteeing delivery within 24 hours to around 22 countries. Post office
opening hours: Sat-Thurs 0800-1800, closed Friday (except for the downtown
post office on Prince Mohammed Street in Amman which is open on Fridays).
Press
The English-language newspapers are The Jordan Times (daily), Arab
Daily and The Star (weekly).
Radio
BBC World Service (website:
www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website:
www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to
time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.
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