Jordan Map

Jordan is a nation in Western Asia with the official name the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It is found in the Levant region, on the East Bank of the Jordan River, at the intersection of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Its 26 km of Red Sea coastline is located on the Gulf of Aqaba, which divides Jordan from Egypt. There are some of the oldest settlements and natural wonders in the world.

The capital and largest city of Jordan is Amman, which also serves as the country's hub for politics, business, and culture. With a small economy, a low per capita income, and a high unemployment rate, Jordan is a developing nation. Petra, the capital of the Nabateans, is known as the "red rose" city of Jordan.

History

It is located in a region that is full of historic religious sites and artifacts. Beginning in the Early Paleolithic, hunters lived in the Jordanian desert. At Mount Al-bay in the country's southeast, there are rock carvings that date to various prehistoric eras, with the Paleolithic-Mesolithic period being the earliest. The well-constructed village with painted plaster walls found at Tulaylt al-Ghassl in the Jordan Valley may represent transitional developments from the Neolithic to the Chalcolithic era. Around 3000 BCE, the region saw the rise of the Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites, who established kingdoms that are frequently mentioned in biblical texts. Jordan's significance in biblical history is profound. For instance, the Bible mentions the land of Moab as an adjacent kingdom to ancient Israel. According to the Bible, the Israelites, led by Moses, camped on the plains of Moab before entering the Promised Land. It is generally considered that Moses had his last glimpse of the Promised Land near the location of Mount Nebo, which is in present-day area. The Nabataeans, an Arab people, rose to prominence in the 4th century BCE. Their kingdom, with its capital at Petra, was a crucial trading hub connecting the Arabian Peninsula with the Mediterranean world. Petra, renowned for its rock-cut architecture and sophisticated water conduit system, became a UNESCO World Heritage site and remains a symbol of its ancient heritage. In 106 CE, the Roman Empire annexed the Nabataean Kingdom, incorporating it into the province of Arabia Petraea. The city of Gerasa (modern-day Jerash) became one of the empire's most important cities in the region, renowned for its well-preserved Roman ruins. As the Roman Empire transitioned into the Byzantine Empire, Jordan remained a significant part of the eastern Mediterranean. In the 7th century CE, the Umayyad Caliphate, followed by the Abbasid Caliphate, ruled the area, introducing Islamic culture and governance. During the Crusades (11th-13th centuries), the Crusaders established several fortified outposts in Jordan, including the castle of Karak. The Mamluks ruled the region from the thirteenth until the start of the sixteenth century, and they were succeeded by the Ottoman Empire in 1516. During World War I, Jordan was part of the Ottoman Empire, and the region saw significant conflict. The Arab Revolt (1916-1918), led by Sharif Hussein of Mecca and supported by T.E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia"), aimed to end Ottoman rule and establish an independent Arab state. The Hashemite ruler Abdullah I founded the Emirate of Transjordan in 1921, and the British government took over as its protector. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is the official name given to Jordan after it gained independence in 1946.

Culture

The rural Bedouin population still lives a more traditional lifestyle and upholds traditions that have been passed down through the generations. Agriculture, hospitality, and extended families are the three main pillars of village life. On the other hand, Jordanians who live in cities take pleasure in all facets of contemporary popular culture, from plays and concerts to operas and ballet performances. Many institutions here work to represent its artistic movements in media like paintings, sculptures, graffiti, and photography and to raise cultural awareness of Jordanian art.

The country is known for its religious tolerance, hosting significant Christian and Muslim sites. Its Christian legacy is exemplified by the city of Madaba, which is well-known for its mosaic map of the Holy Land from the sixth century. Their cuisine is a flavorful mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. Mansaf, a lamb and rice meal cooked in a sauce made from fermented dried yogurt, and maqluba, a rice and vegetable casserole, are examples of traditional foods. Hummus, falafel, and tabbouleh are also popular and reflect the region's culinary traditions. Meals are often shared with family and friends, reflecting the importance of hospitality and community. The oud is a stringed instrument, the darbuka is a drum, and the mizmar is a wind instrument used in traditional music. Folkloric dances, such as the dabka, a line dance performed at weddings and celebrations, are characterized by energetic movements and rhythmic beats. Every year, the Jerash Festival features theater productions, dance, and music to honor the nation's Roman past. The Amman International Theater Festival highlights contemporary theater and arts from around the world. Islamic festivals, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, are notable for their community prayers, feasting, and acts of charity.

Language

In Jordan, Arabic is the official tongue. Arabic is the daily language of all citizens of the nation, even those who are members of minority groups. The language is an integral part of Jordanian identity and plays a central role in everyday life. Jordanian Arabic, a variety of Levantine Arabic, is the colloquial form spoken by Jordanians in informal settings. Jordanian Arabic is a dialect of Levantine Arabic, which is spoken across Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. Within Jordan, there are regional variations in dialects. The language spoken in Amman, the capital, is considered the standard form of Jordanian Arabic and is used in media and education. In contrast, rural areas may have distinct dialectal features. Despite these regional differences, the dialect remains mutually intelligible with other Levantine Arabic dialects. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is also utilized in official settings in addition to Jordanian Arabic. The Arabic language is used in written communication, official paperwork, and the media in its standardized version, or MSA. It comes from classical Arabic, which is the language used in the Quran and other works of literature. While MSA is essential for formal education and professional settings, it is not typically used in everyday conversation.

Aside from that, it's crucial to acknowledge that English is also widely spoken, particularly among educated individuals. Additionally, English is broadcast on a large number of radio and television programs. German and French are two additional foreign languages spoken there.

Geography

Jordan is geographically located in Southwest Asia, east of Israel, south of Syria, west of Iraq, and northwest of Saudi Arabia. The Middle East or Near East are other names for the region. Currently, the country’s territory spans 91,880 square kilometers. One of the most prominent geographical features of Jordan is the Jordan Rift Valley, which forms part of the larger Great Rift Valley system that stretches from East Africa to the Middle East. This valley runs from the north to the south of the country and includes the Jordan River. This River forms the western border of the region with Israel and Palestine and is a crucial water source for the region. It is also biblically significant because it is the site where Jesus is said to have been baptized. One of the main features of the Jordan Rift Valley is its low elevation. The area around the Dead Sea, which is part of this rift, is the lowest point on Earth's surface at approximately 430 meters below sea level. The Dead Sea is a salt lake with high salinity levels, which prevents most aquatic life from surviving. Its mineral-rich waters and mud are known for their therapeutic properties. East of the Jordan Rift Valley, the terrain rises sharply to form the Jordanian Highlands. This region includes the fertile highlands and mountain ranges, such as the Ajloun and the southern part of the Karak Mountains. These highlands are essential for agriculture and are characterized by more moderate temperatures and higher rainfall compared to the lowland areas. The northern part of the highlands is marked by the Ajloun Forest Reserve, which supports diverse flora and fauna. Arid desert landscapes prevail in Jordan's eastern region. The vast expanse of the Arabian Desert covers much of this area. This desert region is characterized by its harsh climate, with extreme temperatures and minimal rainfall. Important desert regions are the Eastern Desert, which reaches into Saudi Arabia, and Wadi Rum, commonly referred to as the Valley of the Moon. Wadi Rum is famous for its stunning sandstone mountains, deep canyons, and expansive desert vistas. It has been inhabited by various civilizations over millennia and was famously used as a filming location for movies such as "Lawrence of Arabia." The desert's unique geological formations and rock engravings make it a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its climate varies significantly across its different regions. The western parts of the country, including the highlands and the Jordan Rift Valley, experience a Mediterranean climate with wet, mild winters and hot, dry summers. In contrast, the eastern desert regions have an arid climate with extreme temperature variations between day and night and very little annual rainfall.

FAQs

Q1: What is the official language of Jordan?

Arabic is the official language of Jordan.

Q2: What is the capital of Jordan?

Amman is the capital of Jordan.

Q3: What is the currency of Jordan?

Jordanian dinar is the currency of Jordan.

Q4: What is the climate in Jordan?

The weather in Jordan varies from a more Mediterranean climate to a desert climate, but the land is typically very dry. In the desert regions, wintertime temperatures range from 19 to 22 °C, while they are between 9 and 13 °C in the southern and northern highlands.