Jordan, an Arab nation on the east bank of the Jordan River, is defined by ancient monuments, nature reserves, and seaside resorts. It’s home to the famed archaeological site of Petra, the Nabatean capital dating to around 300 B.C. Set in a narrow valley with tombs, temples, and monuments carved into the surrounding pink sandstone cliffs, Petra earns its nickname, the “Rose City.”
Capital: Amman
Dialing code: +962
Currency: Jordanian dinar
Population: 10.2 million (2020) World Bank
King: Abdullah II
Jordan sits strategically at the crossroads of the continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe, in the Levant area of the Fertile Crescent, a cradle of civilization. It is 89,341 square km large, and 400 km long between its northernmost and southernmost points; Umm Qais and Aqaba respectively. The kingdom lies between 29° and 34° N, and 34° and 40° E. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and the east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north, and Israel and Palestine (West Bank) to the west
The east is an arid plateau irrigated by oases and seasonal water streams. Major cities are overwhelmingly located in the north-western part of the kingdom due to their fertile soils and relatively abundant rainfall. These include Irbid, Jerash, and Zarqa in the northwest, the capital Amman and Al-Salt in the central west, and Madaba, Al-Karak, and Aqaba in the southwest. Major towns in the eastern part of the country are the oasis towns of Azraq and Ruwaished.
Main article: Climate of Jordan
The climate in Jordan varies greatly. Generally, the further inland from the Mediterranean, there are greater contrasts in temperature and less rainfall. The country’s average elevation is 812 m (2,664 ft) The highlands above the Jordan Valley, mountains of the Dead Sea and Wadi Araba, and as far south as Ras Al-Naqab are dominated by a Mediterranean climate, while the eastern and northeastern areas of the country are arid desert. Although the desert parts of the kingdom reach high temperatures, the heat is usually moderated by low humidity and a daytime breeze, while the nights are cool.
Summers, from May to September, are hot and dry, with temperatures averaging around 32 °C and sometimes exceeding 40 °C (104 °F) between July and August. The winter, lasting from November to March, is relatively cool, with temperatures averaging around 13 °C. Winter also sees frequent showers and occasional snowfall in some western elevated areas.
