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Jordan
Al Urdun
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Customs and Culture
Customs and Culture
About the People
Time is not as important in Jordan as it is in Western countries. People are more important than a regimented schedule. Jordanians place great worth on the family. Jordanians are proud of their rich cultural heritage and the country’s accomplishments. Certain political topics are sensitive and should be avoided by foreign visitors.
Cultural Attributes
Time is not as important in Jordan as it is in Western countries. People are more important than a regimented schedule. Jordanians place great worth on the family. Jordanians are proud of their rich cultural heritage and the country’s accomplishments. Certain political topics are sensitive and should be avoided by foreign visitors.
Rose-red stone, timeless trade routes, desert wisdom
Greetings, Gestures & Visiting
Greetings are important in Jordan culture. Jordanians greet each other and strangers kindly. A handshake is the most common greeting, accompanied by verbal greetings and inquiries about each person’s health. Friends of the same sex often exchange a kiss on either cheek. A common term for saying hello is "Mar-haba" . A term used to welcome someone is "Ahlan wa sahalan". "Ahlein mar-haba" might also be used as a welcome greeting. When entering or leaving a room, it is customary to shake hands with each person (except, at large gatherings). First names are not used between strangers when greeting.
To get someone attention one would say "ya azizi" (oh my dear) or "ya akhey" (oh my brother) or "ya sadiki" (oh my friend.
It is improper to pass or accept objects with the left hand only; the right hand or both hands should be used. It is impolite to point the sole of one’s foot shoe at someone, thus crossing one’s legs is generally avoided. It is improper to be affectionate in public. Hand gestures are used a great deal in conversation and for everyday communication.
Guests are greeted by both husband and wife. Invited visitors may bring gifts of flowers or sweets, but never alcohol. Coffee or tea is almost always offered to guests, no matter how short the visit. A person who has had enough to drink shakes the empty cup back and forth. Coffee is also served shortly before guests are expected to leave; a person does not leave before this coffee is served. Guests not originally invited for a meal may be expected to remain. It is polite to initially decline the offer before accepting. However, it is impolite to not accept the offer, although some will refuse the invitation up to three times before accepting it. In any situation where gifts are given, the recipients should not immediately accept them. Excessive praise for children is considered bad luck for the family.
When guests leave many Jordanians hug, kiss and asking them to return soon by saying "la tensouna" which means (do not forget us).
Most men wear Western-style clothing, often accompanied with the traditional white or red-checkered headdress. Women also wear Western clothing, but many have chosen to wear traditional Islamic floor-length dresses, head scarves, and veils. Either way, clothing is always conservative and never revealing. Shorts are not worn by adults or teenagers, except during athletic events. It is important to be well dressed and modest at all times. Jewelry is an important part of a woman’s wardrobe.
Diet
Islamic law prohibits the consumption of pork and alcohol, and most Muslims are careful to obey these restrictions. Most meals include meat and bread, among with vegetables and fruits that are in season. There are many types of bread. Most common is flat, round bread. A variation of this bread is known in the West as pita. The national dish of Jordan is mansaf, a large tray of rice covered with chunks of stewed lamb (including the head) and jamed (yogurt sauce). It is eaten by hand from the serving tray. Other popular dishes include mahshi (stuffed vegetables), musakhan (chicken with onions, olive oil, pine seeds, and seasonings), and meshwi or shish kebab. Lamb and chicken are the most common meats. Tomatoes, onions, eggplant, cabbage, and other vegetables are also common.
It is traditional to eat food with the right hand (not the left). Utensils are usually available at functions involving international guests. When invited to a home for a meal, it is polite to leave a little food on the plate. This tells the host that the guest has eaten well and that the host has been generous. When Jordanians have guests, the host provides a large assortment of food. Coffee is important at all meals. Bedouin coffee (Qahwah saadah) is bitter and drunk slowly from small cups. Arabic or Turkish coffee is sweeter; it is not stirred so as to keep the thick grains at the bottom of the cup.
A Jordanian family would eat three meals a day "fotoor" (breakfast) "ghada" (dinner) and "asha" (lunch). Most people eat "fotoor" before going to school or work about 7 AM, "ghada" afer returning from school or work about 3 PM. and "asha" at about 8 PM.
Islamic law prohibits the consumption of alcohol and pork, and most Muslims are careful to obey these restrictions. Most meals include meat and bread, among with vegetables and fruits that are in season. There are many types of bread. Most common is flat, round bread. A variation of this bread is known in the West as pita. Tomatoes, onions, eggplant, cabbage, and other vegetables are also common.
Family
Extended family shares a close relationship. Large families are traditionally desired, but family sizes are declining due to economic pressures. To be able to help another member of the family is considered a duty and a great honor. After marriage, parents will often help or support their children. The mother is expected to take care of the children and household. Only about 10 percent of the work force is comprised of women. The father is head of the family and expects to provide for it financially.
Dating Customs
Jordanian society is fairly conservative in dating and marriage practices. In general, families still have a significant role in arranging marriages. Young people often meet at work or college and persuade their parents to help them in their courtship and subsequent marriage. One-to-one dating is generally reserved for after the engagement party or until the marriage contract has been signed. A bridal token is given to the bride’s family by the groom. Women typically marry in their early twenties, with men marrying after they have means to support a family (usually by their early thirties). Marriage is the norm and all Jordanians expect to marry and have children. The divorce rate is low.
Recreation
Children like to play football(soccer) in the parks or even in roads and in between houses. Horse and camel racing are also popular. The Royal family also supports car racing.
Holidays
Independence Day
10/25Independence Day
Christmas
12/25Christmas
Jordan is a predominantly Islamic country. It is one of the few Arab countries who have opened their doors to accepting and celebrating the Christian holiday of Christmas. This is because it is one of the primary sites of the Christian history since the River Jordan was the place where Jesus Christ was baptized.
The Jordan government has made is possible for Christians to celebrate the holiday. Muslims have come to accept and respect the Christmas season in their country. Muslims have the belief that Muhammad has opened his doors and led the protection of other religions by allowing them to celebrate their own religious events.
The Christmas holiday in Jordan has gained a minority group of celebrators in the country of Jordan. A traditional greeting of the Jordanians is ‘IdahSaidanWaSanahJaidah,’ pronounced ‘eee-duh sigh-danwa-sa-naja-ee-dah, which means Happy Christmas to you.
The Christian minority in the country has tried to develop the belief of Father Christmas who is known in Jordan as Santa Claus. Traditionally in Jordan, the children must become aware of their behavior. Good behavior will lead to good gifts like toys and chocolates that will be given to them under their Christmas tree on Christmas Eve.
Christmas season starts when the weather begins to get cold. The season is also indicated to have begun when the local shops start to decorate their windows with glittering lights and stars that depict the coming birth of Christ. Glittering lights of red and green appear in the store windows which fill the Jordan air with a festive atmosphere. Christmas trees are also placed in the stores and shops and decorated with icicles, bells, and Christmas balls. Porcelain Jordanian decors and figurines with Christmas designs are also placed in the trees. However, the tendency of the local shops is not to over-exaggerate the occasion so the Islam religion will still be respected. The Christmas season ends with the celebration of the New Year.
Christmas Day and Christmas Eve celebrations of the minority Christians are celebrated in a more solemn and private ritual and mass. Christmas is practically a children’s event Midnight Mass is held in Christian churches in the country and a traditional Christmas dinner is served for the family. Roast turkey, vegetable salads like Jalapeno Poppers Salad, Jordan Seafood Salad Treat with Macaroni and Ratatoullie Salad are favorites and the traditional dish of Mansaf is the favorite family dish during Christmas dinners. Mansaf is a lamb seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices that is cooked in yogurt and served with rice.
Dates of Interest
- July - August
Ramadan, the greatest religious observance in Islam, is an annual month of fasting. The exact dates of Islamic holidays cannot be determined in advance, due to the nature of the Islamic lunar calender. Estimates are based on expected visibility of the hilal (waxing crescent moon following a new moon) and may vary according to location.
How do people greet each other in Jordan?
Greetings are important, warm, and often extended; a handshake with verbal greetings and inquiries about health is most common, and same-sex friends often exchange a kiss on each cheek.
Do
- Shake hands with each person when entering or leaving a room (except at large gatherings)
- Use greetings like 'Mar-haba' (hello) or 'Ahlan wa sahalan' (welcome)
- Ask about the other person's health as part of greeting
Don’t
- Don't use first names with strangers when greeting
Good to know
- To get someone's attention, say 'ya azizi' (my dear), 'ya akhey' (my brother), or 'ya sadiki' (my friend)
What are the dining customs in Jordan?
Meals are generous affairs centered on meat and bread; the national dish, mansaf (rice with stewed lamb and yogurt sauce), is eaten by hand from a shared tray. Coffee is important at all meals.
Do
- Eat with your right hand
- Leave a little food on your plate to show you've eaten well
- Drink Bedouin coffee slowly from small cups
Don’t
- Don't eat with your left hand
- Don't consume pork or alcohol, which Islamic law prohibits
- Don't stir Arabic or Turkish coffee (to keep the grains at the bottom)
Good to know
- Utensils are usually provided at functions with international guests
- Meals are 'fotoor' (breakfast ~7 AM), 'ghada' (~3 PM), and 'asha' (~8 PM)
What etiquette should I know when visiting a Jordanian home?
Hospitality is central: guests are greeted by both husband and wife, offered coffee or tea no matter how short the visit, and often pressed to stay for meals.
Do
- Bring gifts of flowers or sweets if invited
- Initially decline an offer before accepting it
- Shake your empty cup back and forth when you've had enough to drink
- Wait until the departing coffee is served before leaving
Don’t
- Never bring alcohol as a gift
- Don't immediately accept a gift when it is given
- Don't excessively praise children, as it's considered bad luck
- Don't discuss sensitive political topics
Good to know
- Some hosts may repeat an invitation up to three times before you accept
- Time is flexible; people matter more than a strict schedule
How should I dress in Jordan?
Clothing is always conservative and never revealing; both Western and traditional Islamic styles are worn, but modesty is expected at all times.
Do
- Dress well and modestly at all times
Don’t
- Don't wear shorts (adults and teens only wear them for athletic events)
- Don't wear revealing clothing
Are there gestures I should avoid in Jordan?
Gestures are used heavily in conversation, but the left hand and displays of affection are considered improper.
Do
- Use your right hand or both hands to pass or accept objects
Don’t
- Don't use the left hand alone to pass or accept objects
- Don't point the sole of your foot or shoe at someone (avoid crossing legs)
- Don't be affectionate in public
What is family life like in Jordan?
The extended family is close-knit and highly valued; the father heads the family and provides financially, while the mother cares for the children and household.
Good to know
- Helping another family member is considered a duty and an honor
- Marriage is the norm and families often help arrange it
- Parents often support their children after marriage
What do people do for recreation in Jordan?
Football (soccer) is popular among children, played in parks and streets, and horse and camel racing are also enjoyed.
Good to know
- The Royal family supports car racing
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports
Photos of Jordan
Photos of Jordan
Travel and Tourism
Travel and Tourism
- Travel Alert Status
- Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Currency
- Jordanian dinar (JOD)
- Time Difference
- UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Climate
- Jordan's countryside offers a diversity of climate and scenery. Within easy driving distance of the capital city of Amman, one can visit Irbid's temperate highlands, Ajlun's majestic hills, the fertile Jordan Valley, the southern sandstone mountains, and the arid desert of the eastern plateau. Inadequate rainfall is a chronic problem. Rainfall usually occurs only from November to April; the rest of the year has bright sunshine daily and low humidity. In the spring, a desert wind brings higher temperatures; daytime summer temperatures can be hot, but nights are usually pleasant, cool, and dry. Autumn is long and pleasant; winter can sometimes bring light snow to the mountains and to Amman; and spring carpets the country's grazing lands with beautiful wildflowers.
- Airports
- 17
Read the full travel guide — health, safety, vaccinations, disease risk, sanitation, and transit details.
View full travel guideRecipes
Recipes
History
History
Historical Eras
Ancient & Classical
3000 BCE – 636
The territory of present-day Jordan was home to early Semitic peoples, the Nabataean Kingdom with its capital at Petra, and successive imperial overlords including Alexander the Great, Rome, and Byzantium. Rome incorporated Nabataea as the province of Arabia Petraea in 106 CE under Trajan. The region hosted crucial early Christian and Jewish communities, and the Dead Sea Scrolls were produced at Qumran during this era.
Islamic Caliphates
636 – 1250
Arab Muslim forces under Khalid ibn al-Walid conquered the region in 636 CE, integrating it into the expanding Islamic caliphates — Umayyad, then Abbasid. The Crusaders briefly controlled parts of Transjordan in the 12th century until Saladin's decisive victory at the Battle of Hattin in 1187 reversed their gains. The area served as a transit corridor between Arabia, Syria, and Egypt throughout this period.
Mamluk & Ottoman Rule
1250 – 1921
Mamluk slave-soldiers governed the region from Cairo from 1250 until the Ottoman Turks conquered Jordan in 1517, incorporating it into the sprawling empire for four centuries. Ottoman rule was largely decentralized, with Transjordan remaining sparsely populated and administered loosely through Damascus. The Arab Revolt of 1916, led in part by Hashimite prince Abdullah ibn Hussein, helped dismantle Ottoman authority during World War I.
British Mandate & Amirate
1921 – 1946
Following the 1921 Cairo Conference, Britain established the Amirate of Transjordan under Hashimite prince Abdullah ibn Hussein, formally recognizing him as ruler in 1923. The territory was administered under British patronage as a mandate, distinct from Palestine to the west. Abdullah built foundational institutions, including the Arab Legion, which would become the backbone of the future Jordanian state.
Hashimite Kingdom
1946 – 1999
Full independence was granted in 1946, and Abdullah proclaimed the Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan in 1949 after annexing the West Bank following the first Arab-Israeli War. His grandson King Hussein, who reigned from 1953 to 1999, navigated Cold War pressures, the loss of the West Bank in the 1967 Six-Day War, and the 1970–71 Black September conflict with Palestinian fighters. Hussein signed a landmark peace treaty with Israel in 1994 and initiated parliamentary liberalization in 1989.
Modern Jordan
1999 – present
King Abdullah II assumed the throne in February 1999 following Hussein's death and pursued aggressive economic reforms, including accession to the World Trade Organization in 2000 and engagement with the European Free Trade Association. Jordan has managed significant regional instability — including the Iraq War, the Syrian refugee crisis, and the rise of ISIS — while maintaining its role as a moderate stabilizing force in the Middle East. Ongoing challenges include water scarcity, unemployment, and balancing democratic reform with monarchical governance.
Overview
Timeline of Key Events
300 BCE – 68 BCE
The Dead Sea Scrolls of Qumran, Jordan, date to this period.
The Dead Sea Scrolls of Qumran, Jordan, date to this period.
63 BCE
Rome conquers the region
Rome, led by Pompey, conquers the region. In 106 A.D., it becomes part of the Roman province of Arabia.
106
Nabatae, whose capital was Petra, became a Roman province under Trajan.
Nabatae, whose capital was Petra, became a Roman province under Trajan.
333
Alexander the Great destroyed Jordan on his way to Egypt
Alexander the Great destroyed Jordan on his way to Egypt.
363
A devastating earthquake leveled half the city of Petra, the principal city of Nabatea.
A devastating earthquake leveled half the city of Petra, the principal city of Nabatea.
636
Khalid ibnal-Walid brings the region under Muslim rule.
Khalid ibnal-Walid brings the region under Muslim rule.
1037
Seljuk Turks begin to rule Jordan
Seljuk Turks begin to rule Jordan.
Read the full history profile — narrative overview, defining eras, and the complete timeline in one place.
View expanded historyInteresting Facts
Interesting Facts
Petra (lit. Rock) was the capital city of the Nabataeans, a tribe of pre-Roman Arabs who dominated the region around the Sixth century BC. Located at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, the city survived on toll and taxes collected from traders. Despite several attempts to conquer their capital, the Nabataeans remained practically independent until the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra and the reunification of the Roman Empire by Octavian in 31 BC. In 106, the Romans under Trajan finally captured Petra to mark the beginning of the decline of the city. The city remained unknown to the Western World for hundreds of years until a Swiss explorer, J.L. Burckhardt, heard about its existence from the local Bedouins in 1812. The Nabataeans carved their Capital in the canyons and hills of sandstone of Wadi Araba in Jordan. The entrance to the city is through The Alley (Al-Siq), a winding trail at the bottom of the canyon. Most famous is The Treasury (Al Khazneh), which fascinating façade was featured in many movies. Carved in the pink sandstone, the structure is 40 m high and about 30x30 m wide. Its architecture has been certainly strongly influenced by the Romans, which suggests it was built around the First century AD. The city includes other fascinating monuments and structures, such as Urn Tomb and the Royal Tombs, the Colonnade Street, the Temples of Dushara and Al-Uzza, and the High Place of Sacrifice.
Jordan has the world's lowest suicide rate at 0.04 per 1,000 people.
In 1978 King Hussein married an American of Syrian heritage, Lisa Halaby. She took the name Noor al-Hussein (Light of Hussein) when she converted to Islam.
The concept of privacy is alien to Jordanians; the closest word in Arabic translates into the English word &@8220;loneliness.” An old proverb says, “Where there are no people, there is hell.”
Jordanian women are encouraged to further their education and pursue careers. Most working women are employed in government offices, banks, schools, or hospitals.
Many men like to relax after work in coffee shops where they can smoke an argeeleh, or “hubble-bubble” pipe. It gets its nickname from the bubbling sound it makes when the smoke is inhaled through a water trap and up a hose.
See every fact — trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits gathered from across the country.
View all interesting factsGeography and Environment
Geography and Environment
- Terrain
- mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River
- Climate
- Jordan's countryside offers a diversity of climate and scenery. Within easy driving distance of the capital city of Amman, one can visit Irbid's temperate highlands, Ajlun's majestic hills, the fertile Jordan Valley, the southern sandstone mountains, and the arid desert of the eastern plateau. Inadequate rainfall is a chronic problem. Rainfall usually occurs only from November to April; the rest of the year has bright sunshine daily and low humidity. In the spring, a desert wind brings higher temperatures; daytime summer temperatures can be hot, but nights are usually pleasant, cool, and dry. Autumn is long and pleasant; winter can sometimes bring light snow to the mountains and to Amman; and spring carpets the country's grazing lands with beautiful wildflowers.
- Natural Hazards
- droughts; periodic earthquakes
- Current Environmental Issues
- limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Read the full geography and environment profile — terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, land use, and international agreements.
View full geographyPeople & Demographics
People & Demographics
Religion
Languages Spoken
Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes
- Arabic
Population
- Population
- 6,407,085
- Population in Major Urban Areas
- AMMAN (capital) 1.179 million
- Nationality Noun
- Jordanian(s)
- Ethnic Groups
- Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1%
Education
- Literacy Definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
Read the full people and society profile — demographics, health, education, religion, languages, and notable people.
View full people and societyGovernment & Politics
Government & Politics
Country Identity
- Country Name
- Jordan
- Full Country Name
- Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
- Local - Long
- Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah
- Local - Short
- Al Urdun
- Former Name
- Transjordan
Government Structure
- Government Type
- constitutional monarchy
- Legal System
- based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
- Executive Branch
- chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Crown Prince HUSSEIN (born 28 June 1994), eldest son of King ABDALLAH II, was designated Crown Prince in July 2009 and is first in line to inherit the throne head of government: Prime Minister Jafar HASSAN (since October 2024); the Prime Minister oversees the day-to-day functions of government and chairs the Cabinet cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
- Legislative Branch
- bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the Senate, also called the House of Notables (Majlis al-Ayan) (55 seats; members appointed by the monarch from designated categories of public figures; members serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives, also called the House of Deputies (Majlis al-Nuwaab) (110 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms); note - six seats are reserved for women and are allocated by a special electoral panel if no women are elected elections: House of Representatives - last held 17 June 2003 (next to be held in 2007) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - independents and other 89.6%, IAF 10.4%; seats by party - independents and other 92, IAF 18; note - one of the six quota seats was given to a female IAF candidate note: the House of Representatives has been convened and dissolved by the monarch several times since 1974; in November 1989, the first parliamentary elections in 22 years were held; political parties were not legalized until 1992; King ABDALLAH delayed the 2001 elections until 2003
- Judicial Branch
- Court of Cassation; Supreme Court (court of final appeal)
- Suffrage
- 18 years of age; universal
- Constitution
- 8-Jan-52
- Independence
- 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
- National Holiday
- Independence Day, 25 May (1946)
Capital City
- Capital Name
- Amman
- Capital - geographic coordinate
- 31 57 N, 35 56 E
- Capital Time Difference
- UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
in the 13th century B.C., the Ammonites named their main city "Rabbath Ammon"; "rabbath" designated "capital," so the name meant "The Capital of [the] Ammon[ites]"; over time, the "Rabbath" came to be dropped and the city became known simply as "Ammon" and then "Amman"
Military
Branches: Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF): Royal Jordanian Land Force (RJLF), Royal Jordanian Navy, Royal Jordanian Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya al-Urduniya, RJAF), Special Operations Command (Socom); Public Security Directorate (normally falls under Ministry of Interior, but comes under JAF in wartime or crisis)
Embassy / Diplomatic Mission
U.S. Embassy in Amman
Al-Umawyeen Street, Abdoun neighborhood, PO Box 354, Amman 11118
Telephone: [962] (6) 590-6950
Emergency after-hours telephone: [962] (6) 590-6500
Facsimile: [962] (6) 592-0163
E-mail: Amman-ACS@state.gov
The U.S. Embassy is open Sunday through Thursday, and is closed on all U.S. and Jordanian holidays as well as the last Thursday of every month.
Read the full government profile — flag symbolism, national anthem, and other national symbols.
View full government detailsEconomy
Economy
Jordan is a small Arab country with limited supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources, making it heavily dependent on external assistance and remittances. Persistent challenges include high public debt, elevated unemployment—particularly among youth and women—and widespread poverty, all of which have been exacerbated by regional instability and the influx of refugees, especially from Syria. Since assuming the throne in 1999, King Abdullah II has pursued a series of economic reforms aimed at modernizing the economy, attracting investment, and improving living standards.
Jordan has worked closely with the International Monetary Fund through successive programs, most recently a four-year Extended Fund Facility, focused on fiscal consolidation, structural reform, and growth-enhancing measures. The country has liberalized its trade regime, securing membership in the World Trade Organization in 2000, a free trade agreement with the United States in 2001, and an association agreement with the European Union that entered into force in 2002. These measures helped position Jordan as a regional hub for trade and investment, though growth has remained modest, averaging around 2 percent annually in recent years.
The economy has faced significant headwinds, including the 2003 Iraq war, the global financial crisis, the Arab Spring, the Syrian conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic, and more recent regional tensions that have disrupted tourism and trade routes through the Red Sea. Hosting more than 1.3 million Syrians has strained public services and the labor market. Public debt has risen to roughly 90 percent of GDP, and unemployment has hovered around 21–22 percent.
Ongoing priorities include reducing the fiscal deficit, broadening the tax base, advancing privatization and public-sector reform, expanding renewable energy capacity, encouraging private investment to create jobs, and revitalizing tourism, which remains a vital source of foreign exchange. The government's Economic Modernization Vision, launched in 2022, sets out a decade-long roadmap to accelerate growth, create jobs, and enhance quality of life.
Snapshot
- Currency Name and Code
- Jordanian Dollar (JOD)
- GDP — official exchange rate
- $11,510,000,000 (USD)
- GDP Real Growth Rate
- 6.1%
- Gini Index
- 36.4
Banknotes
Budget & Public Finance
- Fiscal Year
- calendar year
- Annual Budget
- $4,688,000,000 (USD)
- Public Debt (% of GDP)
- 77.7%
- External Debt
- $8,273,000,000 (USD)
- Investment (% of GDP)
- 20.9%
- Economic Aid
- $553,000,000 (USD)
- Current Account Balance
- -$1,080,000,000 (USD)
- Reserves of Foreign Exchange
- $2,147,483,647 (USD)
Labor, Industry & Trade
- Labor Force by Occupation
- services 82.5%; industry 12.5%; agriculture 5%
- Household Income — highest 10%
- 29.8%
- Industries
- phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, potash, light manufacturing, tourism
- Agriculture Products
- wheat, barley, citrus, tomatoes, melons, olives; sheep, goats, poultry
- Export Commodities
- clothing, phosphates, fertilizers, potash, vegetables, manufactures, pharmaceuticals
- Export Partners
- Iraq 20.6%, US 14.9%, India 8.3%, Saudi Arabia 5.5%, UAE 4%
- Import Commodities
- crude oil, textile fabrics, machinery, transport equipment, manufactured goods
- Import Partners
- Iraq 13.3%, Germany 8.7%, US 7.9%, China 6%, France 4.2%, UK 4.1%, Italy 4%
Energy
- Oil Production
- 40 bbl/day
- Oil Consumption
- 103,000 bbl/day
- Oil Reserves
- 445,000 bbl/day
- Natural Gas Production
- 390,000,000 cu m
- Natural Gas Consumption
- 390,000,000 cu m
- Natural Gas Imports
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Exports
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Reserves
- 6,230,000,000 cu m
Communications
- Telephone System
- general assessment: service has improved recently with increased use of digital switching equipment; microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; growing mobile-cellular usage in both urban and rural areas is reducing use of fixed-line services domestic: 1995 telecommunications law opened all non-fixed-line services to private competition; in 2005, monopoly over fixed-line services terminated and the entire telecommunications sector was opened to competition; currently multiple mobile-cellular providers with subscribership reaching 115 per 100 persons in 2011 international: country code - 962; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) FEA and FLAG Falcon submarine cable networks; satellite earth stations - 33 (3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals); fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link with Egypt and Syria; participant in Medarabtel
- Internet Country Code
- .jo
News & Weather
News & Weather
Current Weather
Latest News
US military identifies 2 soldiers killed during Iranian strikes in Jordan - CNN
CNN · 21h ago
Countdown to camp: Jordan Love has a new QB2 - Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers · 17h ago
Why Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata ‘absolutely loves’ the new offensive scheme - Inquirer.com
Inquirer.com · 2d ago
Knicks’ Jordan Clarkson Escorted From NYC Club After Travis Scott Incident: Report - Yahoo Sports
Yahoo Sports · 1d ago
Knicks champion Jordan Clarkson caught in Travis Scott nightclub chaos after stepping in - Fox News
Fox News · 8h ago
Ex-San Antonian Jordan Clarkson reportedly caught up in Travis Scott club clash - San Antonio Express-News
San Antonio Express-News · 13h ago
Celtics Make Decision on Jordan Walsh's Future - NESN
NESN · 17h ago
Iran war updates: US launches strikes after killing of soldiers in Jordan - Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera · 2d ago
News via Google News
Climate Overview
Jordan's countryside offers a diversity of climate and scenery. Within easy driving distance of the capital city of Amman, one can visit Irbid's temperate highlands, Ajlun's majestic hills, the fertile Jordan Valley, the southern sandstone mountains, and the arid desert of the eastern plateau.
Inadequate rainfall is a chronic problem. Rainfall usually occurs only from November to April; the rest of the year has bright sunshine daily and low humidity. In the spring, a desert wind brings higher temperatures; daytime summer temperatures can be hot, but nights are usually pleasant, cool, and dry. Autumn is long and pleasant; winter can sometimes bring light snow to the mountains and to Amman; and spring carpets the country's grazing lands with beautiful wildflowers.
Videos
Videos
2 curated YouTube videos.
Source: YouTube
Source: YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Jordan?
How do people greet each other in Jordan?
What are the dining customs in Jordan?
What etiquette should I know when visiting a Jordanian home?
How should I dress in Jordan?
Are there gestures I should avoid in Jordan?
What is family life like in Jordan?
What do people do for recreation in Jordan?
What is the capital of Jordan?
Where is Jordan located?
What countries border Jordan?
What is the main religion practiced in Jordan?
What currency does Jordan use?
What language is spoken in Jordan?
What is Jordan known for?
Who rules Jordan and how is the country governed?
Last reviewed 2026