"Ma Ismok?" Jordan by seagoingJLW

Jordan Travel Guide: 4,610 reviews and 9,729 photos

Jordan

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is landlocked with the exception of Aqaba, which is the only area that is open to the sea. In ancient times the port of Aqaba was the primary harbor for shipments from the Red Sea to the Far East. It was the headquarters for King Solomon's large merchant fleet.

History

In 331 BC the armies of Alexander the Great conquored the Middle East and introduced Hellenic culture. When Alexandre died in 323, Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt were given to General Ptolemy.

From 400 BC to 150 AD the Nabataean civilization flourished in the south. Petra is part of that civilization.

Between 63 and 324 AD Jordan was part of the Roman Empire. This was followed by the Byzantine Period which lasted from 324 to 632 AD. The beginning of the Arab-Islamic era was in 630 AD. The Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties of Baghdad and Damascus ruled.

In 1099 the Crusaders arrived and stayed until they were defeated in 1187 by Salah al Din.

There followed a 300 year rule by the Marmelukes after which Jordan became part of the Ottoman Empire. This came to an end with the Arab Revolt of 1915-1918.
T.E.Lawrence along with Arab forces battled the Ottomans for control of Aqaba in 1917. Lawrence was key to the success of winning back Aqaba for the Arabs, and became known to all as Lawrence of Arabia.

In 1921 Emir Abdullah, the second son of Sheriff Hussein, established the Emirate of Trans Jordan under British mandate. In May, 1946, Emir Abdullah was proclaimed King of the Independent Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Its union with the West Bank was declared in 1950.

In 1953 King Hussein ibn Talal ascended the throne of Jordan. He will always be remembered as the "King of Peace" for establishing and maintaining peace in the Middle East. He appointed his oldest son, Prince Abdullah as his successor. Abdullah became King on February 7, 1999.

Miscellaneous Information

Jordan is located in the Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia. It has a total area of 89,556 sq km. It is bordered by Iraq, Israel, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. It touches the Red Sea at Aqaba.

The terrain is mostly desert plateau in the east and highland area in the west. The Great Rift Valleyseparates the east and west banks of the Jordan River.

The climate is mostly arid desert. There is, however, a rainy season in the west from November to April.

The population of Jordan is 4,322,255 (as of 1997) with the great majority (over 92%) being Sunni Muslims. Shi'ite Muslims form a small minority as do Crhistians (mostly Greek Orthodox.) The population is almost entirely Arab. The only sizable racial minorities are Circassians and Armenians.

Jordan is 2 hours ahead of GMT in winter and 3 hours ahead in the summer.

Electricity is 220 V 50 Hz.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Petra is very interesting
Cons:Aqaba was not very interesting
In a nutshell:Visit Petra

Last visit to Jordan: Apr 2000
Intro Updated Apr 8, 2004
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Reviews (4)

Jordanian Cuisine Restaurants (1)

Two Jordanian delicacies are: Mansaf(pictured) - lamb, seasoned with aromatic herbs and cooked in jameed (dried... more travel advice

Here is a map of Jordan for... Transportation (1)

Here is a map of Jordan for orientation purposes. more travel advice

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visit Petra. Do not be afraid... - Jordan

visit Petra. Do not be afraid... Favorites (2)

visit Petra. Do not be afraid of the long walk. There are donkeys and horses and carriages available. I won't try to... more travel advice

Comments (18)

Morepork Jan 2, 2002 at 12:50 PM Report Abuse

Brilliant Page
VincenZzo Dec 19, 2001 at 1:26 PM Report Abuse

Really nice, thanks!
Boozoo Nov 30, 2001 at 5:50 PM Report Abuse

some day :-)
acemj Nov 3, 2001 at 1:07 PM Report Abuse

I want more on Petra!
margaretvn Oct 18, 2001 at 4:13 AM Report Abuse

yet another great page
l_joo Oct 11, 2001 at 10:23 AM Report Abuse

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Tanechka Oct 9, 2001 at 11:49 AM Report Abuse

Very informative! Great trip!
AliJoe Sep 21, 2001 at 4:55 PM Report Abuse

Beautiful pics...Petra`s civilization interesting Joan !!
DPando Aug 28, 2001 at 8:18 AM Report Abuse

great pics
Jeannette1 Aug 22, 2001 at 1:37 PM Report Abuse

good tips..i want to talk to you more about Jordan