Shopping
Overview
Every town has a souk (market) and there is a wide range of good arts and crafts shops and jewelery shops. There is an excellent gold and jewelery market in Amman. Popular souvenirs include Hebron glass, mother-of-pearl boxes, hookahs, pottery, backgammon sets, embroidered tablecloths, jeweled rosaries, olive wood nativity scenes, leather prayer cushions, brass and copper items, and hand-embroidered kaftans. Shop opening hours: Sat-Thurs 09.00-13.00 and 15.00-20.30.
- Searchforpublicschools: Offers schooling information of Jordan in each level – compulsory, technical and higher education programs.
Nightlife
Introduction
There are cinemas in some of the larger cities, and Amman also has nightclubs and theaters. Many 4 and 5 star hotels have their own nightclubs and discotheques.
Culinary
Overview
There are many good restaurants in Jordan. Government control of 4 and 5 star restaurants has now been abolished. Most restaurants offer Arabic and European dishes. Specialties include meze (small appetizers such as hummus, ful, kibbeh and tabbouleh), a variety of kebabs; Mahshi waraq inab (stuffed vine leaves with rice, minced meat and spices), musakhan (roast chicken baked in olive oil and onion sauce on Arabic bread) and mensaf (minced lamb in yoghurt sauce on rice), a dish usually eaten by hand. As a rule, there are numerous, mostly vegetarian, dishes in small portions as a starter, and mostly watermelon for dessert. Beverages: Drinking Arabic coffee (mocha) is a national ritual. Local beers and wines are available, as well as imported spirits. During the fasting month of Ramadan, drinking and smoking is prohibited during the day.
Culture
Religion
92% Sunni Muslim, Christian (6%) and Shia minorities.
Social Rules of Conduct
Manners: When greeting someone shakes hands. For Jordanians, Arabic culture and hospitality are of great importance. Visitors are warmly welcomed, Jordanians are happy to be hosts and advisors and willingly provide information about culture and traditions. Islam plays an important role in social life. Arabic coffee is often and plentifully offered at social events. If you don’t tilt the cup slightly to the side when returning it, it will be refilled automatically. Small gifts are gladly accepted. Clothing: Women should dress modestly. Swimwear belongs on the private beach or at the pool. Jordanian women go swimming fully clothed. Photographing: One should ask permission before photographing someone. In some places, photography is generally not permitted. Military installations may not be photographed. Tip: An extra tip is at the discretion of the guest, but waiters and other service providers are happy to receive a tip of around 10%. In a taxi, it is customary to round up to the nearest 100 fil. Smoking: In Jordan, smoking is prohibited in all restaurants, hospitals, schools, cinemas, theatres, museums, public transport, airports and indoor shopping malls. Water pipes (shishas) are also not allowed to be smoked in these places.
Climate
Best travel time
The eastern and southern parts of the country have a desert climate.
The Jordan Valley, which lies below sea level, is warm in winter and very hot in summer and, like the Red Sea coast, has a subtropical climate.
Mediterranean climate on the edge of the Jordan Rift
Most precipitation falls between November and March, no precipitation from May to September, cooler in December/January. The best time to travel is in March, April, May, October and November.
Country data
Phone prefix
+962
Area (sq km)
89342
Population
10,203,134 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
91
Population statistics year
2018
Main emergency number
911
