ATTIRE

Jordan is a primarily Muslim country, although the freedom of all religions is protected. Muslim women’s clothing often covers their arms, legs and hair. Western women are not subject to these customs, but very revealing clothing is never appropriate and conservative dress is advisable for both men and women in the old part of Amman (downtown), and outside the cities. Shorts are rarely worn by either sex, and would be out of place in the downtown Amman area. Topless sunbathing is prohibited and one-piece swimsuits are preferred, although two-piece swimsuits are acceptable at hotel pools.

LANGUAGE

Speaking Arabic is easier than you might think; attempting a few basic words will gain you respect from the locals and is a good way to break the ice. The Jordanian people are extremely understanding and will help you whenever they are able.

Here are a few useful words and phrases to get you started:

ENGLISH ARABIC

Yes Na'am No Laa Please Min fadlak (to a man) Min fadlik (to a woman) Thank you Shukran You're welcome Afwan Hello Marhaba Goodbye Ma'asalameh What is your name? Shoo ismak? (to a man) Shoo ismek? (to a woman) Please Lao samaht Excuse me 'An iznek What time is it? Edesh el sa'aa? How much? Addeysh? I don't speak Arabic Ana laa ahkee Arabee One Waahid Two Tinain Three Talaateh Four Arba'a Five Khamseh Six Sitteh Seven Sab'a Eight Tamenyeh Nine Tis'a Ten 'Ashra Left Shmaal Right Yameen Straight Dughree

Arabic numbers are easy to read - in fact, the western numerical system was originally derived from the Arabic system. Unlike the words, Arabic numerals are read from left to right (the same as western numerals).







 

ELECTRICAL CURRENT



220 AC volts, 50 cycles, requiring rounded two-prong wall plugs. Visitors from the US will need a transformer, which most hotels can provide.









SHOPPING





 

Wherever you go in Jordan you will find plenty of opportunities to shop. For visitors there is a wide range of locally made handicrafts and other goods available at all the popular sites, as well as within the boutiques of the leading hotels and at the various visitors' centers. There you will find hand-woven rugs and cushions, beautifully embroidered items and clothing, traditional pottery, glassware, silver jewelry embedded with semi-precious stones, Bedouin knives, coffee pots, narghiles (hubble bubble), marquetry work, antiques and other artifacts. The list is endless and about as varied as you can imagine.



Take time to visit the souks in Jordan’s larger towns and cities. These are treasure troves for those seeking something a little bit out of the ordinary. Within the souks are also excellent gold and silver outlets, where some great bargains can be found. Also worth visiting are the busy market shops, especially for exotic spices, herbs and seasonings.



Both Amman and Aqaba offer sophisticated shops and boutiques selling the very latest fashions in jewelry, clothing, accessories, leather and electronic goods.



When in Amman, don’t forget to visit Al-Wakalat Street to find all European and North American brand stores lining the streets and offering their latest collections, as well as in the many malls available throughout the city. Also, Rainbow Street is a great tourist area, where many handicraft stores, coffee shops, and lounges overlook the paved lanes.



Almost everywhere in Jordan you can find the world-famous Dead Sea spa products. All are of excellent quality and produced under strict clinical conditions. They are also very reasonably priced.



In all cases, the shopkeepers are helpful and friendly. Most speak at least a little English but even if they don’t, there is usually someone around who will only be very willing to assist you. After all, this is Jordan!











LOCAL TIME



October – March: Greenwich Mean Time plus 2 hours (G.M.T. + 2).

April – September: Greenwich Mean Time plus 3 hours (G.M.T. + 3).

Jordan is seven hours ahead of US Eastern Time.

 

WATER



Water is a precious resource in Jordan and visitors are encouraged not to waste it. Hotels rated 3 stars and up have their own water filtering systems and their water is considered safe to drink. Elsewhere, bottled water is inexpensive and readily available.











COMMUNICATIONS



Telephone services within Jordan are efficient and reliable. Directories in Arabic and English are widely available and international calls can be made from public and private phones. Fax services are available at most hotels while telegrams can be sent from post offices. Internet access is widespread via Internet cafes and hotels.

National Telephone Codes:

CURRENCY







The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar, symbol JD, also pronounced as “jaydee.” There are 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 JD notes. The dinar is divided into 100 piasters (pronounced “pee-asters”) of 1000 fils (“fills”). The fils is the unit most commonly used and you will usually see prices written as 4,750 (which is 4 JD and 750 fils).

Currency can be exchanged at major banks, exchange booths and at most hotels. Street money-changers are best avoided. Exchange rates are set daily by the Jordanian Central Bank.

 

Currency Converter











POSTAL SERVICES







As well as post offices, most 4- and 5-star hotels offer postal services.

 

Post office opening hours are:

 

Summer: Sat-Thurs 07.00-19.00 / Fri 07.00-13.00.

 

Winter: Sat-Thurs 07.00-17.00 / Fri 07.00-13.00.

 

There are also a number of international courier services, including DHL, FedEx, TNT International, UPS, etc.

 

POPULATION



The population of Jordan has grown rapidly over the last fifty years or so to 8,117,564 million people.





Last updated 2/9/2015.











PUBLIC HOLIDAYS



Banks, businesses, government offices and many shops close all day for public holidays.



Fixed public holidays include:

A number of public holidays are not fixed. These include Easter and the following Islamic Holidays, which are based on the Lunar calendar:

• Eid al-Fitr - A 3 or 4-day feast marking the end of Ramadan.

• Eid al-Adha - A 4 day feast at the end of the Hajj, or month of pilgrimage to Mecca.

• First of Muharam - Islamic New Year.

• 12 Rabee' Al Awal - The Birthday of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
  
   

WEIGHTS & MEASURES



Jordan uses the metric system.