Jordan is a relatively small country situated at the junction of the Levantine and Arabian areas of the middle East. The country is bordered on the north by Syria, to the east by Iraq, and by Saudi Arabia on the east and south. To the west is Israel and the occupied West Bank, while Jordan's only outlet to the sea, the Gulf of Aqaba, is to the south. Jordan occupies an area of approximately 96,188 square kilometers including the Dead Sea, making it similar in size to Austria or Portugal. However, Jordan's diverse terrain and landscape belie is actual size, demonstrating a variety usually found only in large countries. Western Jordan has essentially a Mediterranean climate with a hot, dry summer, a cool, wet winter and two short transitional seasons.
Tourist attractions in Jordan include the Roman amphitheater in Amman; Jerash the Greco-Roman city, with ruins of a Triumphal Arch and Hippodrome; the gigantic amphitheater at Petra, the ruins at Umm Qais; the hilltop castle of Qalaat-al-Rabadh at Pella, and Aqaba, famous for its excellent beaches. Other tourist attractions in Jordan include the Dead Sea, Azraq Wetland Wildlife Reserve, the spectacular desert scenery at Wadi Rum, Jebel-al-Qala'a (fortress) and Crusader Castle.
Many Airlines operates direct flights to Amman from Europe, Middle East, Canada and USA. High-speed hydrofoil and ferry services operate from Aqaba to Cairo and Nuweiba (Egypt). There is a weekly passenger service to Suez and Jeddah. Tourist can also cross the border from Syria. |