Weather: Jordan has three temperature zones:
• The Jordan Valley Zone, inculdes Wadi Araba and Aqaba, which are below sea level. In winter; the temperature range from 9 °C during the night to 20 °C during the day, expect rain in winter. In spring and fall, the temperature range between 15-32 °C degrees. In summer, the range between 23-42 °C.
• The mountain zone: expands north south the country. In winter expect 0 -15 °C, while in spring and fall expect 7-19 °C and in summer temperature range between 15-37 °C. Expect rain and little snow in winter, a little rain in spring and fall, the summer is dry.
• The desert zone: expands all along east of Jordan. In winter, the temperatures range between -3 to 20 °C. In spring ranges between 5-28 °C and in summer 12-42 °C . Expect some rain and little snow in winter, a little rain in spring and fall, the summer is very dry.
Language: The spoken language is Arabic, but English is a second language and widely spoken, French is also spoken by certain people. Specialized people speak other languages such as Italian, German and Russian.
Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from April to September).
Geography: Jordan shares borders with the West Bank, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The Dead Sea is to the northwest and the Red Sea to the southwest. A high plateau extends 324km (201 miles) from Syria to Ras en Naqab in the south with the capital of Amman at a height of 800m (2625ft). Northwest of the capital are undulating hills, some forested, others cultivated. The Dead Sea depression, 400m (1300ft) below sea level in the west, is the lowest point on earth. The Jordan River connects the Dead Sea with Lake Tiberias. To the west of Jordan is the Palestinian National Authority Region. The east of the country is mainly desert. Jordan has a tiny stretch of Red Sea coast, centered on Aqaba.
Government: Constitutional Monarchy since 1952. Head of State: King Abdullah Ibn al-Hussein since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Ali Abu al-Ragheb since 2000.
Religion: Over 90% Sunni Muslim, with Christian and Shi'ite Muslim minorities.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Lamp sockets are screw-type, and there is a wide range of wall socket.
Telephone: IDD service is available within cities, with direct dialing to most countries. Country code: 962 (followed by 6 for Amman). Outgoing international code: 00. Mobile telephone: GSM 900 and 1800 networks in use. Network providers include JMTS.
Fax: Most hotels have facilities and the main post office in Amman also provides a fax service.
Telegram: The overseas telegram service is reasonably good. Telegrams may be sent from the Central Telegraph Office; 1st Circle Post Office, Jebel Amman Post Office, Jordan Intercontinental or from major hotels and post offices.
Internet/E-mail: There are cyber cafés in Amman, Aqaba, Jerash and all over Jordan. The main ISP web site: http://www.joinnet.com.jo.
Post office: Packages should be left open for customs officials. Airmail to Western Europe takes three to five days. For a higher charge, there is a rapid service guaranteeing delivery within 24 hours to approximately 22 countries. Post office hours are: 0800-1800 Saturday to Thursday, closed Friday except for the downtown post office on Prince Mohammed Street in Amman which is open on Fridays.
Press: The English-language newspapers are The Jordan Times (daily) and The Star (weekly).
Currency: Jordan Dinar JD.is 1000 fils or 100 Ghursh, $ 1= 708 Fils firm.