What is the terrain and geography like in Jordan?
The country's terrain varies. On the eastern desert plateau, average elevation is 3,000 feet; in the west, mountains rise to 5,700 feet; and at the Dead Sea, terrain drops to the Earth's lowest land point of some 1,300 feet below sea level. Although historically an earthquake-prone region, no severe shocks have been recorded for several centuries.
Geographic Location | Middle East |
Total Area |
34,495 Square Miles 89,342 Square Kilometers |
Land Area |
34,286 Square Miles 88,802 Square Kilometers |
Water Area |
208 Square Miles 540 Square Kilometers |
Land Boundaries |
1,016 Miles 1,635 Kilometers |
Irrigated Land |
304 Square Miles 789 Square Kilometers |
Border Countries | Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km |
Coastline |
16 Miles 26 Kilometers |
Geographic Coordinates | 31 00 N, 36 00 E |
Terrain | mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River |
Highest Point | 1,734 Meters |
Highest Point Location | Jabal Ram 1,734 m |
Lowest Point | -408 Meters |
Lowest Point Location | Dead Sea -408 m |
Natural Resources | phosphates, potash, shale oil |
Time Zone | UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) |
Daylight saving time | +1hr, begins last Friday in March; ends last Friday in October |