Question 1

What is the population of Jordan?

Accepted Answer

The population of Jordan is approximately 10.8M.

Question 2

How do people greet each other in Jordan?

Accepted Answer

Greetings are important, warm, and often extended; a handshake with verbal greetings and inquiries about health is most common, and same-sex friends often exchange a kiss on each cheek. Do: Shake hands with each person when entering or leaving a room (except at large gatherings) Use greetings like 'Mar-haba' (hello) or 'Ahlan wa sahalan' (welcome) Ask about the other person's health as part of greeting Don't: Don't use first names with strangers when greeting To get someone's attention, say 'ya azizi' (my dear), 'ya akhey' (my brother), or 'ya sadiki' (my friend)

Question 3

What are the dining customs in Jordan?

Accepted Answer

Meals are generous affairs centered on meat and bread; the national dish, mansaf (rice with stewed lamb and yogurt sauce), is eaten by hand from a shared tray. Coffee is important at all meals. Do: Eat with your right hand Leave a little food on your plate to show you've eaten well Drink Bedouin coffee slowly from small cups Don't: Don't eat with your left hand Don't consume pork or alcohol, which Islamic law prohibits Don't stir Arabic or Turkish coffee (to keep the grains at the bottom) Utensils are usually provided at functions with international guests Meals are 'fotoor' (breakfast ~7 AM), 'ghada' (~3 PM), and 'asha' (~8 PM)

Question 4

What etiquette should I know when visiting a Jordanian home?

Accepted Answer

Hospitality is central: guests are greeted by both husband and wife, offered coffee or tea no matter how short the visit, and often pressed to stay for meals. Do: Bring gifts of flowers or sweets if invited Initially decline an offer before accepting it Shake your empty cup back and forth when you've had enough to drink Wait until the departing coffee is served before leaving Don't: Never bring alcohol as a gift Don't immediately accept a gift when it is given Don't excessively praise children, as it's considered bad luck Don't discuss sensitive political topics Some hosts may repeat an invitation up to three times before you accept Time is flexible; people matter more than a strict schedule

Question 5

How should I dress in Jordan?

Accepted Answer

Clothing is always conservative and never revealing; both Western and traditional Islamic styles are worn, but modesty is expected at all times. Do: Dress well and modestly at all times Don't: Don't wear shorts (adults and teens only wear them for athletic events) Don't wear revealing clothing

Question 6

Are there gestures I should avoid in Jordan?

Accepted Answer

Gestures are used heavily in conversation, but the left hand and displays of affection are considered improper. Do: Use your right hand or both hands to pass or accept objects Don't: Don't use the left hand alone to pass or accept objects Don't point the sole of your foot or shoe at someone (avoid crossing legs) Don't be affectionate in public

Question 7

What is family life like in Jordan?

Accepted Answer

The extended family is close-knit and highly valued; the father heads the family and provides financially, while the mother cares for the children and household. Helping another family member is considered a duty and an honor Marriage is the norm and families often help arrange it Parents often support their children after marriage

Question 8

What do people do for recreation in Jordan?

Accepted Answer

Football (soccer) is popular among children, played in parks and streets, and horse and camel racing are also enjoyed. The Royal family supports car racing

Question 9

What is the capital of Jordan?

Accepted Answer

Amman is the capital and largest city of Jordan, serving as the country's political, economic, and cultural hub. Built across a series of hills in the northwest of the country, it has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years and is home to a significant portion of the national population. Modern Amman blends ancient ruins — including a well-preserved Roman amphitheater — with a cosmopolitan urban character, making it the administrative heart of the Hashemite Kingdom.

Question 10

Where is Jordan located?

Accepted Answer

Jordan is located in the Middle East, situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe. It occupies a strategic position on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, bordered by the Arabian Desert to the east and the Red Sea to the south. This geographic placement has made the region a historic corridor for trade, migration, and diplomacy across millennia, a role the modern state continues to play in regional geopolitics.

Question 11

What countries border Jordan?

Accepted Answer

Jordan shares land borders with five countries: Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, Israel to the west, and the Palestinian Territories (West Bank) to the west as well. Jordan also has a short coastline on the Red Sea at the Gulf of Aqaba in its far southwest. This position among diverse neighbors has historically shaped Jordan's diplomatic posture as a moderate, stabilizing force in the region.

Question 12

What is the main religion practiced in Jordan?

Accepted Answer

Sunni Islam is the dominant religion in Jordan, practiced by approximately 92% of the population. Christians, primarily Greek Orthodox, make up around 6% and have historically maintained a respected and protected presence in Jordanian society. The remaining 2% includes other religious minorities. Islam shapes daily life, public culture, and the legal framework in Jordan, though the government has generally maintained a reputation for relative religious tolerance and coexistence.

Question 13

What currency does Jordan use?

Accepted Answer

Jordan's official currency is the Jordanian Dinar, with the ISO code JOD. The dinar is subdivided into 1,000 fils and is one of the highest-valued currency units in the world relative to the US dollar. It has been pegged to the US dollar since 1995, providing monetary stability. Despite Jordan's limited natural resources compared to some regional neighbors, the dinar's stability reflects the country's managed economic policies and international financial relationships.

Question 14

What language is spoken in Jordan?

Accepted Answer

Arabic is the official language of Jordan and is spoken by virtually the entire population in its Levantine dialect. Classical Arabic is used in formal contexts, government, and education. English is widely understood and spoken among the upper and middle classes, and is commonly used in business, tourism, and higher education. French and other European languages have limited but present usage, particularly in diplomatic and academic circles in Amman.

Question 15

What is Jordan known for?

Accepted Answer

Jordan is internationally renowned for Petra, the ancient rock-carved city that served as the capital of the Nabataean kingdom from around the sixth century BC, thriving as a toll-collecting hub at the crossroads of ancient trade routes. The country is equally celebrated for the otherworldly landscape of Wadi Rum, the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea — the lowest point on Earth — and a distinctive cuisine featuring dishes such as mansaf, a slow-cooked lamb in fermented dried yogurt considered the national dish. Jordan's role as a historically moderate Arab state and its 1994 peace treaty with Israel also define its contemporary identity.

Question 16

Who rules Jordan and how is the country governed?

Accepted Answer

Jordan is governed as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy under the reign of King Abdullah II, who ascended the throne in February 1999 following the death of his father, King Hussein. The king holds significant executive authority, including the power to appoint governments and dissolve parliament. King Hussein, who ruled from 1953 to 1999, reintroduced parliamentary elections in 1989 and signed a landmark peace treaty with Israel in 1994. King Abdullah II has continued gradual economic reform and acceded Jordan to the World Trade Organization in 2000.

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