17 Interesting Facts About Jordan

From biblical heritage and mythical cities to enchanting natural phenomena and spellbinding vistas, Jordan is the tourist’s paradise and the photographer’s dreamland. Get intrigued by these interesting facts about one of the most awe-inspiring Middle Eastern destinations, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan!

1. The Arab country of Jordan lies in Western Asia. It shares its borders with Saudi Arabia to the south and east, Iraq to the northeast, Syria to the north, and Israel and Palestine to the west.

2. Owing to its strategic location on the Asian, European, and African crossroads, it has a long history of foreign rule, international trade, and immigration.

3. Jordan is an almost landlocked country with only 16 miles of coastline on the Red Sea at its southwestern end. So, if you’re a beach lover, Jordan has you covered on that front too!

4. Jordan was born when the Middle East was divided by England and France in 1922 after WWI.

At that time, it was called Transjordan. However, from 1946 onward, Jordan was officially recognized as an independent sovereign kingdom by the UN.

5. Amman is Jordan’s capital and also its largest and most populous city. It is also the Levant region’s largest city and the 5th largest in the Arab world.

6. The Amman Citadel – Jabal Al-Qal'a – lies right in the middle of Amman and is one of its most popular tourist spots. Most ruins in the citadel belong to the Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad eras.

7. Amman is known to the world over for its café culture. Catch a seat in a terrace café overlooking downtown Amman and get the taste of lip-smacking freshly pressed fruit slushies, and delicious baklava.

8. Lying just 30 miles north of Amman is the beautiful ancient Roman settlement of Jerash. It was one on the top 10 most important cities of the Roman Middle East.

9. Petra, one of the most famous and grand archaeological sites on the planet, is in Jordan. Once capital of the Nabataean kingdom, this 2000-year-old city on the ancient Silk Route has thoroughly adorned sandstone temples, tombs, and palaces.

10. If you decide to stay overnight in Petra, join the “Petra by Night” walk, a magical tour of the ancient ruins with lighted candles, local music, sweet Jordanian tea, and a Bedouin guide.

11. One of the saltiest water bodies on the planet, the Dead Sea, is bordered by Jordan to the east. Apart from being several times saltier than normal seawater, the lake is also a natural spa.

12. The area, in fact, is lined with several health spas to help you rejuvenate while vacationing in Jordan.

13. Jordan’s Dead Sea coast boasts some magical waterfalls, valleys, and canyons with several hiking trails for adventure seekers. If you thought Jordan was just a desert, there. Your bubble has just been burst!

14. If you’re an art and architecture enthusiast, Jordan will never disappoint. The beautiful 7th century desert castles clearly testify the country’s early Islamic artistic sensibilities.

15. Edifices like Quseir 'Amra, Qasr Al-Kharanah, and Qasr al Hallabat are rife with beautiful floor-to-ceiling frescoes, mosaics, ancient Arab graffiti, and ornate arches and pillars.

16. Jordan is the foodie’s paradise. Street food in the country is incredible. As part of the Levantine “Cradle of Civilization”, Jordan was influenced by many cultures over time, and this clearly shows in its food. Be it Egyptian, Iraqi, or Turkish food, Jordan always comes through!

17. And how can you miss a traditional Bedouin meal while in Jordan? Try Jordan’s national dish, Mansaf, lamb shank cooked in fermented yogurt broth, and then dried and seasoned with paprika and cumin. It will definitely delight your taste buds!