About Jordan:
Jordan (officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan), is located at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south, and Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories to the west. Its capital is Amman, which is also the largest city and economic hub.
Jordan is a constitutional monarchy, with King Abdullah II as the current ruler since 1999. Arabic is the official language, and Islam is the predominant religion, with a small Christian minority. Jordan’s economy relies heavily on tourism, trade, and services, though it faces challenges like water scarcity and reliance on foreign aid. The country has also been a key player in regional stability, hosting millions of refugees from conflicts in the Middle East over the decades. The country covers about 34,495 square miles (89,342 square kilometers) (34,495 square miles) has a population of around 11 million as of recent estimates.
The Jordan River and the Dead Sea (the lowest point on Earth’s surface) are notable geographical features.
Despite its name, the Dead Sea is not a sea, but a hypersaline lake, situated at the lowest land elevation on Earth—over 400 meters below sea level. Jordan’s shore stretches across the east bank of the Dead Sea, over looking the west, revealing breathtaking views of the sunset for visitors. The lake’s extreme salinity, caused by high evaporation and the absence of an outlet, prevents most aquatic life, giving it its distinctive character. We’re sure you have seen pictures of people floating on the Dead Sea due to the high salinity.
The Jordan Valley, which feeds into the Dead Sea, has been a crossroads of civilizations for millennia.
Summers can be quite hot, with temperatures often exceeding 104°F (40°C). Due to the region’s low altitude, ultraviolet radiation is lower than in higher-elevation areas. Rainfall is scarce, and the landscape is defined by salt flats, desert plateaus, and weather-sculpted rock formations—including Lot’s Pillar.
Religious Freedom in Jordan:
Jordan officially guarantees freedom of religion in its constitution, allowing worship as long as it aligns with public order, but Islam is the state religion, and significant restrictions exist, particularly against converting from Islam or proselytizing Muslims, leading to legal discrimination and social challenges for converts and unrecognized groups.
While Christians are well-integrated and have reserved parliamentary seats (the total number of seats in the House of Representatives is 130 as of 2020), the reserved, fixed quota of nine seats for Christians has remained consistent.
Catholic places of interest in Jordan:
Bethany Beyond the Jordan: actual site of the Baptism of Jesus
Mount Nebo: Church of Moses (where Moses saw the promised land)
Traveling to Jordan:
Currently there are not travel restrictions for Jordan. Many airlines serve the capitol city of Amman. Most visitors arrive by air at Queen Alia International Airport(IATA Code: AMM) in Amman.