POPULATION 6.5 MILLION
FOREIGN VISITORS PER YEAR 4.5 MILLION
CAPITAL AMMAN
LANGUAGE ARABIC
MAJOR INDUSTRIES TOURISM, BANKING, CEMENT
UNIT OF CURRENCY JORDANIAN DINAR (JD)
SHIFTING SANDS
The word is getting out that Jordan is not just about Petra and Indiana Jones. Yes, the ancient' Red Rose city' is still the jewel in Jordan's crown, but sights such as Wadi Rum, Jerash and Madaba are adding weight to the country's tourism boom. One of the most open, friendly and welcoming nations in the Middle East, Jordan is an example for other states in the region of how to modernize while preserving cherished ancient traditions.
This year marks the 64th birthday of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. A relative baby on the global scene, it was under British control until the end of WWII. Today nobody represents the modern, moderate Jordan better than Queen Rania; one of Earth's most powerful women, she regularly tweets for peace, a valuable commodity in this part of the world. Jordan is a key player thanks to its skills in maintaining good relations with the USA, Israel and the Arab world simultaneously - no mean feat in such a volatile region.
Though poverty is still rife, Jordan's economy is on the up, and its history and tourist infrastructure make it one of the most accessible Arab states for English-speaking travelers. Aside from the established attractions, be sure to check out downtown Amman, with its ultramodern property developments, and Aqaba, which could soon overtake Eilat and Dahab as the top Red Sea desert and diving resort. |
