Jordan

SAFETY: fair
Although pro-Islamist terrorists periodically manage to carry out attacks of various kinds, the risks are very limited and the authorities keep the whole country under close control. Petty crime is at very low levels.

TRANSPORT: good
The roads are in good condition and generally well maintained. Air connections are also good.

Main airports: Amman (Queen Alia and Marka), Aqaba
Main ports: Aqaba

ACCOMMODATION: good
The country has a strong tourist vocation, which has not faltered even in the worst of times. Hotels are widespread and of a good standard.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan  – Location: Middle East. Borders: Iraq to the north-east, Saudi Arabia to the south-east and south, Israel to the west, the Red Sea to the south-west -  Time zone: UTC +2, one hour ahead of Italy, observes daylight saving time – Area: 92,000 sq km – Capital: Amman – Population: 6,053,000 – Religion: 92% Sunni Muslim, 6%  Christian, 2% other – Languages: Arabic (official language), English widely understood – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: Jordanian dinar  (JOD). There are no currency restrictions – Credit cards: the major credit cards are accepted  –Exchange: bring euros and US dollars; exchange is easy.

ELECTRICITY: 230 V and 50 Hz  – Sockets:  types D, F, G, J  (bring an adapter).

DOCUMENTS: passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country, and a visa. The visa can be obtained from the Jordanian consulates in Italy or directly on arrival at the airport or at land borders (with the exception of the King Hussein Bridge/Allenby Bridge crossing). Travellers whose passport bears a stamp from the State of Israel may be refused entry into the country -  Driving: international driving permit– Cars: insurance to be taken out locally.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: International dialling code: 00962 – GSM: coverage across much of the country, excluding outlying and desert areas. Standard: GSM 900/1800 (as in Italy). Local operators: Jordan Mobile Telephone, Petra Jordanian Mobile and Umniah Mobile -  Internet: available in the main urban centres – Web domain: .jo – Emergency numbers: fire brigade 193, first aid and police 191/192.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: use and possession of small quantities of drugs carry 3 months to 2 years in prison, while dealing is punishable by up to 15 years’ hard labour. Sexual violence against minors under 15 carries the death penalty. Homosexuality is considered a criminal offence.

HEALTH: no compulsory vaccinations. The following diseases are endemic in the country: amoebiasis, intestinal parasites, hepatitis and cholera. Local health facilities are of a fair standard, as is the availability of medicines.

 
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 15 January, Arbor Day; 22 March, Arab League Day; 1 May, Labour Day; 25 May, Independence and Army Day; 14 November, birthday of King Hussein.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices:  Mon-Thu 8.00-18.00, Fri 8.00-14.00.   Banks: Mon-Thu 8.30-12.30, 16.00-18.00.   Shops: Mon-Sat 9.00-18.00  –  Closing day: Friday.

CLIMATE:  Mediterranean in the regions west and north of the Jordan Valley, with cold, wet winters and hot, dry summers. In the south-eastern and southern desert regions the climate is mostly arid, with extremely high temperatures and very scarce rainfall in summer, and winters marked by cold winds blowing in from Asia. 

Monthly min/max temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain)/mm of rainfall

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY
Embassy and Consulate of Jordan
Via Giuseppe Marchi 1/B – 00161 Rome – Tel. 06/86205303-04-05
E-mail: embroma@jordanembassy.it

Consulates
Via del Carmine 31 – 10122 Turin – Tel. 011/4310310
Via Fieno 3 – 20123 Milan – Tel. 02/8692903

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN JORDAN
Italian Embassy
Hafiz Ibrahim Street 5/7 – Amman – Tel. 00962/6/4636413
Web: www.ambamman.esteri.it -  E-mail: info.amman@esteri.it