Geography

Jordan is a relatively small country situated at the crossroads of the Middle East.  Compromising some 92,300 square kilometers (57,354 square miles), it is bordered on the north by Syria, at the east by Iraq, and by Saudi Arabia on the east and South. Also, to the south one finds the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea, while Israel and Palestine lie to the west.

Time Zone

From October through March, Jordan is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)  The rest of the year, it is three hours ahead of GMT. Jordan is seven hours ahead of US Eastern Time.

Climate:

Jordan is blessed with a Mediterranean climate for pleasurable year-round travel. Amman is sunny and cloudless from May to October, with average temperatures around 23 degrees C (73 F). Springtime brings optimal weather, lush with greenery, and autumn is equally mild and pleasant. July and August are hot and dry but not oppressive.

Currency:

The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar (symbol: JD), which is often called “JD”. The dinar is divided into 100 piasters (pronounced “peeaster”) or 1000 fils (“fills”). There are 5, 10, 20, and 50 JD notes commonly used, and you will usually see prices written as 4.750, that is 4 JD and 750 fils. Coins come in the following denominations: 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 piasters; and in 5 and 10 fils. Currency can be exchanged at major banks and at most hotels. Avoided the street money-changers

Telephones:
Telephone directories in Arabic and English can be found in hotels, Jordan has international direct dialing with most countries in the world, and calls can be made either from a telephone office or hotel or public phones.

Clothing:
In summer, some evenings can be cool, so a sweater is advisable. Winters can be extremely cold, especially in Amman and the east, one will need a raincoat.

Electricity:
The electrical system is based on 220 AC volts, 50 cycles, and requires rounded two-prong wall plugs. 

Water:
It is considered safe to drink for travellers with delicate stomachs, bottled water are cheap and readily available. Water is a precious resource in Jordan, and visitors are asked not to waste it unnecessarily.

National Holidays:
Banks, business, government offices and many shops close on the following national holidays
New Year: 1 January
Tree Day (Arbour day) 15 January
Arab League Day 22 March
Labour Day 1 May
Independence Day 25 May
Arab Renaissance Day 10 June
Kings Hussein's Accession 11 August
King Hussein's Birthday 14 November
Christmas Day 25 December
And the muslems holidays that are based on the lunar calendar.

Ramadan:
It is the holy month of fasting, the date of which varies according to the Islamic Lunar calendar. During Ramadan, alcohol is not sold, except for non-Arabs in large hotels, and smoking, eating and drinking in public is prohibited during the hours of daylight.  During Ramadan, one should not dress in a provocative way.

Embassy Information

Official site of the U.S. Embassy in Jordan - http://www.usembassy-amman.org.jo

For consular information, current news, and information on public affairs, with in-depth reports on political and economic issues.

Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Washington D.C.  - http://www.jordanembassyus.org/new/index.shtml 
A very in-depth site with extensive news, political and economic information, news archives, and links to the Information Bureau, Commercial Center, Consular Office, each having extensive information as well.