Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Here is some information about the country which we will be visiting for 2 weeks.

Jordan is a constitutional monarchy with a developing economy and a modern infrastructure. The population is estimated at 6.2 million, with the capital Amman hosting a third. The official language is Arabic, but English is widely understood (especially in the cities) among upper and middle classes. Islam is the main religion with 92% of the population being Sunni Muslim, while Christianity makes up 6% (mostly Greek Orthodox). We will be arriving on their independence day (granted, late in the evening), May 25th. Their independence was won from British mandated governance in 1946. The Jordanian currency is the Dinar and 1 Dinar equals $1.41.

Jordan has struggled with problems of poverty and unemployment in the past due to the effects of insufficient water and oil. However, Jordan graduated from the International Monetary Fund's program to increase its economy and productivity in 1999, and has made steady advancements toward building a strong economy. Jordan maintains a free-trade agreement with the US in which it is allowed to export goods duty-free to America.

We will be staying in the city of Irbid, where Yarmouk University is located, and will be commuting from there to various places to experience Jordan to the fullest.