Everything you need to know about Jordan: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Jordan: Modern Kingdom amidst Desert with Historic Past
The Ottoman Empire collapsed after World War I that provided an opportunity to British to govern much of Middle East including Jordan. Britain carved out a semi-autonomous region of Trans Jordan from Palestine in the early 1920, and later on this area gained independence in 1946. In 1950 the name Jordan was adopted in place of Trans Jordan. After that King Hussein ruled Jordan from 1953 to 1999 and following his death his son King Abdullah II assumed the throne. Since then, he has consolidated his power and undertaken aggressive economic reforms. Jordan became a part of global economy by becoming the member of World Trade Organization in 2000 and European Free Trade Association in 2001.
Jordan Profile: Overview of Facts and Figures
Geographical Information on Jordan :
The Jordan is an Arab country in Southwest Asia spanning from the southern part of the Syrian Desert to the Gulf of Aqaba. The Middle East kingdom of Jordan is bordered on the west by Israel and the Dead Sea, on the north by Syria, on the east by Iraq, and on the south by Saudi Arabia.
The climate in Jordan is semi-dry in summer with average temperature in the mid 30°C and relatively cold in winter averaging around the −1.3 °C. The western part of the country receives greater precipitation during the winter season from November to March.
Jordan Culture, Cuisine and Tradition:
Jordan has many different cultural aspects owing to multiple invasions at different points in its history. Jordan is a cultural potpourri with assimilation of beliefs, faith and practices from different cultures and religions. Though it is a land that has seen the influence of various cultures yet the Islamic beliefs and faith dominate Jordan. The cultural legacy of world's mightiest civilizations can be seen trough the relics and ruins of monuments that are scattered throughout the country.
Jordan culinary preparation is influenced from Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine and regarded as the world's most sophisticated and elaborate cuisines. The Jordanian cuisine ranges from grilling shish kababs and shish taouks to stuffing of vegetables of grape leaves, eggplants, meat and poultry.
Jordan Tourist Attractions:
The cultural and historical legacy of Jordan attracts tourists from around the globe. The stunning architectural monuments with rustic view of landscapes make Jordan an enchanted place on the world map.
Amman and the North Amman: Often referred to as the ?white city. The copycat of Roman lay out and its location on hills remains the center of attraction for tourists.
Petra: Petra is one of the wonders of the Middle-Eastern world. It is a gigantic natural amphitheater hidden in the rock. It can be reached only through a winding narrow gorge. After reaching there the sight of Nabataean King's tomb and its treasury is truly awe-inspiring.
Major Sight-seeing Places in Jordan include:
Dead Sea (Jordan), May 25 (IANS) US Senator John McCain said Saturday that if the second Geneva conference on the Syria issue failed, his country would act to take out the air power of the Syrian government.
Baghdad, May 20 (IANS) A series of car bombings and shootings, mainly targeting Shia Muslim areas across Iraq, Monday killed at least 61 people, including Iranian pilgrims, and wounded around 200 others, officials said.
Amman, May 20 (IANS/AKI) Three Syrian refugees, including a 10-year-old boy, have died in Jordan, the country's official Petra news agency said Monday.
London, May 18 (ANI): The United Nation's refugee agency has said that more than 1.5 million people have fled the conflict in Syria.
New York, May 17 (ANI): HIIT or high-intensity interval training is one of the biggest buzzwords in fitness right now.
Havana, May 15 (IANS) Boxers from 15 countries and regions, including Cuba, will compete in the 43rd Giraldo Cordova Cardin International Boxing Tournament to be held here June 4-9 at Ramon Fonst Arena.
London, May 13 (ANI): The World Health Organization has said that the novel coronavirus (NCoV) may be passed between people in close contact.
London, May 10 (ANI): Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would have no role in a political settlement to Syria's conflict, US Secretary of State John Kerry has said.
London, May 9 (IANS) Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would have no role in a political settlement to Syria's conflict, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Thursday.
Damascus, May 7 (IANS) Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi arrived in Syria Tuesday to discuss the recent developments in the region with top Syrian officials including President Bashar al-Assad, reported Xinhua citing well-informed sources.
Beijing, May 7 (IANS) China Tuesday reiterated its call for necessary conditions for resuming peace talks between Palestine and Israel, reported Xinhua.
London, May 5 (ANI): Eleven top Liverpool players had seemingly put the Luis Suarez biting incident behind them as they had flown out to Madrid to party for ten hours, five days before their derby with Everton, which takes place tonight.
Beijing, May. 1 (Xinhua-ANI): The UN Children's Fund ( UNICEF) and partners are stepping up vaccination campaigns in Syria, and neighboring Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey, amid measles outbreaks in the region, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters here Tuesday.
Washington, May. 1 (ANI): The Pentagon has stepped up planning for potential military intervention in the Syrian civil war.
Miami, April 30 (IANS/EFE) Michael Jordan married former model Yvette Prieto this weekend in a Palm Beach ceremony.
Washington, April 29 (ANI): Tiger Woods stepped out for NBA legend Michael Jordan's wedding- with model, Yvette Prieto- in Palm Beach, Florida on Saturday.
Washington, April 28(ANI): Michael Jordan and his model-fiance, Yvette Prieto, finally got married at Palm Beach, Fla., on Saturday, after 5 years of dating.
Melbourne, Apr 24 (ANI): The world's most expensive holiday will take two years and cost a staggering 1.5 million dollars, and one lucky traveller is about to embark on this very memorable trip.
New York, April 19 (IANS/EFE) Emmy-nominated actress Sofia Vergara revealed her own bout with thyroid cancer and debuted as the spokeswoman for "Follow the Script", a campaign to raise awareness of hypothyroidism.
London, Apr. 16 (ANI): Britain and France are 'directly or indirectly' supporting al-Qaida in an escalating war against Syria, a senior minister in Damascus has said.
New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid Monday inaugurated a course on parliamentary processes and procedures to be attended by 14 officials from seven Arabic-speaking countries.
Amman, April 15 (IANS) Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour has rejected reports that military training is being provided to Syrians in Jordan, the state-run Jordan Television reported.
Auckland, April 14 (IANS) Japanese shuttler Riichi Takeshita and Deng Xuan of China won the men's and women's singles titles, respectively, at the New Zealand Open Grand Prix here Sunday.
Abu Dhabi, April 14 (IANS/WAM) A refugee camp funded by the UAE will offer safety and stability to people fleeing the violence in Syria, a daily said.
New Delhi, April 10 (ANI): Events in Afghanistan had gathering momentum in March and quite apparently preparations for end 2014 were now looking serious and urgent.
Beijing, April 10 (IANS) China's Qiaodan Sportswear Co. Ltd. has sued NBA legend Michael Jordan for infringement on right of reputation and claimed $8 million compensation.
Film: "The Call"; Cast: Halle Berry, Morris Chestnut, Michael Elkund, David Otunga, Abigail Breslin and Evie Thompson; Director: Brad Anderson; Rating: ***
Los Angeles, April 4 (IANS) After three consecutive losses, Los Angeles Clippers swept the Phoenix Suns 126-101 at Staples Center for their record 50th win in a NBA season.
Washington, Apr. 1 (ANI): The New Haven Police Department had to improvise during a standoff to coax two suspects - wanted for stealing a car - out of a house by literally barking like dogs.
Los Angeles, March 31 (IANS) In the Los Angeles Lakers' 103-98 victory over the Sacramento Kings, Kobe Bryant's pull-up jumper in the second quarter gave him 31,421 points for his career, edging past Chamberlain's 31,419 and moving Kobe into the fourth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
Washington, March 31 (ANI): Michael Jordan wants the lady, who accused him of spawning her 16-year-old son, to pay up for all the trouble she caused.
London, March 30 (ANI): Katie Price has reportedly tied the knot for the second time to her model husband Kieran Hayler after they wed in Barbados in January following a whirlwind two-month romance.
Amman, March 27 (IANS) Jordan Wednesday denied accusations that Japanese players were disturbed with laser lights in the kingdom's 2-1 victory over Japan in the World Cup qualifier.
Sydney, March 26 (IANS) Australia avoided a shocking upset Tuesday after the Socceroos recovered from two goals down to draw with Oman 2-2 in an Asian qualifier for the 2014 World Cup.
Dubai, Mar. 26 (ANI): Saudi Arabia has warned its citizens fighting against the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria that they will be detained immediately upon their return to the Kingdom.
Washington, March 26 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The US has been assisting Turkey and Arab nations boost their arms deliveries to Syrian rebels in recent months as the armed opposition attempts to unseat Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the New York Times reported.
Baghdad, March 24 (IANS) US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived here on an unannounced visit Sunday for talks with Iraqi leaders, an official Iraqi television reported.
Los Angeles, March 24 (IANS) Chris Paul's 29 points and 11 assists helped the Clippers to beat the Brooklyn Nets 101-95 in a NBA game Saturday night.
Ramallah, March 24 (IANS) US Secretary of State John Kerry has met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jordan, a media report said.
Washington, Mar 23 (ANI): A delicate US government agreement to keep secret Jordan's role in the capture of Osama Bin Laden's son-in-law has been upset by Republican Peter King's public thanks to the Middle Eastern country for their role in the operation, according to government sources.
Beirut, March 22 (IANS) The Lebanese Hezbollah Friday criticised US President Barack Obama's "appeasement" speech in Israel, saying the remarks were meant to "satisfy" the Jewish state.
Washington, Mar 22 (ANI): A spiky dinosaur won the most votes in a Canadian "Dino Idol" contest that asked visitors to one museum to select which fossil among five specimens they wanted to see unwrapped from its protective packet.
Washington, March 22 (IANS) Some 10 million Indians say they would like to leave their country and move to the US permanently -- the No. 1 desired destination for potential migrants around the world, according to a new poll.
London, March 21 (ANI): Jodie Marsh has finally revealed the stories behind some of her favorite tattoos that range from a bulb of garlic to a bottle of vodka and even a dumbbell.
Tel Aviv, March 20 (IANS) US President Barack Obama arrived onboard Air Force One at the airport of Tel Aviv in Israel Wednesday, starting his first visit as US president to the Jewish nation that is a staunch ally.
London, Mar 20 (ANI): Jodie Marsh has hit out at Katie Price yet again, branding her a "really bad role model."
New York, Mar. 19 (ANI): A lawyer for a woman, who claims that Michael Jordan fathered her teenage son, withdrew the paternity suit against the basketball legend on Friday.
Washington, March 18 (ANI): A woman in Georgia has stepped up her paternity battle with Michael Jordan by demanding that the basketball icon submit to a DNA test.
London, Mar. 17 (ANI): A Syrian army general has reportedly defected to the opposition, saying that morale in the army had collapsed.
Beirut, March 16 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Syrian foreign ministry has threatened to strike militant bases on Lebanese territory if Beirut fails to beef up security on their common border and prevent infiltration.
Subic Bay (Philippines), March 14 (IANS) Youth World Championships silver medallist Narender Berwal (+91kg) and bronze medal winner in 2012 Lalitha Prasad (49kg) continued their winning streak at the ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championship here Thursday as they marched into the semifinals.
Washington, Mar. 10 (ANI): US President Barack Obama has been placed at 44th position in the list of the 50 most powerful people in sports, put together by Sports Illustrated magazine.
Damascus, March 10 (Xinhua-ANI): The 21 Filipino UN peacekeepers held since Wednesday by Syrian rebels were released on Saturday, unharmed and safe in Jordan, a peacekeeping spokeswoman told Xinhua.
New York, Mar 9 (ANI): Osama Bin Laden's son-in-law, an Al-Qaeda spokesman, who was charged in the US for conspiring to kill Americans on 9/11, has pleaded not guilty to his charges.
Washington, March 8 (IANS/EFE) A New York court will try Osama bin Laden's son-in-law, Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, for "conspiring to kill US citizens", the US Justice Department announced linking him with the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Washington, Mar 8 (ANI): A top Al Qaeda spokesman, also a son-in-law of slain Al Qaeda's founder Osama Bin Laden, has been captured and charged in the United States for conspiring to kill Americans, according to an indictment.
Washington, Mar. 8 (ANI): Basketball legend Michael Jordan and his fiance appeared at the main Palm Beach County courthouse in Florida on Thursday morning to apply for a marriage license, a spokeswoman for the clerk's office has revealed.
Geneva, March 7 (IANS/AKI) There are now one million Syrians in the Middle East region who have fled the civil war in their country, the UN refugee agency has said.
Islamabad, Mar. 6 (ANI): The number of Syrians who have fled the war-ravaged country and are seeking assistance has now reached the one million mark, the United Nations' refugee agency has said.
London, Mar 6 (ANI): Jodie Marsh has waded into the Katie Price/Kelly Brook "heifer" war branding Price's remarks "outrageous".
Washington, March 6 (ANI): Britney Spears and her ex-husband Kevin Federline recently reunited in L.A. to cheer on their sons - Sean Preston, 7, and Jayden James, 6 - at a soccer game.
Abu Dhabi, March 6 (IANS/WAM) The Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2013, showcasing the latest products and services in the aviation industry, has begun at the Al Bateen Executive Airport.
Dubai, March 4 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Instructors from US special forces are training armed opposition groups that are fighting against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Syrian state news agency Sana reported.
New York, Mar. 2 (ANI): Michael Jordan has been sued by a woman, who has alleged that the basketball legend is the father of her teenage son, according to new lawsuit charges.
Los AngeleS, Feb 27 (IANS) With 12 three-pointers and 14 slum dunks, the Los Angeles Clippers blew out the Charlotte Bobcats 106-84 in the NBA Tuesday night.
Toronto, Feb 27 (IANS) Besides conferring health benefits, meditation also fosters liberal attitudes immediately after a session, say Canadian researchers.
Nairobi, Feb 27 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has given a call for a collective regional action to address sand and dust storms.
Washington, February 24 (ANI): A new psychology study from the University of Texas at Austin has revealed the reason to why straight women and gay men form close relationships with one another.
eoul, Feb 21 (IANS) Indian boys qualified for the quarter-finals after winning both their pool matches in the Asian Junior squash team championship here Thursday.
Melbourne, Feb 21 (ANI): Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has been fined 250 dollars for throwing his bat in a Ryobi Cup game against Western Australia at WACA in Perth.
Beijing, Feb 18 (IANS) The Chinese Football Association (CFA) Monday stripped Shanghai Shenhua of the 2003 league title and banned 33 people for life, rounding off a three-year-long drive to clean up the sport.
London, Feb 18 (ANI): The number of Jihadist groups that have entered Syria following the uprising against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad is a major threat to the power of mainstream opposition groups as well as the authority of the Free Syrian Army, a report has said.
Los Angeles, Feb 15 (IANS) Los Angeles Clippers did an almost perfect job on the Valentine's night, as they started with a 15-0 run and dominated the Lakers all the way to the end for a 125-101 victory, making it three wins in a row over the city rivals this season.
Los Angeles, Feb 11 (IANS) Los Angeles police have announced a reward of $1 million for information leading to the capture of a former police officer suspected of killing three people.
Chennai, Feb 10 (IANS) First corner incidents in the final two races of the MRF Challenge Formula 2000 here Sunday brought contrasting results for Jordan King, resulting in his loss to eventual champion Conor Daly.
New York, Feb 8 (ANI): Grand Master of Memory Ed Cooke has revealed his trick to memorize a shuffled deck of cards in competition in 43 seconds.
London, Feb 6 (IANS) Nineteen films will be shown at the 17th edition of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival here next month.
Washington, Feb. 5 (ANI): The U.S. counterterrorism practice known as extraordinary rendition, in which suspects were quietly moved to secret prisons abroad and often tortured, involved the participation of more than 50 nations, according to a new report by the Open Society Foundations (OSF).
London, Feb 4 (ANI): Charlie Sheen's former lover Kacey Jordan is in trouble again after she filed for bankruptcy.
Geneva, Feb 1 (IANS) The Unicef Friday said around 420,000 people, half of them children, need immediate humanitarian assistance in western Syria's Homs region.
London, Feb 1 (ANI): The party girl who claimed that she was Prince Harry's Vegas lover is writing a tell-all book about her escapades with the rich and the famous.
Kuwait City, Jan 30 (IANS) India Wednesday pledged a donation of $2.5 million as humanitarian assistance for over two million Syrians displaced by the ongoing conflict in the country.
Kuwait City, Jan 29 (IANS) India along with 54 other countries are taking part in a UN-sponsored conference here Wednesday to raise $1.5 billion to save millions hit by Syria's bloody civil war.
Moscow, Jan 29 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The conflict in Syria can be over in two weeks if foreign fighters and weapons stop trickling in through the border with Turkey, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said.
Johannesburg, Jan. 29 (ANI): South Africa's Democratic Alliance party has denied receiving funding of four million rand from an Indian-origin family, close allies of South African President Jacob Zuma have said.
Washington, Jan 29 (ANI): Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose regime is embroiled in a now two-year civil war, has revealed that his wife Asma al-Assad is pregnant.
London, Jan 28 (ANI): Serena Williams got over her disappointment of losing out on this year's Australian Open, by going on a shopping spree with beau Patrick Mouratoglou in Melbourne.
New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) Dubai-based luxury furniture brand Casa Shamuzzi has forayed into the Indian market with the aim to transform the quality of life for people, who wish to furnish their house with unique and eco-friendly decorative products.
Washington, Jan 26 (ANI): Jordan's King Abdullah II has said that the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is not close to falling despite nearly two years of fighting between government forces and rebel groups.
Valencia, Jan 25 (IANS) Racing car giants BMW Friday confirmed German Formula 1 driver Timo Glock for the 2013 season of the German touring car championship DTM.
Los Angeles, Jan 24 (IANS) Singer Justin Bieber, who has been entertaining fans on his Believe tour, is feeling unwell.
London, Jan. 23 (ANI): Formula One team Mercedes is facing turmoil after reports arose that team principal Ross Brawn could be relieved from his post in a major shake-up.
Sydney, Jan 22(ANI): Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has backed selectors' controversial rotation policy, adding resting cricketers would be good for them just like Manchester United's star striker Wayne Rooney benefits from resting between games.
London, January 21 (ANI): Katie Price, who announced her engagement days before jetting off to marry stripping builder Kieran Hayler in the Bahamas last week, has revealed that she was "horrified" to find her wedding had become news back home.
Moscow, Jan 19 (IANS/RIA Novosti) More than 82,000 Moscow residents bathed in icy cold water to mark the Epiphany early Saturday, as air temperature in the capital stood at minus 13 degrees Celsius, the emergency ministry said.
United Nations, Jan 17 (IANS) Indian doctors have reached out to hundreds of Haitians who remain displaced because of the deadly earthquake that hit the Caribbean island more than three years ago.
Sydney, Jan 14 (ANI): Rape has been a 'significant' weapon of Syria's civil war, and is the 'primary' factor in the exodus of women and children refugees to neighbouring Jordan and Lebanon, an aid group has said.
Abu Dhabi, Jan 11 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirate (UAE) will give five million dollars as humanitarian aid for the Syrian refugees in Jordon.
London, Jan 11 (IANS) A missing boy who was last seen leaping off a ferry in Britain on New Year's Eve is thought to have performed such an act for a 100 pounds ($160) bet, it has been revealed.
Houston, Jan 9 (IANS) The Houston Rockets surged past the Los Angeles Lakers in a 125-112 victory at the Toyota Center here.
