Jordan Facts for Kids

Jordan is known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is an Arab state of sovereignty located on the Jordan river’s east bank, the country is bordered by Syria to the north, Saudi Arabia to the south, Palestine and Israel to the west and Iraq to the north-east.

The country’s total land area is 89,342 sq km (34,495 sq miles)
The capital city of the country is Amman which is also the largest city.
The official language of the country is Arabic.
The population of the country is 10,171,480 (est. in 2018).
The country gained independence from the United Kingdom on May 25, 1946.

The national anthem is called “as-salam al-Malaki al-urduni” (The royal anthem of Jordan).
The national dish of the country is Mansaf, it is a meal made with fermented dried yogurt sauce on a lamb cooked and served in a large platter with rice or bulgur.
The people of Jordan are called Jordanian
The country’s religion being Islam with a small fraction of other religions like Christianity, druze and others.
The currency used is called the Jordanian Diner (JOD).
The natural resources of the country include oil and gas, phosphates, potash and water.
The major industries are clothing, cement, tourism, light Manufacturing, inorganic chemicals, phosphate Mining and Pharmaceuticals.
The country makes $6.521 billion on exportation of Vegetables, Fertilizers, clothing, Potash, phosphates and Pharmaceuticals.
The country’s importation spends $15.65 billion on Crude oil, transport equipment, manufactured goods, machinery and Fabrics.
Agriculture is said to have originated in Jordan during the Neolithic Period (8,500 – 4,500 BCE). The country is considered to be part of the Fertile Crescent.
Jordan is known to have had traces of Human Activity from periods dating as far back as the Palaeolithic Period (500,000 B.C to 17,000 B.C).
One of the world’s best and largest preserved roman architectural sites is in the city of Jerash.
Jordan used to have the West bank of the Palestinian as part of the country’s territory in 1948-49, due to the Arab-Isreali Conflict; the country took over the west bank but soon lost it in the 1967 war to Israel
There is 9.6 times more salt in the Dead Sea than there is in the ocean, it is because of this; the Dead Sea water will make you float. The country if not for the dead sea would have been landlocked.
If you find yourself as a guest having coffee in a Jordan home, you will need to shake your cup from side to side to signify to your host that you don’t want anymore or he/she will keep on refilling it.
Amman which is the capital of Jordan was built in 283-246 B.C by Ptolemy Philadelphus during his reign. The capital used to be named Philadelphia after his name. Seven Hills known as “Jabals” are said to be what the capital Amman was built across. Now the capital city over time is covering 19 of these jabals.
Jordan used to be known as Philadelphia in the roman period and the 2nd century roman theater of 6000 seat capital house of Jordan is now a famous landmark.
As most Christians know, Jordan is where some biblical events took place, some of this event include John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the river Jordan, Moses died in Mount Nebo and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in Jordan.
Jordan is always home to a lot of famous sites and locations like the movie Indiana Jones and the last crusade’s final scenes were shot in Petra or The Martian, Lawrence of Arabia and Red planet were all filmed in the Wadi rum desert in Jordan. The Wadi rum is the country’s most famous national park and at night, under the stars is a good way to spend time.
Thomas Edward Lawrence also known Lawrence of Arabia was a writer, archeologist, diplomat and a famous British military officer. He was also an adviser during World War 1 to the Arab Revolt.

The ancient city of Petra in Jordan is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The city has more than 800 carved tombs.
Using your left hand to eat or drink is considered to be rude and unclean in Jordan.
A combination of Arid desert and Mediterranean climates actually both exist in the country, with the north and west of the country having a Mediterranean climate and country’s majority being desert.