Jordan brings together the rock-cut monuments of Petra, the red desert of Wadi Rum, ancient Jerash and a culture of generous hospitality. From communal meals to football, this is a destination where welcoming visitors is part of everyday life.

Key Facts

Travel Info

Capital: Amman

Location: West Asia in the Levant, with a short Red Sea coast at Aqaba

Climate: Mediterranean influence in western highlands and arid desert conditions elsewhere; summers may be very hot

Main Airport: Queen Alia International Airport (AMM)

Major attractions: Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, the Dead Sea and Aqaba

Cultural Info

Greeting: Marhaba (hello); ahlan wa sahlan (welcome)

Language: Arabic is official; English is also used in tourism

Football: The national team is known as Al-Nashama; it reached the 2023 AFC Asian Cup final, played in 2024

Cultural traditions: Arabic coffee, community hospitality and varied Bedouin and urban customs

Economic Info

Currency: Jordanian dinar (JOD)

Industries: Services, tourism, manufacturing and trade

Exports: Garments, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers and chemical products; figures vary annually

Population and GDP per capita: Use the latest dated figures at World Bank Jordan; figures and rankings change.

Iconic Grub

Top Grub: Mansaf: Jordan’s signature lamb-and-rice celebration dish, served with a sauce made from jameed, dried fermented yogurt

Try This Grub: Falafel: Crisp fried chickpea patties, enjoyed in sandwiches or as part of a mezze spread

More to taste: Maqluba, a layered rice preparation turned upside down, and knafeh dessert

Popular Beverage: Arabic cardamom coffee and tea

Where to Grub

Explore local markets and family-run restaurants for dishes described above. Ask for regional specialties, check current hours and menus, and never mistake a researched recommendation for a firsthand review.

Sports and Culture

Football unites supporters across Jordan, especially after the national side’s historic run to the Asian Cup final. Basketball also attracts dedicated fans.

GrubPassport Cultural Discovery

Petra provides the postcard, but sharing mansaf offers insight into Jordanian ideas of welcome, generosity and gathering around a meal.

The GrubPassport Question: Petra at sunrise, a mansaf meal or a football match—what comes first?

Photograph credits: Petra Treasury: Alex Vasey (Unsplash). Mansaf: Meyerben3 / Ben Meyer, CC BY-SA 4.0; falafel: Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 4.0. Both require author/source/license credit.

Further research: UNESCO | Visit Jordan. World Bank statistics.

Research-based guide, not firsthand travel reporting. Verify travel details and dated figures before publishing. Photos used under their source license terms.