🇯🇴map Jordan [Overview]

Jordan, known in Arabic as Al-Urdun, sits at the heart of the Middle East between Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Jordan River and Dead Sea, with its only seaport at Aqaba on the Red Sea. The capital, Amman, is the country’s largest city and the hub for business and culture. Jordan’s landscapes swing from stark eastern deserts to fertile valleys and rose-colored mountains, and the country also cradles the lowest point on Earth along the shores of the Dead Sea. This land has seen Nabatean traders carve the city of Petra and, from Mount Nebo, the vantage where many believe Moses viewed the Promised Land.

Economy
Jordan’s economy leans heavily on services, trade, and a steady current of tourism to its archaeological and natural sites. Agriculture and herding remain part of the fabric, especially in rural areas where Bedouin traditions still shape daily life, and you’ll see the results in local dairy, olives, and produce. With few natural resources and limited water, the country has developed a pragmatic, outward-looking business mindset, building connectivity through its road network to neighbors and through the Aqaba port for sea trade. Politically, Jordan is known for its stability and a measured, cooperative stance in regional affairs, working with international partners and hosting festivals and forums that keep it plugged into wider economic and cultural currents.

Culture
Arabic is the everyday language, and you’ll hear a mix of urban and Bedouin dialects in Amman’s cafes and in desert towns alike. Jordanian society reflects a tapestry of Jordanians, Palestinians, and Bedouin tribes, each with distinct traditions that together feel unmistakably Jordanian. The story of the land stretches from the Nabateans and their caravan routes to the modern Hashemite Kingdom that emerged after the fall of the Ottoman Empire—recognized as Transjordan in 1921, fully sovereign by 1946, and later united with part of Palestine in 1950. The culture prizes hospitality, family ties, and education; people gather over rice-and-meat dishes, yogurt, olives, and grilled meats, with bread used to scoop shared plates—always with the right hand.

Religion plays an important role in daily life, and freedom of worship is guaranteed by the state. Public life follows a respectful rhythm around major religious observances and family events, and you’ll notice traditions of modesty and warm, formal greetings in both offices and homes. National life is punctuated by cultural celebrations, including the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts north of Amman, which draws crowds each summer for music, theater, and crafts. From city streets lined with modern hotels to quiet courtyards tucked behind stone walls, Jordan balances old and new in a way that feels welcoming to newcomers yet deeply rooted in its heritage.

Ahmed
Ahmed is a business development consultant and cultural advisor originally from Dubai, UAE, with over 14 years of experience in Middle Eastern markets and international corporate expansions. Having worked for major multinational corporations and regional conglomerates across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Ahmed has extensive experience facilitating the relocation of international talent to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other key Middle Eastern markets.