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Jordan Facts & Worksheets

Jordan is a Middle Eastern country geographically located in Southwest Asia. The capital city of Jordan is Amman. The Gulf of Aqaba of the Red Sea separates Jordan from Egypt.

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Jordan is a Middle Eastern country geographically located in Southwest Asia. The capital city of Jordan is Amman. The Gulf of Aqaba of the Red Sea separates Jordan from Egypt. Jordan is home to hundreds of thousands of archaeological and religious sites,  including stunning landscapes and historical art. It is considered one of the most significant cultural centers of the Arab world.

See the fact file below for more information about Jordan, or you can download our 28-page Jordan worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ETYMOLOGY

  • The name Jordan comes from the Jordan River, a river in Israel that separates Jordan from ancient Palestine at the country’s northwestern border.
  • The Jordan River takes its name from the Hebrew “yarad,” meaning “to flow down” or “descend”.
  • Its official name is now the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

FLAG OF JORDAN

  • The flag of Jordan was officially adopted on April 16, 1928, and based on the flag of the Great Arab Revolt during World War I in 1916.
  • The flag has four colors: black, white, green, and red.
  • The black, white, and green are horizontal bands, which are the Pan-Arab Colors.
  • The black band represents the Abbasid caliphate, the white band represents the Umayyad caliphate, and the green represents the Fatimid or Rashidun caliphates.
  • They are all connected by a red chevron triangle.
  • A white seven-pointed star at the center of the red chevron represents the unity of the Arab people.
  • The flag of Jordan is similar in some ways to the flag of Palestine.

GEOGRAPHY

  • Jordan would be almost a landlocked country if not for the existence of its coastline on the Gulf of Aqabah of the Red Sea.
  • Jordan is a Middle Eastern country at the crossroads of the continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe.
  • It is geographically located in Southwest Asia.
  • Saudi Arabia borders Jordan in the south, while Jordan is bordered by Iraq in the northeast, Syria in the north, and Israel and the West Bank territories (Palestinian Hills) in the east. 
  • Jordan mainly comprises desert areas.
  • The northwestern part of Jordan is covered by the “Fertile Crescent,” a crescent-shaped region in the Middle East.
  • Jordan is divided into three natural regions: the Jordan Valley, the plateau of the Syro-Arabian desert, and the highlands separating the Jordan Valley from the eastern desert plains.

CLIMATE

  • Jordan’s climate is diverse, depending on the region.
  • The highlands generally have a Mediterranean type of climate.
  • However, hotter days predominate in the desert.
  • The average temperature in the daytime during the summer is 33°C; it may even exceed 40°C.
  • Jordan may have a long and dry summer from May to November, but cooler days await in the winter season from December to February.
  • There may be rainfall in the winter, but not quite enough for the country’s year-round needs.

DEMOGRAPHICS

  • A 2018 consensus by the Department of Statistics reported that Jordan has a total population of over 10.1 million; 98% of the country’s population are Arabs.
  • The rest of the population comprises peoples from the Caucasus, including Armenians, Chechens, and Circassians, among others.
  • Sunni Islam is the dominant religion, with around 95% of the population being Sunni Muslim.
  • The official language is Modern Standard Arabic, which is taught in schools.
  • Since 2010, more than 1.4 million Syrian refugees relocated to Jordan to escape the violence in Syria.
  • As of December 2016, over 2.1 million Palestinian refugees reside in Jordan.

HISTORY

  • Located in Southwest Asia—in the northern Arabian Peninsula’s rocky desert—Jordan is an Arab country known for a lot of different names locally and globally, such as Al-Mamlakah al-Urduniyyah al-Hāshimiyyah, Al-Urdun, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
  • The history of Jordan can be seen through four different eras or periods, namely the Ancient Period, Classical Period, Islamic Era, and Modern Era.

ANCIENT PERIOD

  • Jordan is one of the richest sources of Paleolithic human remains dating up to 20,000 years old. 
  • Scientists have dug up the oldest known evidence of bread-making in the world at 14,500 years old. 
  • After the withdrawal of the Egyptians during the Iron Age of 1200-332 BCE, the then-known Transjordan was home to kingdoms such as Ammon, Edom, and Moab. 
  • One of the most important archeological accounts that align with Biblical scriptures was recorded on the Mesha Stele, or a stone inscription. 
  • During the ancient period, the three kingdoms of Ammon, Edom, and Moab fell to the Roman Empire.

CLASSICAL PERIOD

  • In 332 BCE, the Persian Empire, led by Alexander the Great, initiated the Hellenistic culture in the Middle East. 
  • Much of Transjordan was disputed between the Egyptian-based Ptolemies and the Syrian-based Seleucids after the death of Alexander the Great. 
  • In 169 BCE, the Nabataeans—nomadic Arabs based in the south of Edom—were able to establish their independent kingdom.
  • The Kingdom of Nabataean was in charge of the major trade routes in the region and expanded as far as south of the Red Sea’s coast. 
  • In 106 CE, the Romans took control of power in the Middle East, and during this period, the Nabateans were absorbed into the Roman Empire. 
  • During the Roman rule, Christianity spread throughout Jordan.
  • In 324 CE, the Roman Empire split, and Jordan became part of the Eastern part known as the Byzantine Empire.

ISLAMIC ERA

  • In 636 CE, at the Battle of Yarmouk, the Byzantines were defeated by Muslims. 
  • For centuries since, Jordan went on with its traditional role of acting as a trade route between other areas. 
  • In 1516, the Ottoman Caliphates’ forces took over, and Jordan became part of the Turkish Empire.
  • In the late 19th century, Muslims from the Russian Empire arrived.
  • In 1914, the Turkish Empire joined forces with the Germans during World War I.

MODERN JORDAN

  • In 1916, the Great Arab Revolt started due to the Arab nationalism that was growing.
  • In 1918, Turkey was defeated by the Allies, but this, however, did not guarantee Jordan’s independence. 
  • In 1921, Jordan was under the British Mandate. 
  • Around 77% of this mandate was east of the Jordan River. 
  • The first elections in Transjordan were held on April 2, 1929.
  • King Abdullah was made emir. 
  • In 1946, Jordan was removed from the mandate and given a mandate status of its own. 
  • Jordan finally became independent.
  • Jordan today, though faced with several economic challenges, is steadily growing and credits this to its tourism potential.

GOVERNMENT

  • Jordan is a constitutional monarchy.
  • The monarch is the head of state who serves as the chief executive and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. 
  • The monarch’s executive power is channeled through the Council of Ministers. 
  • The legislative branch comprises the Cabinet, which is responsible before the elected House of Deputies, and the Senate.
  • The judicial branch is independent of the executive and legislative branches.
  • There are three types of courts: civil, religious, and special.
  • King Abdullah II has been the monarch since 1999, while Bisher Khasawneh has been the Prime Minister since 2020.

ECONOMY

  • According to the World Bank, Jordan is a lower-middle-income country.
  • The main contributors to Jordan’s economy are trade, finance, private enterprise, transportation and communication, public utilities, construction, mining, and manufacturing.
  • The currency of Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar.

CULTURE AND CUISINE

  • Jordanians are known to be hospitable and warm people.
  • It is a general rule to accept a food offering.
  • Jordan has a rich culinary heritage with a variety of savory and sweet food offerings.
  • The national dish of Jordan is mansaf, a dish made with lamb cooked in fermented, dried yogurt sauce and typically served with rice and toasted almonds.
  • Other popular foods include falafel, shawarma, baklava, and knafeh.

CAPITAL OF JORDAN

  • Amman is the capital and largest city of Jordan.
  • Its nickname is “City of Seven Hills” because the city is literally built on seven hills.
  • With a history spanning more than 7,000 years, Amman is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world.
  • Amman is home to ancient ruins, modern buildings, and over 100 mosques.

SITES AND LANDMARKS

  • There are over 100,000 archaeological sites in Jordan, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the cities of Petra and Jerash and the desert castles of Azraq, Hallabat, and Qasr Amra.
  • Petra, also known as the “Rose City,” is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. 
  • It is called the Rose City because it is carved into cliffs of pink sandstone.
  • The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth and is found in Jordan.
  • The Dead Sea has a high salt concentration, which is why people can float in it.
  • Jerash is a well-preserved ancient Roman city.
  • The Amman Citadel is an L-shaped hill in the capital.
  • A significant religious site called Mount Nebo is believed to be the mountain from which Moses saw the Promised Land.
  • Jordan’s Jawa Dam is the world’s oldest dam, having been built in 3,000 BCE.
  • Another record-holding structure is the Church of the Apostles in Madaba, which is the world’s oldest purpose-built church and was built in the 6th century.

Jordan Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Jordan across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Jordan. Jordan is home to hundreds of thousands of archaeological and religious sites,  including stunning landscapes and historical art. It is considered one of the most significant cultural centers of the Arab world.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Jordan Facts
  2. Fact Chart
  3. Map Sketch
  4. How About History?
  5. Tourist Tops
  6. King of Jordan
  7. Sight the Site
  8. Cuisine Content
  9. New Wonder of the World
  10. And… Scene!
  11. Jor-dance and Sing

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Jordan located?

Jordan is located in the Middle East, bordered by Israel to the west, Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, and Saudi Arabia to the south and southeast. It also has a short coastline along the Red Sea to the south.

What is the capital city of Jordan?

The capital city of Jordan is Amman. It is the largest city in the country and serves as its political, economic, and cultural center.

What is the official language of Jordan?

The official language of Jordan is Arabic. English is also widely spoken and understood, especially in urban areas and among the educated population.

What are some of Jordan’s famous tourist attractions?

Jordan is known for its historical and natural attractions. Some of the most famous sites include:

  • Petra: An ancient city carved into rose-red cliffs, often referred to as the “Rose City.”
  • Wadi Rum: A desert wilderness known for its stunning sandstone mountains and unique landscapes.
  • Dead Sea: A saltwater lake known for its high salt concentration, allowing people to effortlessly float on its surface.
  • Jerash: An archaeological site with well-preserved Roman ruins.
  • Amman Citadel: A historical site in the heart of Amman, featuring ancient ruins and a museum.

What is the currency of Jordan?

The currency of Jordan is the Jordanian Dinar, abbreviated as JOD. It is commonly denoted by the symbol JD or د.ا in Arabic script. Jordanian banknotes and coins are used for everyday transactions in the country.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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