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INTRODUCTION
Until the early 20th century, Jordan was part of Palestine, most of which is now the State of Israel.
The area is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world - archaeological finds from the west bank of the Jordan River have been dated at around 9000 BC. Having had associations with three of the world's greatest religions, Jordan has been a prized territory for Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Climate of Jordan
Mediterranean climates prevail in the north and west of Jordan, while the most of the country is desert. Generally, the country has warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, with annual average temperatures ranging from 12 to 25 C (54 to 77 F) and summertime highs reaching the 40s (105-115 F) in the desert regions. Rainfall averages vary from 50mm (1.97 inches) annually in the desert to as much as 800 mm (31.5 inches) in the northern hills, some of which falls as snow.
Flora And Fauna of Jordan
Because much of Jordan is desert and steppe, plant life is not abundant. Grassland and wooded areas are found in the Jabal Ajlun district between Amman and the Syrian border. In these regions the trees include willow, oleander and tamarisk along the
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lower Jordan River valley and also ilex, olive, Aleppo pine, and palm. Wildlife includes the hyena, hyrax, gazelle, ibex, fox, partridge, mongoose, and mole rat; birds are also well represented.
Physical Map of Jordan
Jordan is an arid plateau that thrusts abruptly upward on the eastern shores of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea, reaching a height of about 610 to 915 m (about 2,000 to 3,000 ft), then sloping gently downward toward the Syrian Desert in the extreme east of the country. The Jordan Valley is in the deep depression of the Great Rift Valley. Deep canyons and mountainous outcroppings with elevations of approximately 1,500 m ( 4,900 ft) and more characterize the Arabian Plateau in the south of Jordan. The River Jordan, forming the country's border with Israel and the West Bank, is the main drainage system.
Location of Jordan
Jordan lies in southwest Asia in the heart of the Middle East. It is bounded on the north by Syria, on the east by Iraq and Saudi Arabia, on the south by Saudi Arabia and the Gulf of Aqaba, and on the west by Israel and the West Bank. Jordan has access to the Red Sea via the port city of Aqaba.
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