Land & People

Jordan's history is one of the oldest in humanity — the region was one of the first to be settled and lies at the crossroads of three continents.

Early Times & Antiquity

The Ain-Ghazal settlement near Amman (7,000 BC) is one of the oldest known cities in the world. The famous plaster statues from there are among the earliest human representations ever. In the 1st millennium BC, the Ammonites (capital: Rabbath Ammon, today Amman), Moabites, and Edomites dominated the region — all three are known from the Bible.

The Nabataeans (4th century BC – 106 AD)

The Nabataeans were an Arab nomadic people who settled in the region south of the Dead Sea and built a trade empire that controlled the incense and spice routes between Arabia, India, and the Mediterranean. Their capital Petra became one of the richest and most beautiful cities of the ancient world.

The Nabataeans were masters of water management — they developed sophisticated systems for collecting and storing rainwater in the desert, which still function today. Their art combined Greek, Egyptian, and Arab influences into a unique style that can still be admired in Petra.

106 AD Emperor Trajan annexed the Nabataean kingdom and made it the Roman province of Arabia Petraea. Petra lost its significance as a trading city, and the Nabataeans merged into the Roman population.

Romans, Byzantines & Islam

Under Rome, the region flourished: Jerash, Umm Qais (Gadara), and Philadelphia (Amman) became magnificent Decapolis cities. After the division of the Roman Empire, Jordan belonged to the Byzantine Empire — the mosaics of Madaba and the churches on Mount Nebo date from this Christian era.

636 AD Muslim armies defeated the Byzantines in the Battle of Yarmuk (in present-day northern Jordan) — one of the most decisive battles in world history, which made the entire Middle East Islamic. The Umayyads (661–750) left behind the desert castles, the Crusaders (12th–13th century) the castles of Kerak and Shobak, and Saladin the fortress of Ajloun.

Ottoman Rule & Arab Revolt

From 1516 to 1918, Jordan was part of the Ottoman Empire — a largely forgotten province through which only the pilgrimage route to Mecca passed (the Hejaz Railway). This changed in World War I: Sharif Hussein of Mecca declared the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans in 1916, supported by the British officer T.E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia"). The Wadi Rum and Aqaba were scenes of this legendary revolt.

The Hashemite Kingdom (since 1921)

After the war, the British and French divided the Middle East among themselves (Sykes-Picot Agreement). 1921 Winston Churchill founded the "Emirate of Transjordan" under Abdullah I, the son of Sharif Hussein. In 1946, the country became independent as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Since then, the Hashemite dynasty has ruled — one of the oldest royal families in the world, tracing their lineage directly to the Prophet Mohammed. King Hussein (1952–1999) led the country through the wars with Israel (1948, 1967) and the Palestinian conflict, making Jordan a reliable partner of the West. His son King Abdullah II (since 1999) continues this policy.

The Bedouins — Soul of Jordan

The Bedouins (Arabic: Badw, "those who live in the desert") are the cultural backbone of Jordan. Although today only about 5–10% of Jordanians live nomadically or semi-nomadically, Bedouin culture permeates the entire society: Values such as hospitality (Diyafa), honor (Sharaf), tribal loyalty, and generosity (Karam) shape the Jordanian national character.

The most important Bedouin tribes in Jordan are the Bani Sakher, Howeitat (in Wadi Rum), Bdul (near Petra), and Rwala. King Abdullah I forged alliances with the tribes during the founding of the state, which still form the basis of the monarchy today: Bedouins preferentially serve in the army and security forces.

Hospitality — More than Courtesy

Bedouin hospitality is legendary and real. In the desert, hospitality was a matter of survival — refusing a traveler water, food, and protection risked their death. This tradition lives on:

• A Bedouin offers every guest at least three cups of tea — the first "as bitter as life," the second "as sweet as love," the third "as gentle as death"
• Food is eaten together on the floor, from a large platter, with the right hand
• A guest enjoys three days of protection — even if they are the host's enemy (Dakheel right)
• It is an honor to be a host — having guests demonstrates one's wealth and virtue

As a traveler, you will experience this hospitality everywhere: Strangers invite you for tea, taxi drivers refuse payment, and Bedouins in Wadi Rum share their food with you. Accept the invitations — it would be impolite to decline them.

The Jordanian Society

Jordan is a multi-ethnic state: In addition to East Jordanians (Bedouins and rural population), millions of Palestinians live here (since 1948/1967, now Jordan's majority population), over a million Syrian refugees (since 2011), as well as smaller communities of Iraqis, Chechens, Circassians, and Armenians.

This diversity leads to a surprisingly tolerant and cosmopolitan society — at least in the cities. Amman is one of the most open and liberal capitals in the Arab world: Women work in all professions, alcohol is freely available, and nightlife pulses on the weekend (Thursday/Friday).

At the same time, the society is conservative at its core: The family (Hamula) is the most important social unit, arranged marriages are still common (though decreasing), and tribal affiliation plays a significant role, especially in rural areas.

Religion

Jordan is about 95% Muslim (Sunni) and about 4% Christian (various Orthodox and Catholic denominations). The Hashemite royal family sees itself as the guardian of the holy sites in Jerusalem (Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock) and the tomb of John the Baptist.

The Islam in Jordan is moderate: Alcohol is allowed, religious freedom is granted (Christian churches and monasteries are protected), and the king advocates a dialogue of religions (Amman Message, 2004). At the same time, Islam is present in public life: The call to prayer sounds five times a day, mosques are full on Fridays, and Ramadan is observed by the vast majority.

For travelers, this means: Respect religious customs, dress appropriately in religious sites, and be sensitive during Ramadan — but you will not encounter intolerance anywhere.

The Hashemites — Jordan's Royal Family

Jordan's constitutional monarchy is the most stable political system in the Middle East. The Hashemites trace their lineage directly from the Prophet Mohammed (41st generation), making them one of the oldest and most legitimate dynasties in the Islamic world.

King Abdullah II (born 1962, king since 1999) was educated in the West (Sandhurst, Georgetown) and speaks fluent English. He is married to Queen Rania, considered one of the most influential women in the Arab world, advocating for education and women's rights.

The monarchy enjoys broad support among the population — the king is seen as a guarantor of stability in an unstable region. Pictures of the king hang in every shop, restaurant, and taxi. This is partly obligatory, partly genuine admiration.

Important for travelers: Criticism of the king is taboo — public insult of the monarchy is punishable. But in practice, this is not a problem: Most Jordanians speak respectfully and often lovingly about their king.