To the east of the Mediterranean and northwest of the Arabian Peninsula, Jordan lies between 29°11'-33°22' north and 34°59'-39°18' east parallels. It is bordered in the north by Syria, in the east by Iraq and in the south by Saudi Arabia. To the west lies the Israeli occupied West Bank and Israel Jordan covers an area of 89,218 sq. km (55,900 sq. miles) It is only 414 km (257 miles) from Ar-Ramtha at the border with Syria to Aqaba in the south and 387 km (240 miles) from the King Hussein Bridge on the Jordan river to the Iraqi border in the east.

The kingdom is divided into three natural regions from east to west, which converge in the south at Aqaba, Jordan's only outlet to the sea. The first consists of the eastern depression of the Jordan Valley from the southern end of the Sea of Galilee in the north, along the Jordan River, the Dead Sea (at about 412 m/1,350 ft below sea level the lowest point on earth) down to the Red Sea at Aqaba.
The second natural region is the upland area above the Jordan Valley, which begins at the Yarmouk River in the north. Stretching down to Aqaba, this region is intersected by wadis (valleys and gorges)
that subdivide it into three distinct areas. The first lies in the area between the Yarmouk and Zerqa Rivers, the second runs from the River Zerqa to the spectacular Wadi Mujib and the third consists of the upland regions around Kerak.
The desert to the east of these uplands is the third and largest region, forming more than 75 percent of the total area. Azraq, whose black stone fort was for a short time the headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia, is the only major oasis in this inhospitable region.
Throughout history, the line between the desert and the settled uplands has fluctuated according to the strength of central authority, local villagers and the Bedouin.

The Dibbeen National Park, between Jerash and Ajlun, has 48 km (30 miles) of pine woodland and a rest house with bungalows and a picnic site. A Friday favorite with Jordanians it is a great place for a picnic after a trip to Jerash, and for walks, especially in spring when the wildflowers are out.
The Zai National Park, on the road from Salt to the Jordan Valley is also covered with pine trees and commands beautiful views of the valley. A small road winds through it and a rest house (istiraha) offers fine views. Both parks have play areas for children.

The Shaumari Wildlife Reserve near the eastern town of Azraq was established by the Royal Jordanian Society for the Conservation of Nature to reintroduce animals that had become extinct in the region, such as the Arabian oryx (an antelope species), ostriches and gazelle. The nearby Azraq Oasis hosts many bird species migrating from Europe.
The Dana Nature Reserve is a little to the south of Tafila off the King's highway and offers camping.
The Gulf of Aqaba, with a huge variety of tropical fish and coral, offers world class scuba diving.
Wadi Rum is one of the most magnificent desert landscapes in the world.

Jordan is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time from the beginning of October to the end of March and three hours ahead of GMT from April till the
end of September.

Jordan enjoys almost year round sunshine and blue skies. Rain falls only from late autumn to mid spring. Quantity is unpredictable, however, and when the time comes, farmers and other Jordanians often pray for rain. Aqaba, the south and the desert have negligible rainfall.
The best time to visit is in the spring (March - June), when the winter rains have turned the country green. In places, even the desert is a mass of colorful flowers. The next best time is autumn, October-November, when the hot summer has given way to milder weather perfect for outside dining.
Average temperatures: January: Amman 7°C (45°F), Irbid 9°C (47°F), Aqaba 16°C (61°F);
July: Amman 25°C (76°F), Irbid 25°C (76°F) and Aqaba 31°C (88°F).

Jordan is a constitutional monarchy and succession rests on male descent. The 1952 constitution is the basis for the political system. Jordan has a two chamber National Assembly, comprised of a senate of 40 members who are appointed by the King and a Chamber of Deputies of 80 members which is elected by direct universal suffrage. The king has extensive powers.
He appoints the prime minister and is Commander in Chief of the armed forces. He approves laws, convinces and adjourns the Chamber of Deputies and can postpone elections for up two years.
The first free elections since the 1950s were held in 1989. In September 1992, a new law legalized political parties which had been banned in 1957. Twenty parties participated in the 1993 elections. In 1993 the first woman MP was elected. Christians, Circassians and Shishanis have their quotas in parliamentary seats.

Easter: If you happen to visit Jordan during Easter, bear in mind that the local Protestant and Catholic churches celebrate Easter at approximately the same time as the local Greek Orthodox. Three out of every four years the timing will vary, usually by a week but for one year by a whole month.
Eastern (Orthodox) Christians regard Easter as a more significant feast than Christmas. If you plan to visit Jordan during Christmas don't be put off by the fact that this is a predominantly Muslim country because thanks to Western commercialism and the local foreign community Christmas and the New Year are celebrated in some splendor.

There are also many opportunities for children to enjoy themselves during these times.