From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

City Of Amman عمّان ʿAmmān
—  City  —
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): The City of seven hills, Philadelphia (Ancient Greek), Ammon, Rabbah(Ammonite)
City Of Amman Location of Amman within Jordan.
Coordinates: 31°56′59″N 35°55′58″E / 31.94972°N 35.93278°E / 31.94972; 35.93278
Country	Jordan
Governorate	Capital Governorate
Founded	7000 B.C.
Municipality	1909
Government
- Mayor	Omar Maani
Area
- Total	1,680 km2 (648.7 sq mi)
- Land	700 km2 (270.3 sq mi)
Elevation	777m-1,400 m (2,564 ft)
Population (2005)[1]
- Total	1,919,000
Website	http://www.ammancity.gov.jo
1. Population refers to Greater Amman

Amman (pronounced /ɑːˈmɑːn/; Arabic: عمّان‎, ʿAmmān) is the capital and largest city of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. A city of about 2 million inhabitants (2008 estimate)^[2], it is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.^[3] Amman is the administrative seat of the homonymous governorate.

History

The Roman amphitheater in Amman

Amman in the late 1960's

During its long history, Amman has been inhabited by several civilizations. The first civilization on record is during the Neolithic period, around 8500 BC, when archaeological discoveries in 'Ain Ghazal, located in eastern Amman, showed evidence of not only a settled life but also the growth of artistic work, which suggests that a well-developed civilization inhabited the city at that time. In the 13th century BC Amman was called Rabbath Ammon or Rabat Amon by the Ammonites Rabbat ʿAmmon, Tiberian Hebrew Rabbaṯ ʿAmmôn). It was later conquered by the Assyrians, followed by the Persians, and then the Greeks. Ptolemy II Philadelphus, the Hellenic ruler of Egypt, renamed it Philadelphia. The city became part of the Nabataean kingdom until 106 AD when Philadelphia came under Roman control and joined the Decapolis.

In 326 AD, Christianity became the religion of the empire and Philadelphia became the seat of a bishopric during the beginning of the Byzantine era. One of the churches of this period can be seen on the city's Citadel.

Temple of Hercules, Roman Coernthic Columns at Citadel Hill

Philadelphia was renamed Amman during the Ghassanian era, and flourished under the Caliphates (with nearby capital) of the Umayyads (in Damascus) and the Abbasids (in Baghdad). It was then destroyed by several earthquakes and natural disasters and remained a small village and a pile of ruins until the Circassians settlement in 1887. The tide changed when the Ottoman Sultan decided to build the Hejaz railway, linking Damascus and Medina, facilitating both the annual hajj pilgrimage and permanent trade, putting Amman, a major station, back on the commercial map.

In 1921, Abdullah I chose Amman as seat of government for his newly-created state, the Emirate of Transjordan, and later as the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. As there was no palatial building, he started his reign from the station, with his office in a train car. Amman remained a small city until 1948,and 1967, when the population expanded considerably due to an influx of Palestinian refugees from what is now Israel. Amman has experienced exceptionally rapid development since 1952 under the leadership of two Hashemite Kings, Hussein of Jordan and Abdullah II of Jordan.

In 1970, Amman was the site of major clashes between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Jordanian army. Everything around the Royal Palace sustained heavy damage from shelling. Most of Amman suffered great damage from PLO rockets and the Jordanian army's shells.

The city's population continues to expand at a dizzying pace (fueled by refugees escaping the wartime events in the West Bank and Iraq). The city received refugees from these countries on a number of occasions. The first wave of Palestinian refugees arrived from Israel in 1948. A second wave after the Six-Day War in 1967. A third wave of Palestinian and Jordanian and Southeast Asians, working as domestic workers, refugees arrived in Amman from Kuwait after the Gulf War of 1991. The first wave of Iraqi refugees settled in the city after the first Gulf War, with a second wave also arriving after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. During the last 10 years the number of new buildings within the city has increased dramatically with new districts of the city being founded at a very rapid pace (particularly so in West Amman), straining the very scarce water supplies of Jordan as a whole, and exposing Amman to the hazards of rapid expansion in the absence of careful municipal planning.

On November 9, 2005, coordinated explosions rocked three hotels in Amman, resulting in the death of 60 people and the injury of 115 others. Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the act, which was carried out despite the fact that the birthplace of since-killed Al Qaeda terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, is the town of Zarqa, less than 30 km (19 mi) from Amman. The sheer brutality of the attacks, which targeted, amongst other things, a wedding party being held at one of the hotels, caused widespread revulsion across the widest range of Jordanians. Large protests and vigils followed in the wake of the attacks.

Geography

Snow in Amman

Spring in Amman

Amman is located in a hilly area of north-western Jordan. The city was originally built on seven hills, but it now spans over an area of nineteen hills (each known as a jabal or "mountain"). The main areas of Amman gain their names from the hills and mountains on whose slopes they lie.

Because of the cooling effects of its location on a plateau, Amman enjoys four seasons of excellent weather as compared to other places in the region. Summer temperatures range from 28 °C (82 °F) - 35 °C (95 °F), but with very low humidity and frequent breezes. Spring and fall temperatures are extremely pleasant and mild. The winter sees nighttime temperatures frequently near 0 °C (32 °F), and snow is known in Amman, as a matter of fact it usually snows a couple of times per year. The yearly average number of days with rain is 5-45 and with snow it is 0-8. It typically will not rain from June to the beginning of September, with cloudless blue skies prevailing. But lately it is starting to rain in April and the beginning of May. In fact about half the quantity of rain Amman and Jordan received in 2006 fell in April.

Climate

A panoramic view of Amman's skyline in 2003, showing several landmarks including the Al-Iskan Bank Building, The Tower, Raghadan Flagpole,Le Royal Hotel, Zara Towers and the King Abdullah I Mosque

Districts

Al Abdali district

The Ottoman built defunct Amman station of the Hejaz Railway

The Rainbow Cinema in Jabal Amman, located on Rainbow Street

The following is a list of districts that make up the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM)^[5]:

Transportation

The city's largest airport, Queen Alia International Airport, situated about 30 minutes south of Amman, is the major international airport for Jordan and the hub for Royal Jordanian, the flag carrier. The airport has three terminals, two passenger and one cargo, and in 2007 handled between 4 to 5 million passengers. The airport is undergoing expansion, including a new terminal costing $700M, that will allow the airport to handle over 9 million passengers. A new rail line being constructed will connect Queen Alia International with Raghadan, Mahatta, and Zarqa. Taxis and buses serve the airport 24/7.

Abdoun Bridge

Marka International Airport is a one-terminal airport that serves primarily domestic and nearby international routes and the military.

The recently constructed Abdoun Bridge spans Wadi Abdoun, and connects the 4th Circle to Abdoun Circle. It is considered one of Amman's many landmarks. It is the first curved suspended bridge to be built.

The Hejaz railway, built in the early 20th century, was used primarily for pilgrims to reach the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, but now the rail line is basically used by tourists. There are new projects that are being built to add more railines in the Kingdom, most of which will go through Amman.

Currently under construction, dedicated lanes for bus lines will serve as part of the new urban rapid transit. There are plans to construct three line metro system in Amman. The first phase is two lines, red and green, connecting East, Central, and West Amman with one transit station at Amman Plaza with some connections to the Northern and Southern suburbs. The second phase consists of a yellow line connecting North and South Amman with transit to the red and green lines at Abdali and City Hall. The project would cost more than half a billion dollars. There are also plans to construct funicular line in East Amman connecting the old downtown with Jabal al' Qalaat. These projects should be completed by 2016 with the entire capital transportation system completed by 2025.

Amman will be connected by the Kingdom's national rail project that will link Amman with the rest of the Kingdom and the region. It should be completed by 2013.

Amman has an extensive highway system that links every part of the city to one another. Its highways also link nearby cities such as Zarqa and Madaba. The Amman-Zarqa highway becomes very congested with commuters at rush hour which is why a new commuter rail line is being constructed. Amman also has an extensive bus system. There are pedestrian tunnels that bring pedestrians from one side of a highway to another.

There are eight circles, or roundabouts, that span and connect West Amman. However, the city lacks an operable rail or metro system which causes severe congestion, especially in old Amman, where its narrow streets cannot handle many people. To add to the congestion, all the Kingdom's highways pass through Amman, further increasing traffic in the capital.

By land, the city has frequent bus connections to other cities in Jordan, as well as to major cities in neighboring countries; the latter are also served by service taxis. Internal transport is served by a number of bus routes and taxis. Service taxis, which most often operate on fixed routes, are readily available and inexpensive. The two main bus and taxi stations are Abdali (near the King Abdullah Mosque, the Parliament and Palace of Justice) and the newly built Raghadan Central Bus Station (near the Roman Amphitheater in downtown). The city can suffer from considerable traffic congestion at peak hours, especially during summer months when affluent vacationers from the Persian Gulf region summer in Amman to take advantage of its relatively mild weather.

Economy

Jordan Gate Towers

East Amman

Rendered picture of the Planned Abdali New Downtown

Amman is a regional hub in communications, transportation, medical tourism, education, and investment. Amman is aggressively positioning itself as a hub for business, and new projects are continually transforming the city's skyline. Following the 2003 Iraq War, all business dealings with Iraq flow through Amman in some way. Its airport, Queen Alia International Airport, is the hub of the national carrier, Royal Jordanian, which is a major airline in the region^[6]. The airline is headquartered in central Amman.^[7] Amman is a major tourist gateway in the country because most of the country's foreign tourists arrive in Jordan through Amman. Amman is currently experiencing rapid growth in many different areas, with large growth seen in the real estate, construction, banking, finance and business sectors. Numerous skyscrapers are under construction as the city municipality recently lifted the ban of buildings taller than 4 stories and allocated designated areas for high rises. All major highways of Jordan cross in Amman making the capital busy with freight trucks, buses and cars passing through the city.^{[citation needed]}

Amman is already being called "the new Beirut" and business capital of the Levant. Construction projects like the Abdali Urban Regeneration Project and the Jordan Gate Towers will just solidify Amman's claim to this title. With Jordan becoming known as the gateway to Iraq and the Palestinian territories and for its free trade policies, Amman has the potential to monopolize business and trade in the Levant.

The Greater Amman Munincipality's heavy investment in its infrastructure, like the expansion of Queen Alia International Airport, the construction of a state of the art public transportation system, a national railway, and expansion of road works, will ease the arrival of millions of new visitors and tonnes of cargo through this soon to be regional hub. Amman's increasing importance to the reconstruction of Iraq and the developing economy of the Palestinian territories make these investments unavoidable.

Amman has both a modern and historic touch. East Amman is the older part of the capital where single family dwellings on the hill side and small shops and bazaars in the wadis, or valleys, dominate East Amman's layout. Old Amman is filled with souks, or bazaars, small shops, and single family dwellings all.

Several industrial cities are being developed near Amman, most important being Al-Mushatta, poised at turning this once sleepy village into a global economic powerhouse.

West Amman, however, is less densely populated and more scenic. It is also the more prosperous part of Amman, with much of the city's economic activity being centered in West Amman. Parks and wide boulevards with towering apartments and office buildings dominate the scenery. Most of the city's 5-star and 4-star hotels are located in West Amman. Important districts include Shmeisani and Abdali, the main economic centers of Amman, Abdoun, the up-scale residential district, and Jabal Amman, one of Amman's historic districts. A large contrast exists between the more affluent districts of West Amman and the more middle and working class districts of East Amman.

Amman has a very large expatriate population because of its reputation as a haven for refugees seeking political asylum. Iraqis, Palestinians, Lebanese, and Armenians are among the many different expatriate populations currently residing in Amman. Egyptians, Syrians, and South East Asians also reside in vast numbers that work as domestic or civil servants. Many Westerners currently reside in Amman as many international organizations and diplomatic missions have regional offices in Amman.

New projects and proposals in and around the city include:

• The Abdali Downtown project: this new development in the heart of Amman is among the largest projects under construction in the kingdom, and is a mixed-use development consisting of retail, outdoor shopping and restaurants, residential and office buildings. The master plan includes a large public green park, along with an outdoor pedestrian strip ^[8]. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by 2010.
• The construction of the American University of Jordan.
• The construction of the Jordan Gate Towers near the 6th Circle, which is nearly completed, is being funded by Bahraini and Kuwaiti entrepreneurs. The two identical skyscrapers will house office buildings and a five star hotel.
• Bonyan city, which will consist of 5 new skyscrapers that will house apartments and offices
• The Heights Tower, consisting of 35 floors, will house apartments and it is currently under construction.
• Sky Tower, a residential tower consisting of 30 floors, is under construction.
• Amman Financial Tower, consisting of 56 floors, has been approved for construction.
• Betina City consists of 3 central skyscrapers, a mega-mall, a suspended river, and 3 additional towers.
• Sanaya Amman, two identical 65 floor buildings connected by a pedestrian walkway that will house the world's highest swimming pool. This residential twin tower project will be built in Abdoun by Limitless.
• The Abdoun suspended bridge, which spans Wadi Abdoun. This recently completed project reduces congestion in Wadi Abdoun and creates a new highway link between West and South Amman.
• The $700 million expansion of Queen Alia International Airport increasing capacity from 3.5 million to 9 million in the first phase and 12 million in the second phase.
• Multi-billion dollar Wadi Amman Regeneration Project. This project will completely revamp the old downtown and restore it to its previous prominence. It will also revitalize the entire area by attracting affluent Ammanis to settle and shop here.
• The Jordan Twin Towers, which are to be constructed by the Nuqul Group, and will be 34 stories high. Expected to be complete by 2008.
• The Andalucian Village, being constructed near Amman. This project will include over 600 villas, and consists of many facilities such as spas, fitness and health centers, swimming pools, and a recreation area to be completed by 2008. 64% of the village have already been sold.
• A proposed Amman World Trade Center, which will consist of 33 floors.
• Amman Gardens which is a high-end residential suburb
• Ahl al Azm, a $1 billion city near Queen Alia International Airport, will be built in several phases with a total of about 16,000 residential units and 800 offices. The city will be connected by rail to Amman. The residential city will mostly be inhabited by low and middle income families.
• A massive new Royal Jordanian headquarters

These projects, along with the boom in the Jordanian real estate market and the construction of numerous other projects, are resulting in a huge boom in terms of development, both in the city of Amman and in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as a whole.

East Amman is the historic city center. Eastern Amman is more traditional and older than the newer West. Small shops and single family houses are dominant in East Amman's landscape. East Amman is the hub for the capital's historic sites and cultural activities. East Amman has a strong Arabic and Islamic character however its inhabitants are very tolerant of foreigners.

West Amman is the current economic city center, and is the modern, stylish extension of Amman. Malls, shopping centers, expensive hotels, bars, and international restaurants mark West Amman as one of the most liberal and modern cities in the region. West Amman has a rapidly growing pub culture and expanding high-end nightlife scene. Elegant tree lined boulevards with villas and expensive apartment and office buildings dominate the city's character. Massive new high rise projects are transforming the capital into a regional business hub.

Quality of life

Amman is the most prosperous part of the country. According to the Mercer Quality of Life Index for World Cities, Amman competes favorably with its regional and international counterparts. The Quality of life index is broken down into:

Political and Social Environment: Amman is one of the most liberal and tolerant cities in the region with a low crime rate and political stability.

Economic environment: Amman is on its way to become the leading business hub in the Levant and the region as well. Amman and Jordan as a whole has more economic freedom than its regional counterparts. Business is conducted fairly easily.

Socio-cultural environment: The Government of Jordan is very supportive of the arts and is very tolerant of other religious and ethnic minorities. It respects many different artistic and cultural movements in Jordan. Freedom of the press is lightly restricted. Censorship is relatively light.

Health and sanitation: Amman is a global medical tourism hub. Amman scored one of the best in the region in this category. Jordan's private and military healthcare systems are of international standards. Work in the field of disability still leaves much to be desired.

Schools and Education: Amman is a regional center for education. The city attracts thousands of students from across the region and the world to its universities and learning institutions. Jordan's scientific and research sector is the most advanced and well funded in the Arab World.

Public Services and Transportation: The city has an extensive highway system as well as an extensive bus and taxi service. The city government is currently finalising plans for metro and commuter rail lines. All Amman's citizens have access to clean water and sanitation and electricity. Amman's Queen Alia International Airport is undergoing significant expansion.

Recreation, Consumer goods, Housing, Natural environment: Amman is a very cosmopolitan city with a wide array of restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs. Amman is home to several malls hosting international brands like Al Baraka Mall, Mecca Mall, and the City Mall with more under construction. The real major concern for housing is in the Palestinian and Iraqi refugee camps however the government is in the process of nationwide project to provide good housing to all its citizens. Palestinian refugees holding Jordanian passports can qualify for such. Amman enjoys a moderate climate.

Culture

A historic building in Jabel Webdeh

Souk JARA

Amman is one of the most liberal cities in the Middle East. Amman is also one of the more westernized cities in the region ahead of places like Cairo or Damascus. Its culture and arts scene is thriving. Its freedom of worship is a long standing tradition of Jordan. The Jordanian media is also one of the most unrestricted in the region. Jordan has no laws forcing women or men to dress in a particular way. Women are not required to wear the veil. However, Appropriate attire is expected around places of worship of both the Islamic and Christian faiths. Due to its stability and openness, Jordan especially Amman is home to many different artists, writers, and musicians many of which are expatriates from troubled areas like Iraq or the Palestinian territories. Amman is home to many diverse religious sects making up the two primary religions of Jordan, Islam and Christianity. Numerous mosques and churches dot the capital. The most famous mosque of Amman is the King Abduallah I Mosque which can house almost 3,000 people. Most of the people in Jordan are Muslims, 73% and 27% Christians.

Numerous cultural centers can be found throughout Amman, most notably the Al Hussein Cultural Center which contains over 30,000 books and plans to double that number, 30 computer sets, an electronic library and specialized libraries. Numerous IT and library centers can be found throughout the city.

The Al al-Bayt Institute Building located in the Al Hussein Public Parks points to the importance that the Hashemites give to the role of the Institute in Islamic life. Moreover, it is in line with the vision expressed by the Late King Hussein as far as the enrichment of man’s life with all sorts of knowledge. Care was taken to emphasize the Islamic character of the project: internally, the theme is unity of elements, leading to an inner courtyard; the use of cellars, arches in roofing, and proportionality, breakage of continuity of entrances as an element of creating anticipation, in addition to the use of wood and metal in overlapping fashion whereby, in the end, a distinctly Islamic style is reflected. Externally, a viewer looking at the external façade will note the extensive use of arches and Islamic oriels which give the building a reflection from the inside out, as well as a particularity that differs from the urban texture, not only as a religious or cultural function but as a school of all Islamic architectural elements.

The Cultural Village in the Al Hussein Public parks aims at introducing our heritage and Jordanian culture to visitor through a set of handicrafts created by a group of professional artisans and innovative institutions. The project consists of a main square surrounded by shops and galleries. On the eastern side of the village there is a coffee shop and two restaurants with a view overlooking the city.

There are numerous museums in Amman including the Royal Automobile Museum, the Jordan Archaeological Museum, Jordan Museum of Popular Tradition, the Jordan Folklore Museum, Souk jara, and the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts.

The Automobile Museum houses and exhibits the Late King’s collection of automobiles. The design of the building comes across as a mass merging into the surrounding environment and blends with it through the artificial planted hills which rise beyond the building’s walls.

The Jordan Archaeological Museum is located at the Citadel and houses it houses archaeological treasures from across the country like pottery, jewellery, ancient tools, etc. It also houses The Dead Sea bronze scrolls and plaster statues from Ain Ghazal, one of the world's oldest settlements.

The Jordan Museum of Popular Tradition and the Jordan Folklore Museum exhibit Jordanian handicrafts, clothing, embroidery, musical instruments,a goat hair Bedouin tent furnished with traditional objects, as well as a collection of mosaics from Madaba and other Byzantine churches across the country

The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts exhibits Jordanian art as well as art from across the region and the world. The museum in Jabal Lubweideh houses art even from Europe and America as well.

Sport

Amman-based football clubs Al-Wihdat and Al-Faisaly have won the national league several times

The 2007 Asian Championships in Athletics and 2009 IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held in the city.

Amman hosts since 2008 the Jordan Rally, which form part of the FIA World Rally Championship, becoming the biggest sporting event held in Jordan ever. Also the Army has been used to build the venues for the rally.

Media

Jordan has a relatively unrestricted press which makes Amman a major hub for journalism and foreign newspeople seeking to cover regional developments without worry of facing imprisonment. Many Jordanian newspapers and news stations are situated in Amman. Amman is also a popular entry point for journalists entering the region to broadcast breaking news from volatile nations like Iraq and the Palestinian territories.

The Jordan Media City, established in 2001, is the first of its kind in the region and plans to make Jordan the regional hub of communications. It now transmits over 120 channels and still grows. Most channels are not Jordanian based, and the government still possess restrictions on Jordanian based channels which makes it hard to open new Jordanian TV channels. Although not as popular as Beirut or Cairo, many Jordanian singers work out of Amman.

Tourism

The King Hussein Mosque

Amman has a very high percentage of tourists visiting the city. Much of Amman's tourism is focused in the older downtown area, which is centered around the old souk (a colorful traditional market) and the King Hussein Mosque. The downtown area (known locally as the Balad) has been completely dwarfed by the sprawling urban area that surrounds it. Despite the changes, much remains of its old character. For those seeking the atmosphere of the Old City, it is best to venture to the district east of Jabal Amman. There, in the bustle of daily life, you can explore the capital's greatest souks, fine museums, ancient constructions, monuments, and cultural sites.

The Roman Theater in the Old Amman - as seen from Citadel Hill

Ommayed Palace on the summit of Citadel Hill

The Citadel hill of Amman, known as Jabal al-Qal'a, has been inhabited for centuries, important as a military and religious site. It dates back to Roman and Byzantine times, and later work was carried out in the early Islamic era. Remains unearthed at the northern and eastern ends of the Citadel, possibly date back to the Bronze Age. The Citadel also is home to the Temple of Hercules which is said to have been constructed under the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius who reigned from 161-180 AD, is similar to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus.

Since Amman resembles Rome, as it is situated on seven hills, the city was a favorite place for Roman soldiers and officials. Behind the Roman forum stands a Roman theatre — the largest theatre in Jordan — with room for 6,000 spectators. Thought to have been built between 138 and 161 AD by the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, it is constructed into the side of the mountain and is still used for sports displays and cultural events.

Amman is also home to some of the grandest mosques in the Middle East, although they compare less favorably to the ones to be found in Istanbul, Turkey. The newest of these is the enormous King Abdullah I Mosque, built between 1982 and 1989. It is capped by a magnificent blue mosaic dome beneath which 3,000 Muslims may offer prayer. The most unusual mosque in Amman is the Abu Darweesh Mosque atop Jabal Ashrafieh (the highest point in the city). It is covered with an extraordinary black and white checkered pattern and is unique to Jordan. It is striking and visible from quite some distance. In contrast, the interior is totally free of the black and white scheme. Instead, there are light colored walls and Persian carpets. This religious building was erected by one of Amman's Circassians minority.

Amman is also home to many jewelers and souvenir shops for citizens and tourists alike. Amman is also a major destination for foreign students seeking study in Arabic. Amman's world-class hospitals are frequent destinations for those who seek medical treatment.

The city’s culinary scene has expanded from its famous shwarma stands and falafel joints to embrace many popular Western restaurants and fast-food outlets like McDonald's and TGIF, a host of swank Asian fusion restaurants, intimate French bistros such as La Maison Verte and authentic Italian trattorias.^[9]

There are numerous nightclubs and bars across the city especially in West Amman. Modesty in dress for men and women go out the window and low-cut shirts, tank tops and short-skirts are common.[1] Although Amman has a rapidly growing nightlife scene, Beirut and Tel Aviv still are the two nightlife hubs of the Middle East. However, Amman is mounting a challenge to Beirut as the Arab style capital with a plethora of retail outlets and malls currently operational and more on its way. Amman's nightclubs are filled with young Jordanians, Persian Gulf vacationers, American soldiers and businessmen on their way to Iraq. Abdoun Circle (not one of the eight) is the heart of the city’s thriving night life where the chicest clubs maintain a strict “couples only” policy, meaning no unescorted men. The night-life scene evolves so quickly that hot spots open and close almost before they can be published in magazines and tourist guide books.^[9]

As well as the wide range of drinking and dancing venues on the social circuit of the city's affluent crowd, Amman has a surprising amount of cultural entertainment to indulge in like the annual Amman Summer Festival and Souk Jara.^[10]

A new construction project in Abdali will transform downtown Amman into a more desirable place for investment. Valued at more than US $5 Billion, the Abdali project is expected to start welcoming visitors by 2010. Once completed, it will create a new visible centre for Amman and act as the major business district for this ever-thriving city. Amman’s new downtown that Abdali Psc is creating will cater to the needs of thousands of Jordanians and foreigners who choose Jordan as their living and investment destination. The core of the first phase will be completed in 2010, and phase one's high rise projects will be completed in 2011 and 2012. The second phase will be completed in 2014 and the entire project will be finished by 2015.^[11]

Amman is an emerging hub for Persian Gulf vacationers who come to take advantage of the mild weather and liberal atmosphere during the summer. Over a million visitors from the affluent Persian Gulf stay in Amman for the summer annually. The summer of 2009 brought approximately 2.5 million Arab visitors to Jordan, mainly from the Persian Gulf.

700,000 vehicles arrive in Jordan every summer clogging up Jordanian highways and streets, especially in Amman. Persian Gulf vacationers, Jordanian expatriates, and regional tourists arrive in Jordan by car every summer to escape the hot summers common in the Persian Gulf and to enjoy a more moderate climate.

Unfortunately, a lone deranged gunman attacked Western tourists during a guided trip to the downtown Roman theatre in September 2006, shooting five of them, one fatally. The man was immediately apprehended, and claimed to have acted in response to the fighting between Israel and Lebanon during the prior months. Despite this attack, tourism in Amman continues on a daily basis, and the city's tourist locations are generally well-policed. Given Jordan's location in a region that sees frequent conflict and violence, by statistics and by general mood, Amman remains a safe and interesting place to visit. For example, despite this killing, there is little or no violent or petty crime in Amman, especially against visitors, who uniformly report feeling safe at all hours in practically all locations in the city.

Shopping

Shopping is continually becoming more popular in Jordanian culture and is very notable in the past five years, with huge mega malls across Amman popping up such as Mecca Mall, Abdoun Mall, Amman Mall, City Mall, Plaza Mall, and Al Baraka Mall and soon there will be new mall called Taj Mall which is currently underdevlopment located in one the affluent neighbourhood Abdoun. Amman's retail sector is booming as the city is becoming a hub for Western travelers in the Levant.

Wakalat Street (Wakalat in English is brand names such as Zara, Massimo Dutti, Gap and Springfield) is Amman's first pedestrian-only street. It is one Amman's most vibrant and popular shopping districts.

Amman's newest shopping malls carry label names, which help attract tourists.

Nearby places of interest

Amman is conveniently located for many Jordanian attractions favoured by tourists. It is a mere 45 minute trip by car to several interesting locations:

• The Baptism Site (Al-Maghtas in Arabic) on the Jordan River where Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist
• Mount Nebo where, according to the Bible, Moses died
• The unique ultra saline waters of the Dead Sea, home to many first-rate resorts
• Jerash, a city of the Decapolis and considered one of the most important and best preserved Roman cities in the Near East
• The Hellenistic ruin of Qasr al Abd, in the near-by valley of Wadi Al Seer
• Petra, two hours from Aqaba, is one of the most breathtaking places in the world (one of the 7 wonders of the world)
• The beaches at Aqaba, a shipping port and Jordan's only access to the Red Sea. Just about three of four hours from Amman by car or 350 km (220 mi) away. You can also take a plane on Royal Jordanian from Queen Alia Airport to King Hussein International Airport (Aqaba Airport). The primarily industrial character of the town is mitigated by the fact that it is set between sprawling mountain ranges and boasts some of the finest coral reefs in the region.
• The unique geological rock formations of Wadi Rum. The colorful rocks are best viewed at sunset and located a half hour away from Petra. Wadi Rum has connections with T. E. Lawrence; consequently the movie Lawrence of Arabia filmed there for a number of scenes.
• Iraq Al Amir :Iraq Al Amir is situated in a lush, secluded wadi 24 km to the southwest of Amman. The area is generally known for Qasr Al-Abd (palace of the Slave), an impressive and unique building which dates from the first quarter of the 2nd century BC. Originally two stories high and constructed of megalithic stones weighing from 15-25 tons each, it is the most striking Hellenistic monument that has survived on either side of the Jordan River

Picture gallery

The Le royal hotel at night	A Coptic Church is an example of Amman's religious diversity	An overview of East Amman.	Snow in Amman.
A view from Amman's Regency Hotel	Inside of King Abdullah I Mosque	Jordan Gate Towers under construction	Temple of Hercules on the top of the catidal hill
View over Amman from National Orthodox School

International relations

Twin towns — sister cities

Amman is twinned with:^[12]

See also

• List of tallest buildings in Amman

References

Notes

External links

• Amman travel guide from Wikitravel
• Amman City Guide
• 360 degrees panorama from the Citadel Hill in central Amman
• Amman interactive map
• Amman Discussion Forum (Arabic)
• Amman photo Gallery
• Amman photo Slideshow
• WikiTravel WikiTravel - Petra
• Website for Amman's centennial celebrations telling the modern history of the city

Coordinates: 31°35′N 36°20′E / 31.583°N 36.333°E / 31.583; 36.333

Amman Governorate of Jordan Capital: Amman Towns and villages `Abdun, Abu `Alandah · Adh Dhuhaybah · Al `Al · Al `Amiriyah · Al Bahhath · Al Bassah · Al Bunayyat al Janubiyah · Al Bunayyat ash Shamaliyah · Al Hawwasiyah · Al Hummar · Al Jizah · Al Jubayhah · Al Jumayyil · Al Juwayyidah · Al Lubban · Al Mabrak · Al Mahattah · Al Manakhir · Al Muqabalayn · Al Mushaqqar · Al Mushayrifah · Al Mushayrifah · Al Muwaqqar · Al Qartu`iyah · Al Qastal · Al Qunaytirah · Al Quwaysimah · Al Yadudah · `Ammuriya · An Nuwayjis · Ar Rabahiyah · Ar Rajib · Ar Riwaq · Ash Shufatah · Ash Shumaysani · As Samik · As Saqrah · At Tunayb · Barazin · Barzah · Barzah · Bayt Zir`ah · Biddin · Bilal · Dab`ah · Dhiban · Dhuhaybah · Hawwarah · Hisban · `Iraq al Amir · Jalul · Jawa · Juraynah · Khilda · Khirbat `Assaf · Khirbat Badran · Khirbat Khaww · Khirbat Siran · Khuraybat as Suq · Ma`in · Manja · Marka · Mukawir · Mulayh · Natl · Na`ur · Qasr al Hallabat · Qubur `Abd Allah · Qurayyat Falhah · Qurayyat Nafi` · Qurayyat Salim · Rujaym Salim · Rujm ash Shami · Rujm ash Shara'irah · Sahab · Shunat Ibn `Adwan · Sufah · Sumiya · Suwaylih · Tabarbawr · Tila` al `Ali · Umm al `Amad · Umm al Birak · Umm al Hanafish · Umm al Kundum · Umm al Qanafidh · Umm ar Rasas · Umm as Summaq · Umm Juraysat · Umm Nuwarah · Umm Qusayr · Umm Qusayr · Umm Rummanah · Umm Shujayrah al Gharbiyah · Umm Zuwaytinah · `Urjan al Gharbiyah · `Urjan ash Sharqiyah · `Uyun adh Dhi'b · Wadi as Sir · Yajuz · Zaba'ir `Udwan · Zuwayza

From Wikitravel

Amman is the capital and largest city of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (population c. 2.1 million). Amman forms a great base for exploring the country and does, in fact, hold a few items of interest to the traveler. The city is generally well-appointed for the traveler and the people are very friendly.

Roman theater

Although not seen as much when in the air over Amman, the city holds many surprises for the visitor. Anything can be found in Amman if one asks. Visit Amman's Roman Amphitheatre or study in the University of Jordan or stay in the luxurious Marriott. Malls are abundant in Jordan. With new construction in Abdali, in a few years the traveler could eat in the most high-end restaurant, study in the American University of Jordan, stay in a five star hotel or shop in massive malls, all a few metres from one another.

Amman is experiencing a massive change from a quiet sleepy village to a bustling metropolis. Amman's roads have had a reputation of being very steep and narrow in some of the underdeveloped parts of the city but now the city has state of the art highways and paved avenues. New resorts and hotels dot the city and there are many things for the traveler to see and do. Use Amman as a staging point for travels to nearby cities and settlements in Jordan.

Understand

A city built of white stone, Amman's growth has skyrocketed since it was made the capital of Trans-Jordan in the early 1920s, but especially after the 1948 and 1967 wars with Israel when hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees settled. Another wave arrived after the second Iraq war, with Iraqi refugees forming the majority of newcomers.

Ammonite watchtower

Its history, however, goes back many millennia. The settlement mentioned in the Bible as Rabbath Ammon was the capital of the Ammonites, which later fell to the Assyrians. It was dominated briefly by the Nabataeans before it became a great Roman trade center and was renamed Philadelphia. After the Islamic conquests, Amman became part of the Muslim empire, until the Ottomans were forced out by the Allies, with the help of the Hashimites, who formed a monarchy that continues to rule until the present.

Today, West Amman is a lively, modern city. The eastern part of the city, where the majority of Amman's residents live, is predominantly the residential area of the working class and is much older than the west. While possessing few sites itself, Amman makes a comfortable base from which to explore the northwestern parts of the country.

Amman is a very diverse city. Palestinian, Iraqi, Circassian, Armenian,and many other ethnic groups reside in Amman. Amman was damaged because of the events of Black September but the city was rebuilt. Amman never stops growing. The city went from 20,000 inhabitants to more than 2 million people in less than a century partly because of massive influxes of refugees from Palestine and Iraq.

Most Jordanians understand English so communication shouldn't be that much of a problem but it never hurts to know a few useful phrases and come prepared with a translation book.

Get in

By plane

Most travelers to Amman (and to Jordan) will arrive via Queen Alia International Airport. For most western visitors, entry visas to Jordan can be purchased at the airport, if not already obtained from a Jordanian consulate overseas. The price of visa is 10 Jordanian Dinars ($15); queue first at the line that says 'visa', and then move over to the passport line. Money exchange is available before passport control, ATMs after customs.

Taxi transportation from the airport to Amman should cost 19 Jordanian Dinars ($30).

By bus

Note that the Abdali bus station is now closed. The new bus station is called Tabarbour Bus Station and is in the North fringes of Amman. Most of the buses to the various cities ('Ajloun, Jerash, Irbid etc.) in Northern Jordan leave from here. To get there from downtown, take Serviis (A sedan car that works like a bus) #6 from Raghadan Service Station which is located right next to the Colosseum. The Trababour Bus Station is the last stop on the Serviis' route. There are numerous buses pulling into the city of Amman, most of which are operated by JETT (Jordan Express Tourist Transport). From the bus station, you can take a taxi to the city center. As a guide, it NEVER costs more than 2 JD on the meter from the bus station to most places in town, so either go by the meter, or pay a maximum of 2 JD.

Be wary of the private cars posing as taxis around the bus stands. They would offer their services asking you to pay as much as you want but later on insist on pocketing more money from you. In case you get one, insist paying the standard price which should not be more than 2 JD.

Anything more than 2 JD is a rip-off.

By train

Train operator in Jordan: HJR (Hedjaz Jordan Railway) [1] check seat61 [2] for details.

Get around

By taxi

Yellow and grey taxis are readily available and can be easily found anywhere in Amman. Taxis for Amman will have a green logo on the driver and passenger doors. The grey ones have an advertisement on top of the car. Resist hailing cabs with another color logo; these cabs are based in other cities and it is illegal for them to pick up fares in Amman. Taxis in Amman are required by law to use meteres and most drivers will reset the meter as soon as a fare is picked up. Most trips within Amman should be under JD5. Taxis are not required to use meters after midnight and drivers often expect double the normal fare for late night trips.

The base rate for the taxi meter was changed recently from 150 fills (JD 0.150) to 250 fills (JD 0.250) due to the rising oil prices, however, not all taxis have replaced their old meters with new ones, and when a taxi is using an old meter, it is legitimate for the driver to ask you for 10 extra piasters on top of the quoted meter fare. Make sure though that you note the initial fare as soon as the driver turns the meter on in order not to have the driver ask you for "the 10 piasters" when he has a new meter. Drivers are not normally tipped, instead the fare is simply rounded up to the nearest 5 or 10 piasters. It should be noted that many drivers do not carry much change, so exact change should be given when possible.

The going rate for a taxi from Amman to the airport is JD35, although some drivers can be talked down to JD30. If you are visiting the Citadel, call it al'Aqal. The driver may try to convince you that the Roman theater is nicer so that he can drop you off there at the bottom of the hill. It's best to be dropped off at the Citadel and walk down the hill to the Roman theater.

By bus

The Amman City Tour is a hop on hop off bus service (August/09: This hop-on-hop-off bus doesn't exist anymore) that can be used for tourists and natives alike. Non-Jordanians pay a 10 JD fare while Jordanians pay a 5 JD fare. The tour consists of a circular bus route that encompasses a variety of locations, such as the Roman Theater, Shopping Malls, Downtown (or "Balad" as it is called), Museums, Parks and the Wakalat Street shopping district, amongst others. Amman City Tour offers its passengers the convenience of 35 stops in one bus ride, operating daily from 10AM to 8PM (until 6PM during winter months).

You can visit the fascinating Roman Theater and Nymphaeum, that reflect the historic legacy of the city, and the enchanting Citadel which has stood since the ancient times of the Ammonites. Or enjoy a leisurely stroll through the King Hussein Park and visit the Automobile Museum, which contains the late King Hussein's car collection, or the Children's Museum.

Jabal Amman 1st Circle Walking Trail is also interesting, with its coffeshops and grand traditional villas.

If it's shopping you're after,then the pedestrian Wakalat shopping district offers a wide selection of international brand names to choose from.

For a more exotic and traditional experience you can visit the old-downtown, also known as the Souq, and take in the traditional sights and smells of the spice market, and shop for authentic souvenirs. (All of this info can be found at [3])

See

Although the capital of a diverse kingdom, Amman is not what one would call "packed" with things to see, making it a great gateway to explorations further afield. Even so, the city does hold a few items of historical and cultural interest (allow maximum 2 days to see them).

• the Roman Theatre. Entrance of JD1 also covers the folklore museum and popular culture museum.
• a Roman-era Nymphaeum
• an Ammonite-era watchtower

Ummayad Palace

• the Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a) - located in the centre of both ancient and modern Amman.
  • the Temple of Herakles - Roman period remains
  • the Byzantine Church - dating to the 5th-6th centuries
  • the Ummayad Palace - situated in the northern portion of the Citadel, entrance JD2. Offers a great view of Amman.
  • the National Archaeological Museum - situated on the Citadel, the museum is a small but interesting collection of antiquities from all over Jordan including some of the fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
• Darat al Funun or 'small house of the arts' in Jabal el Weibdeh, overlooking the heart of Amman, is housed in three adjacent villas from the 1920s (and the remains of a sixth-century Byzantine church built over a Roman Temple), it has a permanent collection and also holds changing exhibitions. In the same area there are other small art galleries and the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts.
• Rainbow St. near the 1st Circle in Jabal Amman is an interesting area to walk around and explore, it is named after the old Rainbow Cinema which is now out of use, but the area has been recently experiencing a revival with many of the old houses being restored and put into use, in the area there are some cafes and bars including Books@cafe and Wild Jordan both with great views, a Hammam, the Royal Film Commission which sometimes holds outdoor screenings on its patio and some interesting small shops.

The cultural scene in Amman has seen some increased activities, notably cultural centers and clubs such as Makan House, Al Balad Theater, the Amman Filmmakers Cooperative, Remall, and Zara gallery. Around the 1st of September the Jordan Short Film Festival takes place.

Do

It is highly advisable to see the sunset from the view point near the Citadel. But pay also your attention to the time of the muezzin call. If you listen to it from the view point, where the whole city lies before you, you get the unforgettable acoustic impression.

Due to accelerated growth the past several decades, the styles of living differs considerably as one travels from east to west throughout Amman. Visitors desiring to experience "Old Amman" should explore the central downtown, or Balad, which features numerous souqs, shops, and street vendors.

Besides touring the city, shopping is also advisible for the traveler. The Mecca Mall is your best bet. The City Mall, the Abdoun Mall, and the Plaza Mall are all large shopping centers scattered across Amman. For night clubs and bars visit the cosmopolitan West Amman where many Western and American franchises operate here. The nightlife in Amman is not as vibrant as other Middle Eastern cities like Beirut or Tel Aviv, however, there are a few clubs and bars in Amman.

Abdali, a section of downtown Amman, is being transformed into a magnificent center for tourists and natives alike. The plan includes a broad pedestrian boulevard where visitors can shop, eat, or do numerous other activities. New office buildings and residential hi-rises are being constructed. "New Abdali" should be completed by 2010.

Wear

Anything goes in Amman, headscarf or not is permissible. Most women in Amman especially in West Amman do not cover their head. In West Amman, women dress in the lastest fashions from Europe. However, wear the tank top or the mini skirt if you will be travelling to your destination by car. In Amman's numerous malls and restaurants, women wear skin tight jeans and heels. In East Amman, wear clothes that cover the shoulders and if you plan to wear a skirt it should be at least up to the knee.

clothes market at bus station

Amman has numerous antique dealers littered throughout the city. Those located in the western parts of the city will most likely be serviced by those with a competent grasp of the English language, but you run the risk of the items being a bit overpriced. For the more adventurous, some of the best tourist shopping can be done in downtown Amman (the Balad). Shopping in the Balad has a more primitive feel with shop after shop filled with wares and prices not always clearly marked and extremely negotiable.

Some interesting, original souvenir items that one may consider taking home are:

• a keffiyeh, the traditional checkered headpiece of Jordanian men
• an antique brass tea/coffee pot, distinctly Middle Eastern with its artistic etching and curved spout
• olive wood carvings of various objects or figures can be purchase nearly everywhere
• hand-crafted Jordanian daggers
• hand-made Bedouin-style embroidered clothing

For the coffee lover, Amman's Starbucks locations (Swefieh, Adboun, City Mall, Mecca Mall) offer various mugs, tumblers, and to-go cups with distinctive Jordanian and Middle Eastern flair.

Those who crave gourmet coffee have a number of choices such as Broadway in Abdoun, or Wakim and Chez Helda in Swefieh, or Paris Cafe in Elwaibdeh.

Alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, liquor, etc.), can be purchased in a couple of shops found on Mango Street (parallel to Rainbow Street) in the Christian neighborhood of Jabal Amman, just down from First Circle.

• The Balad
• Souk
• Malls - City Mall [4] is currently Jordan's biggest shopping mall. All the usual international brands are present. Mecca mall is another big mall on Mecca Street (not far from the City Mall).
• Wakalat Street A new street with big western stores. Mostly clothes, furniture, sport.

Wakalat Street

• Sharia Rainbow - Rainbow Street - A cobblestone street just down from First Circle that is populated with small antique stores, clothing, restaurants, sheesha tea shops and the well-known Falafel al-Quds, reputedly the "best" Falafel in the Middle East (some Saudi's even financed the opening of one in Saudi Arabia). Further down the street you will find a small park that overlooks the city. Further still on a side street, during the warmer months, is a side-walk flea market. At the end of this street and down some stairs you will find Wild Jordan.

Learn

There are numerous universities one can study in. Irbid, Madaba, and Aqaba also hold many educational institutes for foreigners.

• New English School (NES). Privately owned school which offers the British Examination System known as International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) which consist of O-Levels and A-Levels. The school is best known for its headmaster Mr. Nabil who has been with the school for generations. It is also known for its outdoor football pitch the best for seven-a-side games.  edit

Jordan's universities are world-renowned and respected for their hospitality and methods of instruction.

Eat

Amman features many different styles of restaurants, from traditional Middle Eastern fare to more familiar Western fast food and franchises. Prices range from ultra-cheap to moderate, depending on one's taste buds. For those on a budget, Arabic food is very affordable and can be obtained everywhere.

Arabic food generally consists of several general basic groups. Meat dishes will generally consist of lamb or chicken; beef is more rare and pork is never offered. Shwarma, which is cooked lamb meat with a special sauce rolled in piece of flat bread, is a local favorite. Rice and flat bread are typical sides to any meal. Jordan's specialty, mansaf, is a delicious lamb and rice meal, typically eaten with one's hands. Arabs serve plenty of cucumbers and tomatoes, many times accompanied by a plain white yogurt condiment. Another favorite is chick pea-based foods such as falafel, hummus, and fuul. One of Amman's most famous local foods restaurant is Hashem, located in downtown Amman and you can have a lunch or dinner there for less than 1 JD which is very low compared to other restaurants in Amman. This restaurant is one of the favourites of the Royal family and you will see a lot of photographs of the Royal family of Jordan dining at this restaurant. Nearby, there is Habeebah, which serves traditional east Mediterranean sweets such as baklava, but is most famous for serving a traditional dessert known as knafeh nabelseyyeh in reference to its origin from the Palestinian city of Nables.

• La Maison Verte - impressive french restaurant, with excellent food and excellent ambience. A must go to place. Moderate to pricy, but it's worth it; the atmosphere alone is worth it, it's quite fancy yet very cozy. Their house specialities includes "Entrecote", "Charbonate" various steaks and a variety of sea food.

• Fakhr al Din 40 Taha Hussein, st Jabal. tel: 962 6 4652399 [5] - when going from 1st to 2nd circle, turn right after the Iraqi embassy. Following that, turn right at the end of this street, go past the lot on your left and then turn left again. "Fakhr al Din" is written in Arabic on the wall of last building on the block (فخر الدين). A real classical of Amman's Lebanese-oriented restaurant. Quite pricey but worth it, especially if you're in the terrace on a warm evening. For local wine, try their "Gerasa" red wine. Reservation highly advised.

• Kan Zaman - impressive medieval castle on a hilltop turned into a beautiful restaurant. The place is worth the visit. The food is pretty basic but ok. Ask for their local "Kan Zaman" red wine. Hopefully, the prices are not proportional to the size of the hall. It's a bit difficult to get there as it is around 10 km south of amman. On the highway to the airport, you'll see a sign. Leave the highway, go under the bridge and follow the small road.

• Noodasia - my treat. Nothing to do with Arabic food though, as the menu handles the whole map of asia, from Thailand to China, through Japan (good sushis) and Indonesia. Nice place, excellent service and good food for the money, but no alcohol served. It's located on Abdoun Circle, in front of the Big Fellow pub.

• Books@Cafe - a beautiful old house turned into the then-first bookstore/internet/cafe. Opened in the year 2000 and a hot spot ever since. This cafe is on Rainbow street overlooking all of the old city (Balad) and has two wonderful terraces with the best views in Amman. Boasting a very funky interior in contrast with the classical exterior, this cafe offers lite fare, water pipes (argheeleh), wine, beer and the best pizza in Amman. Free wireless network and three internet terminals. A must see.

• Popeyes - the best fast food restaurant in Amman. It serves the best fried chicken "cajun our way". But what makes it different than other fried chicken restaurants is its lovely mashed potatoes served with hot gravy sauce, makes you want to swim in it. Also they serve a creamy cushiony baked biscuits. A must go place.

• Grappa, (around the corner from Fakhr Al Din, close to 2. circle), ☎ ''+962'' 463 8212 (grappamanager@jorest.com). Restaurant and lounge bar with great steaks and good wine. JD 10 for mains.  edit

• Hashim - Near the post office at King Faisal Street, where most of the budget hotels are located, you can ask most of the locals for directions to this cheap local eatery. During meal times, the place is swarmed with locals, who are there to eat a cheap and good meal of felafel, hommous and bread. Cost is only about 1 JD per person (for felafel, hommous, bread and tea).

And even if you can afford the above-mentioned, do not forget the good surprises coming from the countless shawarma outlets and other very cheap places.

• Ameer. Located right across from the Hussien Mosque in the old city (Balad). Best place in Amman for falafel sandwiches. The sandwiches are cheap and delicious, 30 piasters. Ask for "shuta" (pronounced, shut-a, with the "a" as in "about", shuta means hot sauce) if you like it spicy. The falafel sandwiches come with french fries in them, tomatoes, parsley, onion, and some hummus. You can also ask for a "batata" sandwich (french fry sandwich), it is AMAZING! I always get one falafel sandwich and one bataba sandwich. It's the best!  edit

Note: If you are a vegetarian, probably you will have to live on bread, felafel, fries, pita bread with hummus moutabal and salads. The salads are really tasty well marinated.

Drink

The majority of Amman's pubs and night clubs can be found in West Amman.

• Picadelli Pub, (At Abdali Bus Station). Friendly place that serves alcohol, food, and complimentary snacks JD 3 for beer and wine.  edit

• La Calle - Located on Rainbow street, this multi-level bar is know for its half-price happy hour specials.

new and old downtown

• Jafra, (Right across from the post office on King Faisal Street (near Hashems). It is upstairs from the DVD store of the same name.). A great spot right in the heart of the downtown area. It has an old, rustic feel to it with more young locals than tourists. They have a great selection of nargileh (water pipe) and the entire menu is reasonably priced. Expect to pay about 10JD for dinner, including an appetizer, kebab, fresh juice and nargileh. Live music starts at 9PM most night.  edit

Sleep

Amman has the full range of accommodation options from very basic 1 star accommodation to luxurious 5 star facilities.

• Al Sufara Hotel Suites (In the heart of the capital Amman), Mrwan Althani St. (Al abdali behined Al fareed complix), ☎ +96265690969. checkout: 1:00 PM. Low rate, Safe & quite stay. Price is for the suite including taxes & breakfast.A choice of 1 or 2 bedroom Suite for 2 or 4 persons. 40 - 60 US$.  edit

• Sun Rise Hotel Abdali station, king Hussein Street. One star hotel with good location, near Abdali station, JETT bus station (daily bus for petra, damascus and aqaba) and service taxi station to lebanon and syria. Safe area, near Capitol Police Center. TV, free internet, free wifi and air cond in the room. Staffs speak english and very specialized in organizing tours in Jordan, special price for student and tour available daily with full insurance. Car rental service is avaiable ase well.Free coffee and tea. Beverages can be demanded. sun-rise-hotel@hotmail.com, Contact the manager Jabar at 00 962 795 666 156 if you need more info. Dorm from 3.50 JD, different rooms available from 8JD to 20JD.
• Bdeiwi hostel &hotel Great place to stay, safe and clean single 8JD double 12JD,dorm is 5 jod, 24 hous hot showers,wirless internet for free , bdeiwihotel@yahoo.com, phone# 00 962 777 269 519.
• Al-Harmin Hotel - 7JD for double
• Cliff Hostel - 2 JD for mattresses on the terrace, 4jd dorm, .5jd for shower.
• Amman Castle Hotel - 4.5 JD for a double; seems to be more catered to males and locals
• Palace Hotel [6], King Faisal St, Downtown - 22 JD (with shower & satellite TV), 13 JD (shared facilities) for a double with breakfast included.
• Sydney Hotel - Nice people, clean and safe. Prince Mohammad St, Downtown,tel +962 6 4641122,<mailto:sydney_hotel@yahoo.com> - - 10 JD for a single, 14 JD for a double. Breakfast is 2 JD
• Farah Hotel - Good backpacker option, has common area with satelite TV & movies, organises tours & very friendly English speaking staff. From 4 JD for a dorm.

• Al Fanar Palace Hotel, Queen Rania Al Abdullah Street (North of city centre and West of Sports City), ☎ +962 6 5100 400, [7]. Standard hotel with reasonable facilities. Wifi in reception (JOD3/hour). Hot water can be a problem. Indoor swimming pool, restaurant (but no bar). You can easily take a taxi down the road to the Regency Palace if you want a bar. Taxi cost is less than JD 1. JD 60.  edit

• Gardenia Hotel, Abdulhameed Sharaf Street (near Safeway), ☎ 5667790 (gardeniahotel.index.com.jo), [8]. checkout: noon. Friendly hotel in nice and very quiet neighbourhood 45JD with breakfast.  edit

• Beirut International, King Hussein Street (Near the Abdil bus station). checkout: noon. Good location, nice big rooms, including middle eastern breakfast. JD70, but you can get a discount.  edit

• Manar Hotel
• Toledo Hotel
• Caravan Hotel E-mail caravan@go.com.jo
• Canary Hlote ==E-mail canary_h@go.com.jo

. Newpark Hotel Our Hotel on the King Hussein Str, opposite the old court, the two star hotel, we have 33 deluxe rooms with private bathroom, including satellite TV channels, direct telephone, air-conditioning, and central heating. E-mail newparkhotel@hotmail.com

• Beity Rose Suites Hotel, Ibn Hayyan Street (Near the Specialty Hospital), ☎ +962 6 5663706 (info@hotelbeity.com, fax: +962 6 5663703), [9]. checkin: 14:00; checkout: noon. Located in the progressive district of Shmeisani, next to the Royal Cultural Centre and the Amman Stock Market. Friendly hotel in an attractive setting. from JD85.  edit

• Regency Palace Hotel, Queen Alia Street, ☎ +962 6 5607000, [10]. Popular 4 star hotel. Some areas need updating, but rooms are comfortable. There is a very good breakfast buffet. Internet access is available in the rooms.  edit
• Four Seasons Amman [11], 5th Circle, Al-Kindi Street, Jabal Amman, tel 962 06 550-5555, fax 962 06 550-5556 - a wonderful luxury hotel located conveniently on the 5th Circle.
• Kempinski Amman [12], Abdul Hameed Shouman Street, Shmeisani, tel +962 6 5200 200, tel +962 6 5200 202 - a recent addition to the city: all the luxury of a 5 star with a number of interesting modern art features in the designer building.
• Grand Hyatt Amman, Hussein Bin Ali Street, Jabal Amman (In the business district), ☎ +962 6 465 1234 (info.ammgh@hyattintl.com), [13]. checkin: 12:00PM; checkout: 15:00PM. A favourite of the expat set for its laid back ambiance, terrace views and quality restaurants. Located at 3rd Circle.  edit
• Intercontinental Amman - another hotel popular with foreign professionals. Conveniently located between the 2nd and 3rd Circles.
• Le Royal Hotel Amman [14], 3rd Circle, Zahran Street, Jabal Amman, tel 962 06460-3000, fax 962 06 460-3002 - Simply the best hotel in Amman.
• Sheraton Amman - another five-star. Conveniently located on the 5th Circle.
• Radisson SAS - a decent hotel located only a short ride from the 3rd circle.
• Le Meridien Amman [15]- a superb hotel located in the Shmeisani district, not far from the 4th circle.
• Amman Marriott Hotel[16], Shmeisani Area Issam Ajluni Street, Tel: 00962 6 5607 607...Fax:00962 6 5697799

• Ammon Hotel
• Days Inns Amman
• Howard Johnson
• Bristol Hotel [17] - Near to 5th Circle. Very good hotel if you can put up with the ever present smell of cigarette smoke (even in the non smoking rooms). Wireless internet works well.

Stay safe

Report to the Jordanian police any suspicious activity. In light of the 2005 Amman bombings, the Jordanian government is on alert for any terrorist cells operating within the country. Amman is safe at all hours for tourists and you find Amman to be very hospitable.

Respect

Jordan is a majority Muslim country with a large Christian population too. Jordanian people are mostly very welcoming to any foreign visitors. Women should wear fairly conservative clothing if visiting religious sites.

The Jordanian Royal Family are very well loved and respected by the nation's people. Their pictures will be seen all over the city. Any derogatory words or comments about them could really get you in trouble.

• United States, ☎ 962-6-590-6000 (ResponseAmman@state.gov, fax: 962-6-592-0121), [18].  edit
• Turkey, ☎ 962-6-464-1251 (tcammanbedort@index.com.jo, fax: 962-6-464-2353).  edit
• Australia, ☎ 962-6-580-7000 (mmigration.amman@dfat.gov.au, fax: 962-6-580-7001).  edit
• UK, ☎ 962-6-590-9200 (info@britain.org.jo, fax: 962-6-590-9279).  edit

Get out

Amman makes a convenient base for day trips to:

• Madaba
• Jerash (and Ajlun)
• the Dead Sea (including Mount Nebo and the Baptism Site at the Jordan River)
• Wadi al-Seer - A region to the west of Amman, it is a small valley leading down towards the Dead Sea. Nearby is the al-Bassa Springs, the source of the valley's river. Above the spring is the al-Deir monastery. It's a 20 minute climb up to the monastery. To reach Wadi al-Seer, head to the minibus station on al-Quds Street, just south of al-Husseini Mosque.
• There are a couple of bicycling tour firms in Amman Tareef cycling club [19] that was Founded in 1982 and developed into an active welcome group in August of 2007 by former Jordanian National Team Cyclist. Provides fun active weekend cycling and hiking trips, supporting all levels of fitness all around Jordan. - www.Cycling-Jordan.com, is one - that offer tours and weekly trips to the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea. It's a good way to see the local scenery as well as meeting other local cyclists.

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Wikipedia has an article on:

Amman

Wikipedia

English

Proper noun

Amman

1. The capital of Jordan.

Translations

Croatian

Proper noun

Amman m.

1. Amman

Finnish

Proper noun

Amman (stem Amman-^*)

1. Amman