THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN DEMOGRAPHICS : Jordan's population in 1994 was 4.1 million (Amman 1.27m, Zarqa 0.61m). The population growth rate is 4.4 percent per annum. CLIMATE : The country shares with its neighbours the climate of the eastern Mediterranean. Amman enjoys sunny, cloudless weather from May to early November, with warm days and cool evenings. Winters can be cold and wet in Amman and the hilly areas, with rain falling regularly from late November to early April. In this period, Aqaba (on the Red Sea) and the Jordan Valley are the frequented winter resorts. LANGUAGE : Arabic is the official language in Jordan. English is taught at schools as a second language, and is widely used in governmental correspondence with international organisations and by most private sector companies. RELIGION : Islam is the kingdom's main religion, constituting 94% of the population. The constitution provides for the respect of all religions with no discrimination. Christians make up the remaining 6% of the population with more than 70 churches through out the Kingdom. These include churches for Greek Orthodox, Protestants, Greek Catholics, Baptists Evangelical Christians, Evangelical Episcopal, Roman Catholics and Seventh Day Adventists. MEDIA & PRESS : There are two television channels, one Arabic and the other, a foreign language service wich broadcasts in English, French and Hebrew. Broadcasts from other countries are also available. They include the Arabic and English channels of Syria, and Israel. Television advertising is allowed and there are no restrictions on the ownership of satellite dishes, which is a growing trend in the country. Radio Jordan broadcasts three channels in Arabic, English, and French. Newspapers are circulated daily in both Arabic and English. Major Arabic newspapers include Al-Rai, Al-Dustour and Aswaq. The Jordan Times, an English language newspaper is published daily, and the Star, also in English is published weekly. Local variety and specialised magazines are growing in number and scope and are gaining wider readership, Magazines catering to the expatriate community are also flourishing. CURRENCY Currency Unit ; Jordanian Dinar (JD) = 1,000 Fils Currency Equivalent; 1 JD is about US $ 1.42 Currency notes available; JDs 20, 10, 5, 1 and 500 Fils Coins available ; 1 JD , and Fils 500, 250, 100, 50, 25 and 5 TIME : Winter : Greenwich + 2 hours Summer: Greenwich + 3 hours WORKING DAYS : Working days are Saturdays through Thursdays. Friday is the official weekend holiday. Other official public holidays are spread throughout the year totalling 14 days. WORKING HOURS : Government offices: 8.00 am - 2.00 p.m. Some Government Off.: 7.30 am - 3.00 p.m. Private Sector 8.30 am - 1.30 p.m. (winter) 3.00p.m. - 6.00 p,m. 8.00am - 1.00 p.m. (summer) 3.30p.m. - 6.30 p.m. Banks: 8.30 am - 12-30 p.m. 3.30p.m. - 5.00 p.m. (winter) 4.00p.m. - 5.30 p.m.(summer) (Some companies close on Sunday and Thursday afternoons) PUBLIC HOLIDAYS : government offices, banks and most businesses remain closed on religious holidays. Based on the lunar Hijra calendar, the dates of Islamic holidays vary from year to year. The Eastern calendar is used for Christian holidays. National holidays are set according to the Gregorian calendar. Since the Hijra calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, Islamic holidays fall 11 days earlier each year. However, the actual days may still vary since they depend on the sighting of the moon. The Eastern calendar can be as much as a month behind the Gregorian calendar. Official Holidays; May 1st Labour Day May 2nd Anniversary of King Hussein's assumption of constitutional powers May 25 Independence Day June 10 Anniversary of the Great Arab Revolt August 11 Anniversary of King Hussein's accession to the throne Nov. 14 King Hussein's birthday Eid Al-Fitr * Eid Al Adha * The Prophet's birthday * Anniversary of the prophet nocturnal journey * Islamic New Year * * (These holidays depend on the Islamic calendar " Hijra" ) WEIGHTS AND MEASURES : The metric scale system is used throughout the Kingdom; Kilograms (kg), Metric Ton (ton), Meter (m), Kilometre (km), Square Meter ,Donum (1,000 Square Meters), Hectare"ha" (10 donum).

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