
Geography
The kingdom is often referred to as an oasis of stability in
the region. The Arab Spring in 2010 which brought so much violence to the
middle east had very little impact on Jordan. The country is a popular tourist
destination as well as attracting medical tourism thanks to its highly
developed health care sector. Jordan is classed as a country of “high human
development” with a skilled workforce
and strong economy.
The east of Jordan is an arid plateau, irrigated by oases
and seasonal rivers. The vast majority of the population is based in the north
west due to its fertile soil and higher rainfall. In the west of the country
you can find evergreen forests that drop away into the Jordan Rift Valley that
contains the Jordan River and the Dead Sea which separates Jordan from
Israel. The Dead Sea is 430m below sea
level and the lowest point on Earth. It contains almost 10 times more salt than
the ocean, creating a harsh environment that prevents any plants or wildlife
being able to flourish, hence the name.
The national flower of Jordan is the Black Iris which can be
found covering vast fields in the north west near the town of Madaba.