JORDANIAN Cultural Orientation TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: PROFILE ................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 1 Geography ................................................................................................................................ 1 Area .................................................................................................................................. 1 Geographic Divisions and Topographic Features ............................................................ 2 Climate ............................................................................................................................. 3 Bodies of Water ................................................................................................................ 4 Major Cities ............................................................................................................................. 5 Amman ............................................................................................................................. 5 Zarqa ................................................................................................................................. 5 Irbid .................................................................................................................................. 5 Aqaba ................................................................................................................................ 5 History ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Ancient Jordan .................................................................................................................. 6 Modern Jordan .................................................................................................................. 7 Government ............................................................................................................................. 8 Media ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Economy ................................................................................................................................ 10 Ethnic Groups and Languages ............................................................................................... 11 Chapter 1 Assessment ............................................................................................................ 13 CHAPTER 2: RELIGION ............................................................................................................ 14 Overview ................................................................................................................................ 14 Major Religions ..................................................................................................................... 14 Islam ............................................................................................................................... 14 Christianity ..................................................................................................................... 15 Role of Religion in Government ............................................................................................ 16 Religion in Daily Life ............................................................................................................ 17 Religious Holidays ................................................................................................................. 18 Muslim Holidays ............................................................................................................ 18 Christian Holidays .......................................................................................................... 19 Buildings of Worship ............................................................................................................. 19 Mosques .......................................................................................................................... 19 Churches ......................................................................................................................... 20 Behavior in Places of Worship .............................................................................................. 20 Chapter 2 Assessment ............................................................................................................ 22 CHAPTER 3: TRADITIONS ....................................................................................................... 23 © DLIFLC | i JORDANIAN Cultural Orientation Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 23 Codes of Politeness ................................................................................................................ 24 Greetings ......................................................................................................................... 24 Names and Titles ............................................................................................................ 25 Eye Contact and Physical Distance ................................................................................ 25 Gender Issues ......................................................................................................................... 26 Hospitality and Gift Giving ................................................................................................... 27 Dress Codes ........................................................................................................................... 30 Non-Religious Holidays ........................................................................................................ 31 Dos and Don’ts ...................................................................................................................... 32 Chapter 3 Assessment ............................................................................................................ 33 CHAPTER 4: URBAN LIFE ........................................................................................................ 34 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 34 Urbanization Issues ................................................................................................................ 35 Urban Economy ..................................................................................................................... 36 Healthcare .............................................................................................................................. 36 Education ............................................................................................................................... 38 Restaurants ............................................................................................................................. 39 Formal Establishments ................................................................................................... 39 Vendors and Informal Restaurants ................................................................................. 40 Marketplace and Street Vendors ............................................................................................ 41 Money and ATMs .................................................................................................................. 43 Transportation ........................................................................................................................ 43 Cars ................................................................................................................................. 44 Taxis ............................................................................................................................... 45 Buses ............................................................................................................................... 45 Air and Rail .................................................................................................................... 46 Street Crime and Solicitations ............................................................................................... 46 Crime .............................................................................................................................. 46 Beggars ........................................................................................................................... 47 Chapter 4 Assessment ............................................................................................................ 48 CHAPTER 5: RURAL LIFE ........................................................................................................ 49 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 49 Land Distribution ................................................................................................................... 49 Economy 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