About Jordan

Situated in the heart of the Middle East is Jordan, the meeting point of three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa . Jordan’s image conveys a vibrant fusion of history and modernity. These elements are well interlaced in the capital Amman, where one moment you are wandering back in time at the ancient Citadel Hill and the next driving through the urban and contemporary streets of Amman Jordan is often seen as the liberal and accessible face of the Middle East and widely regarded as one of the most promising and emerging markets in the region, due to rising income levels and increased interest from foreign investors . Jordan’s vision of a thriving market includes a future that caters to the needs of the people and promotes business and investment opportunities in the region. Thus the demand for international brands is growing as the numbers of visitors increase. Amman Situated between the desert and the lush Jordan   Valley , Jordan’s capital Amman is a vibrant city with a history dating back almost 9000 years. Benefiting from an Eastern Mediterranean climate,

Situated in the heart of the Middle East is Jordan, the meeting point of three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa . Jordan’s image conveys a vibrant fusion of history and modernity. These elements are well interlaced in the capital Amman, where one moment you are wandering back in time at the ancient Citadel Hill and the next driving through the urban and contemporary streets of Amman Jordan is often seen as the liberal and accessible face of the Middle East and widely regarded as one of the most promising and emerging markets in the region, due to rising income levels and increased interest from foreign investors . Jordan’s vision of a thriving market includes a future that caters to the needs of the people and promotes business and investment opportunities in the region. Thus the demand for international brands is growing as the numbers of visitors increase. Amman Situated between the desert and the lush Jordan   Valley , Jordan’s capital Amman is a vibrant city with a history dating back almost 9000 years. Benefiting from an Eastern Mediterranean climate,

has long been an attractive place to live in. Amman is one of the fastest growing cities in the Middle East and home to almost one third of the Jordanian population. Business and residential areas in West Amman are located in relation to a number of roundabouts and crossroads along Zahran Street , the main road from downtown to the Queen Alia International Airport . These are referred to as “circles“ and are numbered one to eight. In addition there are popular residential neighborhoods of Abdoun, Swafiyeh, Dair Ghbar, Al Rabia and Um Othaina. As the city has grown, the commercial center of Amman has shifted to the west. The main business district is now close to the third and fourth Circles and is expanding towards Shmeisani. Amman forms the focus of the Jordanian economy, being the center of government activity, commerce, services and manufacturing. The service sector dominates the economy real estate and business related services with transport and communications forming the greater part of Jordanian commercial activity. Amman is being transformed into an international center attracting substantial inward investment. Amman ’s thriving business community has created a city of opportunity as continued privatization and forecast economic growth stimulates and accelerates the pace of domestic and international investments.

History of Amman

Throughout history, Amman has been inhabited by several civilizations. The first civilization on record is during the Neolithic period, around 6500 BC, where 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. 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 AD 106 when Philadelphia came under Roman control and joined the Decapolis - a league of ten cities. In 324 AD, Christianity became the religion of the empire and Philadelphia became the seat of bishopric during the beginning of the Byzantine era. One of the churches of this period can be seen on the city's Citadel. Philadelphia was renamed to Amman during the Ghassanian era, and flourished under the Ummayads and the Abbasids. 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. In 1921, Abdullah I chose Amman as seat of his new government, the Emirate of Transjordan, and later as the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Amman remained a small city until 1948, when the population expanded considerably due to an influx of Palestinian refugees. Amman has experienced exceptionally rapid development since 1952 under the leadership of His Majesties King Hussein and King Abdullah. Residential areas have spread out from the centre of the city to the surrounding hills. For example, several communities thrive in Jerash.

Amman Today

Amman was originally built on seven hills, but it now spans over an area of 19 hills. The main areas of Amman gain their names from the hills on whose slopes they lie. 21st century Amman is one of the most comfortable and relaxed cities in the Middle East , a place where Muslims, Christians and the small number of people from other faiths live together without conflict. The city's population continues to expand at a dizzying pace (fueled by refugees escaping the wartime events in Palestine and Iraq ). During the last 10 years the amount of new building 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. The older downtown area centered around the old Souk (a colorful traditional market) and the King Hussein Mosque is now completely dwarfed by the sprawling urban areas that surround it but 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 souqs, fine museums, ancient constructions, monuments, and cultural sites. The Citadel hill of Amman, known as Jabal el Qala, 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 empirical ruler Marcus Aurelius who reigned from AD 161-180, is similar to the Temple of Artemis in Jerash. Philadelphia was a favorite place for Roman soldiers and officials as—like Rome —the city was built on seven hills. Right 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 AD 138 and AD 161 by the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, it is built into the side of the mountain and is still used for sport displays and cultural events.Amman is also home to some of the grandest mosques in the Middle East . 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 chequered pattern and is unique to Jordan. 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 Circassian immigrants. Real Estate in Amman Jordan has become the prime investment pool for the majority of investors and real estate entrepreneurs. Real estate in Amman Jordan has historically been a lucrative market, and in the past few years. Real estate in Amman Jordan has taken a prime location amongst all the real estate investments in the Middle East . Real estate investors in Amman Jordan feel secure in their investment due to the calm and wise political strategy and atmosphere which has led to a firm and stable growth in the real estate marketplace, which is expected to evolve further and flourish in the upcoming 3 years. Real estate in Amman Jordan is a lucrative business to the wise and intelligent investor whom has made a lot of profit and use in the real estate market in Amman Jordan.