II.

Land and Resources

The principal geographical feature of Jordan is an arid desert plateau that covers four-fifths of the country. The plateau rises to about 610 to 915 m (about 2,000 to 3,000 ft) in the west and slopes gently downward toward the Syrian Desert in the extreme east of the country. Deep canyons and mountainous outcroppings with elevations of up to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) characterize the plateau in the southern portion of the country. This arid region is at the intersection of the Syrian Desert and the northern Saudi Arabian desert of An Nafūd.

The Jordan Valley occupies the western edge of the country. A deep depression of the Great Rift Valley, it reaches 209 m (686 ft) below sea level in the area of the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias) and 408 m (1,340 ft) below sea level at the Dead Sea, the world’s lowest point. The soil of the Jordan Valley is very fertile when irrigated, and the region experiences a mild year-round growing season.

Highlands occupy northwestern Jordan, rising to an average elevation of 3,500 feet (1,067 meters) above sea level. Jordanian farmers grow fruits and vegetables in the rich soils of the north and grains in the less fertile soils to the south.

A.

Rivers and Lakes

The Jordan River, forming the country’s border with Israel and the West Bank, is the heart of the country’s drainage system. Rains in the highlands are channeled down temporary streambeds called wadis to the Jordan River. In addition, the Yarmūk and Zarqā’ rivers flow into the Jordan River. The Yarmūk, which separates Syria, Jordan, and Israel and is exploited by all three, is the larger. The Zarqā’ is entirely in Jordan. Its flow is regulated by the King Talal Dam. The Dead Sea is about 80 km (50mi) long and 18 km (11 mi) wide at its broadest. It is called the Dead Sea because it is much too salty to support aquatic life.

B.

Climate

Jordan has a Mediterranean climate with cool winters and hot dry summers and a variable rainfall. The rainy season runs from November to April. Temperatures below freezing are not unknown in January, the coldest month, but the average winter temperature is above 7°C (45°F). In the Jordan Valley summer temperatures may reach 49°C (120°F) in August, the hottest month, but the average summer temperature in Amman is 26°C (78°F). Hot desert winds, called khamsins, blow when the barometric pressure is low just before and after the hot summer months. Precipitation is confined largely to the winter season and ranges from about 660 mm (about 26 in) in the northwestern corner to less than 127 mm (less than 5 in) in the extreme east.

C.

Plant and Animal Life

Because much of Jordan consists of desert and steppe, plant life is not abundant. Grassland and wooded areas are found in the Jabal Ājlūn district between Amman and the Syrian border. In these regions the trees include willow, oleander, and tamarisk along the lower Jordan River valley and also ilex, olive, Aleppo pine, and palm. Wildlife includes the hyena, hyrax, gazelle, ibex, fox, partridge, mongoose, and mole rat; birds are also well represented.