| FishBase | Complete | Literature | Reference | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Families | Species | Families | |||
| Marine | 140 | 55 | No | |||
| Freshwater | 5 | 3 | Yes | |||
| Total | 144 | 58 | No | |||
| Conservation | The following information is to be sought: - Existence of conservation plans; - Current major threats to species; - Future potential threats to species; - Contact(s) for further information. |
| Geography and Climate |
The principal geographic feature of Jordan is an arid plateau that thrusts abruptly upwards on the eastern shores of the River Jordan and the Dead Sea, reaching a height of about 610 to 915 m, then sloping gently downwards towards the Syrian Desert in the extreme east of the country.The Jordan Valley is in the deep depression of the Great Rift Valley, which is about 209 m below sea level in the area of Lake Tiberias and 397 m below sea level at the Dead Sea, the world’s lowest point.
Deep canyons and mountainous outcroppings with elevations of approximately 1,500 m and more characterize the Arabian Plateau in the southern part of the country.
The climate of Jordan is marked by sharp seasonal variations in both temperature and precipitation. Temperatures below freezing are not unknown in January, the coldest month, but the average winter temperature is above 7°C. In the Jordan Valley, summer temperatures may reach 49°C in August, the hottest month, but the average summer temperature in Amman is 26°C. Precipitation is confined largely to the winter season and ranges from about 660 mm in the northwest corner to less than 127 mm in the extreme east. Ref. Microsoft, 1996 |
| Hydrography |
The River Jordan, forming the country’s border with Israel and the West Bank, is the heart of the country’s drainage system. Ref. Microsoft, 1996 |