Jordan lies on the continent of Asia between latitudes 29° and
34° N, and longitudes 35° and 40° E. It consists of an arid
plateau in the east, irrigated by oasis and seasonal water
streams, with highland area in the west of arable land and
Mediterranean evergreen forestry. The Jordan Rift Valley of the
Jordan River separates Jordan from Israel and the Palestinian
Territories. The highest point in the country is Jabal Umm al
Dami, at 1,854 m (6,083 ft) above sea level, its top is also
covered with snow, while the lowest is the Dead Sea −420 m
(−1,378 ft). Jordan is part of a region considered to be "the
cradle of civilization", the Levant region of the Fertile
Crescent. Major cities include the capital Amman and Salt in the
west, Irbid, Jerash and Zarqa, in the northwest and Madaba,
Karak and Aqaba in the southwest. Major towns in the eastern
part of the country are the oasis town of Azraq and Ruwaished.
The climate in Jordan is semi-dry in summer with average
temperature in the mid 30 °C (86 °F) and is relatively cool in
winter averaging around 13 °C (55 °F). The western part of the
country receives greater precipitation during the winter season
from November to March and snowfall in Amman (756 m (2,480 ft) ~
1,280 m (4,199 ft) above sea-level) and Western Heights of 500 m
(1,640 ft). Excluding the rift valley the rest of the country is
entirely above 300 m (984 ft) (SL). The weather is humid from
November to March and semi dry for the rest of the year. With
hot, dry summers and cool winters during which practically all
of the precipitation occurs, the country has a
Mediterranean-style climate. In general, the farther inland from
the Mediterranean a given part of the country lies, the greater
are the seasonal contrasts in temperature and the less rainfall.