MESM'2004, Middle Eastern Multiconference on Modelling and Simulation, September 14-16, 2004, Conference Venue

The conference will be held at the Philadelphia University, our return site of MESM 2000. With an area of 500 dunums (120 acres), Philadelphia University is located on the outskirts north of Amman (24 km from the center) on the motorway from Amman to Jerash and Irbid. It is 725 meters (2380 ft) above sea level. The campus is situated in the heart of beautiful hills overlooking King Talal Dam. The location of the University makes it accessible to students from various cities and towns in Jordan.

About Jordan

Introduction: Bible stories, lost cities, Lawrence of Arabia - Jordan has romantic associations up to its eyeballs. It's a country that ought to be awash with tourists, but the Middle East's bad rep has kept them away in droves. Don't be fooled: Jordan is, on the whole, peaceful. More than that, it's one of the most welcoming, hospitable countries in the world, and doesn't even have that unsettlingly male-oriented feel so prevalent elsewhere in the region. Where else could you leave your belongings on the street for hours at a time, safe in the knowledge they'll be there when you get back? Where else do total strangers invite you into their homes despite the fact they don't own a carpet shop?

Jordan isn't just a friendly cup of tea with the locals, though. It's also home to two of the most spectacular sights in the Middle East. Petra, the ancient city of the Nabateans, may be overrun with snap-happy day-trippers, but that doesn't change the fact that it's one of the world's most atmospheric ruins. For a slightly more contemplative experience, the startling desert scenery of Wadi Rum enraptured Lawrence of Arabia and has caused more than one traveller to don a kaffiyeh and gaze defiantly into the middle distance.

Country Description: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy with a developing economy. While Jordan is modern and Western-oriented, Islamic ideals and beliefs provide the conservative foundation of the country's customs, laws and practices. Tourist facilities are widely available, although quality may vary depending on price and location. The local workweek for Jordanian government offices and most businesses is Saturday through Thursday. The embassies in Amman are open Sunday through Thursday.

Entry Requirements: A passport and visa are required. Visitors may obtain a visa for Jordan at international ports (also Amman Airport) of entry, not including the King Hussein (Allenby) Bridge, upon arrival, for a fee. Be sure to have some cash with you to exchange money in order to obtain your visa, and again keep some cash when leaving the country to pay the airport taxes. Participants from non- Western European countries please check with the Jordanian Embassy in your country. Foreigners who wish to stay fourteen days or more in Jordan must register at a Jordanian police station by their fourteenth day in the country. Failure to do so subjects the traveler to a one Jordanian dinar (currently U.S. $1.40) per day overstay fine. This fine is usually assessed at departure.

Customs Requirements: Internationally prohibited items, such as drugs, firearms, poisons, chemicals, explosives and pornographic materials, among others, may not be imported into Jordan.

Medical Facilities: Basic modern medical care and medicines are available in the principal cities of Jordan, but not necessarily in outlying areas. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for services.

Road Conditions and Other Areas of Concern: The main desert highway in the south of Jordan from Aqaba to Has Al Naqeb (the mountain pass between Aqaba and Ma'am) is undergoing construction indefinitely. This stretch of highway has had many fatal accidents in recent years, usually while one vehicle is passing another