Jordan

Jordan
Conventional long name	Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Capital	Amman
Official languages	Arabic
Religion	Sunni Islam
Demonym	Jordanian
Government type	Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Leader title1	King
Leader name1	Abdullah II
Leader title2	Prime Minister
Leader name2	Bisher Al-Khasawneh
Legislature	Parliament
Upper house	Senate
Lower house	House of Representatives
Area km2	89,342
Population estimate	11,148,278
Population estimate year	2021

Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a country in West Asia, situated at the crossroads of the Levant and the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and east, Iraq to the northeast, Syria to the north, and Israel and the State of Palestine to the west, with a coastline on the Gulf of Aqaba and the Dead Sea. The capital and largest city is Amman, a major cultural and economic hub. The nation is a constitutional monarchy ruled by the Hashemite dynasty, which traces its lineage to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

History

The land that comprises modern Jordan has a rich historical tapestry, home to ancient civilizations like the Nabataeans, whose capital was the famed rock-cut city of Petra. It later fell under the control of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, and the Umayyad Caliphate. In the early 16th century, it became part of the Ottoman Empire until the Great Arab Revolt during World War I. Following the war and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the Emirate of Transjordan was established in 1921 as a British protectorate under Emir Abdullah I. It gained full independence as the Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan in 1946, later renamed Jordan in 1949 after annexing the West Bank during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War; it relinquished claims to the territory in 1988. Key events in its modern history include the Black September conflict in 1970, signing a peace treaty with Israel in 1994, and navigating regional instability following the Iraq War and the Syrian Civil War.

Geography

Jordan is characterized by diverse terrain, ranging from the arid Arabian Desert in the east to the fertile Jordan Valley in the west, part of the Great Rift Valley. The Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth's land surface, lies on its western border. The southern port city of Aqaba provides access to the Red Sea, while the central highlands include cities like Amman and Irbid. Major geographic features include the Wadi Rum desert, renowned for its dramatic sandstone mountains, and the King Hussein Bridge crossing the Jordan River. The climate is predominantly arid, with limited water resources from the Jordan River and Yarmouk River being critical national concerns.

Government and politics

Jordan is a constitutional monarchy where executive power is vested in the King and the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The current monarch, King Abdullah II, ascended the throne in 1999. The bicameral Parliament of Jordan consists of an appointed Senate and an elected House of Representatives. The Jordanian General Intelligence Directorate plays a significant role in state security. Major political parties include the Islamic Action Front, while the Arab Spring prompted constitutional reforms. Foreign policy maintains key alliances with the United States and United Kingdom, and it is a member of the United Nations, the Arab League, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Economy

Jordan's economy is classified as an upper-middle-income economy by the World Bank, with key sectors including tourism, phosphate and potash mining, and remittances from the Jordanian diaspora. Landmark economic projects include the Jordan Gate Towers in Amman and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority. The country faces challenges such as high public debt, unemployment, and water scarcity, and relies on aid from the Gulf Cooperation Council and the International Monetary Fund. Landmarks like Petra and the Dead Sea are vital for tourism, while industries are supported by institutions like the Central Bank of Jordan and the Amman Stock Exchange.

Demographics

Jordan has a population of approximately 11 million, with a significant portion comprising Palestinian refugees and, more recently, Syrian refugees fleeing the Syrian Civil War. The majority of citizens are Arab and adhere to Sunni Islam, with minority communities including Circassians, Chechens, and Armenians. The official language is Arabic, and English is widely used in commerce and education. Major urban centers are Amman, Zarqa, and Irbid. The Royal Scientific Society and the Department of Statistics provide key demographic data, while the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees operates extensively within the kingdom.

Culture

Jordanian culture is deeply rooted in Arab and Islamic traditions, with influences from the many civilizations that have traversed the region. Traditional practices include the serving of Arabic coffee and the Dabke folk dance. The country is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient city of Petra and the Desert Castles like Qasr Amra. Contemporary arts thrive through institutions such as the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts and the Royal Film Commission. Notable cultural figures include poet Mustafa Wahbi al-Tal and architect Jafar Tukan. The annual Jerash Festival celebrates music and theater, while Jordanian cuisine features dishes like Mansaf and Falafel.

Category:Jordan Category:Countries in Asia Category:Constitutional monarchies