Amman

Amman
Ramzik1999 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Amman
Settlement type	Capital city
Pushpin label position	bottom
Coordinates	31.95°N 35.9333°E
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Jordan
Subdivision type1	Governorate
Subdivision name1	Amman Governorate
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Yousef Shawarbeh
Population total	4,007,526
Population as of	2015
Demographics type1	Ethnic groups
Demographics1 title1	Arabs
Demographics1 info1	98%
Demographics1 title2	Circassians
Demographics1 info2	1%
Demographics1 title3	Armenians
Demographics1 info3	1%

Amman. Amman is the capital and largest city of Jordan, and is home to many notable landmarks, including the Roman Theatre (Amman), Jabal al-Qala'a, and the King Abdullah Mosque. The city is situated near the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, and Damascus, making it a significant cultural and economic hub in the Middle East. Amman has hosted several international events, including the 2009 MENA ICT Forum and the 2011 Arab Games, and is home to many international organizations, such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and the International Labour Organization.

Geography and Climate

Amman is located in the northwestern part of Jordan, and is situated in a hilly area, near the Zarqa River. The city's geography is characterized by seven hills, including Jabal al-Qala'a, Jabal al-Ashrafiyah, and Jabal al-Jofeh. Amman's climate is classified as a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters, and is influenced by its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and the Syrian Desert. The city is also near the Jordan River, which forms the border between Jordan and Israel, and is home to several natural reserves, including the Dibeen Forest Reserve and the Ajloun Forest Reserve. Amman has also been affected by the Arab-Israeli conflict, including the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the 1967 Six-Day War, and has hosted several international summits, including the 1991 Madrid Conference and the 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace.

History

The history of Amman dates back to the Neolithic period, and the city has been inhabited by several civilizations, including the Ammonites, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Romans. Amman was an important city during the Roman Empire, and was known as Philadelphia (Roman city), and was a major center of trade and commerce in the Byzantine Empire. The city was also an important center of Islam during the Umayyad Caliphate and the Abbasid Caliphate, and was visited by several notable Islamic scholars, including Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Kathir. Amman has also been influenced by the Ottoman Empire, and was a major center of trade and commerce during the British Mandate for Palestine. The city has hosted several international events, including the 1980 Arab League summit and the 2001 Amman Summit, and is home to many international organizations, such as the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Economy

The economy of Amman is driven by several sectors, including finance, technology, and tourism. The city is home to many notable companies, including Arab Bank, Jordan Kuwait Bank, and Zain Jordan, and is a major center of trade and commerce in the Middle East. Amman has also been affected by the Arab Spring, and has hosted several international summits, including the 2011 Arab Economic Summit and the 2013 World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa. The city is also a major center of industry, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, and food processing, and is home to several industrial zones, including the Al-Hussein Industrial Estate and the Al-Hashimi Industrial Estate. Amman has also been influenced by the European Union, and has signed several trade agreements, including the EU-Jordan Association Agreement and the Agadir Agreement.

Culture

The culture of Amman is a mix of Arab culture, Islamic culture, and Western culture, and is influenced by the city's history and geography. The city is home to many notable landmarks, including the Jordan Museum, the Royal Automobile Museum, and the Children's Museum Jordan, and hosts several cultural events, including the Amman International Film Festival and the Jordan Festival. Amman is also a major center of education, and is home to several universities, including the University of Jordan, Jordan University of Science and Technology, and the German-Jordanian University. The city has also been influenced by the United States, and has hosted several cultural events, including the Amman Jazz Festival and the Jordan International Music Festival, and is home to several cultural institutions, including the American Center in Amman and the British Council Jordan.

Transportation

The transportation system in Amman is well-developed, and includes several modes of transportation, including buses, taxis, and private cars. The city is served by the Queen Alia International Airport, which is one of the busiest airports in the Middle East, and is a major hub for several airlines, including Royal Jordanian Airlines, Jordan Aviation, and Arab Wings. Amman is also connected to several neighboring cities, including Beirut, Damascus, and Tel Aviv, by highway, and is a major center of trade and commerce in the Middle East. The city has also been influenced by the European Investment Bank, and has signed several transportation agreements, including the EU-Jordan Transport Agreement and the Arab Mashreq International Road Network.

Education and Healthcare

The education system in Amman is well-developed, and includes several public and private schools, including the International Community School (Amman), American Community School in Amman, and the British International School of Amman. The city is also home to several universities, including the University of Jordan, Jordan University of Science and Technology, and the German-Jordanian University, and is a major center of research and development in the Middle East. Amman has also been influenced by the World Health Organization, and has signed several healthcare agreements, including the WHO-Jordan Country Cooperation Strategy and the EU-Jordan Health Agreement. The city is also home to several hospitals, including the King Hussein Medical Center, Jordan University Hospital, and the Al-Bashir Hospital, and is a major center of medical tourism in the Middle East.