Jordan (original) (raw)
For alternative meanings see: Jordan (disambiguation)
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan or Jordan is a country in the Middle East. It is bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the north-east, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, and Israel and West Bank to the west. It shares the coastlines of the Gulf of Aqaba and the Dead Sea.
المملكة الأردنّيّة الهاشميّة Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah
| ([[Flag of Jordan|In Detail]]) | |
|---|---|
| ''Nationalmotto: None'' | |
| Official language | Arabic |
| Capital | Amman |
| King | Abdullah II |
| Prime Minister | Ali Abul Ragheb |
| Area - Total - % water | Ranked 110th92,300 km²0.01% |
| Population - Total (2002) - Density | Ranked 107th5,153,37848/km² |
| Independence - Declared - Recognised | From the League of Nations May 25, 1946 |
| Currency | Jordanian dinar |
| Time zone | UTC +2 |
| National anthem | As-salam al-malaki al-urdoni |
| Internet TLD | .JO |
| Calling Code | 962 |
History
Main article: History of Jordan
Politics
Main article: Politics of Jordan
For most of its history since independence from British administration in 1946, Jordan was ruled by King Hussein (1953-1999). A pragmatic ruler, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population making up a majority of Jordan's citizens, through several wars and coup attempts. In 1989 he resumed parliamentary elections and gradually permitted political liberalization; in 1994 a formal peace treaty was signed with Israel.
Governorates
Main article: Governorates of Jordan
Jordan is divided into 12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah):
- Ajlun
- Al 'Aqabah
- Al Balqa'
- Al Karak
- Al Mafraq
- 'Amman
- At Tafilah
- Az Zarqa'
- Irbid
- Jarash
- Ma'an
- Madaba
Geography
Main article: Geography of Jordan
Economy
Main article: Economy of Jordan
Jordan is a small Arab country with inadequate supplies of water and other natural resources such as oil. The Persian Gulf crisis, which began in August 1990, aggravated Jordan's already serious economic problems, forcing the government to shelve the IMF program, stop most debt payments, and suspend rescheduling negotiations. Aid from Gulf Arab states, worker remittances, and trade contracted; and refugees flooded the country, producing serious balance-of-payments problems, stunting GDP growth, and straining government resources.
The economy rebounded in 1992, largely due to the influx of capital repatriated by workers returning from the Gulf. After averaging 9% in 1992-95, GDP growth averaged only 2% during 1996-99. In an attempt to spur growth, King Abdullah has undertaken limited economic reform, including partial privatization of some state owned enterprises and Jordan's entry in January 2000 into the World Trade Organization (WTO). Debt, poverty, and unemployment are fundamental ongoing economic problems.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Jordan
Culture
Main article: Culture of Jordan
Holidays
| Date | English Name | Local Name | Remarks |
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See also: Music of Jordan