Changes

|language =Arabic

|language =Arabic

|king         =Abdullah II

|king         =Abdullah II

|queen         =

|queen         =Rania Al Abdullah

|monarch-raw =

|monarch-raw =

|president =

|president =

|chancellor =

|chancellor =

|chancellor-raw =

|chancellor-raw =

|pm         =Nader al-Dahabi

|pm         =Jafar Hassan

|pm-raw         =

|pm-raw         =

|area         =45,495 sq mi

|area         =45,495 sq mi

|pop         =5,924,000

|pop         =10,333,333 (2020)

|pop-basis =2007

|pop-basis =

|gdp         =$27.96 billion

|gdp         =$42,500,000,000 (2020)

|gdp-year =2005

|gdp-year =

|gdp-pc         =$4,900

|gdp-pc         =$4,113 (2020)

|currency =Jordanian dinar   

|currency =Jordanian dinar   

|idd =

|idd =

|tld            =

|tld            =

}}

}}

'''Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan ''' "المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية" also know as Jordan "الأردنّ" is a constitutional monarchy in the [[Middle East]]. It borders [[Syria]] to the north, [[Saudi Arabia]] to the southwest, [[Iraq]] to the east, and [[Israel]] and the palestinian territories (west bank) to the west. Along with Israel, Jordan borders the [[Dead Sea]].  

'''Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan ''' "المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية" also known as Jordan "الأردنّ" is a constitutional monarchy in the [[Middle East]]. It borders [[Syria]] to the north, [[Saudi Arabia]] to the southwest, [[Iraq]] to the east, and [[Israel]] and the Palestinian territories ([[West Bank]]) to the west. Along with Israel, Jordan borders the [[Dead Sea]]. Jordan is referenced 179 times in the [[Bible]] ([[KJV]]).

==People==

==People==

*Religions (est.): Sunni Muslim 94%, Christian 6%,   

*Religions (est.): Sunni Muslim 94%, Christian 6%,   

*Languages: Arabic (official), English.  

*Languages: Arabic (official), English.  

*Education (2006, according to Jordan's Department of Statistics): Literacy--90.9%.and is the highest in the Arab world.

*Education (2006, according to Jordan's Department of Statistics): Literacy—90.9%.and is the highest in the Arab world.

*Health (2003): Infant mortality rate--19/1,000. Life expectancy--71 yrs.

*Health (2003): Infant mortality rate—19/1,000. Life expectancy—71 yrs.

*Ethnic groups: Mostly Arab but small communities of Circassians, Armenians, and Kurds.  

*Ethnic groups: Mostly Arab but small communities of Circassians, Armenians, and Kurds.  

*Work force (1.3 million, of which 260 thousand are registered guest workers): public sector 17%, services 36%, manufacturing 20%, education 12%, health and social services 10%, primary industries 5%.

*Work force (1.3 million, of which 260 thousand are registered guest workers): public sector 17%, services 36%, manufacturing 20%, education 12%, health and social services 10%, primary industries 5%.

Legislative power rests in the bicameral National Assembly. The number of deputies in the current Chamber of Deputies is 110, with a number of seats reserved for various religions, ethnicities, and women. The Chamber, elected by universal suffrage to a 4-year term, is subject to dissolution by the King. The King appoints the 55-member Senate for a 4-year term. Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in the fall of 2007.

Legislative power rests in the bicameral National Assembly. The number of deputies in the current Chamber of Deputies is 110, with a number of seats reserved for various religions, ethnicities, and women. The Chamber, elected by universal suffrage to a 4-year term, is subject to dissolution by the King. The King appoints the 55-member Senate for a 4-year term. Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in the fall of 2007.

The constitution provides for three categories of courts--civil, religious, and special. About 20 women are murdered each year in Jordan in the barbaric practice known as "[[honor killing]]", sometimes for simply dating a man. Until recently, the Jordanian penal code allowed for "honor" killers to get sentences as lenient as six months. Attempts to apply thougher punishments for these henious crimes are resisted and blocked by the country's Muslim lawmakers.<ref>FOX News: [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,246712,00.html Jordanian Shoots Dead 17-Year-Old Daughter in Honor Killing] (January 25, 2007)</ref>

The constitution provides for three categories of courts—civil, religious, and special. About 20 women are murdered each year in Jordan in the barbaric practice known as "[[honor killing]]", sometimes for simply dating a man. Until recently, the Jordanian penal code allowed for "honor" killers to get sentences as lenient as six months. Attempts to apply thougher punishments for these henious crimes are resisted and blocked by the country's Muslim lawmakers.<ref>FOX News: [https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,246712,00.html Jordanian Shoots Dead 17-Year-Old Daughter in Honor Killing] (January 25, 2007)</ref>

Administratively, Jordan is divided into 12 governorates, each headed by a governor appointed by the King. They are the sole authorities for all government departments and development projects in their respective areas.  

Administratively, Jordan is divided into 12 governorates, each headed by a governor appointed by the King. They are the sole authorities for all government departments and development projects in their respective areas.  

===Principal Government Officials===  

===Principal Government Officials===

*Chief of State--King Abdullah bin al-Hussein II

*Chief of State—King Abdullah bin al-Hussein II

*Prime Minister--Nader Al-Thahabi

*Prime Minister—Abdullah Ensour

*Minister of Defense--Nader Al-Thahabi

*Minister of Defense—Nader Al-Thahabi

*Foreign Minister--Abdelelah al-Khatib

*Foreign Minister—Abdelelah al-Khatib

*Ambassador to the UN--Charge d'affaires Bashir Zubi

*Ambassador to the UN—Chargé d'affaires Bashir Zubi

===Political Conditions===

===Political Conditions===

King Abdullah II succeeded his father Hussein following the latter's death in February 1999. Abdullah moved quickly to reaffirm Jordan's peace treaty with Israel and its relations with the U.S. Abdullah, during his first year in power, refocused the government's agenda on economic reform.  

King Abdullah II succeeded his father Hussein following the latter's death in February 1999. Abdullah moved quickly to reaffirm Jordan's peace treaty with Israel and its relations with the U.S. Abdullah, during his first year in power, refocused the government's agenda on economic reform.  

Jordan's continuing structural economic difficulties, burgeoning population, and more open political environment led to the emergence of a variety of political parties. Moving toward greater independence, Jordan's Parliament has investigated corruption charges against several regime figures and has become the major forum in which differing political views, including those of political Islamists, are expressed. In June 2001, the King dissolved Parliament. Parliamentary elections were held in June 2003, and municipal elections were held in July 2003. The King appointed the former Prime Minister, Marouf Bakhit, in December 2005. Bakhit and his cabinet have set as their goal the continued legislative implementation of a ten-year reform plan, known as the National Agenda, drafted by a royal commission in 2005. The King also charged the new cabinet with strengthening Jordan's security following the November 2005 suicide hotel bombings in Amman that killed 60. New elections took place in 2007 in both the governates and the parliment, and the new primeminister Mr. [[Nader Al-Thahabi]] was apointed in November 2007.

Jordan's continuing structural economic difficulties, burgeoning population, and more open political environment led to the emergence of a variety of political parties. Moving toward greater independence, Jordan's Parliament has investigated corruption charges against several regime figures and has become the major forum in which differing political views, including those of political Islamists, are expressed. In June 2001, the King dissolved Parliament. Parliamentary elections were held in June 2003, and municipal elections were held in July 2003. The King appointed the former Prime Minister, Marouf Bakhit, in December 2005. Bakhit and his cabinet have set as their goal the continued legislative implementation of a ten-year reform plan, known as the National Agenda, drafted by a royal commission in 2005. The King also charged the new cabinet with strengthening Jordan's security following the November 2005 suicide hotel bombings in Amman that killed 60. New elections took place in 2007 in both the governates and the parliament, and the new primeminister Mr. [[Nader Al-Thahabi]] was appointed in November 2007.

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

Following the first Gulf war, Jordan largely restored its relations with Western countries through its participation in the Middle East peace process and enforcement of UN sanctions against Iraq. Relations between Jordan and the Gulf countries improved substantially after King Hussein's death. Following the fall of the Iraqi regime, Jordan has played a pivotal role in supporting the restoration of stability and security to Iraq. The Government of Jordan has facilitated the training of over 50,000 Iraqi police cadets at a Jordanian facility near Amman.  

Following the first Gulf war, Jordan largely restored its relations with Western countries through its participation in the Middle East peace process and enforcement of UN sanctions against Iraq. Relations between Jordan and the Gulf countries improved substantially after King Hussein's death. Following the fall of the Iraqi regime, Jordan has played a pivotal role in supporting the restoration of stability and security to Iraq. The Government of Jordan has facilitated the training of over 50,000 Iraqi police cadets at a Jordanian facility near Amman.  

Jordan signed a nonbelligerency agreement with Israel (the Washington Declaration) in Washington, DC, on July 25, 1994. Jordan and Israel signed a historic peace treaty on October 26, 1994, witnessed by President Clinton, accompanied by Secretary Christopher. The U.S. has participated with Jordan and Israel in trilateral development discussions in which key issues have been water-sharing and security; cooperation on Jordan Rift Valley development; infrastructure projects; and trade, finance, and banking issues. Jordan also participates in multilateral peace talks. Jordan belongs to the UN and several of its specialized and related agencies, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and World Health Organization (WHO). Jordan also is a member of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Nonaligned Movement, and Arab League.  

Jordan signed a nonbelligerency agreement with Israel (the Washington Declaration) in Washington, DC, on July 25, 1994. Jordan and Israel signed a historic peace treaty on October 26, 1994, witnessed by President Clinton, accompanied by Secretary Christopher. The U.S. has participated with Jordan and Israel in trilateral development discussions in which key issues have been water-sharing and security; cooperation on Jordan Rift Valley development; infrastructure projects; and trade, finance, and banking issues. Jordan also participates in multilateral peace talks. Jordan belongs to the UN and several of its specialized and related agencies, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (IAEA), and World Health Organization (WHO). Jordan also is a member of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Nonaligned Movement, and Arab League.  

Since the outbreak of the Intifada in September 2000, Jordan has worked to maintain lines of communication between the Israelis and the Palestinians to counsel moderation and to return the parties to negotiations of outstanding permanent status issues.  

Since the outbreak of the Intifada in September 2000, Jordan has worked to maintain lines of communication between the Israelis and the Palestinians to counsel moderation and to return the parties to negotiations of outstanding permanent status issues.  

During summer 2006, Jordan provided considerable relief supplies to Lebanon and has supported U.S. efforts to generate international security assistance for Lebanese national forces.

During summer 2006, Jordan provided considerable relief supplies to Lebanon and has supported U.S. efforts to generate international security assistance for Lebanese national forces.

== Defence ==

== Military ==

The Jordanian military is one of the most reliable in the region, augmentented with modern weaponry from the Unites States, Britain and Russia, and has had a great role in peace keeping and counter-terrorism missions throughout the world.

The Jordanian military is one of the most reliable in the region, augmentented with modern weaponry from the Unites States, Britain and Russia, and has had a great role in peace keeping and counter-terrorism missions throughout the world.

*[[Royal Jordanian land forces]]

*[[Royal Jordanian land forces]]

*[[Royal Jordanian Navy]]

*[[Royal Jordanian Navy]]

*[[Royal Jordanian special forces]]

*[[Royal Jordanian special forces]]

==Economy==

==Economy==

*Per capita GDP (2006): $2,533.

*Per capita GDP (2006): $2,533.

*Natural resources: Phosphate, potash.  

*Natural resources: Phosphate, potash.  

*Agriculture: Products--fruits, vegetables, wheat, olive oil, barley, olives. Land--10% arable; 5% cultivated.  

*Agriculture: Products—fruits, vegetables, wheat, olive oil, barley, olives. Land—10% arable; 5% cultivated.  

*Industry (26.5% of GDP in 2006): Types--phosphate mining, manufacturing, electricity and water; cement and petroleum production, and construction.  

*Industry (26.5% of GDP in 2006): Types—phosphate mining, manufacturing, electricity and water; cement and petroleum production, and construction.  

*Trade: Exports (2006)--$5.17 billion: phosphates, potash, garments, fertilizers, pharmaceutical products, agricultural products. Major markets--U.S., Iraq, India, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Syria, Israel, Kuwait. Imports (2006)--$11.46 billion: crude petroleum and derivatives, vehicles, machinery and equipment, cereals, fabrics and textiles. Major suppliers-- Saudi Arabia (mainly crude oil and derivatives), EU, China, U.S., Egypt, South Korea, Japan, Turkey.

*Trade: Exports (2006)--$5.17 billion: phosphates, potash, garments, fertilizers, pharmaceutical products, agricultural products. Major markets—U.S., Iraq, India, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Syria, Israel, Kuwait. Imports (2006)--$11.46 billion: crude petroleum and derivatives, vehicles, machinery and equipment, cereals, fabrics and textiles. Major suppliers—Saudi Arabia (mainly crude oil and derivatives), EU, China, U.S., Egypt, South Korea, Japan, Turkey.

== History ==

== History ==

Transjordan was one of the Arab states which moved to assist Palestinian nationalists opposed to the creation of Israel in May 1948, and took part in the warfare between the Arab states and the newly founded State of Israel. The armistice agreements of April 3, 1949 left Jordan in control of the West Bank and provided that the armistice demarcation lines were without prejudice to future territorial settlements or boundary lines.  

Transjordan was one of the Arab states which moved to assist Palestinian nationalists opposed to the creation of Israel in May 1948, and took part in the warfare between the Arab states and the newly founded State of Israel. The armistice agreements of April 3, 1949 left Jordan in control of the West Bank and provided that the armistice demarcation lines were without prejudice to future territorial settlements or boundary lines.  

In 1956, the country gained it's full indipendence from the British and became the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to include those portions of Palestine annexed by [[King Abdullah I]]. While recognizing Jordanian administration over the West Bank, the United States maintained the position that ultimate sovereignty was subject to future agreement.  

In 1956, the country gained it's full independence from the British and became the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to include those portions of Palestine annexed by [[King Abdullah I]]. While recognizing Jordanian administration over the West Bank, the United States maintained the position that ultimate sovereignty was subject to future agreement.  

Jordan signed a mutual defense pact in May 1967 with Egypt, and it participated in the [[Six Day War|June 1967 war]] against Israel. During the war, Israel gained control of the West Bank and all of Jerusalem. In 1989, Jordan renounced all claims to the West Bank but retained an administrative role pending a final settlement, and its 1994 treaty with Israel allowed for a continuing Jordanian role in Muslim holy places in Jerusalem. The U.S. Government considers the West Bank to be territory occupied by Israel and believes that its final status should be determined through direct negotiations among the parties concerned on the basis of [[UN]] [[Security Council Resolution 242|Security Council Resolutions 242]] and [[Security Council Resolution 338|338]].  

Jordan signed a mutual defense pact in May 1967 with Egypt, and it participated in the [[Six Day War|June 1967 war]] against Israel. During the war, Israel gained control of the West Bank and all of Jerusalem. In 1989, Jordan renounced all claims to the West Bank but retained an administrative role pending a final settlement, and its 1994 treaty with Israel allowed for a continuing Jordanian role in Muslim holy places in Jerusalem. The U.S. Government considers the West Bank to be territory occupied by Israel and believes that its final status should be determined through direct negotiations among the parties concerned on the basis of [[UN]] [[Security Council Resolution 242|Security Council Resolutions 242]] and [[Security Council Resolution 338|338]].  

In 1968, the Israeli army attacked the area in western Jordan to hit [[fedayeen]] controled areas and to take control of the Salt hights in central Jordan, a battle erupted in the Jordanian valley between the Israeli troops and the Jordanian army, which led the Israelis to withraw from the area.

In 1968, the Israeli army attacked the area in western Jordan to hit [[fedayeen]] controlled areas and to take control of the Salt hights in central Jordan, a battle erupted in the Jordanian valley between the Israeli troops and the Jordanian army, which led the Israelis to withraw from the area.

The 1967 war led not only to a loss of a huge part of land under Jordan's control (the West Bank), but also a dramatic increase in the number of Palestinians living in the remainder of Jordan due to an inclusion of refugees. Its Palestinian refugee population--700,000 in 1966--grew by another 300,000 from the West Bank. The period following the 1967 war saw an upsurge in the power and importance of Palestinian resistance elements (fedayeen) in Jordan. The heavily armed fedayeen constituted a growing threat to the sovereignty and security of the Hashemite state, and open fighting erupted in June 1970.  

The 1967 war led not only to a loss of a huge part of land under Jordan's control (the West Bank), but also a dramatic increase in the number of Palestinians living in the remainder of Jordan due to an inclusion of refugees. Its Palestinian refugee population—700,000 in 1966—grew by another 300,000 from the West Bank. The period following the 1967 war saw an upsurge in the power and importance of Palestinian resistance elements (fedayeen) in Jordan. The heavily armed fedayeen constituted a growing threat to the sovereignty and security of the Hashemite state, and open fighting erupted in June 1970.  

No fighting occurred along the 1967 Jordan River cease-fire line during the October 1973 Arab-Israeli war, but Jordan sent a brigade to Syria to fight Israeli units on Syrian territory. Jordan did not participate in the Gulf war of 1990-91. In 1991, Jordan agreed, along with Syria, Lebanon, and Palestinian representatives, to participate in direct peace negotiations with Israel sponsored by the U.S. and Russia. It negotiated an end to hostilities with Israel and signed a peace treaty in 1994. Jordan has since sought to remain at peace with all of its neighbors.

No fighting occurred along the 1967 Jordan River cease-fire line during the October 1973 Arab-Israeli war, but Jordan sent a brigade to Syria to fight Israeli units on Syrian territory. Jordan did not participate in the Gulf war of 1990–91. In 1991, Jordan agreed, along with Syria, Lebanon, and Palestinian representatives, to participate in direct peace negotiations with Israel sponsored by the U.S. and Russia. It negotiated an end to hostilities with Israel and signed a peace treaty in 1994. Jordan has since sought to remain at peace with all of its neighbors.

==See Also==

==See also==

* [[Black September]]

* [[Black September]]

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

==External Links==

==External links==

* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/jo.html The World Fact Book]

* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/jo.html The World Fact Book]

|style="background-color: none;border-top: 2px solid black"| <small>File available from the {{{1|[[United States Federal Government]] [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3464.htm]</small>}}}.  

|style="background-color: none;border-top: 2px solid black"| <small>File available from the {{{1|[[United States Federal Government]] [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3464.htm]</small>}}}.  

|}

|}

[[Category:Middle Eastern Countries]]

[[Category:Middle Eastern Countries]]

[[Category:Muslim-Majority Countries]]

[[Category:Muslim-Majority Countries]]