Jordan
Jordan is a country in the Middle East. It borders Syria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Israel. Along with Israel, Jordan borders the Dead Sea. Jordan was formed following the breakup of the Ottoman Empire after the end of World War I when it became a British colony. Great Britain granted Jordan its independce in 1946 after World War II.
Troops from Jordan fought with Israel when Israel was granted its independence in 1948. In 1950 Jordan annexed the portion of the West Bank under its control, but this move was not recognized by the world community. Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel as a result of the disasterous Six Day War in 1967. In 1974 Jordan relinquished any claim to the West Bank, instead passing that role to the Palestinian people. In 1994 Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel, making it the second nation to do so after Egypt. Due to this treaty Jordan receives annual aid from the United States, although not nearly as much as Israel or Egypt.
The current ruler of Jordan since 1999 is King Abdullah II, taking over after the death of his father, the popular King Hussein who died after a long reign. Following in his father's footsteps, he has kept close ties with the west.
The capital of Jordan is Amman.