Jordan

Jordan

area:	89,210sq km (34,444sq mi)
population:	4,900,000
capital (population):	Amman (1,864,450)
government:	Constitutional monarchy
ethnic groups:	Arab 99%, of which Palestinians make up roughly half
languages:	Arabic (official)
religions:	Islam 93%, Christianity 5%
currency:	Jordan dinar = 1000 fils

Kingdom in sw Asia. Jordan can be divided into three geographical areas: the Transjordan plateau in the e constitutes 90% of total land area and is the most populous region. It includes the capital, Amman. Central Jordan forms part of the Great Rift Valley, and contains the River Jordan and the Dead Sea. West Jordan (now the West Bank) is part of historic Palestine, and includes the region of Samaria; this area is now occupied by Israel. Jordan has a coastline on the Gulf of Aqaba. The ancient city of Petra lies close to Jordan's highest peak, Jabal Ram, at 1754m (5755ft).

Climate and Vegetation

The Transjordan plateau is a transition zone between a Mediterranean climate to the w and a desert climate to the e. Most of Jordan is desert or semi-desert. Parts of the w plateau have scrub vegetation. There are areas of dry grassland.

History and Politics

The Seleucids conquered the region in the 4th century bc. In the 1st century bc, the Nabatean Empire developed a capital at Petra. The Romans, led by Pompey, captured the region in the 1st century ad. In ad 636, Arab armies conquered the territory and introduced Islam. After the First Crusade, the region became part of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem (1099).

In 1517, it joined the Ottoman Empire. After the defeat of the Ottomans in World War I, the area e of the River Jordan formed part of the British League of Nations mandated territory of Palestine. In 1921, the e region was administered separately as Transjordan. In 1928, it became a constitutional monarchy ruled by the Hashemite dynasty. In 1946, Transjordan achieved independence.

In 1948 the creation of the state of Israel led to the first of the Arab-Israeli Wars (1948–49). Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled to Jordan. Under the peace terms, Transjordan annexed the remaining Arab parts of Palestine (West Bank and East Jerusalem). This incensed the Palestinians and King Abdullah was assassinated in 1951. Hussein I acceded in 1953. In 1958, Jordan formed the short-lived Arab Federation with Iraq. The Six-Day War (1967) ended with the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank: more than one million Palestinian refugees now lived in e Jordan.

Jordan became embroiled in a bloody civil war with Palestinian independence movements (1970). By 1971 Jordan had ejected all guerrillas operating from its soil. In 1974, King Hussein recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the legitimate representative of the Palestinians. In 1988, Jordan gave up its claim to the West Bank and approved the creation of an independent Palestine. Jordan sided with Iraq in the Iran-Iraq War and the Gulf War.

Opposition parties were legalized in 1991, and the first multiparty elections held in 1993. In October 1994, King Hussain signed a peace treaty with Israel, ending the state of war that had existed since 1948. The border between Elat and Aqaba opened. Opposition parties, including the Islamic Action Front (IAF), boycotted elections in 1997. In 1999, Hussein died and his son, Abdullah, succeeded as King. Abdullah faced problems of maintaining political and economic stability, and implementing political reforms.

Economy

Jordan is a developing country (2000 GDP per capita, US$3500). It is the world's seventh largest producer of phosphates and potash. Slightly more than 50% of the land is farm or pasture land. Major crops include barley, citrus fruits, grapes, olives, and wheat. It depends on aid. Jordan has an oil refinery and produces natural gas. Tourism is developing rapidly and reforms are helping to expand the economy.

Political map

Physical map

Websites

http://www.nis.gov.jo/En; http://www.see-jordan.com