Jordan

Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the UK received a mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain separated out a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in the early 1920s, and the area gained its independence in 1946; it adopted the name of Jordan in 1950. The country's long-time ruler was King HUSSEIN (1953-99). A pragmatic leader, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population, despite several wars and coup attempts. In 1989 he reinstituted parliamentary elections and gradual political liberalization; in 1994 he signed a peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II, the son of King HUSSEIN, assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and undertaken an aggressive economic reform program. Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to participate in the European Free Trade Association in 2001. After a two-year delay, parliamentary and municipal elections took place in the summer of 2003. The prime minister appointed in November 2005 stated the government would focus on political reforms, improving conditions for the poor, and fighting corruption.

Languages & Population

Approximate Population: 6,053,193 (July 2007 est.)

Nationality (Noun): Jordanian(s)

Nationality (Adjective): Jordanian

Official Language(s): Arabic

Major Languages Spoken: Arabic, English

Country Facts

Country Name (long form): Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Country Name (short form): Jordan

Country Name (local long form): Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah

Country Name (local short form): Al Urdun

Name of Capital: Amman

UTC Time Difference (from capital): UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Countries Near by, and Bordering Jordan: Syria, Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia

Land Area: 91971 sq km

Water Area: 329 sq km

Comparative Area: slightly smaller than Indiana

Total Land Boundry: 1,635 km

Coastline: 26 km

National Holiday: Independence Day, 25 May (1946)

International Phone Code: 962

Currency Code: Jordanian dinar (JOD)

Internet Country Code: .jo

US Embassy Location: Abdoun, Amman

US Embassy Mailing Address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box 5, APO AE 09892-0200