Jordan
Hashemite Kingdom of JordanAl Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah
constitutional monarchy
Jordan as the 2011 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 150 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
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.
Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel in the 1967 war and defeated Palestinian rebels who attempted to overthrow the monarchy in 1970. King HUSSEIN in 1988 permanently relinquished Jordanian claims to the West Bank. In 1989, he reinstituted parliamentary elections and initiated a gradual political liberalization; political parties were legalized in 1992. In 1994, he signed a peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II, King HUSSEIN's eldest son, assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999.
Since then, he has consolidated his power and implemented some economic and political reforms. Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to participate in the European Free Trade Association in 2001. In 2003, Jordan staunchly supported the Coalition ouster of SADDAM in Iraq and, following the outbreak of insurgent violence in Iraq, absorbed thousands of displaced Iraqis. Municipal elections were held in July 2007 under a system in which 20% of seats in all municipal councils were reserved by quota for women.
Parliamentary elections were last held in November 2010 and saw independent pro-government candidates win the vast majority of seats. Beginning in January 2011 in the wake of unrest in Tunisia and Egypt, as many as several thousand Jordanians staged weekly demonstrations and marches in Amman and other cities throughout Jordan to push for political reforms and protest government corruption, rising prices, rampant poverty, and high unemployment.
In response, King ABDALLAH replaced his prime minister and formed two commissions - one to propose specific reforms to Jordan's electoral and political parties laws, and the other to consider limited constitutional amendments. In a televised speech in June, the King announced plans to work toward transferring authority for appointing future prime ministers and cabinet ministers to parliament; in a subsequent announcement, he outlined a revised political parties law intended to encourage greater political participation.
Protesters and opposition elements generally acknowledged those measures as steps in the right direction but many continue to push for greater limits on the King's authority and to fight against government corruption. In September, a royal decree approved constitutional amendments passed by the Parliament aimed at strengthening a more independent judiciary and establishing a constitutional court and independent election commission to oversee the next municipal and parliamentary elections, slated for April 2012 and fall 2012, respectively.
King ABDALLAH in October 2011 dissolved the Jordanian parliament and replaced the prime minister in response to widespread public dissatisfaction with government performance and escalating criticism of the premier because of public concerns over his reported involvement in corruption.
Geography
Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia, between Israel (to the west) and Iraq
20 fieldsLand useshare of 89,342 sq km
Terrain
mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- total:
- 1.01 cu km/yr (21%/4%/75%)
- per capita:
- 177 cu m/yr (2000)
Environment - current issues
- limited natural freshwater resources;
- deforestation;
- overgrazing;
- soil erosion;
- desertification
Environment - international agreements
- party to:
- Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
- signed, but not ratified:
- none of the selected agreements
Geography - note
strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied West Bank
People and Society
31 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2011 est.)
Per 1,000 population
Male · female
Religions(2001 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.06 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.97 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 1.04 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Government
Constitutional monarchy; King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Prime Minister Awn Shawkat al-KHASAWNAH (since 24 October 2011)
21 fieldsChamber of Deputies, 120 seats, elected 9 November 2010one dot, one seat
Country name
- conventional long form:
- Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
- conventional short form:
- Jordan
- local long form:
- Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah
- local short form:
- Al Urdun
- former:
- Transjordan
Capital
- name:
- Amman
- geographic coordinates:
- 31 57 N, 35 56 E
- time difference:
- UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
- daylight saving time:
- +1hr, begins first Friday in April; ends last Friday in October
Administrative divisions
- 12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah);
- Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba
Legal system
mixed legal system of civil law and Islamic religious law; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Crown Prince HUSSEIN (born 28 June 1994), eldest son of King ABDALLAH II
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Awn Shawkat al-KHASAWNAH (since 24 October 2011)
- cabinet:
- Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the monarch; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)
- elections:
- the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch
bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the Senate, also called the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (60 seats; members appointed by the monarch to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies, also called the House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwaab (120 seats; members elected using a single, non-transferable vote system in multi-member districts to serve four-year terms);
note - the new electoral law enacted in May 2010 allocated an additional 10 seats (6 seats added to the number reserved for women, bringing the total to 12; 2 additional seats for Amman; and 1 seat each for the cities of Zarqa and Irbid; unchanged are 9 seats reserved for Christian candidates, 9 for Bedouin candidates, and 3 for Jordanians of Chechen or Circassian descent
- elections:
- Chamber of Deputies - last held on 9 November 2010 (next scheduled in 2012);
- note - the King dissolved the previous Chamber of Deputies in November 2009, midway through the parliamentary term
- election results:
- Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA;
- seats by party - independents and other 120 (includes 12 seats filled by women's quota and 1 woman was directly elected);
- note - the IAF boycotted the election
Political parties and leaders
- Arab Ba'ath Socialist Party [Akram al-HIMSI];
- Ba'ath Arab Progressive Party [Fuad DABBOUR];
- Call Party [Muhammed ABU BAKR];
- Democratic People's Party [Ablah ABU];
- Democratic Popular Unity Party [Sa'id DIAB];
- Islamic Action Front or IAF [Hamzah MANSOUR];
- Islamic Center Party [Marwan al-FA'URI; Jordanian Communist Party [Munir HAMARNAH]; Jordanian National Party [Muna ABU BAKR]; Jordanian United Front [Amjad al-MAJALI]; Life Party [Zahier AMR]; Message Party [Hazem QASHOU]; National Constitution Party [Ahmad al-SHUNAQ]; National Current Party [Abd al-Hadi al-MAJALI]; National Movement for Direct Democracy [Muhammad al-QAQ]
Political pressure groups and leaders
- 15 April Movement [Mohammad SUNEID, chairman];
- 24 March Movement [Mu'az al-KHAWALIDAH, Mu'adh al-KHAWALIDAH, Abdel Rahman HASANEIN, spokespersons];
- 1952 Constitution Movement;
- Anti-Normalization Committee [Hamzah MANSOUR, chairman];
- Economic and Social Association of Retired Servicemen and Veterans or ESARSV [Abdulsalam al-HASSANAT, chairman];
- Group of 36;
- Higher Coordination Committee of Opposition Parties [Said DIAB];
- Higher National Committee for Military Retirees or HNCMR [Ali al-HABASHNEH, chairman];
- Jordan Bar Association [Saleh al-ARMUTI, chairman];
- Jordanian Campaign for Change or Jayin;
- Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood [Dr. Hamam SAID, controller general];
- Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president];
- National Front for Reform or NFR [Ahmad OBEDIAT, chairman];
- Professional Associations Council [Abd al-Hadi al-FALAHAT, chariman];
- Sons of Jordan
International organization participation
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Alia Hatough BOURAN
- chancery:
- 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 966-2664
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 966-3110
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Stuart E. JONES
- embassy:
- Abdoun, Amman
- mailing address:
- P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box 5, DPO AE 09892-0200
- telephone:
- [962] (6) 590-6000
- FAX:
- [962] (6) 592-0121
Flag description
- three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate;
- a red isosceles triangle on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran;
- the seven points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations;
- design is based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I
National anthem
- name:
- "As-salam al-malaki al-urdoni" (Long Live the King of Jordan)
- lyrics/music:
- Abdul-Mone'm al-RIFAI'/Abdul-Qader al-TANEER
note: adopted 1946; the shortened version of the anthem is used most commonly, while the full version is reserved for special occasions
Economy
Jordan's economy is among the smallest in the Middle East, with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources, underlying the government's heavy reliance on foreign assistance.
53 fieldsGDP - composition by sector(2010 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
Electricity
Economy - overview
Jordan's economy is among the smallest in the Middle East, with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources, underlying the government's heavy reliance on foreign assistance. Other economic challenges for the government include chronic high rates of poverty, unemployment, inflation, and a large budget deficit.
Since assuming the throne in 1999, King ABDALLAH has implemented significant economic reforms, such as opening the trade regime, privatizing state-owned companies, and eliminating most fuel subsidies, which in the past few years have spurred economic growth by attracting foreign investment and creating some jobs.
The global economic slowdown, however, has depressed Jordan's GDP growth. Export-oriented sectors such as manufacturing, mining, and the transport of re-exports have been hit the hardest. The Government approved two supplementary budgets in 2010, but sweeping tax cuts planned for 2010 did not materialize because of Amman's need for additional revenue to cover excess spending.
The budget deficit is likely to remain high, at 5-6% of GDP, and Amman likely will continue to depend heavily on foreign assistance to finance the deficit in 2011. Jordan's financial sector has been relatively isolated from the international financial crisis because of its limited exposure to overseas capital markets. Jordan is currently exploring nuclear power generation to forestall energy shortfalls.
Unemployment rate
12.5% (2010 est.) · 12.9% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 note: official rate; unofficial rate is approximately 30%
Distribution of family income - Gini index
39.7 (2007) · 36.4 (1997) country comparison to the world: 65
Central bank discount rate
0.3% (31 December 2010 est.) · 4.75% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Commercial bank prime lending rate
8.9% (31 December 2010 est.) · 9.25% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Stock of narrow money
$9.238 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $8.518 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
Stock of broad money
$35.53 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $33.38 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Stock of domestic credit
$26.72 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $25.14 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Agriculture - products
citrus, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, strawberries, stone fruits; sheep, poultry, dairy
Industries
clothing, fertilizers, potash, phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, inorganic chemicals, light manufacturing, tourism
Natural gas - proved reserves
6.031 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Current account balance
-$974.5 million (2010 est.) · -$1.27 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$13.65 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $12.14 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Debt - external
$17.46 billion (30 June 2011 est.) · $7.301 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$20.67 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $18.89 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68
Exchange rates
Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar - 0.709 (2010) · 0.709 (2009) · 0.709 (2008) · 0.709 (2007) · 0.709 (2006)
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone system
- general assessment:
- service has improved recently with increased use of digital switching equipment;
- microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines;
- growing mobile-cellular usage in both urban and rural areas is reducing use of fixed-line services;
- Internet penetration remains modest and slow-growing
- domestic:
- 1995 telecommunications law opened all non-fixed-line services to private competition;
- in 2005, monopoly over fixed-line services terminated and the entire telecommunications sector was opened to competition;
- currently multiple mobile-cellular providers with subscribership rapidly approaching 100 per 100 persons
- international:
- country code - 962;
- landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) FEA and FLAG Falcon submarine cable networks;
- satellite earth stations - 33 (3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals);
- fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link with Egypt and Syria;
- participant in Medarabtel (2010)
Broadcast media
- radio and TV dominated by the government-owned Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTV) that operates a main network, a sports network, a film network, and a satellite channel;
- first independent TV broadcaster aired in 2007;
- international satellite TV and Israeli and Syrian TV broadcasts are available;
- roughly 30 radio stations operational with JRTV operating the main government-owned station;
- transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are available (2007)
Transportation
9 fieldsMerchant marine, 13 ships by typeone square, one ship
Airports by runway lengthpaved only
Airports by runway lengthunpaved only
Networkskm
Military
6 fieldsMilitary branches
- Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF):
- Royal Jordanian Land Force (RJLF), Royal Jordanian Navy, Royal Jordanian Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya al-Urduniya, RJAF), Special Operations Command (Socom);
- Public Security Directorate (normally falls under Ministry of Interior, but comes under JAF in wartime or crisis) (2011)
Military service age and obligation
- 17 years of age for voluntary military service;
- conscription for males at age 18 was suspended in 1999, but reinstated in July 2007 in order to provide youth training necessary for job market needs;
- all males under age 37 are required to register;
- women not subject to conscription, but can volunteer to serve in non-combat military positions in the Royal Jordanian Arab Army Women's Corps (2010)
Manpower available for military service
- males age 16-49:
- 1,674,260
- females age 16-49:
- 1,611,315 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues
2 fieldsDisputes - international
- approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq, with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan;
- 2004 Agreement settles border dispute with Syria pending demarcation
Refugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees (country of origin):
- 1,835,704 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)); 500,000 (Iraq)
- IDPs:
- 160,000 (1967 Arab-Israeli War) (2007)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Jordan.” The World Factbook 2011. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/jordan/2011.