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Jordan » Key Facts

Middle East.

Area

89,342 sq km (34,495 sq miles).

Population

5.9 million (CIA estimate 2006).

Population Density

66 per sq km.

Capital

Amman. Population: 2.5 million (2006 estimate).

Government

Constitutional Monarchy since 1952.

Jordan shares borders with Israel, the Syrian Arab Republic, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The Dead Sea is to the northwest and the Red Sea to the southwest. A high plateau extends 324km (201 miles) from the Syrian Arab Republic to Ras en Naqab in the south with the capital of Amman at a height of 800m (2,625ft). Northwest of the capital are undulating hills, some forested, others cultivated. The Dead Sea depression, 400m (1,300ft) below sea level in the west, is the lowest point on earth. The River Jordan connects the Dead Sea with Lake Tiberias (Israel). To the west of Jordan is the Palestinian National Authority Region. The east of the country is mainly desert. Jordan has a tiny stretch of Red Sea coast, centred on Aqaba.

Language

Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken in the cities. French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken.

Religion

Over 94% Sunni Muslim, with Christian and Shi’i Muslim minorities.

Time

GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 between March and October - dates vary).

Social Conventions

Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Jordanians are proud of their Arab culture, and hospitality here is a matter of great importance. Visitors are made to feel very welcome and Jordanians are happy to act as hosts and guides, and are keen to inform tourists about their traditions and culture. Islam always plays an important role in society and it is essential that Muslim beliefs are respected. Arabic coffee will normally be served continuously during social occasions. To signal that no more is wanted, slightly tilt the cup when handing it back, otherwise it will be refilled. A small gift is quite acceptable in return for hospitality. Women are expected to dress modestly and beachwear must only be worn at the beach or poolside. Photography: It is polite to ask permission to take photographs of people and livestock; in some places photography is forbidden.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used.

Head of Government

Prime Minister Nader al-Dahabi since 2007.

Head of State

King Abdullah Ibn al-Hussein al-Hashimi since 1999.

Recent History

Crown Prince Abdullah ascended the throne on King Hussein’s death on 7 February 1999. He has gone to great lengths to plan long-term improvements to the economy of Jordan and is one of a new generation of Arab leaders in favour of social and economic reform. He has backed the promotion of women’s rights, information technology, democracy, liberal economic policies and integration with the rest of the world. parliamentary elections last took place in June 2003 under a one-person-one-vote multi-member constituency system with quotas for women, minority ethnic and religious groups. On 7 April 2005 the king appointed Dr Adnan Badran as prime minister. He resigned in November of that year, shortly after the hotel bombings in Amman, and was replaced by Dr Marouf Al-Bakhit, the former ambassador to Israel.

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Information in this section was last updated: Tuesday, April 01 - 2008

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