COUNTRY INFORMATION |
Introduction |
Surrounded on all sides by the deserts of the Middle East, Jordan has just 26 km (16 miles) of maritime coastline on the Gulf of Aqaba. The vast majority of the population lives in the northwest of the country, on the east bank of the Jordan River. Jordan ceded its claim to the West Bank of the river to the aspiring Palestinian state in 1988. Phosphates, and tourism associated with important historical sites such as Petra, are the mainstays of the economy. |
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Climate |
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Summers are hot and dry, winters cool and wet. Areas below sea level are very hot in summer and warm in winter. |
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People |
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| URBAN/RURAL POPULATION DIVIDE |
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Jordan is a predominantly Muslim country drawn from Bedouin roots, with a Christian minority. About half the population are Palestinian in origin. The monarchy's power base lies among the rural tribes, which also provide the backbone of the military. National identity is strong. |
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Economy |
| GNP (US$) |
8360
|
M |
GNP World rank |
92
|
|
| Inflation |
1 |
% |
Unemployment |
15 |
% |
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StrengthsMajor exporter of phosphates. Skilled workforce. Recovery of tourist industry after 1991 Gulf War. Port of Aqaba, special economic zone. WeaknessesReliant on imports of energy. Poor export to import ratio. Unemployment, exacerbated by influx of refugees from Kuwait after Gulf crisis. Little arable land. |
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Politics |
| Lower house |
Last election |
1997 |
Next election |
2002 |
| Upper house |
Last election |
2001 |
Next election |
2005 |
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King Abdullah II acceded to the throne in February 1999 upon the death of his father, King Hussein. Although lacking in political experience, he is respected by the army and enjoys the support of Jordan's tribal leaders. Multiparty elections, initiated in 1993, have benefited pro-government parties, despite a strong Islamist opposition lobby. The appointment in 2000 of Prime Minister Ali Abu al-Ragheb marked a shift toward a more modernizing and pro-business government. |
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Resources |
| Minerals |
Oil, phosphates, potash |
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| Oil reserves (barrels) |
No data |
Oil production (barrels/day) |
40 b/d |
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Oil deposits have been discovered. Phosphates, livestock, and crops such as tomatoes, wheat, olives, and vegetables are the main resources. |
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Health |
| Life expectancy |
70 |
Life expect. World rank |
83 |
| Population per doctor |
588 |
Infant mortality (per 1000 births) |
25 |
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| Principal causes of death |
Heart, digestive, and respiratory diseases, accidents, cancers |
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Health care is subsidized by the government. Hospitals are well distributed throughout the country. |
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Education |
| Literacy |
90 |
% |
Expend. % GNP |
7 |
%
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| PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION IN FULL TIME EDUCATION |
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| Primary |
69 |
% |
Secondary |
66 |
% |
Tertiary |
18 |
% |
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Men and women receive the same education. Jordanian teachers work all over the Middle East. |
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Wealth |
| Cars |
49 |
per 1,000 population |
| Telephones |
93 |
per 1,000 population |
| Televisions |
84 |
per 1,000 population |
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Poverty is relatively rare, though refugee camps still exist and 25% unemployment damaged many family incomes in the late 1990s.
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History |
Jordan, previously the British-mandated territory of Transjordan, became independent in 1946. - 1953 Hussein appointed king.
- 1967 Israel seizes West Bank territories.
- 1970 Massive crackdown on Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Jordan.
- 1988 Jordan cedes claims to West Bank to PLO.
- 1994 Peace treaty with Israel.
- 1999 Death of King Hussein; succession of King Abdullah II.
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