Jordan Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 26, 2020

Jordan; Middle Eastern state; 88,950 km², 10.0 million residents (2019).Jordan borders south to Saudi Arabia, west to Israel, north to Syria, and east to Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Apart from a narrow strip of land at the city of Aqaba in the south, Jordan is completely enclosed by other states. In 1988, Jordan abandoned all claims of sovereignty on the West Bank and transferred the legal and administrative responsibilities of the Palestinian liberation movement PLO. The capital is Amman (1.8 million residents, 2016).

Country facts

al-Mamlaka al-Urduniya al-Hashimiya / Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan
Country abbreviation: JO
Area: 88 950 km²
Population (2019): 10.0 million residents
Capital: Amman
Main languages: Arabic
State: Monarchy
Head of State: Abdullah II (King)
Head of Government: Omar al-Razzaz
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 4 248
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 4,210
Currency unit: 1 Jordanian dinar = 1,000 fils
Currency code: JOD
Country number (telephony): 962
Internet domain name: yes
Time difference compared to Sweden: +1
National Day: May 25 (Independence Day, 1946)

Nature

Land use: forest (1%), agricultural land (5%), other (94%)
Highest mountain: Jabal Ramm (1,754 m asl)
Largest lake: Dead Sea (650 km² )

Population

Population density (2019): 112 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 1.8%; birthrate 22 ‰, death count 4 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (34%), 15-64 (62%), 65- (4%)
Average life expectancy (2019): men 73 years, women 76 years
Infant mortality (2019): 17 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 13 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.735 (place 95 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 90%
Most populous cities (2016): Amman (183 million residents), az-Zarqa (635,200)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017: agriculture (4%), industry (29%), service (67%)
Exports (2017): US $ 7,511 million
Main export products: clothing, vegetables, phosphate
Main exporting countries: USA, Saudi Arabia, India
Imports (2017): US $ 18 210 million
Main import products: crude oil, machinery, means of transport
Main trading partners: China, Saudi Arabia, USA
Railway network (2014): 500 km

The deep fault basin in whose bottom Jordan, Dead Sea and Arava Valley is found divides the country into a western and an eastern part. The western part is dominated by a hilly mountain country, while the eastern part mainly consists of a plateau, most of which is steppe or desert. The climate is dry and hot in summer.

According to the constitution, the country is a monarchy. Formally, the King and Parliament, which consists of the Senate and House of Representatives, have the legislative power. In practice, the king has ruled more or less single-handedly. In 1988, Jordan abandoned all claims of sovereignty on the West Bank and transferred the legal and administrative responsibilities of the Palestinian liberation movement PLO.

The country’s poorly developed industry, the shortage of raw materials and the large import of oil and food have traditionally led to a trade deficit. Assistance, income from tourism and the money flow from Jordanians abroad usually cause the current account balance to show surplus.

The country’s geographical location as the center of trade between Europe and the Middle East has contributed to its economic development.