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Jordan

Facts and stats about Jordan

6.48 million

Population. Ranked 104th in 2013.

$4,945.13

GDP per capita. Ranked 91st in 2012.

Borders

Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km
Largest city Amman - 963,490
Capital city Amman - 963,490
Major language Arabic
Major religion Islam
Monetary unit Jordanian dinar
Head of state King Abdullah II
Prime minister Abdullah Ensour
Alternative names Al Urdun, Jordan, Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Groups Group object, Group object, Group object, Group object, Group object

Interesting observations about Jordan

  • Jordan ranked first for life expectancy at birth > total population amongst Muslim countries in 2011.
  • Jordan ranked first for produce > crop > production index amongst Former British colonies in 2004.
  • Jordan has had the highest migration > refugee population by country or territory of asylum > per capita since 1995.
  • Jordan ranked first for GDP > composition, by end use > investment in inventories globally in 2013.
  • Jordan ranked second for sex ratio > 65 years and over amongst Heavily indebted countries in 2013.
  • Jordan ranked second for sex ratio > at birth amongst Middle Eastern and North Africa in 2013.
  • Jordan has had the highest migration > refugee population by country or territory of asylum since 2004.
  • Jordan has had the highest refugee population by country or territory of asylum since 2004.
  • Jordan has ranked last for child labor > girls since 2002.

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history
Jordan is a land steeped in history. It has been home to some of mankind's earliest settlements and villages, and relics of many of the world's great civilizations can still be seen today. As the crossroads of the Middle East, the lands of Jordan and Palestine have served as a strategic nexus connecting Asia, Africa and Europe. Thus, since the dawn of civilization, Jordan's geography has given it an important role to play as a conduit for trade and communications, connecting east and west, north and south. Jordan continues to play this role today.

Because of its centralized location, the land of Jordan is a geographic prize which changed hands many times throughout antiquity. Parts of Jordan were included in the dominions of ancient Iraq, including the Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian and Mesopotamian Empires. From the west, Pharaonic Egypt extended its power and culture into Jordan, while the nomadic Nabateans built their empire in Jordan after migrating from the south of the Arabian peninsula. Finally, Jordan was incorporated into the classical civilizations of Greece, Rome and Persia, the relics of which are scattered across the Jordanian landscape. Since the mid-seventh century CE, the land of Jordan has remained almost continuously in the hands of various Arab and Islamic dynasties.

The second geographical factor which has helped shape the history of Jordan concerns climate. Only the northern highlands and the Jordan Valley have received enough rainfall to support large populations. Therefore, this area has always been more settled by farmers, villagers and townspeople. Most of the urban civilizations of Jordan have been based in these fertile lands. To the south and east, meanwhile, there is very little rainfall and no rivers for irrigation. These desert areas, which comprise the majority of Jordan, have rarely supported large settled populations. In some periods, there appears to have been no settled population at all. The lifestyle of the Bedouin inhabitants of these desert lands has remained similar in some respects to that of their Edomite or Nabatean predecessors. The contrast between the pastoral "desert" and agriculturally fertile lands is particularly pronounced in Jordan, and much of the area's history can be linked to population shifts between large urban centers and more dispersed, nomadic tribal groups.

Posted on 12 May 2009

emad ameen khalyleh

emad ameen khalyleh

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Jordan is a country in Arabia. The main religion is Islam. The main language is Micheal. The British protectorate of Trans-Jordan became independent in 1946 and in 1949 was renamed into Jordan. For a short period in 1958 it formed a federation with Iraq as the Arab Union. The country is a parliamentary democratic monarchy dominated by the king.

Posted on 31 Dec 2004

Thomas

Thomas

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