Advanced search
image
Travel & living abroad

Middle East and North Africa

Jordan

 Flag of Jordan

Last reviewed: 05 October 2009

Country information

Full country name: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Area: 89,213 sq. km (34,445 sq. miles)
Population: 5.85 million
Capital cty: Amman (population: 2,027,000)
People: Arab (98%), Circassian (1%), Armenian (1%). The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) report that 1,740,170 Palestinian refugees and displaced persons reside in Jordan; of whom 307,785 live in the 10 official UNRWA refugee camps. Estimates indicate that there are up to 500,000 Iraqis residing in Jordan.
Languages: Arabic (official), English
Religions: Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6%, Other (2%)
Currency: 1 Jordanian Dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Head of State: His Majesty King Abdullah II Bin al-Hussein
Prime Minister: Nader Dahabi (26 November 2007)
Foreign Minister: Nasser Judeh (24 February 2009)

Economy

Overview

Jordan is a small country with limited natural resources. For many years it has had to contend with a difficult external economic environment caused by problems in neighbouring countries: its goods have poor access to the West Bank and Israeli markets, while dealings with Iraq, which would normally be its largest export market, have been disrupted first by the effect of sanctions and, since the fall of Saddam Hussein, by lack of security.

Faced with dealing with economic challenges includings poverty and unemployment, King Abdullah gives high priority to economic reform as an essential condition for sustained economic growth to deliver jobs and better living standards for an expanding population. The agenda includes wide-ranging public sector reform, privatisation, and trade liberalisation: on the trade front Jordan is party to the Agadir Agreement between four of the more reformist countries in the Middle East/North Africa. It is an enthusiastic participant in regional reform initiatives.

By regional standards Jordan has made good progress with reform. Economic growth has begun to improve, though sustained progress is needed to alleviate social problems. Regional constraints are beginning to ease. Jordan stands to gain from an improving economic situation in Iraq. It has begun to benefit from economic co-operation with Israel: in the first instance in the specially formed Qualifying Industrial Zones which take advantage of US trade concessions, and which have made possible dramatically increased exports to the US. It hopes to benefit from similar co-operation over exports to the EU.

Basic economic facts

Sources: IMF, EIU

GNP (2008): JD 14,864.6 millon
GNP per head (2008): JD 2972.8
Annual growth (real GDP, 2008): expected 5.6%
Inflation (consumer price index, 2007): 5.7%
Major industries: Industry 11.4%, commerce/hotels/restaurants 10.5%, construction 10%, transport and communications 8.7%, agriculture 7.4%, other services 52%
Top Exports (2001): textiles, potash, pharmaceuticals, machinery, phosphates, vegetables, fruit and nuts.
Major trading partners: Exports – Iraq, India, USA, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Japan, Pakistan, Lebanon. Imports – Iraq, Germany, USA, Italy, France, UK, China, Korea.
Aid & development: The UK is a major contributor to assistance from the EU, UNRWA, World Bank and IMF
Exchange rate: 1 JD = £0.75 (Sept 2006)
The JD is pegged to the US $*
*World Bank WDI database

History

Transjordan was traditionally a sparsely populated, largely Bedouin country. It was ruled from its creation in 1921 by the Amir Abdullah, the second son of Sharif Hussein of Mecca, who started the Arab revolt against the Turks in the First World War (all members of the Hashemite family are entitled to style themselves ‘Sharif' as descendants of Hussein, son of the Fourth Caliph, Ali, and Ali's wife Fatimah, daughter of the Prophet Mohammed). In 1946, the British Mandate over the Amirate of Transjordan ended, Jordan became independent and the Amir became King.

At the end of the British Mandate in Palestine in 1948, the army of Transjordan (the Arab Legion) entered Palestine with other Arab forces. The war ended with the fertile coastal plain in Israeli hands and much of Eastern Palestine (the West Bank) held by the Arabs. The city of Jerusalem was divided; the Old City, containing almost all the holy places, was left in Jordanian hands. Jordan formally claimed the West Bank in 1950. Only Britain and Pakistan supported the claim and formally recognised Jordanian sovereignty over the area. King Abdullah united the West Bank and Transjordan, giving the areas equal representation in the Jordanian Parliament, to create the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Following the assassination of Abdullah, the first King of Jordan, in 1951, his eldest son Talal ruled for less than a year before he was deposed (owing to illness) in favour of his eldest son, King Hussein, who succeeded to the throne in 1952.

During the war of June 1967 Israel occupied the whole West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israeli law was extended to cover East Jerusalem in the same year and the whole city was proclaimed the capital of Israel by a 'Basic Law' in 1980. The West Bank and Gaza were not annexed, but administered by a military government. In 1988 Jordan announced its 'disengagement' from the Occupied Territories, handing over responsibility for the areas, and for speaking on behalf of the Arab inhabitants, to the PLO. But Jordan did not formally renounce sovereignty over the West Bank and East Jerusalem until shortly before King Hussein’s death in 1999. Hussein was succeeded by his eldest son, King Abdullah II.

BBC News Country Timeline: Jordan

International relations

Jordan and the Middle East Peace Process

Jordan continues to adopt a constructive approach to the Middle East Peace Process, seeking an end to violence and a return to negotiation. Jordan supports the establishment of a viable Palestinian State as part of the two state solution.  

Relations with Israel

On 26 October 1994, Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty, including agreement on borders and water. On 26 July 1995, the Jordanian Parliament officially ended Israel's status as an enemy state by voting 51 votes to 19 to repeal laws prohibiting normal economic and cultural relations with Israel. In January 1998, land was returned to Jordan marking a return to the 1922 Mandate border with minor modifications. Co-operation continues on a variety of economic, trade and other agreements.

Relations with the Palestinian Authority

Jordan's historical relations with the Palestinian leadership have at times been difficult. It continues to support it on political, economic, social and cultural issues

Relations with Iraq

Jordan supports the process of reconciliation, restoring stability and security of Iraq. It has restored diplomatic presence to Baghdad and the two countries have recently signed a number of bilateral agreements, including one on oil.

Relations with the international community

Europe is an important source of political and economic support to Jordan, with which it has signed and ratified an EU/Association agreement. The United States is also influential in Jordan through economic support and military assistance. Jordan is one of only four countries (and the only Arab one) to have a Free Trade Agreement with the United States.

Jordan's relations with the UK

Britain has a long-standing and close relationship with Jordan. Defence relations are an important part of this. Since 1993, annual joint military exercises have taken place and Royal Navy ships pay regular visits to Aqaba.

In July 2002, the UK helped to support a debt rescheduling agreement as a result of the Paris Club discussions. This agreement enables Jordan to reschedule debts to lender states. In January 2008 the UK and other Paris Club members agreed a $2 billion debt settlement with Jordan. Jordan and the UK are also close partners in the fight against international terrorism. Like the UK, Jordan has seen first-hand the effects of terrorist acts. We remain committed to maintaining our high level of co-operation.

Diplomatic Representation

We have full diplomatic relations with Jordan. Jordan is represented in London by Her Excellency Dr Alia Bouran. Our Ambassador to Amman is His Excellency James Watt.

Geography

Land use: Permanent Pastures 9%, Arable Land 4%, Permanent Crops 1%, Forests and Woodland 1%, Other 85%
Natural resources: Phosphates, Potash, Shale Oil
Coastline: 26km
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dead Sea –408m, highest point: Jabal Ram 1,734m

The greater part of Jordan consists of a plateau some 700-1,000 metres above sea level. There are no natural topographical frontiers between Jordan and its neighbours Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and the plateau continues unbroken into three countries. The River Jordan rises just inside Syria and flows through Israel and Jordan until entering the Dead Sea 251km from its source. It is a tiny trickle of a river, especially in summer and, though a de facto frontier, is not a great natural obstacle.

Summers are hot, especially on the plateau and in the Jordan valley, where temperatures over 49ºc have been recorded. Winters are fairly cold, and on the plateau frost and some snow are usual. The key element is rainfall. Only about 25% of the total area of Jordan is suitable for cultivation. Jordan is therefore far from self-sufficient in foodstuffs, notably wheat. Some winter crops (grains) are grown in highland areas. High value vegetable and fruit crops are grown under irrigation in the Jordan Valley region, partly for export to neighbouring Arab countries. Jordan's plans for agricultural development entail increased irrigation, which depends on the availability of water, a scarce commodity in the region and therefore a potential bone of contention between Jordan and its neighbours. Various projects to improve the availability of water are being considered.

Trade and Investment with the UK

UK trade with Jordan is heavily in the UK's favour with £210m exported to Jordan in 2008 (up 28% on 2007) and £21m (down 48% on 2007) imported from Jordan. The UK's exports were affected by the strength of the pound and increased competition particularly from the Far Eastern markets, although the UK remains the 10th largest exporter to Jordan.

The UK's principal exports to Jordan are telecommunication equipment; medicinal and pharmaceutical products; general and specialised industrial & electrical machinery; transport equipment; textiles and yarn; scientific instruments & office machines; power generating machinery and equipment. In addition, a substantial amount from invisible earnings, particularly in the consultancy services field. Over 30 British consultants are working in Jordan on a number of important projects in privatisation, energy, water, minerals, hotels, hospitals, transportation, telecommunication and management consultancy sectors. Jordanian imports to the UK mainly comprise fruit and vegetables, mineral water, sanitary paper, tanned leather and re-exports of spare parts, machinery, electrical appliances, and miscellaneous manufactured articles.

The UK Government's trade development branch, UK Trade & Investment (a joint FCO and DTI organisation), organises and supports an active programme of inward and outward trade missions in key sectors, as well as occasional awareness seminars held in the UK.

UK Trade & Investment Country Profile: Jordan

British Council

The British Council is the United Kingdom's principal agency for cultural relations abroad and is recognised as an integral and essential part of the UK's overall diplomatic and aid effort. The British Council is committed to winning international respect and long-term friends for Britain through educational, technical, scientific and cultural co-operation. The Council operates through a global network of offices in some 109 countries, and was established in Jordan in 1948.

In Jordan, the British Council:

  • promotes the use of English;
  • promotes British education and training goods and services;
  • promotes all aspects of the innovative, creative and hi-tech nature of contemporary British society;
  • administers and promotes British examinations;
  • promotes British literature and publishing;
  • designs and manages projects and programmes in key development sectors of governance and human rights;
  • supports the development of partnerships in science, technology and medicine;
  • presents the vitality and excellence of Britain's arts, and the diversity of British culture.
  • administers the Chevening Scholarship programme

More about the Chevening Scholarships in Jordan

British Council Jordan

Politics

Elections

Parliament which was established in 1989, after elections under universal suffrage, amends and approves legislation initiated by the King and his government. It has played an increasingly important role in publicly debating policy. Democratisation has progressed steadily and an amended political parties law was passed in 2008 under which 14 parties have registered. The Islamic Action Front is the single largest political party.  

Parliamentary elections last took place in November 2007 under a one-person-one-vote multi-member constituency system which includes quotas for women, Circasssian, Chechen and Christian groups. 110 deputies were elected to the Lower House, including 6 from the Islamic Action Front and 7 women.

In December 2007, Nader Dhahabi, previously President of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone and former Minister for Transport, was appointed Prime Minister.

King Abdullah II

Some weeks before his death King Hussein made his eldest son, Abdullah, Crown Prince. He ascended the throne on King Hussein's death on 7 February 1999.

King Abdullah II has gone to great lengths to plan long term term economic and political development. His vision of developing Jordan in areas like Information Technology, democracy, liberal economic policies, and global integration is embodied in the 2004 National Agenda.  

Human rights

The U.S. State Department, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch prepare country specific reports. Those related to Jordan could be found at:

US Department of State

Amnesty International

Human Rights Watch

Country information

Pick Another Country :

Share this with:

Travel Advice

Jordan

 

See Also


Useful Links



Contacts

Jordan

Address:

Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
6 Upper Phillimore Gardens
London W8 7HA

Defence Attaché's Office:
16 Upper Phillimore Gardens
London W8 7HB

Telephone:

(020) 7937 3685
(020) 7937 9611 Defence Attaché's Office
(020) 7937 9499 Jordan Information Bureau
(090) 6550 8968 Visa Information Service

Fax:

(020) 7937 8795
(020) 7937 7505 Defence Attaché's Office
(020) 7937 6741 Jordan Information Bureau

Email: info@jordanembassyuk.org

Office hours:

Mon–Fri: 0900–1500

Defence Attaché's Office: Mon–Thurs: 0900–1500 / Fri: 0900-1200
Visa Information Service: Mon-Fri: 1000-1300
Jordan Information Bureau: Mon-Thurs: 0900-1500 / Fri: 0900-1300

Website: www.jordanembassyuk.org