Jordan or officially the Kingdom of Hamit Jordan is an Asian country located in the Middle East. In the north, the country borders on Syria, in the north-east - with Iraq, in the east and south - with Saudi Arabia, in the south-west - with the Red, and in the west with the Dead Sea, Israel and Palestine. The capital, Amman, is the largest city in Jordan in terms of population.
General information about the state
The Kingdom of Jordan was created as a result of the division of the Middle East between France and Great Britain after the First World War. In 1946, the country gained sovereignty and independence and became known as the Kingdom of Hamit Transjordan. During the Arab-Israeli war in 1948, Abdullah I assumed the title of King of Jordan and Palestine.
The political system of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy, in which the king (currently Abdullah II) has broad executive and legislative powers. The population of Jordan has a fairly high index of human development due to wide economic freedoms compared with the countries that surround Jordan. Since 2010, the country's territory has been considered a free zone for European trade. Jordan is a founding member of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The flag design of Jordan is dedicated to the revolt of the Arabs during the First World War against the Turkish occupation. The country's motto is the phrase: "God, Homeland and King."
A Brief History of Jordan
The history of this country begins around 2000 BC, when Semitic Amorites came to its territory and settled on the banks of the Jordan River. Subsequently, the territory of the country was subjected to a series of seizures from the Egyptians, Israelis, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Crusaders and Turks. The Turkish empire controlled the territory of Jordan literally until the beginning of the 20th century.
During World War I, Britain and France took advantage of Arab nationalism and supported the rebellion of the Arabs against the Turks and Germans. As a result, the Ottoman Empire after the war was divided between the European powers: Britain and France, which established the form of government in modern Jordan. Since 1922, Jordan has existed as a semi-autonomous emirate led by Britain.
Century XX was marked by the receipt of Jordan's independence from Britain in 1946, and the subsequent series of wars with Israel, which ended in a peace agreement in 1994.
Throughout the XX century, Jordan maintains good relations with the surrounding countries: Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, entering into various alliances with them. From 2012 to 2013, after the outbreak of hostilities in Syria, about 600,000 residents took refuge in Jordan. This figure is about 10% of the population of Jordan.
Political system
The system of government in Jordan is a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral National Assembly consisting of the House of Representatives (150 deputies) and the Senate (75 members appointed by the king). The king, together with the Council of Ministers, represents the executive branch. Any law must be approved by the king before coming into force, however, his vote may be annulled if more than 2/3 of the members of the National Assembly vote against his decision.
The objectives of the Senate are to approve, amend or reject draft laws proposed by the House of Representatives. In turn, the king appoints and removes judges, approves amendments to the laws, declares war and is the supreme commander of the armed forces of Jordan. Under his auspices, money is also issued, decisions of judges and the Cabinet of Ministers. The king appoints governors in all 12 provinces of the country.
Currently, the king of the country is Abdullah II, who in 1999 inherited the throne from his father, Hussein ibn Talal.
Administrative division of the country
Jordan is divided into 12 provinces, the names of which are given below:
- Amman;
- Irbid;
- Zarka;
- Al Balka;
- Al Mafraq;
- Al Karak;
- Harash
- Madaba
- Ajlun;
- Aqaba
- Maan;
- At Tafilah.
The largest provinces in terms of area are Maan (33,163 square kilometers) and Al Mafraq (26,435 square kilometers). Moreover, the total area of the country is 89 342 km 2 .
As for the population of the country of Jordan, it should be said that most people live in the province of Amman (more than 4.4 million), as well as in the provinces of Irbid and Zarka (approximately 1 million people each). These three provinces, along with Al Balka and Ajloun, have the highest population density, which ranges from 200 to 600 people per square kilometer. The lowest population density in Jordan is characteristic of the provinces of Al Mafraq, Ma'an and Aqaba, where the corresponding figures are within 3-20 people per square kilometer.
Demographics of the country
According to 2011 estimates, the number of residents in Jordan exceeds 6,321,000. About 70% of them live in cities. Less than 6% of the population leads a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle. The population of Jordan is mostly concentrated in areas where rainfall allows farming. A large number of Palestinians live in this country (about 1.7 million). Only 4 cities in Jordan in terms of population exceed 200,000. These include the following cities:
- the capital of Amman (more than 1.2 million);
- Zarka (more than 460 thousand);
- Ruseifa (more than 330 thousand);
- Irbid (more than 300 thousand).
The country's birth rate is 2.55 children per woman, but infant mortality in Jordan is high (16.16 deaths per 1,000 infants). Jordan's population is growing at a rate of 2.4% per year. The average life expectancy is 74.1 years, while women live on average 75.5 years, and men 72.7 years.
Religion and official language
The population of Jordan is 98% Arabs, but also other peoples live on its territory: Chechens, Armenians, Kurds, etc. The country's official religion is Islam, which is professed by 93.5% of the population. About 4.1% are Christians, mainly Orthodox Christians. There are no religious conflicts in the country, and Christmas is a national holiday for all Jordanians.
The official language of the country is Arabic, however, English is widely spoken among the population engaged in commerce and members of the government. Many schools in Jordan also teach French.
Jordan Economy
Jordan is a small country with limited resources. Currently, the main problem is the limited supply of fresh water. Energy is also scarce in Jordan, so since the 1990s it has covered its needs through oil imports from Iraq and other neighboring countries. In 2003, the construction of a gas pipeline from Egypt to the port city of Jordan in the south, Aqaba, was completed.
Since the 2000s, the country has been producing large quantities of textile products for export, and has also emphasized the development of information technology and tourism. These three areas are the main engine of its economy at present.
The country has a very high unemployment rate, which at the beginning of the 2000s amounted to 40.5% of the working age population of the country of Jordan. According to data for 2016, this figure has become smaller, but still remains high. According to various estimates, the unemployment rate in Jordan is from 20% to 30% of the working population.
Jordan Tourism
Tourism is a key sector of the Jordanian economy. Due to the stability of the political situation in the country, its warm climate and rich history, the state is an attractive tourist attraction. The main tourist activities in the country are visits to various historical buildings, unspoilt natural places, as well as acquaintance with the culture and traditions of the state.
The most attractive city in Jordan from a tourist point of view is Petra, which is located in the valley. You can get into it only through a mountain gorge. Many buildings of the city date back to the 2nd century AD and are made in the rocks. Among these buildings can be noted the Treasury of Petra and the monastery of Deir. Peter is considered one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World.
Also in Jordan, many tourists are attracted by Gerasa and Gadara, which are two old Roman cities that were once part of the Eastern Roman Empire. In these cities there are many buildings that demonstrate the Roman architecture of the 1st century AD.
Dead and Red Seas
In addition to historical monuments, tourists can enjoy its unique natural places in Jordan. One of them is the Dead Sea, which is 411 meters below sea level and continues to dry rapidly. It is a large lake, the concentration of potassium and magnesium salts in which exceeds 60 g per liter. Salt water allows a person to swim almost effortlessly, and also has therapeutic properties.
Another amazing place is the port city of Aqaba, which stands on the shores of the Red Sea. Here, tourists are offered magnificent and equipped beaches, which are famous not only for their warm water, but also for the opportunity to engage in underwater tourism due to the presence of many corals in the coastal zone.