Jordan Country Brief

Political:

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy that has taken the present shape since 1949. Prior to this and as of 1921, it was known as the Emirate of Trans-Jordan. Jordan has 12 governorates with including the capital city: Amman. The legal system is based on Islamic law and French codes.

Geography


Jordan is located in the heart of the Middle East; bordering Saudi Arabia (south-east, Iraq (north-east), Syria (north), and Palestine (west). Jordan has a total area of 92,300 sq. km including 26 km coastline at Aqaba Bay (south), the only sea port.


Jordan enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with very hot summers reaching around 40°C, and cool winters reaching 0°C.

Economy

- Currency:

- Local Currency: Jordan Dinar (JOD)

- 1 JOD = 100 Piasters or 1000 Fils.

- Exchange rate: 1 USD$ = 0.710 JOD (pegged).

- GDP per Capita: USD$ 5,000 (2008 est.), USD$4,800 (2007 est.), USD$ 4,600

- Exports : USD$ 6.521 billion f.o.b.

- Export Partners : US 22.4%, Iraq 12.9%, India 8.3%, UAE 7.8%, Saudi Arabia 7.5%, Syria 4.9%

- Imports : USD$ 15.65 billion f.o.b.

- Imports Partners: Saudi Arabia 21%, China 9.7%, Germany 7.5%, US 4.7%, Egypt 4.4%.

- External – Dept: USD$ 6.597 billion

Population:

- Jordan’s total population is 6,342,948 million.

- Age Structure:

- 0-14 years: 31%

- 15-64 years 46.5%

- 65 and over 42%

- Median age 24.3 years

- Population growth rate: 2.264%

- Urbanizations: urban population: 78% of total population (2008 est.). Rate of urbanizations: 3.1% annual rate of change (2205-2010).

- Sex Ratio: 1.1 male(s)/female

- Life expectancy: 78.87 years

- Ethnic Groups: Arabs (98%), Circassian (1%), Armenian (1%).

- Religions: Sunni Muslims (92%), Christians (6%), other (2%) {2001 est}.

- Languages: Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes.

- Literacy: total population 89.9%.