Jordan

National name: Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniya al-Hashimiyah

Government
Constitutional hereditary monarchy

Geography
The Middle East kingdom of Jordan is bordered on the west by Israel and the Dead Sea, on the north by Syria, on the east by Iraq, and on the south by Saudi Arabia. Arid hills and mountains make up most of the country. The southern section of the Jordan River flows through the country.

Historical Background
For most of its history since independence from British administration in 1946, Jordan was ruled by King HUSSEIN (1953-99). King ABDALLAH II, the son of King HUSSEIN, assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and undertaken an aggressive economic reform program. After a two-year delay, parliamentary and municipal elections took place in the summer of 2003. The prime minister appointed in December 2005 said the government would focus on political reforms, improving conditions for the poor, and fighting corruption.

Name

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Capital

Amman

Government

Constitutional monarchy - King of Jordan Abdullah II -  Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit

Language

Arabic, English, French, Circassian, Chechen, Turkish

Area

Total 92,300 km2 (112th) 35,637 sq mi    

Population

July 2010 estimate 6,407,085[2] (102nd) - July 2004 census 5,611,202

GDP (PPP)

2010 estimate -  Total $95.3 billion[3]

GDP (nominal)

2010 estimate -  Total $99.129 billion

Currency

Jordanian dinar (JOD)

Time zone

UTC+2 (UTC+2)  -  Summer (DST) UTC+3 (UTC+3)