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The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
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The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy, ruled since 1952 by His Majesty King Hussein. With the passing of the monarch in February of 1999, the King’s eldest son, His Majesty King Abdullah, ascended the throne. In Jordan, executive power is vested in the Council of Ministers which is appointed by the king, and which is accountable to a two house parliament. The 40 members of the Upper House are appointed by the King, while the 80 deputies of the Lower House are elected by popular vote. Constitutional provisions define the rights and duties of Jordanian citizens, while guaranteeing the right of free worship, opinion, press, association and private property. Since 1989 all elements of the Jordanian political spectrum have demonstrated commitment to increased democracy, liberalization and consensus building. These reforms, which have been guided by the late King Hussein, have placed Jordan on an irreversible path toward democratization. The result has been greater empowerment and involvement of everyday citizens in Jordan’s civic life, contributing to increased stability and institutionalization, which will benefit the county far into the future. The remarkably stable political and social climate that Jordan has enjoyed for decades under the Hashemite Dynasty continues to thrive under His Majesty King Abdullah’s leadership. The new King has undertaken his father’s legacy of reform, committing his country to the goals of privatization, economic liberalization, and modernization of the law. |
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Strategically positioned at the convergence of Europe, Asia and Africa, Jordan’s 96,188 square kilometers present a diversity of landscapes. From the hills and mountains of the geographic center of Jordan, the Badia Plains extend in an eastward direction into Saudi Arabia. The Jordan River, flowing through the fertile Rift Valley, forms Jordan’s western boundary and terminates in the Dead Sea. This body of water lies at the lowest point on earth, 400 meters below sea level. To the south, the Port of Aqaba provides Jordan with a gateway to the Red Sea. Many civilizations have sought to control the strategic geography of Jordan, and parts of Jordan have at one time or another been under the dominion of the Sumerian, Mesopotamian, and a host of other empires, eventually falling under the rule of he Greek, Roman and Persian classical civilizations. Since the 7th century, Jordan has been ruled by various Arab and Islamic dynasties, the last being the Ottoman Empire (1516-1918). What was in 1920 called Transjordan was placed under British Mandate by the League of Nations. The British Mandate expired in 1946, and since that time Transjordan, now called the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, has been governed as a constitutional monarchy. |
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Jordan’s climate is arid and moderate in temperature. Winter temperatures average around 8-10o C, with summer temperatures 28-35 o C. Average annual rainfall varies from less than 50mm to over 600mm in certain parts of the country. Amman, at over 950 meters elevation, is known for its cool, dry nights even in full summer. |
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Jordan’s population of 4.8 million is 92% Jordanian and 8% non-Jordanian. Gender distribution is fairly even at 52% male, 48% female, The country is young, with 41% of the population under the age of 15, and only 3% over the age of 64. Islam is the predominant religion.
92% of the people are Sunni Muslims. 6% are Christian, while the
remainder is Shia Muslims, Sunni Circassians, Cheches, Druze,
and Bahai. The Muslim New Year and other Islamic holy days are
public holidays. |
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Arabic is the official language, but English is spoken widely, especially in business. |
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The unit of currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JD), and the rate of exchange is 1 JD=1.41 US $. |
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Time is GMT+2, 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time, Summer time is observed from April through September. |
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Most private businesses observe
Friday as the weekly holiday, while banks and Government close
on Fridays and Saturdays. Jordanian labor law limits most workers
to 48 hours per week the exception being hotel, restaurant and
cinema workers with 54 hours. Annual paid leave is 14 days, 21
for workers over five years with the same employer. |
