JORDAN
JORDAN
Jordan’s Fact File
Location:
Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia, between Israel (to the west) and Iraq
Area:
total: 89,342 sq km country comparison to the world: 111 land: 88,802 sq km water: 540 sq km
Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shia Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.) Languages:
Arabic (official), English (widely understood among upper and middle classes)
Government type: constitutional monarchy Land boundaries: total: 1,635 km border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km
Independence:
25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 May (1946) Coastline:
26 km
Climate:
mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)
Terrain:
mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River
Natural resources: phosphates, potash, shale oil Land use:
2
arable land: 3.32% permanent crops: 1.18% other: 95.5% (2005)
Population:
6,508,271 (July 2011 est.)
Ethnic groups:
Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1%
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox,
GDP (purchasing power parity): 23.74 billion (2010 est.) Industries:
clothing, fertilisers, potash, phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, inorganic chemicals, light manufacturing, tourism
Exports: Export commodities:
5.15 billion (2010 est.)
Export partners:
Imports: Import commodities:
clothing, fertilizers, potash, phosphates, vegetables, pharmaceuticals US 17.13%, Iraq 17%, India 13.59%, Saudi Arabia 10.56%, Syria 4.18%, UAE 4.09% (2009) 9.11 billion (2010 est.)
crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, iron, cereals Import partners: Saudi Arabia 17.3%, China 10.95%, US 6.94%, Germany 6.29%, Egypt 6.1% (2009)
• Developing Local Energy Resources to Power Tomorrow’s Development
Energy
“One of the most promising new ventures for the energy sector and Jordan is the development of oil shale into usable energy.” Khaled Irani, former Minister
IT & Telecom
“Jordan is well on its way to becoming an ICT hub in the region, having created a climate for success for local companies and foreign investors.� Marwan Juma, former Minister of Information and Communications Technology
Health
“Jordan’s reputation as a centre for high quality healthcare in the Middle East and its well developed environment make it a solid choice for international healthcare organisations looking to increase their presence in the region.” H. E. Dr Yasin Husban, Minister of Health
Tourism