Islamic countries

Islamic countries

HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN
AL MAMLAKAH AL URDUNIYAH AL HASHIMIYAH

General Information

Total Land Area:	89,213 km²
Land Boundaries:	1,635 km
Coastline:	26 km
Capital:	Amman
Other Large Cities:	Az-Zarqa, Irbid, As-Salt
Official Language:	Arabic
National Currency Unit:	Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
National Day:	May 25

Location and Geography

Jordan is located at the heart of the Middle East. It is bordered by Syria in the North, Saudi Arabia in the East and South, Palestine and Israel in the West, Iraq in the East, and the Gulf of Aqaba in the South-west. The country’s terrain is variable with moderate elevation on the Eastern desert plateau, high mountains in the West, sandstone mountains in the South with the lowest land point at the Dead Sea. Inadequate rainfall constitutes a problem for the country. The countryside offers a diversity of climate and scenery. In spring desert winds bring higher temperatures. Daytime summer temperatures can be hot but nights are pleasant. In winter, it snows fairly on the mountains and in Amman.

Demography

Population:	5.25 million (2002)
Crude Birth Rate:	28 per thousand people (2002)
Crude Death Rate:	4 per thousand people (2002)
Infant Mortality Rate:	27 per thousand (2002)
Life Expectancy:	Male: 71 years, Female: 72 years (2002)
Urban Population:	79.0 percent (2002)
Adult Literacy:	94.60 percent (2002)

Economy

Jordan’s economy is diversified. Its major sources of income are agriculture, mining, manufacturing, telecommunications, transportation, trade, and construction. Tourism also plays a special role in the economy. Jordan’s main natural resources are phosphates, potash and shale oil. Rock phosphate, potash and fertilisers are traditional exports and sources of hard currency. The extraction of phosphates, petroleum refining and cement production are the country’s major industries. A small part of the land is arable and, therefore, put to maximum use. Main agricultural products are wheat, barley, citrus and other fruits and vegetables. Fishing is carried out in the Gulf of Aqaba.

GDP at Current Market Prices:	9370 million US$ (2002)
Per Capita GDP:	1785 US$ (2002)
Share of Sectors in GDP:	2.0% Agriculture, 26.0% Industry, 72.0% Services, (2002)
Total Exports:	2747 million US$ (2002)
Total Imports:	5226 million US$ (2002)
Major Exports Items:	Phosphates, fertilizers, potash, agricultural products and manufactured goods
Major Imports Items:	Crude oil, machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs and cattle
Major Trading Partners:	US, Iraq, India and Germany