Geography
Area: 89,544 sq. km. (34,573 sq. mi.).
Cities: Capital--Amman (pop. 1.9 million). Other cities--Irbid
(272,681), Az-Zarqa (472,830).
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Jordanian(s).
Population (2004 census): 5.323 million.
Religions (est.): Sunni Muslim 95%, Christian 4%, Other 1%.
Languages: Arabic (official), English.
Education (2001): Literacy--90%.
Health (2003): Infant mortality rate--19/1,000. Life
expectancy--71 yrs.
Ethnic groups: Mostly Arab but small communities of Circassians,
Armenians, and Kurds.
Work force (1.29 million): Services--83.96%; industry--12.75%;
agriculture--3.29%
Unemployment rate: 13.4%.
Government
Type: Constitutional monarchy.
Independence: May 25, 1946.
Constitution: January 8, 1952.
Branches: Executive--king (chief of state), prime minister
(head of government), council of ministers (cabinet). Legislative--bicameral
National Assembly (appointed Senate, elected Chamber of Deputies).
Judicial--civil, religious, special courts.
Political parties: Wide spectrum of parties legalized in 1992.
Suffrage: Universal at 18.
Administrative subdivisions: Twelve governorates--Irbid, Jarash,
Ajloun, al-'Aqaba, Madaba, al-Mafraq, al-Zarqa, Amman, al-Balqa, al-Karak,
al-Tafilah, and Ma'an.
Economy
GDP (2004 nominal): $11.515 billion.
Annual growth rate (2004): 7.7%.
Per capita GDP (2004): $2,164.
Natural resources: Phosphate, potash.
Agriculture: Products--fruits, vegetables, wheat, olive
oil, barley, olives. Land--10% arable; 5% cultivated.
Industry (23.7% of GDP in 2004; 20.7% of GDP in first half 2005):
Types--phosphate mining, manufacturing, electricity and
water; cement and petroleum production, and construction.
Trade: Exports--(2004) $3.25 billion; (Jan-May 2005) $1.4
billion: phosphates, potash, textiles and garments, fertilizers,
pharmaceutical products, agricultural products. Major markets--U.S.,
Iraq, India, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Israel. Imports--(2004)
$8.18 billion; (Jan-May 2005) $3.94 billion: crude petroleum and
derivatives, vehicles, machinery and equipment, cereals, fabrics and
textiles. Major suppliers--EU, Saudi Arabia, China, U.S.
.