Quick Facts & Geography
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Form: Constitutional monarchy under King Abdullah II, with a bicameral parliament (thetimes.com, britannica.com).
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Area & Population: About 89,300 km², home to roughly 11.8 million people (2025 est.) (britannica.com).
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Landscape: Around 75–80% desert, featuring the Dead Sea (lowest elevation on Earth at –408 m), and Jabal Umm al Dami (highest point at ~1,854 m) (thoughtco.com).
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Location: Borders Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Palestinian territories; 16 km of coastline on the Gulf of Aqaba (jordan.unfpa.org).
Society & Economy
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Demographics: Predominantly Sunni Muslim (~92%), with Christian and minority communities; includes millions of Palestinian and Syrian refugees .
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Languages: Arabic is official; English widely used in business and media (cia.gov).
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Economy: Upper-middle-income; key sectors—services (esp. tourism), phosphate, potash, remittances, and foreign aid (en.wikipedia.org).
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Challenges: Faces water scarcity, high youth/unemployment (~46% youth), reliance on imported energy, and pressures from refugee influx .
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Initiatives: Engaged in economic and governance reforms, including a major water desalination project from Aqaba to Amman (en.wikipedia.org).
History & Culture
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Origins: Gained independence from Britain in 1946; the Hashemite dynasty follows the Arab Revolt legacy (bbc.com).
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Refugee Hub: Since 1948, Jordan has hosted waves of refugees—Palestinians, Iraqis, Syrians—now representing a significant portion of its population .
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Tourism: A major economic pillar—Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea, Jerash, Ajloun, and desert castles draw global visitors (jordan.unfpa.org).
Top Highlights
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Petra: The spectacular "Rose City" carved into rock, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders (en.wikipedia.org).
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Wadi Rum: Known as "Valley of the Moon"—ideal for 4x4 safaris, camel treks, stargazing, and desert adventures (jordanmw.com).
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Dead Sea: Unique hyper-saline lake – float effortlessly and experience mineral-rich mud spas (butterfield.com).
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Other Sites: Jerash's Roman ruins, Ajloun and Karak castles, Qusayr Amra's Umayyad frescoes, and ancient Umm al-Jimal (en.wikipedia.org).
Current Events & Security
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Regional Tensions: Amid recent Israeli strikes on Iran, the U.S. issued security alerts for Jordan—caution around potential missile/drone threats, including airspace disruptions (reuters.com).
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Diplomacy: Jordan continues its role as a moderate mediator and key U.S. ally in a volatile region (en.wikipedia.org).
Travel Tips
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Climate: Hot, dry summers—up to 40 °C in desert zones; mild winters with occasional snow in highlands; best travel: spring (Mar–May) and autumn (Sep–Nov) .
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Culture & Hospitality: Jordanians are renowned for warmth—expect traditional greetings over tea or coffee, family-oriented social norms, and vibrant souks (jordan.gov.jo).
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Cuisine: Try Mansaf (national dish), mezze, falafel, kebabs, and traditional sweets like knafeh (jordan.gov.jo).
In Summary
Jordan is a strategically important, culturally rich, and beautifully diverse country. With its blend of ancient history, resilient society, and evolving infrastructure, it offers both travelers and policymakers a captivating blend of tradition and modernity—though it navigates ongoing challenges tied to resources and regional dynamics.
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