What You Need to Know about Jordan

Location: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was established after World War I, in the biblical area of Gilead, Ammon, Moab and Edom. It’s western border lies on the Jordan River extending down to the Red Sea including the Edom Mountains, and east to the Syrian desert. This area was the main commercial route through the desert between Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Population: There are over 3 million persons in Jordan, including more than 1,400,000 Palestinian refugees. The inhabitants are almost entirely Arab living in urban communities. The largest city is Amman, the capital. Islam is the state religion and Arabic is the official language. Eighty percent of the population are Moslem with the remainder being mostly Christian. Nearly 220,000 of the inhabitants are semi-nomadic or desert nomads called Bedouins. Other ethnic and religious groups include the Armenians, Nestorians, Samaritans, Druze and Bahai communities. There has been much internal migration from rural areas to urban centers, creating strain on the economy as well as the housing situation. The Palestinian refugees live in separate camps with aid from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. The refugees have been granted Jordanian citizenship. A national health insurance program covers medical and dental care at a modest cost. Most towns have hospitals, banks, government and private schools, mosques and churches, libraries and entertainment facilities. Some have institutions of higher learning and newspaper offices. Most smaller towns are reluctant to accept modernizing influences.

Education: Public education at the primary level is free and compulsory beginning at the age of six. In practice however, only 90% of the male population and half the female children go to school. The nomadic habits of many of the families make attendance difficult to enforce. There are a variety of types of schools in Jordan - government schools, private and  missionary schools and UNRWA (United Nations) schools for the refugee children. Secondary level vocational schools have been developed with an emphasis on commercial, industrial, agricultural and teacher training. Adult education is also stressed. The universities are mainly devoted to historical and archaeological studies or to religious preparation. The University of Jordan, in Amman, has an enrollment of about 3,600 students.

Economy: Jordan is not economically self-supporting. The country is poor in natural resources. Most of the land istoo arid for agriculture and industry is underdeveloped. Seventy-five percent of its work force is engaged in farming or livestock raising. Wheat and barley are the major crops along with olives, almonds, figs, grapes, apricots and tobacco. Other than phosphate mines mineral and oil deposits are very small. Industrialization, although still underdeveloped, has increased since the war in 1967. Major industries include oil refining, hydroelectric power and tourism. Both local and foreign owned firms are encouraged through fiscal concessions from the government. The principal exports of Jordan, apart from agricultural produce, are phosphates and potash. The principal imports are food, chemicals, textiles, machinery, and rubber. The standard of living is low with the per capita income being about $552.

Electricity: There are basically three types of electrical equipment, with Great Britain, the US, West Germany, Lebanon, Japan and Syria the chief suppliers. Aqaba is the only seaport. Electricity: 220 volts; 50 cycles.

Government: Under the 1951 constitution, Jordan is a limited monarchy. The King is chief Executive and Head of State. He shares executive power with a premiere and sixteen cabinet members. The House of Representatives is elected by popular vote but the King appoints the Senate. As chief executive, the King may declare war, conclude peace and convene or adjourn the House. He also is Commander in Chief of the armed forces. Legislative power rests in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Jordan, like many Arab countries, has a civil and a religious court system. The Supreme Court, or High court of Justice, presides over cases against the state and interprets the law. The religious courts are available to the Muslims who desire traditional Islamic interpretation of the law rather than civil decisions. The Arab Army, formally the Arab Legion, consists of over 70,000 men strongly loyal to the king. Jordan is divided into eight administrative districts, each headed by a governor. The nomadic population, divided into East and West Bank, are administered separately.

Currency: Jordanian Dinar; 1,000 fils - 1 dinar.

Note to travellers: We generally advise that only bottled water should be used which is available at hotels. Wash all fruits and vegetables carefully. Though the standard of cleanliness of the Jordanian hotels is very good, the bacteria are often unfamiliar to the Western visitor.

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