Jordan Kingdom
Jordan is a semi arid country located in the east of the Mediterranean. Bordered by Syria to the north, Saudi Arabia to the south. Iraq and Saudi Arabia to the east’ and Palestine and Israel to the west.
Area:
water:
Population: 6.4 million in ( 2010 )
GDP: 1800-2000 USD
Population growth: 2.84%
GDP: 1800-2000 USD
Population growth: 2.84%
General Information
Location:Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates:31 00 N, 36 00 E
Map references:Middle East
Area:total: 92,300 sq km
land: 91,971 sq km water: 329 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:total: 1,619 km
border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 728 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km
Coastline:26 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 3 NM
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
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Jabal Ram 1,734 m
Natural resources:phosphates, po
Location:Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates:31 00 N, 36 00 E
Map references:Middle East
Area:total: 92,300 sq km
land: 91,971 sq km water: 329 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:total: 1,619 km
border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 728 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km
Coastline:26 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 3 NM
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
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Jabal Ram 1,734 m
Natural resources:phosphates, po
tash, shale oil
Land use:arable land: 4% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 9% forests and woodland: 1%
other: 85% (1993 est.) Irrigated land:630 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards:droughts Environment - current issues:limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
Topography:
Most of Jordan consists of arid desert. Dead Sea lowest point on surface of earth (more than 400 meters below sea level). Jabal Ramm (1,754 meters) is Jordan's highest point. Except for short coastline on Gulf of Aqaba, country landlocked
Physical geography
There are four main physiographic regions:
1) Jordan Rift Valley and Wadi Araba. The rift valley extends from Lake Tiberias in the north to the Gulf of Aqaba in the south. It is the Jordanian part of a continental shelf extending from Aqaba in the South to the Adasiyyah in the North. This zone is divided into three areas:
- The Jordan Valley, lies between 200-400 m below sea level, extending from Lake Tiberias in the North to the Dead Sea, with a length of 104 km and a width of between 4-16 km; it is surrounded in the east and west by high mountains. Rainfall decreases from approximately 300 mm in the north to 102 mm in the South.
- The Southern Ghor, this also lies below sea level to the South of the Dead Sea. Annual rainfall is less than 100 mm.
- The Wadi Araba, this area extends between the Southern Ghor and Aqaba on the Red Sea. It is extremely dry, with limited cultivated areas using underground water. The Jordan Valley and the Southern Ghor are among the most important agricultural areas, as there is a permanent source of water from the Yarmouk River and side dams for the former, and from surface water for the latter. Due to their position below sea level and high temperatures (microclimate), these two are the most important winter vegetable producing areas.
2) The Highlands. These extend from the Yarmouk River in the north passing through the Ajloun mountains, the hills of Ammon and Moab, and the Edom mountains. Many creeks and wadis drain from the east to the Jordan River, Dead Sea, and Wadi Araba. The average altitude ranges from 600 m in the north to 1,000 m in the middle and 1,500 m in the south. The highlands, which are a succession of catchment and sub-catchments, comprise: a semi-arid zone (350-500 mm annual rainfall) and a small sub-humid zone (over 500 mm annual rainfall).
3) The Arid Zone (Plains). This comprises the plains between the Badia (semi desert) and the Highlands. Rainfall ranges between 200 mm in the East and 350 mm in the West. More than 50 percent of the arable land is in this zone, the rainfed crops are mainly barley (areas of 200-300 mm of rainfall) wheat and fruit trees (where rainfall ranges between 300 and 350 mm).
4) The Badia (Eastern Desert). This covers about 8 090 000 ha or 90 percent of the Kingdom. It is characterized by a very sparse vegetation cover and an annual rainfall of less than 200 mm. In the past it was only used for grazing. In the last two decades, however, 20 000 ha have been irrigated, using underground water, to grow vegetables (especially tomatoes, watermelon and potatoes), plus fruit trees and cereals, especially wheat.
The actual cultivated area in 1997 totaled around 290,000 ha, of which 130,000 are planted with olives and fruit trees, 50,000 with vegetables and 110000 with field crops. About 90 percent, or 80,771 km2, of the Kingdom is grazing land; 69,077 km2 of which receive under 100 mm of rainfall, and 1 000 km2 of marginal grazing with 100-200 mm annual rainfall. Natural and man-made forests cover 760 km2, out of 1,300 km2 registered as forests. There are also about 500 km2 of state-owned land used for grazing in mountainous areas.
Climate
Jordan is on the eastern margins of the Mediterranean climatic zone of the eastern Mediterranean. This climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. More than 90 percent of the country receives less than 200 mm annual precipitation (precipitation map). There is a maximum annual rainfall of 600 mm in the north-west corner of the country. Average temperatures show a reverse pattern: they increase rapidly from the dissected plateaus to the very low level graben, increase gradually from the dissected plateau to the eastern margins of the eastern desert, and decrease gradually from north to south in line with increasing altitude. The highest annual and monthly values for evapotranspiration are in the desert with an annual total of 2,427 mm for Ma´an and 2,325 mm for Rweishid in the northeast. In the highlands, values vary from 1,485 mm at Rabba to 1,343 mm at Shoubak.
Highest monthly precipitation values occur in July and the lowest in January for all the country.
• Mediterranean. This region is restricted to the
• highlands extending from Irbid in the north to Ras En-Naqab in the south. The altitude ranges from 700-1750 m above sea level. The rainfall ranges from 300-600 mm. The minimum annual temperature ranges from 5-10 ºC. Soil type is dominated by the red Mediterranean soil (terra rosa) and the yellow Mediterranean soil (rendzina). This region comprises the most fertile part of the Kingdom and contains 90 percent of the population.
2) Irano-Turanian. A narrow strip of variable width that surrounds all the Mediterranean ecozone except in the north. It is characterized by being treeless. The vegetation is mainly small shrubs and bushes such as Artemisia herba-alba,and Anabasis syriaca. Altitudes range from 500-700 m, and rainfall ranges from 150-300 mm. Mean annual minimum temperatures range from 5-2 ºC, and mean annual maxima range from 15-25 ºC. Soils are mostly calcareous or transported by wind. The vegetation is dominated by chamaeophytes.
3) Saharo-Arabian. This is the eastern desert or Badia and comprises the largest part of Jordan encompassing almost 80% of its total area. It is flat except for a few hills or small mountains, the result of volcanic eruptions. Altitude ranges between 500-700 m. The mean annual rainfall ranges from 50-200 mm, mean annual minimum temperatures range from 15-2 ºC. Soil is mostly poor, either clay, hammada, saline, sandy or calcareous. Vegetation is dominated by small shrubs and small annuals in the wadi beds.
• 4) Sudanian. : It starts from the northern part of the Dead Sea and ends at the tip of the Gulf of Aqaba in the south along the Dead Sea depression and Wadi Araba. The most important characteristic of this region is the altitude, considered the lowest point on earth (396 m below sea level near the Dead Sea). Rainfall ranges from 50-100 mm, the mean annual minimum temperature ranges from 10-29 ºC, and mean annual maximum temperatures range from the minimal 20 to 35 ºC. Soils are mostly alluvial, saline, sandy and granitic. The only inland sand dunes are in this region. The vegetation is characterized by a tropical tree element such as Acacia sp. and Ziziphus spina-christi in addition to some shrubs and annual herbs.
Agricultural Areas
Ø The total area that can be put into cultivation through rainfed is approximated at 0.38 million hectars representing about 4% of the area of the country
Ø The actual cultivated rainfed has reached 0.26 million hectars in 2003
Ø The irrigated area is about 76,000 ha
Water Resources
Jordan is considered among few countries of the world with limited water sources. The per capita share of water is less than 170 m3/c/day. The share will drop to less than 100 m3/c/day in 25 years from now when the population is doubled. The agricultural sector will be the most affected sector in the country.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Jordan's mineral wealth and extractive industries constituted a major source of its gross output manufacturing as well as of its total value added in manufacturing. Such natural resources also represented a significant element in Jordan's exports.
Phosphates
Potash
Oil and Gas
ECONOMY
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP): In 1987 estimated at slightly more than US$5 billion; in 1988 about US$2,000 per capita; GDP real growth rate in 1989 estimated at 2 to 3 percent.
• Currency and Exchange Rates: 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils. Average exchange rates 1989 US$1 = 571 fils; 1 JD = $1.75 .
• Government Budget: Forecast in 1989 at JD1.035 billion, including a JD122 million deficit.
• Fiscal Year: Calendar year.
• Industry: Contributed about 14.6 percent of GDP in late 1980s; 90 percent of small and large industries concentrated in north between Amman and Az Zarqa. Industry consisted mainly of small establishments with few large companies accounting for much of employment and value added. In 1989 largest industries phosphate mining, fertilizers, potash, cement, oil refining, and electric power generation; most such firms partially government owned. Jordan turning in late 1980s to light-manufactured goods and technical industries, such as pharmaceuticals.
• Agriculture: Main crops cereals, vegetables, fruit. Selfsufficient in poultry and eggs. Dependent on imports for substantial part of food supply.
• Imports: In 1987 JD915.5 million. Major commodities: oil, foodstuffs, machinery, and transportation equipment, mostly from Western Europe, United States, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.
• Exports: In 1987 JD248.8 million. Major commodities: phosphates, potash, fertilizers, fruits, and vegetables to member countries of Arab Cooperation Council, Asian countries, and European countries.
Religion
Most Jordanians Sunni Muslims; about 2,000 Shia Muslims. Christians (Eastern Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholics, Roman Catholics, a few Protestants) constitute between 5 and 8 percent of population. Also other small religious groups, such as Druzes and Bahais.
Population growth rate: 2.338% (2008 est.)
Birth rate: 20.13 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 2.72 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32.2% (male 1,017,233/female 976,284)
15-64 years: 62.4% (male 2,110,293/female 1,840,531)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male 122,975/female 131,361) (2008 est.)
The population of Jordan since 1960.
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female
total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 15.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.71 years
male: 76.19 years
female: 81.39 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.63 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Ethnic Groups And Languages :
Significant distinction between Palestinians --estimated 55 to 60 percent of population (Including the westbank)--and Transjordanians. Small numbers of non-Arabs originating elsewhere include Circassians, Shishans (Chechens), Armenians, and Kurds.
Languages: Almost all Jordanians speak a dialect of Arabic as mother tongue; increasing numbers speak or understand Modern Standard Arabic. Most of those people who have another native language (e.g., Circassians, Armenians) also speak Arabic.
Education:
First six years (primary) and next three years (preparatory) compulsory and free; grades ten through twelve (secondary) also free. In 1987 more than 900,000 students enrolled in 3,366 schools with approximately 39,600 teachers. Nearly 68 percent of adult population literate; nearly 100 percent of ten-to-fifteen age-group literate.
Health:
Water shortage and concomitant sanitary problems contribute to health problems. Steady increase in health facilities and medical personnel in major urban areas. Following adoption of primary health care concept, facilities and personnel better distributed in rural areas than in past. In 1986 life expectancy at birth was sixty-five years
Land use:arable land: 4% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 9% forests and woodland: 1%
other: 85% (1993 est.) Irrigated land:630 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards:droughts Environment - current issues:limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
Topography:
Most of Jordan consists of arid desert. Dead Sea lowest point on surface of earth (more than 400 meters below sea level). Jabal Ramm (1,754 meters) is Jordan's highest point. Except for short coastline on Gulf of Aqaba, country landlocked
Physical geography
There are four main physiographic regions:
1) Jordan Rift Valley and Wadi Araba. The rift valley extends from Lake Tiberias in the north to the Gulf of Aqaba in the south. It is the Jordanian part of a continental shelf extending from Aqaba in the South to the Adasiyyah in the North. This zone is divided into three areas:
- The Jordan Valley, lies between 200-400 m below sea level, extending from Lake Tiberias in the North to the Dead Sea, with a length of 104 km and a width of between 4-16 km; it is surrounded in the east and west by high mountains. Rainfall decreases from approximately 300 mm in the north to 102 mm in the South.
- The Southern Ghor, this also lies below sea level to the South of the Dead Sea. Annual rainfall is less than 100 mm.
- The Wadi Araba, this area extends between the Southern Ghor and Aqaba on the Red Sea. It is extremely dry, with limited cultivated areas using underground water. The Jordan Valley and the Southern Ghor are among the most important agricultural areas, as there is a permanent source of water from the Yarmouk River and side dams for the former, and from surface water for the latter. Due to their position below sea level and high temperatures (microclimate), these two are the most important winter vegetable producing areas.
2) The Highlands. These extend from the Yarmouk River in the north passing through the Ajloun mountains, the hills of Ammon and Moab, and the Edom mountains. Many creeks and wadis drain from the east to the Jordan River, Dead Sea, and Wadi Araba. The average altitude ranges from 600 m in the north to 1,000 m in the middle and 1,500 m in the south. The highlands, which are a succession of catchment and sub-catchments, comprise: a semi-arid zone (350-500 mm annual rainfall) and a small sub-humid zone (over 500 mm annual rainfall).
3) The Arid Zone (Plains). This comprises the plains between the Badia (semi desert) and the Highlands. Rainfall ranges between 200 mm in the East and 350 mm in the West. More than 50 percent of the arable land is in this zone, the rainfed crops are mainly barley (areas of 200-300 mm of rainfall) wheat and fruit trees (where rainfall ranges between 300 and 350 mm).
4) The Badia (Eastern Desert). This covers about 8 090 000 ha or 90 percent of the Kingdom. It is characterized by a very sparse vegetation cover and an annual rainfall of less than 200 mm. In the past it was only used for grazing. In the last two decades, however, 20 000 ha have been irrigated, using underground water, to grow vegetables (especially tomatoes, watermelon and potatoes), plus fruit trees and cereals, especially wheat.
The actual cultivated area in 1997 totaled around 290,000 ha, of which 130,000 are planted with olives and fruit trees, 50,000 with vegetables and 110000 with field crops. About 90 percent, or 80,771 km2, of the Kingdom is grazing land; 69,077 km2 of which receive under 100 mm of rainfall, and 1 000 km2 of marginal grazing with 100-200 mm annual rainfall. Natural and man-made forests cover 760 km2, out of 1,300 km2 registered as forests. There are also about 500 km2 of state-owned land used for grazing in mountainous areas.
Climate
Jordan is on the eastern margins of the Mediterranean climatic zone of the eastern Mediterranean. This climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. More than 90 percent of the country receives less than 200 mm annual precipitation (precipitation map). There is a maximum annual rainfall of 600 mm in the north-west corner of the country. Average temperatures show a reverse pattern: they increase rapidly from the dissected plateaus to the very low level graben, increase gradually from the dissected plateau to the eastern margins of the eastern desert, and decrease gradually from north to south in line with increasing altitude. The highest annual and monthly values for evapotranspiration are in the desert with an annual total of 2,427 mm for Ma´an and 2,325 mm for Rweishid in the northeast. In the highlands, values vary from 1,485 mm at Rabba to 1,343 mm at Shoubak.
Highest monthly precipitation values occur in July and the lowest in January for all the country.
• Mediterranean. This region is restricted to the
• highlands extending from Irbid in the north to Ras En-Naqab in the south. The altitude ranges from 700-1750 m above sea level. The rainfall ranges from 300-600 mm. The minimum annual temperature ranges from 5-10 ºC. Soil type is dominated by the red Mediterranean soil (terra rosa) and the yellow Mediterranean soil (rendzina). This region comprises the most fertile part of the Kingdom and contains 90 percent of the population.
2) Irano-Turanian. A narrow strip of variable width that surrounds all the Mediterranean ecozone except in the north. It is characterized by being treeless. The vegetation is mainly small shrubs and bushes such as Artemisia herba-alba,and Anabasis syriaca. Altitudes range from 500-700 m, and rainfall ranges from 150-300 mm. Mean annual minimum temperatures range from 5-2 ºC, and mean annual maxima range from 15-25 ºC. Soils are mostly calcareous or transported by wind. The vegetation is dominated by chamaeophytes.
3) Saharo-Arabian. This is the eastern desert or Badia and comprises the largest part of Jordan encompassing almost 80% of its total area. It is flat except for a few hills or small mountains, the result of volcanic eruptions. Altitude ranges between 500-700 m. The mean annual rainfall ranges from 50-200 mm, mean annual minimum temperatures range from 15-2 ºC. Soil is mostly poor, either clay, hammada, saline, sandy or calcareous. Vegetation is dominated by small shrubs and small annuals in the wadi beds.
• 4) Sudanian. : It starts from the northern part of the Dead Sea and ends at the tip of the Gulf of Aqaba in the south along the Dead Sea depression and Wadi Araba. The most important characteristic of this region is the altitude, considered the lowest point on earth (396 m below sea level near the Dead Sea). Rainfall ranges from 50-100 mm, the mean annual minimum temperature ranges from 10-29 ºC, and mean annual maximum temperatures range from the minimal 20 to 35 ºC. Soils are mostly alluvial, saline, sandy and granitic. The only inland sand dunes are in this region. The vegetation is characterized by a tropical tree element such as Acacia sp. and Ziziphus spina-christi in addition to some shrubs and annual herbs.
Agricultural Areas
Ø The total area that can be put into cultivation through rainfed is approximated at 0.38 million hectars representing about 4% of the area of the country
Ø The actual cultivated rainfed has reached 0.26 million hectars in 2003
Ø The irrigated area is about 76,000 ha
Water Resources
Jordan is considered among few countries of the world with limited water sources. The per capita share of water is less than 170 m3/c/day. The share will drop to less than 100 m3/c/day in 25 years from now when the population is doubled. The agricultural sector will be the most affected sector in the country.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Jordan's mineral wealth and extractive industries constituted a major source of its gross output manufacturing as well as of its total value added in manufacturing. Such natural resources also represented a significant element in Jordan's exports.
Phosphates
Potash
Oil and Gas
ECONOMY
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP): In 1987 estimated at slightly more than US$5 billion; in 1988 about US$2,000 per capita; GDP real growth rate in 1989 estimated at 2 to 3 percent.
• Currency and Exchange Rates: 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils. Average exchange rates 1989 US$1 = 571 fils; 1 JD = $1.75 .
• Government Budget: Forecast in 1989 at JD1.035 billion, including a JD122 million deficit.
• Fiscal Year: Calendar year.
• Industry: Contributed about 14.6 percent of GDP in late 1980s; 90 percent of small and large industries concentrated in north between Amman and Az Zarqa. Industry consisted mainly of small establishments with few large companies accounting for much of employment and value added. In 1989 largest industries phosphate mining, fertilizers, potash, cement, oil refining, and electric power generation; most such firms partially government owned. Jordan turning in late 1980s to light-manufactured goods and technical industries, such as pharmaceuticals.
• Agriculture: Main crops cereals, vegetables, fruit. Selfsufficient in poultry and eggs. Dependent on imports for substantial part of food supply.
• Imports: In 1987 JD915.5 million. Major commodities: oil, foodstuffs, machinery, and transportation equipment, mostly from Western Europe, United States, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.
• Exports: In 1987 JD248.8 million. Major commodities: phosphates, potash, fertilizers, fruits, and vegetables to member countries of Arab Cooperation Council, Asian countries, and European countries.
Religion
Most Jordanians Sunni Muslims; about 2,000 Shia Muslims. Christians (Eastern Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholics, Roman Catholics, a few Protestants) constitute between 5 and 8 percent of population. Also other small religious groups, such as Druzes and Bahais.
Population growth rate: 2.338% (2008 est.)
Birth rate: 20.13 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 2.72 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 32.2% (male 1,017,233/female 976,284)
15-64 years: 62.4% (male 2,110,293/female 1,840,531)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male 122,975/female 131,361) (2008 est.)
The population of Jordan since 1960.
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female
total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 15.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.71 years
male: 76.19 years
female: 81.39 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.63 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Ethnic Groups And Languages :
Significant distinction between Palestinians --estimated 55 to 60 percent of population (Including the westbank)--and Transjordanians. Small numbers of non-Arabs originating elsewhere include Circassians, Shishans (Chechens), Armenians, and Kurds.
Languages: Almost all Jordanians speak a dialect of Arabic as mother tongue; increasing numbers speak or understand Modern Standard Arabic. Most of those people who have another native language (e.g., Circassians, Armenians) also speak Arabic.
Education:
First six years (primary) and next three years (preparatory) compulsory and free; grades ten through twelve (secondary) also free. In 1987 more than 900,000 students enrolled in 3,366 schools with approximately 39,600 teachers. Nearly 68 percent of adult population literate; nearly 100 percent of ten-to-fifteen age-group literate.
Health:
Water shortage and concomitant sanitary problems contribute to health problems. Steady increase in health facilities and medical personnel in major urban areas. Following adoption of primary health care concept, facilities and personnel better distributed in rural areas than in past. In 1986 life expectancy at birth was sixty-five years
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