Post by Salem6 on Oct 13, 2003 12:39:45 GMT
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a small country with limited natural resources, but for years it has played a pivotal role in the struggle for power in the Middle East.
Jordan's significance results partly from its strategic location at the crossroads of what most Christians, Jews and Muslims call the Holy Land. The desert kingdom emerged out of the post-World War I division of the Middle East by Britain and France.
OVERVIEW
The population at that time was made up largely of bedouin tribesmen, who were followers of King Hussein's grandfather, Abdullah - himself originally from Arabia. Today, these families - known as East Bank Jordanians - are outnumbered by the descendants of Palestinian refugees from Israel and the West Bank.
The death in February 1999 of King Hussein, who ruled Jordan for 46 years, left the country still struggling for economic and social survival, as well as regional peace. His son, Abdullah, who succeeded him to the throne, faced the task of maintaining the country's stability while accommodating growing calls for political reform.
Unlike many of its regional neighbours, Jordan has no oil of its own. Its resources are limited to phosphates and agricultural produce.
FACTS
JORDAN FACTS
Population: 5.5 million (UN, 2003)
Capital: Amman
Major language: Arabic
Major religion: Islam
Life expectancy: 70 years (men), 72 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Jordan dinar = 1,000 fils
Main exports: Phosphates, fertilizers, agricultural products
Average annual income: US $1,750 (World Bank, 2001)
Internet domain: .jo
International dialling code: +962
LEADERS
Head of state: King Abdullah
King Abdullah
Born in 1962, King Abdullah is the eldest son of the late King Hussein and his British-born second wife, Toni, who adopted Islam and remained Queen of Jordan until her divorce from the king in 1972.
Educated in Britain and the United States, Abdullah was named Crown Prince shortly after his birth, but Hussein transferred the title to his own brother, Hassan, in 1965, only to return it to Abdullah in 1999.
A former commander of the Jordanian special forces, Abdullah was sworn in as king upon his father's death in February 1999, despite the fact that the constitution stipulates that both parents of the king must be Arab and Muslim by birth.
He is married to a Palestinian - a major political asset since the majority of Jordan's population is of Palestinian origin - and enjoys car racing, water sports and collecting ancient weapons.
Crown Prince: Hamzah Bin Hussein
Premier, defence minister: Ali Abu-al-Raghib
Interior minister: Qaftan al-Majali
Justice minister: Faris al-Nabulsi
Foreign minister: Marwan al-Mu'ashir
MEDIA
Jordan has traditionally been a country where the media has been under tight state control. It is trying to persuade Arab commercial satellite broadcasters to relocate to its media free zone, though investors remain concerned about safeguards against censorship.
Press and security laws were tightened up in 2001, allowing prison terms for criticising the king, reporting "false" news, or harming the country's reputation.
The BBC Arabic Service and Radio Monte Carlo Middle East are available on FM in Amman and in northern Jordan.
The press:
Ad Dustour - Arabic-language daily (The Constitution)
Jordan Times - English-language daily
The Star - English-language political, economic and cultural weekly
Television:
Jordan Radio and Television - state-run, operates main network Channel One, sports network Channel Two, film network Channel Three and Jordan Satellite Channel
Radio:
Jordan Radio and Television - state-run; services in Arabic, English and French
Radio Fann - FM entertainment station run by armed forces
News agency:
Petra - state-run, operated by Information Ministry
Internet:
According to the media freedom watchdog Reporters sans Frontieres "The Internet is used extensively in Jordan without any restrictions on access." By December 2001 around 212,000 people were estimated to be online.