About Jordan
Built around the concept of pan-Arabism, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is located in the heart of the Arab world. Since its establishment, it has become a model of moderation and an evolving democracy in the region.
Jordan is based on a modern, progressive Constitution and its governing system is a hereditary, parliamentary monarchy. Its people are like a family, where diverse components of different religions, languages and ethnicities have come together in a melting pot to become one Jordanian family, rendering the Kingdom unique in its unity, diversity and stability.
Administrative Units
Jordan is divided into 12 governorates: Amman (the capital), Irbid, Zarqa, Mafraq, Ajloun, Jerash, Madaba, Balqa, Karak, Tafileh, Maan and Aqaba. Each governorate encompasses a number of districts and sub-districts.
Population
According to the Department of Statistics’ data from its 2015 census, Jordan’s population is around 9,531,712 people.
Geography
Jordan’s area is 89,213 square kilometres, and it shares borders with five states: the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from the south, the Syrian Arab Republic from the north, the Republic of Iraq from the east and the occupied Palestinian territories from the west, in addition to the maritime border it shares with Egypt in the Gulf of Aqaba.
Jordan is located geographically between the 33° and 29°N latitude lines, and 39° and 34°E longitude lines, giving the country a moderate desert climate. Jordan’s land is arid and semi-arid, with a long summer, short winter and little rainfall. The port of Aqaba is Jordan’s only sea access. It overlooks the Red Sea, with the Kingdom’s share of the coast being a 25-kilometre-long shore.
Area
Total area: 89,213 square kilometres
Land area: 88,884 square kilometres
Water area: 329 square kilometres
System of Government
King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein
Crown Prince
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein Bin Abdullah II
The Hashemites
Descendant of the Prophet (PBUH)
The Hashemites, or “Bani Hashem,” are descendants of the Arab chieftain Quraysh, a descendant of the Prophet Ismail, himself the son of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). Quraysh first came to the holy city of Mecca during the second century CE. The first generation of Quraysh to rule the city came six generations later, when Qusayy bin Kilab ascended to the leadership of Mecca in the year 480 CE. The name “Hashem” is actually that of Qusayy’s grandson, who was the great-grandfather of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
The Hashemites have ruled in Jordan since 1921 after the Great Arab Revolt, the lineage has proceeded as follows:
1908 - 1921
Al Shareef Hussein Bin Ali
1946-1921
His Majesty King Abdullah I, Emir of Transjordan
1951-1946
His Majesty King Abdullah I, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
1952-1951
His Majesty King Talal, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
1999-1952
His Majesty King Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
1999-present
His Majesty King Abdullah II, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Hashemite Monarchs of Jordan
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