2012 Edition

Background

Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the UK received a mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain separated out a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in the early 1920s, and the area gained its independence in 1946; it adopted the name of Jordan in 1950. The country's long-time ruler was King HUSSEIN (1953-99). A pragmatic leader, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population. Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel in the 1967 war and defeated Palestinian rebels who attempted to overthrow the monarchy in 1970. King HUSSEIN in 1988 permanently relinquished Jordanian claims to the West Bank. In 1989, he reinstituted parliamentary elections and initiated a gradual political liberalization; political parties were legalized in 1992. In 1994, he signed a peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II, King HUSSEIN's eldest son, assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and implemented some economic and political reforms. Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to participate in the European Free Trade Association in 2001. In 2003, Jordan staunchly supported the Coalition ouster of SADDAM in Iraq and, following the outbreak of insurgent violence in Iraq, absorbed thousands of displaced Iraqis. Municipal elections were held in July 2007 under a system in which 20% of seats in all municipal councils were reserved by quota for women. Parliamentary elections were last held in November 2010 and saw independent pro-government candidates win the vast majority of seats. Beginning in January 2011 in the wake of unrest in Tunisia and Egypt, as many as several thousand Jordanians staged weekly demonstrations and marches in Amman and other cities throughout Jordan to push for political reforms and protest government corruption, rising prices, rampant poverty, and high unemployment. In response, King ABDALLAH replaced his prime minister and formed two commissions - one to propose specific reforms to Jordan's electoral and political parties laws, and the other to consider limited constitutional amendments. In a televised speech in June 2011, the King announced plans to work toward transferring authority for appointing future prime ministers and cabinet ministers to parliament; in a subsequent announcement, he outlined a revised political parties law intended to encourage greater political participation. Protesters and opposition elements generally acknowledged those measures as steps in the right direction but many continue to push for greater limits on the King's authority and to fight against government corruption. In September 2011, a royal decree approved constitutional amendments passed by the Parliament aimed at strengthening a more independent judiciary and establishing a constitutional court and independent election commission to oversee the next municipal and parliamentary elections, slated for April 2012 and fall 2012, respectively. King ABDALLAH in October 2011 dismissed the Jordanian cabinet and replaced the prime minister in response to widespread public dissatisfaction with government performance and escalating criticism of the premier because of public concerns over his reported involvement in corruption.

Area

89,342 sq km 88,802 sq km 540 sq km

total

89,342 sq km

water

540 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Indiana

Climate

mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)

Coastline

26 km

Elevation extremes

Dead Sea -408 m Jabal Umm ad Dami 1,854 m

highest point

Jabal Umm ad Dami 1,854 m

lowest point

Dead Sea -408 m

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

1.01 cu km/yr (21%/4%/75%) 177 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

177 cu m/yr (2000)

total

1.01 cu km/yr (21%/4%/75%)

Geographic coordinates

31 00 N, 36 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied West Bank

Irrigated land

820 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

1,635 km Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km

border countries

Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km

total

1,635 km

Land use

3.32% 1.18% 95.5% (2005)

arable land

3.32%

other

95.5% (2005)

permanent crops

1.18%

Location

Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia, between Israel (to the west) and Iraq

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

3 nm

territorial sea

3 nm

Natural hazards

droughts; periodic earthquakes

Natural resources

phosphates, potash, shale oil

Terrain

mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River

Total renewable water resources

0.9 cu km (1997)

Age structure

34.9% (male 1,168,406/ female 1,102,892) 60.2% (male 1,982,731/ female 1,932,722) 4.9% (male 156,735/ female 165,401) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

34.9% (male 1,168,406/ female 1,102,892)

15-64 years

60.2% (male 1,982,731/ female 1,932,722)

65 years and over

4.9% (male 156,735/ female 165,401) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

26.52 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

2.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1%

Health expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

600 (2007 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.8 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

15.83 deaths/1,000 live births 16.42 deaths/1,000 live births 15.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

15.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

15.83 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), English (widely understood among upper and middle classes)

Life expectancy at birth

80.18 years 78.82 years 81.61 years (2012 est.)

female

81.61 years (2012 est.)

total population

80.18 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 92.6% 95.8% 89.2% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

89.2% (2010 est.)

male

95.8%

total population

92.6%

Major cities - population

AMMAN (capital) 1.088 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

63 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

22.4 years 22 years 22.7 years (2012 est.)

female

22.7 years (2012 est.)

male

22 years

total

22.4 years

Nationality

Jordanian(s) Jordanian

adjective

Jordanian

noun

Jordanian(s)

Net migration rate

-33.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

19.5% (2004)

Physicians density

2.45 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

6,508,887 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.965% (2012 est.)

Religions

Sunni Muslim 92% (official), Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shia Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 98% of population rural: 97% of population total: 98% of population urban: 2% of population rural: 3% of population total: 2% of population

rural

3% of population

total

2% of population

urban

2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 13 years (2008)

female

13 years (2008)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.95 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.06 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

3.36 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

27% 22.6% 45.9% (2009)

female

45.9% (2009)

total

27%

Urbanization

79% of total population (2010) 1.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

79% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba

Capital

Amman 31 57 N, 35 56 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins first Friday in April; ends last Friday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins first Friday in April; ends last Friday in October

geographic coordinates

31 57 N, 35 56 E

name

Amman

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

1 January 1952; amended many times

Country name

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Jordan Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah Al Urdun Transjordan

conventional long form

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

conventional short form

Jordan

former

Transjordan

local long form

Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah

local short form

Al Urdun

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Stuart E. JONES Abdoun, Amman P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box 5, DPO AE 09892-0200 [962] (6) 590-6000 [962] (6) 592-0121

chief of mission

Ambassador Stuart E. JONES

embassy

Abdoun, Amman

FAX

[962] (6) 592-0121

mailing address

P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box 5, DPO AE 09892-0200

telephone

[962] (6) 590-6000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Alia Hatough-BOURAN 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 966-2664 [1] (202) 966-3110

chancery

3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Alia Hatough-BOURAN

FAX

[1] (202) 966-3110

telephone

[1] (202) 966-2664

Executive branch

King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Crown Prince HUSSEIN (born 28 June 1994), eldest son of King ABDALLAH II Prime Minister Abdullah NSOUR (since 11 October 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Awad KHULAYFAT (since 11 October 2012) Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the monarch the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the monarch

chief of state

King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Crown Prince HUSSEIN (born 28 June 1994), eldest son of King ABDALLAH II

elections

the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch

head of government

Prime Minister Abdullah NSOUR (since 11 October 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Awad KHULAYFAT (since 11 October 2012)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I

Government type

constitutional monarchy

Independence

25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CD, CICA, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Court of Cassation (Supreme Court)

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil law and Islamic religious law; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal

Legislative branch

bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the Senate, also called the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (60 seats; members appointed by the monarch to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies, also called the House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwaab (120 seats; members elected using a single, non-transferable vote system in multi-member districts to serve four-year terms); note - the new electoral law enacted in May 2010 allocated an additional 10 seats (6 seats added to the number reserved for women, bringing the total to 12; 2 additional seats for Amman; and 1 seat each for the cities of Zarqa and Irbid; unchanged are 9 seats reserved for Christian candidates, 9 for Bedouin candidates, and 3 for Jordanians of Chechen or Circassian descent Chamber of Deputies - last held on 9 November 2010 (next to be held on 23 Janary 2013); note - the King dissolved the previous Chamber of Deputies in November 2009, midway through the parliamentary term Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents and other 120 (includes 12 seats filled by women's quota and 1 woman was directly elected); note - the IAF boycotted the election

election results

Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents and other 120 (includes 12 seats filled by women's quota and 1 woman was directly elected); note - the IAF boycotted the election

elections

Chamber of Deputies - last held on 9 November 2010 (next to be held on 23 Janary 2013); note - the King dissolved the previous Chamber of Deputies in November 2009, midway through the parliamentary term

National anthem

"As-salam al-malaki al-urdoni" (Long Live the King of Jordan) Abdul-Mone'm al-RIFAI'/Abdul-Qader al-TANEER adopted 1946; the shortened version of the anthem is used most commonly, while the full version is reserved for special occasions

lyrics/music

Abdul-Mone'm al-RIFAI'/Abdul-Qader al-TANEER

name

"As-salam al-malaki al-urdoni" (Long Live the King of Jordan)

National holiday

Independence Day, 25 May (1946)

National symbol(s)

eagle

Political parties and leaders

Arab Ba'ath Socialist Party [Akram al-HIMSI]; Ba'ath Arab Progressive Party [Fuad DABBOUR]; Call Party [Muhammed ABU BAKR]; Democratic People's Party [Ablah ABU ULBAH]; Democratic Popular Unity Party [Sa'id DIAB]; Islamic Action Front or IAF [Hamzah MANSOUR]; Islamic Center Party [Marwan al-FA'URI]; Jordanian Communist Party [Munir HAMARNAH]; Jordanian National Party [Muna ABU BAKR]; Jordanian United Front [Amjad al-MAJALI]; Life Party [Zahier AMR]; Message Party [Hazem QASHOU]; National Constitution Party [Ahmad al-SHUNAQ]; National Current Party [Abd al-Hadi al-MAJALI]; National Movement for Direct Democracy [Muhammad al-QAQ]

Political pressure groups and leaders

15 April Movement [Mohammad SUNEID, chairman]; 1952 Constitution Movement; 24 March Movement [Mu'az al-KHAWALIDAH, Mu'adh al-KHAWALIDAH, Abdel Rahman HASANEIN, spokespersons]; Anti-Normalization Committee [Hamzah MANSOUR, chairman]; Economic and Social Association of Retired Servicemen and Veterans or ESARSV [Abdulsalam al-HASSANAT, chairman]; Group of 36; Higher Coordination Committee of Opposition Parties [Said DIAB]; Higher National Committee for Military Retirees or HNCMR [Ali al-HABASHNEH, chairman]; Jordan Bar Association [Saleh al-ARMUTI, chairman]; Jordanian Campaign for Change or Jayin; Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood [Dr. Hamam SAID, controller general]; Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; National Front for Reform or NFR [Ahmad OBEIDAT, chairman]; Popular Gathering for Reform; Professional Associations Council [Abd al-Hadi al-FALAHAT, chairman]; Sons of Jordan

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

citrus, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, strawberries, stone fruits; sheep, poultry, dairy

Budget

$6.372 billion $9.953 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$9.953 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$6.372 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-11.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.3% (31 December 2010 est.) 4.75% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.5% (31 December 2012 est.) 8.67% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$3.359 billion (2012 est.) -$2.871 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$8.345 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $7.644 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39.7 (2007) 36.4 (1997)

Economy - overview

Jordan's economy is among the smallest in the Middle East, with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources, underlying the government's heavy reliance on foreign assistance. Other economic challenges for the government include chronic high rates of poverty, unemployment, inflation, and a large budget deficit. Since assuming the throne in 1999, King ABDALLAH has implemented significant economic reforms, such as opening the trade regime, privatizing state-owned companies, and eliminating some fuel subsidies, which in the last decade spurred economic growth by attracting foreign investment and creating some jobs. The global economic slowdown and regional turmoil, however, have depressed Jordan's GDP growth, impacting export-oriented sectors, construction, and tourism. In 2011 the government approved two economic relief packages and a budgetary supplement, largely to improve the living conditions for the middle and poor classes. Jordan's finances have also been strained by a series of natural gas pipeline attacks in Egypt, causing Jordan to substitute more expensive heavy fuel oils to generate electricity. An influx of foreign aid, especially from Gulf countries, has helped to somewhat offset these extrabudgetary expenditures, but the budget deficit is likely to remain high, at more than 11% of GDP in 2012 excluding grants. Amman likely will continue to depend heavily on foreign assistance to finance the deficit in 2012. Jordan's financial sector has been relatively isolated from the international financial crisis because of its limited exposure to overseas capital markets. Jordan is currently exploring nuclear power generation to forestall energy shortfalls.

Exchange rates

Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar - 0.709 (2012 est.) 0.709 (2011 est.) 0.71 (2010 est.) 0.709 (2009) 0.709 (2008)

Exports

$8.218 billion (2012 est.) $7.963 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

clothing, fertilizers, potash, phosphates, vegetables, pharmaceuticals

Exports - partners

US 15.4%, Iraq 15%, India 12.9%, Saudi Arabia 9.4%, Lebanon 4.4% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

4.5% 30.9% 64.6% (2012 est.)

agriculture

4.5%

industry

30.9%

services

64.6% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,000 (2012 est.) $6,000 (2011 est.) $6,000 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3% (2012 est.) 2.6% (2011 est.) 2.3% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$31.35 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$38.67 billion (2012 est.) $37.54 billion (2011 est.) $36.59 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.4% 28.7% (2010 est.)

highest 10%

28.7% (2010 est.)

lowest 10%

3.4%

Imports

$17.73 billion (2012 est.) $16.27 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, iron, cereals

Imports - partners

Saudi Arabia 22.1%, China 9.8%, US 6.4%, Italy 5.1%, Germany 4.5% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

1% (2011 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.3% (2012 est.) 4.4% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

28.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

1.824 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

2.7% 20% 77.4% (2007 est.)

agriculture

2.7%

industry

20%

services

77.4% (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$27.18 billion (31 December 2011) $30.86 billion (31 December 2010) $31.86 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

14.2% (2002)

Public debt

59.1% of GDP (2012 est.) 57.5% of GDP (2011 est.) data cover central government debt, and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$10.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $12.11 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$38.61 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $34.02 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$24.63 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $22.91 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$33.27 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $30.8 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$11.15 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $10.26 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

20.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

12.3% (2012 est.) 12.3% (2011 est.) official rate; unofficial rate is approximately 30%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

19.07 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

70,700 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

20 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

1 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

11.64 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

139 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

99.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

383 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.616 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

13.42 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

2.74 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

2.52 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

220 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

6.031 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

107,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

18,620 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

79,190 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

radio and TV dominated by the government-owned Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTV) that operates a main network, a sports network, a film network, and a satellite channel; first independent TV broadcaster aired in 2007; international satellite TV and Israeli and Syrian TV broadcasts are available; roughly 30 radio stations with JRTV operating the main government-owned station; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.jo

Internet hosts

69,473 (2012)

Internet users

1.642 million (2009)

Telephone system

service has improved recently with increased use of digital switching equipment; microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; growing mobile-cellular usage in both urban and rural areas is reducing use of fixed-line services 1995 telecommunications law opened all non-fixed-line services to private competition; in 2005, monopoly over fixed-line services terminated and the entire telecommunications sector was opened to competition; currently multiple mobile-cellular providers with subscribership reaching 100 per 100 persons in 2010 country code - 962; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) FEA and FLAG Falcon submarine cable networks; satellite earth stations - 33 (3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals); fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link with Egypt and Syria; participant in Medarabtel

domestic

1995 telecommunications law opened all non-fixed-line services to private competition; in 2005, monopoly over fixed-line services terminated and the entire telecommunications sector was opened to competition; currently multiple mobile-cellular providers with subscribership reaching 100 per 100 persons in 2010

general assessment

service has improved recently with increased use of digital switching equipment; microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; growing mobile-cellular usage in both urban and rural areas is reducing use of fixed-line services

international

country code - 962; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) FEA and FLAG Falcon submarine cable networks; satellite earth stations - 33 (3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals); fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link with Egypt and Syria; participant in Medarabtel

Telephones - main lines in use

465,400 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

7.483 million (2011)

Airports

18 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

2,438 to 3,047 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2012)

over 3,047 m

8

total

16

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2012)

total

2

under 914 m

2 (2012)

Heliports

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

cargo 4, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 2 (UAE 2) 16 (Bahamas 2, Egypt 2, Indonesia 1, Panama 11) (2010)

foreign-owned

2 (UAE 2)

registered in other countries

16 (Bahamas 2, Egypt 2, Indonesia 1, Panama 11) (2010)

total

12

Pipelines

gas 439 km; oil 49 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Al 'Aqabah

Railways

507 km 507 km 1.050-m gauge (2008)

total

507 km

Roadways

7,891 km 7,891 km (2009)

total

7,891 km

Manpower available for military service

1,674,260 1,611,315 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,611,315 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,674,260

Manpower fit for military service

1,439,192 1,384,500 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,384,500 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,439,192

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

73,574 69,420 (2010 est.)

female

69,420 (2010 est.)

male

73,574

Military branches

Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF): Royal Jordanian Land Force (RJLF), Royal Jordanian Navy, Royal Jordanian Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya al-Urduniya, RJAF), Special Operations Command (Socom); Public Security Directorate (normally falls under Ministry of Interior, but comes under JAF in wartime or crisis) (2011)

Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF)

Royal Jordanian Land Force (RJLF), Royal Jordanian Navy, Royal Jordanian Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya al-Urduniya, RJAF), Special Operations Command (Socom); Public Security Directorate (normally falls under Ministry of Interior, but comes under JAF in wartime or crisis) (2011)

Military expenditures

8.6% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age for voluntary military service; initial service term 2 years, with option to reenlist for 18 years; conscription for males at age 18 was suspended in 1999, but reinstated in July 2007 in order to provide youth training necessary for job market needs; all males under age 37 are required to register; women not subject to conscription, but can volunteer to serve in noncombat military positions in the Royal Jordanian Arab Army Women's Corps and RJAF (2012)

Disputes - international

2004 Agreement settles border dispute with Syria pending demarcation

Refugees and internally displaced persons

1,979,580 (Palestinian Refugees) (UNRWA); 29,286 (Iraq) (2011); 204,303 (Syria) (2013)

refugees (country of origin)

1,979,580 (Palestinian Refugees) (UNRWA); 29,286 (Iraq) (2011); 204,303 (Syria) (2013)