Jordan

Jordan Economy

• State and Government

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy, ruled since 1952 by His Majesty King Hussein. With the passing of the monarch in February of 1999, the King’s eldest son, His Majesty King Abdullah, ascended the throne. In Jordan, executive power is vested in the Council of Ministers which is appointed by the King, and which is accountable to a two house parliament. The 55 members of the Upper House are appointed by the King, while the 110 deputies of the Lower House are elected by popular vote. Constitutional provisions define the rights and duties of Jordanian citizens, while guaranteeing the right of free worship, opinion, press, association and private property.
Since 1989 all elements of the Jordanian political spectrum have demonstrated commitment to increased democracy, liberalization and consensus building. These reforms, which have been guided by the late King Hussein, have placed Jordan on an irreversible path toward democratization. The result has been greater empowerment and involvement of everyday citizens in Jordan’s civic life, contributing to increased stability and institutionalization, which will benefit the county far into the future.

The remarkably stable political and social climate that Jordan has enjoyed for decades under the Hashemite Dynasty continues to thrive under His Majesty King Abdullah’s leadership. The new King has undertaken his father’s legacy of reform, committing his country to the goals of privatization, economic liberalization, and modernization of the law.
 

• Geography & History

Jordan is situated between latitudes29 and 33 north and longitudes 34 and 39 east.
Strategically positioned at the convergence of Europe, Asia and Africa, Jordan’s 89,342 square kilometers present a diversity of landscapes. From the hills and mountains of the geographic center of Jordan, the Badia Plains extend in an eastward direction into Saudi Arabia. The Jordan River, flowing through the fertile Rift Valley, forms Jordan’s western boundary and terminates in the Dead Sea. This body of water lies at the lowest point on earth, 400 meters below sea level. To the south, the Port of Aqaba provides Jordan with a gateway to the Red Sea.

Many civilizations have sought to control the strategic geography of Jordan, and parts of Jordan have at one time or another been under the dominion of the Sumerian, Mesopotamian, and a host of other empires, eventually falling under the rule of the Greek, Roman and Persian classical civilizations.

Since the 7th century, Jordan has been ruled by various Arab and Islamic dynasties, the last being the Ottoman Empire (1516 – 1918). What was in 1920 called Transjordan was placed under British Mandate by the League of Nations. The British Mandate expired in 1946, and since that time Transjordan, now called the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, has been governed as a constitutional monarchy.

• Geography & History

Jordan is situated between latitudes29 and 33 north and longitudes 34 and 39 east.
Strategically positioned at the convergence of Europe, Asia and Africa, Jordan’s 89,342 square kilometers present a diversity of landscapes. From the hills and mountains of the geographic center of Jordan, the Badia Plains extend in an eastward direction into Saudi Arabia. The Jordan River, flowing through the fertile Rift Valley, forms Jordan’s western boundary and terminates in the Dead Sea. This body of water lies at the lowest point on earth, 400 meters below sea level. To the south, the Port of Aqaba provides Jordan with a gateway to the Red Sea.

Many civilizations have sought to control the strategic geography of Jordan, and parts of Jordan have at one time or another been under the dominion of the Sumerian, Mesopotamian, and a host of other empires, eventually falling under the rule of the Greek, Roman and Persian classical civilizations.

Since the 7th century, Jordan has been ruled by various Arab and Islamic dynasties, the last being the Ottoman Empire (1516 – 1918). What was in 1920 called Transjordan was placed under British Mandate by the League of Nations. The British Mandate expired in 1946, and since that time Transjordan, now called the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, has been governed as a constitutional monarchy.

• Climate

Jordan’s climate is arid, and moderate in temperature. Winter temperatures in Amman average around 7 – 10 ° C in January, with July temperatures reaching 23 - 27° C. Average annual rainfall varies from less than 50 mm to over 600 mm in certain parts of the country. Amman, at over 950 meters elevation, is known for its cool, dry nights even in full summer


• Population

Jordan’s population of 5.4 million is 92% Jordanian and 8% non-Jordanian. Gender distribution is fairly even at 52% male, 48% female. The country is young, with 40% of the population under the age of 15, and only 3% over the age of 65.
Islam is the predominant religion. 92% of the people are Sunni Muslims. 6% are Christian, while the remainder are Shia Muslims, Sunni Circassians, Chechens, Druze, and Bahai. The Muslim New Year and other Islamic holy days are public holidays.

• Official Public Holidays
 

• Language

Arabic is the official language, but English is spoken widely, especially in business

• Currency

The unit of currency is the Jordanian Dinar (JD), and the rate of exchange is 1 JD = 1.41
US $, and it is freely convertible.

• Time

Time is GMT + 2 (in winter, +3 in summer), or 7 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time. Summer time is observed from April through September.

• Working Days & Hours

Most private businesses observe Friday as the weekly holiday, while banks and government offices close on Fridays and Saturdays. Jordanian labor law limits most workers to 48 hours per week, the exception being hotel, restaurant and cinema workers with 54 hours. Annual paid leave is 14 days, 21 for workers over five years with the same employer.
 

• Working Permits & Visas

Visas are required for entry into Jordan. Fees and length of stay vary according to the visitor’s nationality. Visas can be obtained from either a Jordanian diplomatic mission, or for some nationalities, at point of entry.
Work permits are required from the Ministry of Labor, and are issued for a period of one year.

• Quality of Life

Per capita GDP at current market prices equals JD 1534 or USD 2164 in 2004
Jordanians enjoy a high overall quality of life. Consumers have access to a complete range of modern goods and services at reasonable prices. Social life is rich and varied, particularly in the cosmopolitan capital city of Amman. The people of Jordan are world-renowned for their friendliness and hospitality, and investors, entrepreneurs, expatriate employees and visitors coming to Jordan will find the social, intellectual and business circles of Amman to be welcoming, engaging and diverse.

• Education

Priority is given to education in Jordan, making it one of the most literate populations in the MENA region, and in 1996, the literacy rate reached 91.3%. With 21 universities offering students advanced degrees in the arts and sciences, Jordan has a high proportion of University and College graduates in the labor market. 115,842 students are enrolled in these schools and another 20,000 Jordanians are seeking advanced degrees abroad.
For expatriates wishing to live in Jordan, schools in Amman offer high quality education in Arabic, English, and French. There are large numbers of internationally accredited foreign language schools that offer classes for the completion of high school degrees.
Working expatriate mothers have easy access to quality nursery and day care centers. Enrollment fees for nursery and day care facilities range from US$ 70 to US$ 150 per month.

Primary & Secondary Education:
 

• Expenditure on Education

• Transportation

Visitors flying into Jordan will arrive in the modern and convenient Queen Alia International Airport. Just 30 km south of Amman, the airport is served by 24 international airlines. The Kingdom’s national airline, Royal Jordanian Airlines, maintains regular flights to 49 major cities around the world.
Jordan’s extensive network of paved roads permits the unfettered movement of vehicles without undue delays to all points within the country. Personal transport is not difficult in Jordan as there are more than 100 rental car agencies offering a full range of vehicles for short or long-term rental. Furthermore, Jordan’s ubiquitous yellow taxis are very reasonably priced and reliable. Expatriates wishing to drive in Jordan can legally use their international driving license for short stays. For long-term residency, a Jordanian license is necessary and can be obtained by presenting a valid foreign license.

• Health Care

The standard of health services in Jordan is among the best in the region. Jordan was, in fact, the first country in the region to perform heart transplant surgery. With a ratio of 22 doctors per 10,000 persons, the Kingdom is ranked ahead of many developed countries in this statistic (U.K., e.g. is 15.1). Health services in Jordan maintain international standards, and an increasing number of privately owned hospitals and clinics enjoy state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that are operated by skilled local and international staff. Currently, there are 85 private hospitals in Jordan with a total of over 3,051 beds. Five more are under construction, or licensed as future projects.

 Expenditure on Health Care
 

• Food & Entertainment

Entertainment venues in Jordan are world-class, and the capital city of Amman offers a wealth of entertainment for the tourist and expatriate resident. Numerous restaurants serve a variety of ethnic cuisines at reasonable prices.
For sightseeing and travel, weekends away from the City spent relaxing in the Dead Sea resorts, or scuba diving in Aqaba are extraordinary retreats. For camping and picnicking in the outdoors, Debin National Park and the Dana Reserve offer beautiful, natural settings. The red-rose city of Petra, carved out of sandstone cliffs in the 5th century B.C., is a world-famous site sought out by tourists and archaeologists alike. Ma'in Spa is famous for its waterfall and therapeutic waters, and during the summers, the ancient city of Jerash is brought to life with traditional festivals and cultural entertainment.

• Recreation

Recreation facilities in Jordan are plentiful and varied, particularly in Amman, where private athletic clubs provide sports facilities ranging from tennis, squash, golf, and swimming, to horseback riding, ice-skating and bowling. In Amman alone, there are 80 sports clubs, some of which are quite elegant. In terms of size and variety, the Al-Hussein Youth Sports City is the largest sports complex in Jordan, equipped with summer and winter swimming pools, four squash courts, thirteen tennis courts, and numerous basketball and volleyball fields. Other athletic and social clubs include the Orthodox Club, the Royal Automobile Club, Power Hut, Chess Club, Riding Club, Bowling Club, the Royal Gliding Club, and the Royal Jordanian Shooting Club. Annual family membership fees range from US$ 500 to US$ 1,500.
The city’s 30,000 seat olympic-size stadium hosts football matches and track events, while a 3,500 seat indoor auditorium serves as a venue for art and fashion shows.
The waters of the Red Sea, famous for some of the best diving scenery in the world, are also popular for scuba diving, windsurfing, paddle boating, water-skiing, and snorkeling. Clubs in Aqaba include the Aquamarina Diving Center, Sea Star Diving Center, Royal Diving Center and Red Sea Diving Centers. Membership fees differ from one club to another depending on the services provided. In general, annual membership fees range from US$ 100 to US$ 500