Government Type: constitutional monarchy (all executive authority is vested in the king and his ministers)

Population: 5,759,732 (July 2005 est.)

Average Life Expectancy: 78.24 years

GPD per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,800 (2005 est.)

Literacy Rate: 91.3%

Religion: Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6%, other 2% (2001 est.)

Border Countries: Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria, West Bank

For most of its history since independence from British administration in 1946, Jordan was ruled by King HUSSEIN (1953-99). A pragmatic ruler, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population, despite several wars and coup attempts. In 1989 he reinstituted parliamentary elections and gradual political liberalization; in 1994 he signed a peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II, the son of King HUSSEIN, assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and undertaken an aggressive economic reform program. Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to participate in the European Free Trade Association in 2001. After a two-year delay, parliamentary and municipal elections took place in the summer of 2003. The prime minister appointed in December 2005 said the government would focus on political reforms, improving conditions for the poor, and fighting corruption.

Infrormation Source: CIA World Factbook 03/03/06

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