Jordan (Arabic: الأردنّ , transliterated as Al-Urdunn), officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (Arabic: المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية ), is an Arab country in the Middle East in western Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the north-east, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, and Israel to the west. It shares with Israel the coastlines of the Dead Sea, and the Gulf of Aqaba with Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Its capital city is Amman (Arabic: عمان ), which has more than 2 million inhabitants. Other major cities are Aqaba (the beach resort city of Jordan) and Irbid, Jordan’s second largest city and home to several universities.
The desert kingdom emerged out of the post-World War I division of the Middle East by Britain and France. 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 for 46 years, left Jordan still struggling for economic 
and social survival, as well as regional peace. His son, Abdullah, who succeeded him to the throne, faces the task of maintaining stability while accommodating calls for reform. A blueprint for long-term political, economic and social change - known as the National Agenda - has yet to be implemented. Unlike many of the states in the region Jordan has no oil of its own. Its resources are limited to phosphates and agricultural produce. The economy depends largely on services, tourism and foreign aid, for which the US is the main provider. Jordan prides itself on its health service, one of the best in the region.
Jordan’s reputation as one of the region’s safest countries was dealt a blow in late 2005 when dozens of people were killed in suicide bomb attacks on hotels in the capital. Iraq-based Islamic militants claimed responsibility. The king said Jordan had been targeted because of its location and its stances.
Local media
Ad Dustour (The Constitution) - Arabic daily newspaper
Al Ghadd - Arabic daily newspaper
Al Arab al Yawm - Arabic daily newspaper
Jordan Times - English daily newspaper
The Star - English political, economic and cultural weekly newspaper
Jordan Radio and Television - state-run; services in Arabic, English and French
Radio Fann - FM entertainment station run by the armed forces
Play 99.6 - private, pop music
