The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan popularly known as Jordan is a country in Middle East. The Northern land of present day Jordan was part of Selucid Kingdom of Syria from 3rd to 1st Century BC. Later this land piece came under Roman rule. The southern land was a powerful kingdom situated on the rock city of Petra. Petra was main trade link between east and west Asia. Caravans carrying gums, spices, and silks brought by sea to the Gulf of Aqaba went through Petra on their way to the lands of the eastern Mediterranean. The Nabataean kingdom lasted until ad 106, when the Romans too conquered it.

In late 4th century the Roman Empire was disintegrated and present day Jordan came under the rules of Eastern Roman Empire. Arab armies took control over Jordan in the 7th century. Arab introduced the Islam here. Later, several invaders particularly from Central Asia including Seljuk Turks, Mongols, and Tatars overpowered Jordan. During the Crusades, Christians governed parts of Jordan. From 1517 until 1918 the Ottomans ruled Jordan. During this period World War I (1914 - 1918) happened.

French and British dismantled post World War I, Ottoman Empire. British took control of Transjordan- the land area east to the Jordan River. The land west of Jordan River was controlled by Palestine. Transjordan was recognized as an independent Kingdom in 1946 and renamed as Jordan in 1949. Syria to the North, Saudi Arabia to the east, Gulf of Aqaba and Saudi Arabia to the South, and Israel and West Bank to the west border Territory of Jordan.

The Capital City of Jordan is Amman and also the largest city. Historians argue that the territory of modern day Jordan was hub of political activities in the ancient times. Jordan was also the land where earlier human settlement begins. The Ammonites and the kingdoms of Edom, Gilead, and Moab, situated east of the Jordan River, are referred to repeatedly in the Bible.

The main geographic feature of Jordan is a dry desert plateau which covers country’s four fifth of the geography. The Plateau rises about 200 to 3000 ft in the west and then tilts gently towards Syrian Desert in the far east of Jordan. The plateau is covered with deep canyons and mountains in the south. This arid region is at the intersection of the Syrian Desert and the northern Saudi Arabian desert of An Nafūd. The western edge of Jordan is occupies by the Valley. A deep depression of the Great Rift Valley, it reaches 686 ft below sea level in the area of the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias) and 1,340 ft below sea level at the Dead Sea, the world’s lowest point.

The soil of Jordan valley is rich and suitable for agricultural work. The highland occupies northwest of Jordan. The farmers of Jordan grow fruits and vegetables in the rich soil of north and grains in the south where soil is less fertile. The Jordan River separates Jordan from the West Bank and the Israel. The Jordan River is also country’s main drainage system. The Yarmūk and Zarqā’ rivers flow into the Jordan River. The Dead Sea is unable to support aquatic life, as it is too much salty.

Jordan offers Mediterranean climate; winters are cool and summers are hot and dry. Rain occurs mainly between November to April in a year. Sometimes, in winters, mercury dips below Zero degree Celsius in Jordan. Before and after the summer months, Khamsins, the hot desert winds blows.   

The people living in Jordan are mainly Arabs. The other minority groups living in the country are the Circassians and the Armenians; each group accounts for less than 1 percent of the population. Approximately, 79 percent of Jordan is urban, nomads and seminomads make up perhaps 5 percent of the population. A large majority of Jordanian are followers of Islam, and mainly belongs to Sunni sects. One third of Christian minority living in Jordan is orthodox. The state religion of Jordan is Islam and Arabic is the official language. 

Jordan is a constitutional monarchy. The constitution of Jordan was promulgated on January 8, 1952. The constitution of Jordan bestows executive power on King of Jordan and his council of ministers. The King has the Veto power, which may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of both houses of the National Assembly. The prime minister heads the council of ministers appointed by the King.

There are three categories of courts in Jordan- civil, religious and special. The administration of Jordan is divided into 12 governorates, each governorate is administered by a governor appointed by the King. The Royal Armed Forces and General Intelligence Department of Jordan are under the control of the king. The legal machinery in Jordan work on the principles of Islamic laws and French codes.  The Legislative power rests in the bicameral National Assembly.

Jordan is also a place of tourist activities. Every year thousands of tourist visits Jordan to see places, and making holidays.

The King Abdullah II is the King of Jordan. He came into power in February 1999. Jordan shares good relations with other countries including United States and United Kingdom.  In 1996, the United States added Jordan to their major non-NATO ally agreement.