Jordan is a country in the Middle East, set on the east bank of the Jordan River between the deserts of Arabia and the Mediterranean world. A largely arid land of desert, dramatic canyons, and ancient ruins, it has been crossed by traders and pilgrims for thousands of years and holds one of the world's most famous archaeological wonders, the rock-carved city of Petra. In a turbulent region it has been a notably stable kingdom and a refuge for many.
The land of Jordan holds traces of some of the earliest human settlement, including statues from Ain Ghazal that are among the oldest large human figures ever made. In antiquity the Nabataeans carved the spectacular city of Petra and grew rich on the caravan trade, and the Romans built grand cities such as Jerash. After the rise of Islam and centuries of various rule, the modern state, then called Transjordan, was created under British oversight after the First World War, becoming fully independent in 1946.
Jordan is mostly desert plateau, rising from the deep rift of the Jordan Valley, which holds the Dead Sea, the lowest point on land anywhere on Earth, where the water is so salty that swimmers float effortlessly. To the south lies the dramatic desert of Wadi Rum, with its towering sandstone cliffs, and a short coastline on the Red Sea at Aqaba. Water is extremely scarce, and Jordan ranks among the most water-poor countries in the world.
The flag of Jordan has three horizontal bands of black, white, and green, with a red triangle at the hoist bearing a white seven-pointed star. The colours derive from the banners of the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule, and they are shared with several neighbouring nations. The seven points of the star are commonly said to represent the opening verses of the Quran, while the red triangle recalls the dynasty that has ruled the kingdom.
The great majority of Jordanians are Sunni Muslims, and Islam is the state religion and central to public and family life. Jordan is also home to a long-established Christian minority, one of the oldest in the world, which lives alongside the Muslim majority with a relative degree of harmony. The land holds many sites revered in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, and pilgrimage and religious heritage are important to its identity.
Jordanian cuisine belongs to the rich tradition of the Levant and Arabian Peninsula. The national dish is mansaf, tender lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt and served over rice, traditionally eaten communally from a large shared platter, a centrepiece of hospitality and celebration. Mezze, falafel, hummus, and grilled meats are everyday favourites, and strong, sweet coffee and tea accompany a culture that prizes generosity toward guests.
Farming in Jordan is constrained above all by the scarcity of water in this dry land. The most productive agriculture is in the Jordan Valley, where a warm climate and irrigation allow the growing of vegetables, citrus, bananas, and other fruits, much of it for export. Elsewhere, rain-fed farming of wheat, barley, and olives is limited and uncertain. Managing precious water resources is one of the central challenges facing the country.
The Nabataean kingdom centred on Petra, and the later Roman cities, mark Jordan's place in the ancient trading world. In modern times the Arab Revolt during the First World War shaped the creation of the state, and the Hashemite monarchy has since steered the country through a turbulent region. Jordan has taken in successive waves of refugees from neighbouring conflicts, including large Palestinian, Iraqi, and Syrian populations, profoundly shaping its society.
Jordan has a population of around 11 million people, the great majority Arabs. A defining feature of the country is the large share of its people of Palestinian origin, alongside Jordanians of Bedouin and other descent, and the many refugees it has welcomed over the decades. The population is heavily concentrated in the northwest, especially in and around the capital, Amman, a modern city built across a series of hills.
