FAQ · History 28

You can visit the Petra Museum located at the entrance of the World Heritage Site of Petra. This museum presents around 300 objects from the Petra region ranging from prehistory to the present day. Other regional museums focused on archaeology are also found across Jordan. For example, the Lowest Point on Earth Museum in Ghor es-Safi displays important archaeological discoveries from the South Jordan Valley. You may also find site-specific museums in locations like Madaba or Irbid.

Heshbon was at least two different ancient towns located east of the Jordan River within the territories of ancient Ammon. The city served as the capital of the Amorite king Sihon, who had previously taken land from the king of Moab. According to biblical narratives, the Israelites achieved a victory over King Sihon at this site during the Exodus. Following this event, the area was assigned to the tribe of Reuben and later to the tribe of Gad. The Roman and Byzantine town of Esbus is identified with the archaeological mound known as Tell Hisban.

The national colors of Jordan are based on the Pan-Arab colors found on its flag. These colors have roots in several historical caliphates and movements. Specifically, the black color comes from the Abbasid caliphate, while white represents the Umayyad caliphate. The green color is derived from the Rashidun caliphate. Finally, the red color originates from the flag of the Arab Revolt.

Before World War I, the entire Levant was part of the Ottoman Empire. During the war, the Arab Revolt was launched against the Ottomans, led by Sharif Hussein and assisted by T. E. Lawrence. Although the revolt gained control of much of the region, the Sykes-Picot Agreement and the Balfour Declaration prevented the establishment of an independent state. Eventually, Abdullah I established the Emirate of Transjordan, which became a British protectorate under a League of Nations mandate. Independence was finally recognized through the Treaty of London in March 1946. Following this, the Emirate of Transjordan became the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Upon its formation, the new Emirate of Jordan co-opted existing Sufi structures in some ways. In an effort to be liberal nationalist and somewhat secular, the state established a ministry of religious affairs. This ministry was staffed by moderate Sufis to manage religious matters. The community also saw expansion following the influx of Palestinians after the Nakba. This period led to increased activity and the establishment of new meeting places like the zawiya near Irbid.

During the 19th century, Salt remained the sole permanent settlement in the Balqa region. The rest of the Balqa area was dominated by local Bedouin tribes. Salt served as the most developed city and commercial center of Transjordan during this period. The townspeople negotiated terms with tribes to access wheat fields in exchange for market access. Additionally, the city's defenses allowed inhabitants to ignore Ottoman authorities without consequence. Western travelers noted that the town leader held authority similar to Ottoman provincial governors.

During the Anglo-Iraq War in May 1941, sixteen units were recognized with the battle honour Iraq 1941 for their service. These units received honours for three specific actions against Iraqi rebels. These actions included the Defence of Habbaniya from May 2 to May 6. Additionally, units were awarded for operations in Falluja between May 19 and May 22. Finally, two units received honours for operations in Baghdad between May 28 and May 31.

Water politics plays a significant role in the political development of the Middle East. Issues regarding water supplies affect both international and inter-regional affairs. Disputes over rights and access to water resources are often a cause of tensions in this arena. The Jordan River is one of the water sources most prone to political conflicts. To secure reliable access, states must have a large supply or established rights to such resources. Consequently, water is closely tied to statehood and geographical territory in international relations.

King Abdullah II and the Jordanian Government have initiated a decentralization process as part of Jordan's Democratization Program. This process involves dividing the nation into three distinct regions consisting of the North, Central, and South. The Madaba governorate serves as the pilot project for this regional restructuring. Each of these regions will feature an elected council to manage political, social, legal, and economic affairs. While the Greater Amman Municipality is excluded from this specific plan, it will establish its own similar decentralization process.

The Constitution of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan defines a system of hereditary monarchic rule combined with a parliamentary system of representation. State power is divided into three distinct branches to ensure a separation of powers. The executive branch is composed of the King and an appointed cabinet. The legislative branch consists of a bicameral legislature. Finally, the judicial branch is made up of civil, religious, and constitutional courts.

The first organized army in Jordan was the Arab Legion, which was established on 22 October 1920. Today, the Jordan Armed Forces is known as the Royal Jordanian Army and consists of around 110,000 personnel. It is considered one of the most professional, well-trained, and organized militaries in the region. The military receives strong support and aid from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France due to Jordan's critical position in the Middle East. Additionally, the development of Special Operations Forces has enhanced the military's ability to react rapidly to security threats.

The modern borders were shaped by the partition of the Ottoman Empire following World War I. This geopolitical event was planned through agreements like the Sykes-Picot Agreement among Allied Powers. As the Ottoman Empire was divided, several new states were created in the Middle East. Under the League of Nations mandate, the area was divided into different territories. This process included the creation of the Emirate of Transjordan between 1921 and 1946.

Circassians and Chechens are among the earliest non-Arab communities to settle in modern Jordan after being displaced from the Caucasus in the 19th century. These groups have integrated into the state and are prominent in the military and security sectors, with Circassians also serving as palace guards for the monarchy. Armenians represent another long-established non-Arab minority, with many being descendants of survivors of the Armenian genocide and refugees from Palestine. While the Armenian population has declined due to emigration, they remain the largest non-Arab Christian minority in the country. These communities maintain their unique cultural identities through various institutions, schools, and religious organizations.

The first organized army in Jordan was established on 22 October 1920 and was named the Arab Legion. This force grew from 150 men in 1920 to 8,000 in 1946 and proved its effectiveness during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Today, the Jordan Armed Forces is considered one of the most professional and well-trained militaries in the region. The military receives strong support and aid from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France due to Jordan's critical position. Additionally, the development of Special Operations Forces has enhanced the country's ability to react rapidly to security threats.

The establishment of Qualifying Industrial Zones has led to substantial economic growth in Jordan. Since the first QIZ was designated in the Al-Hassan Industrial Estate in 1998, twelve additional zones have been set up across the country. This arrangement has particularly benefited the clothing and textile industry by providing duty-free access to the United States market. As a result, exports to the United States grew from US$15 million to over US$1 billion in 2004. Government sources estimate that these zones have created over 40,000 jobs.

Jordan has faced several periods of significant political unrest and instability. In 1955, wide scale violent anti-Hashemite riots occurred across the country, leading to the resignation of the Majali government. There was also an alleged Jordanian military coup attempt in 1957. Additionally, the country saw the assassination of King Abdullah I in 1951. These events shaped the political landscape during the mid-twentieth century.

Jordan has maintained significant involvement with the United Nations through various diplomatic roles. For instance, Zeid served as Jordan's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN from 1996 to 2000 and later as the Permanent Representative. In 2006, Jordan nominated Zeid as a candidate for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. Jordan's representatives have also held leadership positions such as the president of the United Nations Security Council. These roles demonstrate the country's active participation in international peacekeeping and legal frameworks.

Diplomatic ties between Jordan and South Korea were established in July 1962. Jordan maintains an embassy in Seoul, while South Korea has an embassy in Amman. The two nations share significant economic and developmental links, including investments from major Korean companies like Samsung and LG. Additionally, the Korea International Cooperation Agency has provided substantial aid for education, water resources, and e-governance since 1991. This cooperation includes the establishment of specialized training institutes and various infrastructure projects across several Jordanian cities.

Diplomatic ties between Jordan and South Korea were established in July 1962. This makes Jordan one of the earliest Arab nations to forge relations with South Korea. A significant historical milestone occurred when King Hussein bin Talal visited Korea from September 10 to 13, 1983. This visit marked the first time a king of Jordan and a leader of a Middle Eastern nation visited Korea. Today, both nations maintain embassies in each other's capitals.

The Assyrian presence in Jordan began after the Assyrian genocide when small numbers of families settled in cities like Amman, Madaba, Zarqa, and Ajloun. Some Assyrians initially fled to areas near Bethlehem and Jerusalem before the Nakba caused them to flee to Jordan alongside Palestinians. Upon arrival, they took up professions such as agriculture and construction while pursuing higher education in Arabic. Jordan has traditionally served as a temporary stop for Assyrians who eventually choose to immigrate to other countries in the diaspora. More recently, many Assyrians fled to Jordan to escape persecution following the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the Fall of Mosul.

UNESCO designates World Heritage Sites based on their outstanding universal value to cultural or natural heritage. Cultural heritage includes monuments, groups of buildings, and archaeological sites. Natural heritage consists of physical and biological formations, geological features, or sites important for science and beauty. To be listed, a site must meet at least one of the ten specific criteria established by UNESCO. These criteria are divided into cultural and natural categories. Jordan has several sites inscribed on this list due to these specific values.

The tenth of Nisan holds religious significance as it is the date when Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River at Gilgal. This event is described in the Book of Joshua as the first documented mass Aliyah into the Promised Land. During this crossing, the Israelites carried the Ark of the Covenant with them. To commemorate this occasion, God commanded the people to erect twelve stones engraved with the text of the Torah. These stones represented the twelve tribes of the Jewish nation and their gratitude for the land.

The myth of the one-horned unicorn may be based on oryxes that have lost one horn. Aristotle and Pliny the Elder held that the oryx was the unicorn's prototype. From certain angles, the oryx may seem to have one horn rather than two. Because their horns are made from hollow bone that cannot be regrown, an Arabian oryx would have only one horn for the rest of its life if it lost one. Another source for this concept may have originated from the translation of the Hebrew word re'em into Greek.

You can visit the Jordan Folklore Museum to learn about these traditions. This institution is also known as the Jordanian Museum of Popular Traditions. It is located at the Roman Theater in Amman. This museum provides a dedicated space for exploring the country's cultural heritage. It is one of several museums located in the capital city.

Jordan is ranked as the second-most water scarce country in the world due to its limited per capita renewable water resources. The country is an arid region that receives very little precipitation, which makes it difficult to sustain domestic, agricultural, or industrial water supplies. This lack of rainfall results in low groundwater and surface water levels. International aid has prioritized most funding to fixing this water crisis, specifically in response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis. The available water per capita has decreased significantly due to population change and the depletion of water supplies.

The Jordanian government took several proactive steps to manage the arrival of the virus. The Ministry of Health confirmed the first case in the country on 2 March 2020. Before this, the National Epidemics Committee and Health Ministry had already designated specific hospitals and established protocols. To prevent the spread, the government suspended schools, banned public gatherings, and closed borders and airports. Additionally, a mandatory two-week quarantine plan was implemented for arrivals using Dead Sea resorts. A lockdown was also announced on 17 March following a specific infection report.

The year 2024 saw several significant developments in Jordan, including the designation of Umm el-Jimal as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July. The country participated in the Summer Olympics from late July to early August. In September, the general election took place, resulting in the Islamic Action Front becoming the largest single party in the House of Representatives. This month also saw a change in leadership as Jafar Hassan was nominated to form a new government following the resignation of Bisher Al-Khasawneh. Other notable events included the closure of the Syrian border in December and various security incidents throughout the year.

The year 2025 features several significant events in Jordan. On June 5, the national football team qualified for its first FIFA World Cup after defeating Oman. In late September, the Ajloun and Yarmouk Forest Reserves were officially designated as biosphere reserves by UNESCO. Security incidents occurred throughout the year, including an arrest of 16 people in April and an attack at the Allenby Bridge in September. Additionally, King Abdullah II announced that Royal Jordanian will launch direct flights from Amman to Almaty in 2026.