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 The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, and the West Bank to the west. The kingdom is made up largely of arid desert plateau. Jordan gained independence from Great Britain in 1946 and is indelibly marked by the policies of the late King Hussein's near half-century of leadership.
Since assuming the throne, King Abdullah has continued his father's economic liberalization policies and reinforced Jordan's commitment to the directives of international lenders, who have responded by rescheduling debt payments and granting favorable aid terms. This process has built up Jordan's foreign exchange reserves, stabilized its currency, and led to a series of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements that have created consistent economic growth.
Jordan encompasses a vast range of geographic areas, each with distinctive features and recreational opportunities: desert sand, fertile areas near Irbid, steep valleys near Wadi al-Mujib, the ancient archaeological sites of Jerash and Petra, high mountains like al-Sharah in the south, and the unique area surrounding the Dead Sea that lies 400 meters below sea level.
The capital city, Amman, is a busy commercial and administrative center with many fine hotels, restaurants, art galleries, and museums. Often referred to as the "White City," Amman, like Rome, was originally built on seven hills, which still form its natural focal points. Shopping amenities vary from old markets and souqs full of gold and spices to modern boutiques offering local handicrafts and imported fashions.
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