Jordan

Jordan is a Middle Eastern country officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north, Israel and the Palestinian territories to the west, and with a short coastline on the Gulf of Aqaba to the south-west. The capital and largest city is Amman, which serves as the country's political, economic and cultural centre. Jordan has a population of approximately 11-million people and operates as a constitutional monarchy under King Abdullah II. The economy is classified as an emerging market, with key sectors including services, tourism, phosphate and potash mining, pharmaceuticals, textiles and agriculture, though the country has limited natural resources and relies heavily on imports for energy and food. The Jordanian dinar is the national currency. Jordan is a member of the Arab League, the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, and maintains close diplomatic and trade relations with Western nations, Gulf states and neighbouring countries. The kingdom plays a strategic role in regional stability and serves as a transit hub for trade between the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. Jordan imports a range of agricultural products, including meat, grains and dairy, to supplement domestic production and meet the needs of its growing population. The country has historically maintained trade links with livestock-exporting nations to ensure food security. Since its independence in 1946, Jordan has navigated regional conflicts while pursuing economic modernisation and diversification, with a focus on attracting foreign investment and expanding its export base.