Introduction

Background: |  |

`
Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the UK received a mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain separated out a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in the early 1920s, and the area gained its independence in 1946; it adopted the name of Jordan in 1950. The country's long-time ruler was King HUSSEIN (1953-99). A pragmatic leader, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population. Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel in the 1967 war and barely managed to defeat Palestinian rebels who attempted to overthrow the monarchy in 1970. King HUSSEIN in 1988 permanently relinquished Jordanian claims to the West Bank. In 1989, he reinstituted parliamentary elections and initiated a gradual political liberalization; political parties were legalized in 1992. In 1994, he signed a peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II, the son of King HUSSEIN, assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and undertaken an aggressive economic reform program. Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to participate in the European Free Trade Association in 2001. In 2003, Jordan staunchly supported the Coalition ouster of SADDAM in Iraq and, following the outbreak of insurgent violence in Iraq, absorbed thousands of displaced Iraqis. Municipal elections were held in July 2007 under a system in which 20% of seats in all municipal councils were reserved by quota for women. Parliamentary elections were held in November 2010 and saw independent pro-government candidates win the vast majority of seats. Beginning in January 2011 in the wake of unrest in Tunisia and Egypt, several thousand Jordanians staged weekly demonstrations and marches in Amman and other cities throughout Jordan to protest government corruption, rising prices, rampant poverty, and high unemployment. In response, King Abdallah replaced his prime minister and formed a National Dialogue Commission with a reform mandate. Some opposition groups also called for sweeping political and constitutional reforms, particularly on a controversial election law.
`

Geography

Location: |  |
`Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia, between Israel (to the west) and Iraq`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`31 00 N, 36 00 E`
Map references: |  |
`Middle East`
Area: |  |
`total: 89,342 sq km country comparison to the world: 111 land: 88,802 sq km water: 540 sq km`
Area - comparative: |  |
`slightly smaller than Indiana`
Land boundaries: |  |
`total: 1,635 km border countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km`
Coastline: |  |
`26 km`
Maritime claims: |  |
`territorial sea: 3 nm`
Climate: |  |
`mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)`
Terrain: |  |
`mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Jabal Umm ad Dami 1,854 m`
Natural resources: |  |
`phosphates, potash, shale oil`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 3.32% permanent crops: 1.18% other: 95.5% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`750 sq km (2003)`
Total renewable water resources: |  |
`0.9 cu km (1997)`
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic / industrial / agricultural): |  |
`total: 1.01 cu km/yr (21%/4%/75%) per capita: 177 cu m/yr (2000)`
Natural hazards: |  |
`droughts; periodic earthquakes`
Environment - current issues: |  |
`limited natural freshwater resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification`
Environment - international agreements: |  |
`party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements`
Geography - note: |  |
`strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied West Bank`

People

Population: |  |
`6,508,271 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 102`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 35.3% (male 1,180,595/female 1,114,533) 15-64 years: 59.9% (male 1,977,075/female 1,921,504) 65 years and over: 4.8% (male 153,918/female 160,646) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 22.1 years male: 21.8 years female: 22.4 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`0.984% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 117`
Birth rate: |  |
`26.79 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 50`
Death rate: |  |
`2.69 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 220`
Net migration rate: |  |
`-14.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 215`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 79% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`AMMAN (capital) 1.088 million (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 16.42 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 107 male: 16.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 80.05 years country comparison to the world: 29 male: 78.73 years female: 81.45 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`3.39 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 49`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 138`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`600 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`fewer than 500 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 90`
Drinking water source: |  |
`improved: urban: 98% of population rural: 91% of population total: 96% of population unimproved: urban: 2% of population rural: 9% of population total: 4% of population (2008)`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 98% of population rural: 97% of population total: 98% of population unimproved: urban: 2% of population rural: 3% of population total: 2% of population (2008)`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Jordanian(s) adjective: Jordanian`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1%`
Religions: |  |
`Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (several small Shia Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.)`
Languages: |  |
`Arabic (official), English (widely understood among upper and middle classes)`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.9% male: 95.1% female: 84.7% (2003 est.)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2008)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`NA`

Government

Country name: |  |
`conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan conventional short form: Jordan local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah local short form: Al Urdun former: Transjordan`
Government type: |  |
`constitutional monarchy`
Capital: |  |
`name: Amman geographic coordinates: 31 57 N, 35 56 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Friday in April; ends last Friday in October`
Administrative divisions: |  |
`12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba`
Independence: |  |
`25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)`
National holiday: |  |
`Independence Day, 25 May (1946)`
Constitution: |  |
`1 January 1952; amended many times`
Legal system: |  |
`mixed legal system of civil law and Islamic religious law; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal`
International law organization participation: |  |
`has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction`
Suffrage: |  |
`18 years of age; universal`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Crown Prince HUSSEIN (born 28 June 1994), eldest son of King ABDALLAH II
head of government: Prime Minister Marouf al-BAKHIT (since 1 February 2011); Deputy Prime Minister Saad Hayel SROUR
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the monarch; note - on 1 February 2011 the King dismissed the cabinet and designated Marouf al-BAKHIT the new prime minister
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
`

Legislative branch: |  |

`
bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of the Senate, also called the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (60 seats; members appointed by the monarch to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies, also called the House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwaab (120 seats; members elected using a single, non-transferable vote system in multi-member districts to serve four-year terms); note - the new electoral law enacted in May 2010 allocated an additional 10 seats (6 seats added to the number reserved for women, bringing the total to 12; 2 additional seats for Amman; and 1 seat each for the cities of Zarqa and Irbid; unchanged are 9 seats reserved for Christian candidates, 9 for Bedouin candidates, and 3 for Jordanians of Chechen or Circassian descent
elections: Chamber of Deputies - last held on 9 November 2010 (next scheduled in 2014); note - the King dissolved the previous Chamber of Deputies in November 2009, midway through the parliamentary term
election results: Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents and other 120 (includes 12 seats filled by women's quota and 1 woman was directly elected); note - the IAF boycotted the election
`

Judicial branch: |  |
`Court of Cassation (Supreme Court)`
Political parties and leaders: |  |

`
Arab Ba'ath Socialist Party [Fuad DABBOUR]; Ba'ath Arab Progressive Party [Tayseer al-HAMSI]; Call Party [Mohammed Abu BAKR]; Democratic People's Party [Ablah al-ULBAH]; Democratic Popular Unity Party [Sa'ed DIAB]; Islamic Action Front or IAF [Hamzeh MANSOUR]; Islamic Center Party [Marwan al-FA'OURI; Jordanian Communist Party [Munir HAMARNEH]; Jordanian National Party [Mona Abu BAKR]; Jordanian United Front [Amjad al-MAJALI]; Life Party [Thaher 'AMROU]; Message Party [Hazem QASHOU]; National Constitution Party [Ahmed al-SHUNAQ]; National Current Party [Abd al-Hadi al-MAJALI]; National Movement for Direct Democracy [Mohammed al-QAQ]
`

Political pressure groups and leaders: |  |
`Anti-Normalization Committee [Hamzeh MANSOUR, chairman]; Higher Coordination Committee of Opposition Parties [Hamzeh MANZOUR]; Jordan Bar Association [Saleh al-ARMUTI, chairman]; Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood [Dr. Hamam SAID, controller general]`
International organization participation: |  |
`ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO`
Diplomatic representation in the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Alia Hatough BOURAN chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110`
Diplomatic representation from the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Robert S. BEECROFT embassy: Abdoun, Amman mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box 5, DPO AE 09892-0200 telephone: [962] (6) 590-6000 FAX: [962] (6) 592-0121`
Flag description: |  |

`
three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I
`

National anthem: |  |
`name: "As-salam al-malaki al-urdoni" (Long Live the King of Jordan) lyrics/music: Abdul-Mone'm al-RIFAI'/Abdul-Qader al-TANEER note: adopted 1946; the shortened version of the anthem is used most commonly, while the full version is reserved for special occasions`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Jordan's economy is among the smallest in the Middle East, with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources, underlying the government's heavy reliance on foreign assistance. Other economic challenges for the government include chronic high rates of poverty, unemployment, inflation, and a large budget deficit. Since assuming the throne in 1999, King ABDALLAH has implemented significant economic reforms, such as opening the trade regime, privatizing state-owned companies, and eliminating most fuel subsidies, which in the past few years have spurred economic growth by attracting foreign investment and creating some jobs. The global economic slowdown, however, has depressed Jordan's GDP growth. Export-oriented sectors such as manufacturing, mining, and the transport of re-exports have been hit the hardest. The Government approved two supplementary budgets in 2010, but sweeping tax cuts planned for 2010 did not materialize because of Amman's need for additional revenue to cover excess spending. The budget deficit is likely to remain high, at 5-6% of GDP, and Amman likely will continue to depend heavily on foreign assistance to finance the deficit in 2011. Jordan's financial sector has been relatively isolated from the international financial crisis because of its limited exposure to overseas capital markets. Jordan is currently exploring nuclear power generation to forestall energy shortfalls.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$34.53 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $33.49 billion (2009 est.) $32.73 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$27.53 billion (2010 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`3.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 2.3% (2009 est.) 7.6% (2008 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$5,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $5,300 (2009 est.) $5,300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 3.4% industry: 30.3% services: 66.2% (2010 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`1.719 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: 2.7% industry: 20% services: 77.4% (2007 est.)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`13.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 12.9% (2009 est.) note: official rate; unofficial rate is approximately 30%`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`14.2% (2002)`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 30.7% (2006)`
Distribution of family income - Gini index: |  |
`39.7 (2007) country comparison to the world: 62 36.4 (1997)`
Investment (gross fixed): |  |
`30.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 19`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $6.269 billion expenditures: $8.701 billion (2010 est.)`
Public debt: |  |
`61.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 64.7% of GDP (2009 est.)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`4.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 -0.7% (2009 est.)`
Central bank discount rate: |  |
`4.75% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 67 6.25% (31 December 2008)`
Commercial bank prime lending rate: |  |
`9.25% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 9.03% (31 December 2008 est.)`
Stock of narrow money: |  |
`$9.386 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $8.437 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of broad money: |  |
`$35.53 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $33.38 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of domestic credit: |  |
`$26.85 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72 $25.14 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Market value of publicly traded shares: |  |
`$31.86 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 53 $35.85 billion (31 December 2008) $41.22 billion (31 December 2007)`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`citrus, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, strawberries, stone fruits; sheep, poultry, dairy`
Industries: |  |
`clothing, fertilizers, potash, phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, inorganic chemicals, light manufacturing, tourism`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`2.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118`
Electricity - production: |  |
`12.21 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 84`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`10.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 85`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`176 million kWh (2007 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`200 million kWh (2007 est.)`
Oil - production: |  |
`0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 188`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`108,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74`
Oil - exports: |  |
`0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 176`
Oil - imports: |  |
`108,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 61`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`1 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`250 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`2.97 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`2.72 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`6.031 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 87`
Current account balance: |  |
`$-975 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $-1.27 billion (2009 est.)`
Exports: |  |
`$7.333 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 $6.366 billion (2009 est.)`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`clothing, fertilizers, potash, phosphates, vegetables, pharmaceuticals`
Exports - partners: |  |
`US 17.13%, Iraq 17%, India 13.59%, Saudi Arabia 10.56%, Syria 4.18%, UAE 4.09% (2009)`
Imports: |  |
`$12.97 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $12.5 billion (2009 est.)`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, iron, cereals`
Imports - partners: |  |
`Saudi Arabia 17.3%, China 10.95%, US 6.94%, Germany 6.29%, Egypt 6.1% (2009)`
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: |  |
`$12.64 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $12.14 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Debt - external: |  |
`$5.522 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $6.766 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: |  |
`$22.19 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $19.76 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: |  |
`$NA`
Exchange rates: |  |
`Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar - 0.709 (2010) 0.709 (2009) 0.709 (2008) 0.709 (2007) 0.709 (2006)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`501,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 97`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`6.014 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 85`
Telephone system: |  |

`
general assessment: service has improved recently with increased use of digital switching equipment; microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial and fiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; growing mobile-cellular usage in both urban and rural areas is reducing use of fixed-line services; Internet penetration remains modest and slow-growing
domestic: 1995 telecommunications law opened all non-fixed-line services to private competition; in 2005, monopoly over fixed-line services terminated and the entire telecommunications sector was opened to competition; currently multiple mobile-cellular providers with subscribership rapidly approaching 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 962; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) FEA and FLAG Falcon submarine cable networks; satellite earth stations - 33 (3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals); fiber-optic cable to Saudi Arabia and microwave radio relay link with Egypt and Syria; participant in Medarabtel (2010)
`

Broadcast media: |  |

`
radio and TV dominated by the government-owned Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTV) that operates a main network, a sports network, a film network, and a satellite channel; first independent TV broadcaster aired in 2007; international satellite TV and Israeli and Syrian TV broadcasts are available; roughly 30 radio stations operational with JRTV operating the main government-owned station; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are available (2007)
`

Internet country code: |  |
`.jo`
Internet hosts: |  |
`42,412 (2010) country comparison to the world: 92`
Internet users: |  |
`1.642 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 78`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`18 (2010) country comparison to the world: 138`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 16 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2010)`
Airports - with unpaved runways: |  |
`total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2010)`
Heliports: |  |
`1 (2010)`
Pipelines: |  |
`gas 439 km; oil 49 km (2010)`
Railways: |  |
`total: 507 km country comparison to the world: 111 narrow gauge: 507 km 1.050-m gauge (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 7,891 km country comparison to the world: 143 paved: 7,891 km (2009)`
Merchant marine: |  |
`total: 13 country comparison to the world: 107 by type: cargo 5, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 7 (UAE 7) registered in other countries: 20 (Bahamas 2, Egypt 2, Panama 13, Syria 2, unknown 1) (2010)`
Ports and terminals: |  |
`Al 'Aqabah`

Military

Military branches: |  |
`Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF): Royal Jordanian Land Force (RJLF), Royal Jordanian Navy, Royal Jordanian Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya al-Urduniya, RJAF), Special Operations Command (Socom); Public Security Directorate (normally falls under Ministry of Interior, but comes under JAF in wartime or crisis) (2011)`
Military service age and obligation: |  |
`17 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription for males at age 18 was suspended in 1999, but reinstated in July 2007 in order to provide youth training necessary for job market needs; all males under age 37 are required to register; women not subject to conscription, but can volunteer to serve in non-combat military positions in the Royal Jordanian Arab Army Women's Corps (2010)`
Manpower available for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 1,674,260 females age 16-49: 1,611,315 (2010 est.)`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 1,439,192 females age 16-49: 1,384,500 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 73,574 female: 69,420 (2010 est.)`
Military expenditures: |  |
`8.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 4`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq, with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan; 2004 Agreement settles border dispute with Syria pending demarcation`
Refugees and internally displaced persons: |  |
`refugees (country of origin): 1,835,704 (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)); 500,000 (Iraq) IDPs: 160,000 (1967 Arab-Israeli War) (2007)`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011