Officially called the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Jordan is a country located on the east bank of the River Jordan. Almost half of Jordan is covered by the Arabian Desert.
Jordan is a country covering an area of 35,637 square miles. According to the 2010 census, the country has an approximate population of 6,407,085. Jordan has a superior quality of life and one of the highest standards of living in the developing world. The country has a low crime rate, highly educated
population, and advanced healthcare services.The Kingdom of Jordan is divided into twelve provinces called Governorates, that are further divided into fifty-four departments.
Jordan has a rapidly-growing economy. In 2010, the gross domestic product (PPP) was estimated at $34.528 billion, while the per capita was $5,956. Services is the largest sector followed by industries, agriculture and tourism. The country has rich reserves potash and phosphates and these are among the main economic exports. Copper ore, gypsum, and manganese ore are also mined. Telecommunications is an important industry, accounting for 13.5% of the country's GDP. The other major industries include clothing, phosphate mining, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, and light manufacturing. Saudi Arabia, China, Egypt, Syria, United States, and Germany are the main trading partners.
It is a major tourist destination in the region and is especially popular with expat westerners seeking to live or study in its capital Amman.