Jordan: Introduction

Jordan is a kingdom in the Middle East. Neighboring countries include Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the West Bank region. Much of Jordan is covered by the Arabian Desert. However, the northwestern part of Jordan is part of the Fertile Crescent. The government system is a constitutional monarchy; the chief of state is the king, and the head of government is the prime minister. Jordan has a mixed economic system, which includes a variety of private freedoms combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation. Jordan is a member of the League of Arab States (Arab League).