Services
Services, including public administration, defense, and retail sales, form the single most important component of Jordan’s economy in both value and employment. The country’s vulnerable geography has led to high military expenditures, which are well above the world average.
The Jordanian government vigorously promotes tourism, and the number of tourists visiting Jordan has grown dramatically since the mid-1990s. Visitors come mainly from the West to see the old biblical cities of the Jordan Valley and such wonders as the ancient city of Petra, designated a World Heritage site in 1985. Income from tourism, mostly consisting of foreign reserves, has become a major factor in Jordan’s efforts to reduce its balance-of-payments deficit.
Articles from Britannica encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
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Jordan - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
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The Middle Eastern nation of Jordan is a small state with an ancient history. The country’s full name is the Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan. The capital and largest city is Amman.
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Jordan - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
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The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a small country with limited natural resources, but for years it has played a critical role in the struggle for power in the Middle East. Jordan’s significance results partly from its strategic location at the crossroads of what most Christians, Jews, and Muslims call the Holy Land. The country is bounded by Syria on the north, Iraq on the east, Saudi Arabia on the southeast and south, and Israel and the West Bank on the west. Area 34,284 square miles (88,794 square kilometers). Population (2013 est.) 6,458,000.
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