History of Jordan in Timeline
Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is located in West Asia, specifically the Southern Levant. It shares borders with several countries: Syria to the north, Iraq to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south, and Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories to the west. The Jordan River and the Dead Sea form part of its western border within the Jordan Rift Valley. Jordan also has a small coastline on the Red Sea's Gulf of Aqaba, separated from Egypt. Amman serves as Jordan's capital and largest city, holding the distinction of being the most populous city in the Levant.
1905: Shoubak Revolt
The Shoubak revolt, a local uprising against Ottoman rule, occurred in 1905 and was suppressed by Ottoman forces.
1908: Hejaz Railway Construction
Construction of the Hejaz Railway was completed in 1908, providing economic benefits to Transjordan and facilitating transportation for pilgrims.
1908: Young Turk Revolution
The 1908 Young Turk Revolution within the Ottoman Empire contributed to the rise of Arab nationalism and discontent with Ottoman policies, ultimately influencing the outbreak of the Arab Revolt.
1910: Karak Revolt
The Karak revolt, another uprising against Ottoman control, took place in 1910 and was also suppressed by Ottoman forces.
1915: Armenian Genocide Refugees
Around 5,000 descendants of Armenians who sought refuge in the Levant during the 1915 Armenian genocide reside in Jordan, primarily in Amman.
1915: McMahon-Hussein Correspondence
In 1915, the McMahon-Hussein Correspondence outlined British promises of Arab independence, which were later perceived as betrayed by agreements like the Sykes-Picot Agreement and the Balfour Declaration.
June 1916: Start of Arab Revolt
The Arab Revolt, initiated in June 1916, aimed to end Ottoman rule in the region.
1916: Arab Revolt
The Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule began in 1916, led by Sharif Hussein of Mecca and his sons. It gained support from Transjordanian tribes, including Bedouins, Circassians, and Christians, and was backed by the Allies of World War I.
1916: Sykes-Picot Agreement
The secret Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 divided the region into French and British spheres of influence.
July 1917: Battle of Aqaba
The Battle of Aqaba in July 1917 marked a significant victory for the Arab Revolt in Transjordan.
1917: Balfour Declaration
The 1917 Balfour Declaration expressed British support for a Jewish national home in Palestine.
October 1918: Faisal's Entry into Damascus
Faisal's entry into Damascus in October 1918 marked a turning point in the Arab Revolt and led to the establishment of an Arab-led military administration.
July 1920: Battle of Maysalun
The Battle of Maysalun in July 1920 resulted in the Hashemite Kingdom's surrender to French forces and the French occupation of northern Syria.
August 1920: British Declaration on Transjordan
In August 1920, British High Commissioner Herbert Samuel declared British support for local governments in Transjordan, separate from Palestine.
October 1920: Establishment of the Arab Legion
The Arab Legion, Jordan's first organized army, was established in October 1920.
November 1920: Abdullah Arrives in Transjordan
Abdullah arrived in Transjordan in November 1920 with the goal of establishing an organized government.
March 1921: Transjordan Added to British Mandate
In March 1921, Britain added Transjordan to its Mandate for Palestine, with the intention of implementing the "Sharifian Solution".
April 1921: Formation of the First Police Force
After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Jordan's first police force was established in April 1921.
April 1921: Emirate of Transjordan Officially Established
The Emirate of Transjordan was officially established in April 1921, with Abdullah as its emir.
1921: Emirate of Transjordan Established
In 1921, the Emirate of Transjordan was established under the rule of Emir Abdullah, solidifying the Hashemite presence in the region and marking a significant step towards Jordan's independence.
1921: Kura Rebellion
The Kura rebellion, a local uprising against Hashemite rule in Transjordan, occurred in 1921.
September 1922: League of Nations Recognition
The League of Nations recognized Transjordan as a state in September 1922.
1923: Second Kura Rebellion
A second Kura rebellion erupted in Transjordan in 1923.
1924: Hashemite Custodianship of Holy Sites
The Hashemite dynasty has been the custodian of holy sites in Jerusalem since 1924, a role strengthened by the Israel-Jordan peace treaty.
1930: Christian Population Percentage
Christians constituted about 20% of Jordan's population in 1930.
March 1946: Treaty of London
In March 1946, the Treaty of London was signed between the British government and the Emir of Transjordan, recognizing Transjordan's independence.
May 1946: Establishment of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
On May 25, 1946, Transjordan officially became a kingdom, with Abdullah as its first king. This day is now celebrated as Jordan's Independence Day.
1946: Growth of the Arab Legion
By 1946, the Arab Legion had expanded to 8,000 personnel from its initial 150 members in 1920.
1946: End of British Mandate
The British Mandate over Transjordan ended in 1946.
1946: Jordanian Independence
Transjordan gained independence from British mandate rule in 1946, officially becoming the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
May 1948: Jordan Enters 1948 Palestine War
On May 15, 1948, Jordan joined other Arab states in intervening in the 1948 Palestine war.
1948: Annexation of the West Bank
During the 1948 Palestine war, Jordan captured and annexed the West Bank.
1948: Acceptance of Refugees
Starting in 1948, Jordan began accepting refugees from neighboring countries experiencing conflict, primarily Palestinians.
1948: First Wave of Palestinian Refugees
The first wave of Palestinian refugees arrived in Jordan during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
1949: Name Change to Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
In 1949, the Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan officially changed its English name to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
April 1950: Annexation of the West Bank
Following the 1948 war, Jordan formally annexed the West Bank on April 24, 1950, after the Jericho Conference.
June 1950: Arab League Declaration on Annexation
On June 12, 1950, the Arab League declared Jordan's annexation of the West Bank a temporary measure, holding the territory in trust.
1950: Water and Sanitation Availability
In 1950, only 10% of Jordan's population had access to water and sanitation.
1951: Assassination of King Abdullah
King Abdullah was assassinated in 1951 by a Palestinian militant at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, amidst rumors of a potential peace treaty with Israel.
1952: Adoption of Jordan's Constitution
Jordan adopted its constitution in 1952, establishing the framework for its government and legal system.
1953: King Hussein Ascends to the Throne
In 1953, King Hussein ascended to the throne at the age of 17 following his father's abdication due to illness.
December 1955: Jordan Joins the United Nations
Jordan became a member of the United Nations on December 14, 1955.
March 1956: Arabization of the Jordanian Army
On March 1, 1956, King Hussein Arabized the command of the Jordanian Army by dismissing senior British officers.
1956: Establishment of Public Safety Directorate
The Public Safety Directorate was formed in 1956, taking over policing duties from the Arab Legion and the Transjordan Frontier Force.
July 1958: Dissolution of the Arab Federation
The Arab Federation, formed by Jordan and Iraq, dissolved in July 1958 after the coup in Iraq.
1966: Establishment of the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature
The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature was established in 1966 to protect Jordan's natural resources.
1967: Two-State Solution and Palestinian Statehood
Jordan considers an independent Palestinian state with the 1967 borders to be a crucial component of the two-state solution and in its national interest.
1968: Battle of Karameh
In 1968, the Battle of Karameh saw Jordanian and Palestinian forces repel an Israeli attack, boosting support for Palestinian paramilitary groups in Jordan.
September 1970: Black September
In September 1970, conflict between the Jordanian army and Palestinian fedayeen led to the expulsion of PLO fighters to Lebanon, an event known as Black September.
1973: Jordanian Involvement in the Yom Kippur War
During the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Jordan sent a brigade to Syria to fight Israeli forces but did not engage from Jordanian territory.
1974: Rabat Summit Conference
At the 1974 Rabat summit, Jordan and the Arab League recognized the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
1979: Average Household Size
In 1979, the average household size in Jordan was 6.7 persons.
1987: Natural Gas Discovery
In 1987, natural gas was discovered in Jordan, but the reserves were small compared to neighboring countries, leading to a reliance on oil imports for electricity.
1988: Jordan Relinquishes Claim to the West Bank
In 1988, Jordan officially renounced its claim to the West Bank.
1988: Renunciation of West Bank Claim
In 1988, Jordan renounced its claim to the West Bank, recognizing Palestinian claims to the territory.
1990: Gulf War Refugee Influx
The 1990 Gulf War led to a peak in Palestinian refugees arriving in Jordan.
1991: Madrid Conference
Jordan agreed to participate in peace negotiations at the Madrid Conference in 1991.
October 1994: Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty
On October 26, 1994, Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty.
1994: Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty
Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994, formally ending the state of war between the two countries.
1997: Poisoning of Khaled Mashal
In 1997, Israeli agents poisoned Hamas leader Khaled Mashal in Jordan, leading to a diplomatic crisis.
February 1999: King Abdullah II's Ascension
King Abdullah II ascended to the throne in February 1999 following the death of his father, King Hussein. He reaffirmed Jordan's peace treaty with Israel and its relationship with the United States, and prioritized economic reform.
February 1999: King Abdullah II Ascends to the Throne
King Abdullah II became king of Jordan in February 1999 after the death of his father, King Hussein.
1999: Improved Relations with Gulf Countries
Following King Hussein's death in 1999, Jordan's relations with Persian Gulf countries improved significantly.
1999: Jordan Design and Development Bureau
King Abdullah II established the Jordan Design and Development Bureau in 1999 to provide scientific and technical services to the Jordanian Armed Forces and become a global hub in security research and development.
2000: Jordan's Economic Milestones in 2000
In 2000, Jordan achieved several significant economic milestones. It joined the World Trade Organization and signed a free trade agreement with the United States, marking the first such agreement between the US and an Arab nation. Jordan also secured advanced status with the EU, enhancing its access to European markets. Despite these positive developments, the country often faced budget deficits due to factors like slow domestic growth and substantial subsidies.
2002: Childhood Immunisation Rates
By 2002, immunization and vaccination rates for children under five in Jordan reached over 95%.
2002: Industrial Workforce
In 2002, over 21% of Jordan's labor force was employed in the industrial sector.
2003: Mandaean Refugees
An estimated 1,400 Mandaeans fled Iraq to Jordan after the 2003 invasion to escape persecution.
2004: Economic Growth Period
Between 2004 and 2008, Jordan's economy experienced an average annual growth rate of 8%.
2004: Industrial Sector Contribution
In 2004, the industrial sector, including mining, manufacturing, construction, and power, accounted for about 26% of Jordan's GDP.
2004: AFC Asian Cup Quarter-finals
Jordan reached the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup in 2004.
November 2005: Amman Hotel Bombings
On November 9, 2005, coordinated bombings in Amman hotels killed 60 people and injured 115.
2005: Establishment of German Jordanian University
The German Jordanian University was established in 2005, leading to an increase in the popularity of the German language in Jordan.
2006: Port of Aqaba's Recognition in 2006
The Port of Aqaba, Jordan's sole port, received accolades in 2006 when Lloyd's List named it the "Best Container Terminal" in the Middle East. This recognition highlighted the port's strategic location, service to neighboring countries, and recent improvements.
June 2007: Jordan Hospital Accreditation
Jordan Hospital became the first general specialty hospital in Jordan to receive international accreditation from JCAHO in June 2007.
2007: Assyrian Christian Population
In 2007, Jordan had up to 150,000 Assyrian Christians, many of whom were refugees from Iraq.
2007: Medical Tourism in Jordan in 2007
In 2007, Jordan's growing medical tourism sector treated approximately 190,000 patients from various countries.
2008: Economic Boom in Jordan
King Abdullah II's economic reforms led to a period of economic growth in Jordan until 2008.
2008: End of High Economic Growth Period
The period of high economic growth in Jordan, averaging 8% annually, ended in 2008.
2009: Jordan's Economic Overview in 2009
In 2009, Jordan's economy was relatively diversified, with trade and finance contributing significantly to its GDP. Other key sectors included transportation, communication, public utilities, construction, mining, and manufacturing. Notably, Jordan received a substantial amount of official development assistance, primarily in the form of grants, with a significant portion allocated as direct budget support.
2010: Slower Economic Growth
From 2010 onwards, Jordan's economic growth slowed to around 2.6%.
2010: Jordan's Infrastructure Ranking in 2010
In 2010, Jordan was recognized for its strong infrastructure, ranking 35th globally according to the World Economic Forum's Index of Economic Competitiveness. This high ranking reflects Jordan's important role as a transit hub for goods and services.
2010: FIBA World Basketball Cup Qualification
Jordan qualified for the FIBA 2010 World Basketball Cup.
2010: Growth of Medical Tourism in Jordan in 2010
Jordan's prominence as a medical tourism hub continued to grow, with 250,000 patients from over 100 countries seeking treatment in 2010, generating significant revenue for the country.
2010: Jordan's Tourism Boom in 2010
Jordan's tourism sector flourished in 2010, attracting 8 million visitors, primarily from Europe and Arab countries.
2010: Syrian Refugee Crisis
Since 2010, over 1.4 million Syrian refugees have sought refuge in Jordan due to the Syrian conflict.
2010: Arab Spring
The Arab Spring uprisings and protests began in 2010, largely leaving Jordan unaffected by the widespread regional violence.
2011: Overview of Jordan's Road and Railway Network in 2011
As of 2011, Jordan possessed an extensive road network comprising various types of roads, including main roads, rural roads, and side roads. The historical Hejaz railway, primarily used for freight transport, forms the foundation for future railway development plans. A national railway project was under consideration and actively seeking funding. Public transportation, particularly in Amman and its connection to Zarqa, included bus and bus rapid transit systems.
2011: Attempted GCC Membership
In 2011, Jordan and Morocco sought to join the Gulf Cooperation Council. Instead, the Gulf countries provided a five-year development aid program.
2011: Jordan's Foreign Debt in 2011
In 2011, Jordan's foreign debt reached $19 billion, equivalent to 60% of its GDP.
2011: Yemeni Uprising
In 2011, an uprising in Yemen led to the deposition of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
2011: Jordanian Response to the Arab Spring
In 2011, in response to the Arab Spring protests, King Abdullah II implemented reforms, including constitutional amendments and changes to election laws.
2011: Renewable Energy Baseline
In 2011, renewable energy contributed to 3% of Jordan's electricity generation.
2011: AFC Asian Cup Quarter-finals
Jordan again reached the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup in 2011.
2011: Impact of the Great Recession and Arab Spring on Jordan's Economy
The Great Recession and the subsequent Arab Spring in 2011 significantly impacted Jordan's economy, particularly sectors like trade, industry, construction, and tourism. A sharp decline in tourist arrivals was observed. In addition, the natural gas pipeline supplying Jordan from Egypt faced repeated attacks, leading to substantial losses as the country switched to more expensive fuel alternatives.
2012: Liquified Natural Gas Port
In 2012, Jordan built a liquified natural gas port in Aqaba to address instability in oil and gas supplies and diversify its energy sources.
2012: Establishment of Constitutional Court
In 2012, Jordan established a constitutional court to handle cases involving the constitutionality of laws. This court joined the existing civil and religious court systems.
2012: Government Subsidy Cuts and Protests in 2012
In 2012, the Jordanian government implemented cuts to fuel subsidies, resulting in price increases and widespread protests across the country. This decision was later reversed.
2012: 2012 Olympics Qualification Attempt
Jordan narrowly missed qualifying for the 2012 Olympics after losing the final of the 2010 Asian Cup to China.
2013: Expansion of Queen Alia International Airport in 2013
In 2013, Jordan completed a significant expansion project at Queen Alia International Airport, which included the construction of new terminals at a substantial cost. This upgrade enhanced the airport's capacity and positioned it as a state-of-the-art facility.
2014: Iraqi Christian Refugees
Approximately 12,000 Iraqi Christians sought refuge in Jordan in 2014 following the Islamic State's capture of Mosul.
2014: ICT Sector Growth
In 2014, Jordan's ICT sector employed over 84,000 people and contributed 12% to the GDP.
2014: Queen Alia International Airport Award in 2014
In 2014, Queen Alia International Airport received recognition for its service quality, earning the title of 'best airport by region: Middle East' in the Airport Service Quality survey.
2014: Industry's GDP Share
In 2014, industry accounted for 6% of Jordan's GDP.
2014: Christian Population Estimate
In 2014, the Orthodox Church estimated around 250,000 Arabic-speaking Christians in Jordan, excluding minority groups and refugees.
2014: Jordan Joins Anti-ISIS Coalition
Jordan joined the US-led international coalition's air campaign against ISIS in 2014 as part of its involvement in the Syrian Civil War.
2014: Remittances to Jordan in 2014
Remittances to Jordan in 2014 reached over $3.66 billion, establishing the country as a significant recipient of remittances in the region.
2014: 7Hills Skatepark Construction
The 7Hills Skatepark, the first skatepark in Jordan, was completed in Downtown Amman in 2014.
2015: Water and Sanitation Availability
Access to water and sanitation in Jordan reached 98% of the population by 2015.
2015: Refugee Influx
By 2015, Jordan hosted a substantial refugee population, including an estimated 2.1 million Palestinians and 1.4 million Syrians, creating significant pressure on the country's resources and infrastructure.
2015: Remaining Iraqi Refugees
By 2015, the number of Iraqi refugees in Jordan had decreased to 130,911.
2015: Jordan Participates in Yemen Intervention
In 2015, Jordan participated in the Saudi Arabian-led military intervention in Yemen against the Houthis and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
2015: Literacy Rate and Educational Ranking
In 2015, Jordan's literacy rate was 98.01%, ranking as one of the highest globally. UNESCO also ranked Jordan's educational system 18th out of 94 nations for gender equality in education.
2015: Increased Media Restrictions
In 2015, the Arab Spring and the Syrian conflict prompted Jordanian authorities to increase their control over media, especially the internet, despite objections from civil society.
2015: Military Exports
In 2015, the Jordan Design and Development Bureau exported $72 million worth of military products to over 42 countries.
2015: Development of the Jordan Trail in 2015
In 2015, the Jordan Trail, a 650-kilometer hiking route spanning the country, was established to boost tourism and offer diverse outdoor experiences. This development catered to the growing interest in hiking and adventure tourism, complementing existing attractions like cultural sites and seaside resorts.
2015: Growth in Remittances to Jordan in 2015
Jordan's remittance inflows saw continued growth in 2015, reaching $3.8 billion, a notable increase compared to the previous year.
2015: Queen Alia International Airport Award in 2015
Queen Alia International Airport continued its streak of excellence in 2015, again winning the 'best airport by region: Middle East' award in the Airport Service Quality survey.
2015: Population Census
The 2015 census recorded Jordan's population as 9,531,712, with about 30% being non-citizens, including refugees and illegal immigrants.
January 2016: Academy Award Nomination
The Jordanian film "Theeb" was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards in January 2016, marking a first for the country.
March 2016: FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup
In March 2016, Jordan hosted the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, the first women's sports tournament in the Middle East.
December 2016: Palestinian Refugees
As of December 2016, Jordan hosted 2,175,491 Palestinian refugees, many of whom were granted Jordanian citizenship in the past.
2016: Olympic Gold Medal
Ahmad Abughaush won Jordan's first Olympic gold medal in taekwondo at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
2016: Surge in Jordan's Foreign Debt in 2016
By 2016, Jordan's foreign debt had climbed to $35.1 billion, representing a substantial 93% of its GDP. Factors contributing to this increase included regional instability, reduced tourism and foreign investment, higher military spending, pipeline attacks, trade disruptions with Iraq and Syria, the cost of hosting Syrian refugees, and accumulated loan interest. The influx of Syrian refugees placed a significant financial strain on Jordan, costing the country billions of dollars annually.
2016: Decline in Jordan's Tourism in 2016
By 2016, Jordan's tourism industry experienced a significant decline, with a 70% drop in visitor numbers compared to 2010. This decline was largely attributed to regional instability.
2016: Jordanian Parliamentary Elections
In 2016, Jordan held parliamentary elections for the lower House of Representatives. The elections included quotas for women, Christians, Circassians, and Chechens.
2016: Jordanian Parliamentary Elections and Political Parties
In the 2016 parliamentary elections, political parties competed for one-fifth of the seats, while the remainder were allocated to independent politicians. Jordan's political landscape includes around 50 parties with varying ideologies.
2016: Jordan Research and Training Reactor
Jordan's first nuclear reactor, a 5 MW training reactor, was commissioned in 2016 at the Jordan University of Science and Technology in Ar Ramtha.
2016: World Internal Security and Police Index Ranking
Jordan's law enforcement was ranked 37th globally and 3rd in the Middle East in the 2016 World Internal Security and Police Index.
2016: Reintroduction of Proportional Representation
Proportional representation was reintroduced to the Jordanian parliament in the 2016 general election.
2017: Recovery of Jordan's Tourism Sector in 2017
Following the decline experienced in previous years, Jordan's tourism sector began to show signs of recovery in 2017.
2017: Life Expectancy
Life expectancy in Jordan was around 74.8 years in 2017.
2017: SESAME Facility Opening
The Synchrotron-Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME), the only particle accelerator in the Middle East, opened in Jordan in 2017.
2018: Poverty Rate in Jordan
As of 2018, about 15.7% of Jordan's population lived below the national poverty line, with nearly a third experiencing transient poverty during the year.
2018: Nuclear Plant Discussions
In 2018, Jordan announced it was in talks with several companies to build its first commercial nuclear plant, a helium-cooled reactor, by 2025.
2018: Renewable Energy Target Revision
In 2018, Jordan revised its renewable energy target for 2020 from 10% to 20%.
2018: Jordan's Debt Management Program in 2018
In response to the rising debt, the government introduced an austerity program aimed at lowering the debt-to-GDP ratio. This program proved successful in preventing the debt from exceeding 95% of GDP in 2018.
2019: Renewable Energy Progress
By early 2019, Jordan had completed over 1090 MW of renewable energy projects, increasing their contribution to electricity generation from 3% in 2011 to 8%.
2019: FIBA World Basketball Cup
Jordan participated in the 2019 FIBA World Basketball Cup in China.
2020: Renewable Energy Target Increase
Jordan initially aimed for 10% renewable energy generation by 2020 but later raised the target to 20% in 2018.
April 2021: Arrest of Prince Hamzeh
In April 2021, Prince Hamzeh and others were arrested for allegedly attempting to destabilize the kingdom.
2021: Human Freedom and Corruption Perceptions Index Rankings
In 2021, Jordan was ranked 94th globally in the Cato Institute's Human Freedom Index and 58th in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.
2021: Jordan's Debt Reduction Target for 2021
The government's austerity program aimed to achieve a debt-to-GDP ratio of 77% by 2021.
2022: Freedom House Ranking
In 2022, Freedom House's "Freedom in the World" report classified Jordan as "Not Free".
2023: AFC Asian Cup Final
Jordan lost to Qatar in the final of the AFC Asian Cup in 2023.
2023: First Oil-Shale Power Plant
Jordan's first oil-shale power plant, Attarat Power Plant, with a capacity of 470 MW, was commissioned in 2023.
2023: Press Freedom Index Ranking
Reporters Without Borders ranked Jordan 146th out of 180 countries in the 2023 Press Freedom Index, with an overall score of 42.79.
September 2024: Appointment of New Prime Minister
Jafar Hassan was appointed as the new Prime Minister of Jordan in September 2024, as part of King Abdullah II's efforts to transition towards a parliamentary system.
2024: Global Innovation Index Ranking
Jordan ranked 73rd in the Global Innovation Index in 2024.
2025: Planned Nuclear Plant Completion
Jordan's first commercial nuclear plant, a helium-cooled reactor, is scheduled for completion by 2025.
