Jordan » Maps and Geography

Jordan is a relatively small country situated at the junction of the Levantine and Arabian areas of the Middle East. The Middle East kingdom of Jordan is bordered on the west by Israel and the Dead Sea, on the north by Syria, on the east by Iraq, and on the south by Saudi Arabia. Jordan occupies an area of approximately 96,188 square kilometres including the Dead Sea, making it similar in size to Austria or Portugal. Arid hills and mountains make up most of the country. The southern section of the Jordan River flows through the country.

The territory of Jordan covers about 91,880 square kilometers. Until 1988, when King Hussein relinquished Jordan's claim to the West Bank, that area was considered part of Jordan, although only officially recognized as such by Britain and Pakistan. The greater part of Jordan consists of a plateau some 700-1,000 metres above sea level.

Jordan is surrounded by land except at its southern limit, where nearly twenty-six kilometers of seashore along the Gulf of Aqaba provide access to the Red Sea. A great north-south geological rift, forming the depression of Lake Tiberius, the Jordan Valley, and the Dead Sea, is the main topographical feature. The River Jordan rises just inside Syria and flows through Israel and Jordan until entering the Dead Sea 251km from its source.

Only about 25% of the total area of Jordan is suitable for cultivation. Jordan is therefore far from self-sufficient in foodstuffs, notably wheat. Some winter crops (grains) are grown in highland areas. High value vegetable and fruit crops are grown under irrigation in the Jordan Valley region, partly for export to neighbouring Arab countries. Jordan's plans for agricultural development entail increased irrigation, which depends on the availability of water, a scarce commodity in the region and therefore a potential bone of contention between Jordan and its neighbours. 

Land	Percentage (%)
Arable Land	4%
Permanent Crops	1%
Forests and Woodland	1%
Permanent pastures	9%
Others	85%