Jordan at a Glance

At the Hub of the Mideast

Area: 34,573 sq. miles

Population: 4,434,978

Pop. density: 129 per sq. mile

Principal language: Arabic (official)

Religions: Sunni Muslim, 92%; Christian, 6%; other, 2%

Ethnic groups: Arab, 98%; others, 2%

Industries: Oil refining, cement, light manufacturing

Hussein’s Heir

King Hussein ascended to the throne in 1952 after his grandfather, Abdullah, was assassinated and Hussein’s father, Talal, was declared to be mentally unfit to be king. Hussein’s eldest son, Abdullah--from his second marriage--has succeeded him.

King Hussein (Succeeded father in 1952)

Married (1955-57)

Princess Dina Abdel Hamid (daughter, Alia)

Married (1961-71)

Princess Muna (nee Toni Gardiner)

Son, Abdullah; son, Faisal; daughter, Zein; daughter, Aisha

Married (1972-77)

Queen Alla Touqan

Daughter, Haya; son, Ali; adopted daughter, Abeer Muhaisen

Married (1979-99)

Queen Noor (nee Lisa Halaby)

Son, Hamzeh; son, Hashem; daughter, Iman; daughter, Raiyah

The New King

Abdullah bin Hussein

Age: 37

Career: Army officer

Education: Schooled in England and the United States, including a year at Georgetown University.

Issues he faces: Economic woes, domestic dissent over Jordan’s 1994 peace treaty with Israel, and anger at airstrikes by the United States and Britain against Iraq.