Name: Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Continent: Asia Population: 5,300,000 Religion: Muslim 96%; Christian 4%

The area of Jordan was loosely ruled by the Ottoman Empire until its decline at the end of World War II. On April 21, 1921 Transjordan was formed as a British mandate with its first ruler being King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein (b. 1882 d. 1951). It became an independent country in 1946 and changed its name to Jordan. King Hussein ruled Jordan from 1953 to 1999 and navigated the country through several regional conflicts. Jordan gave up its claim to the West Bank in 1988. On October 26, 1994, Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel.

Timeline of Events Date Event 1999 7 February 1999 King Hussein of Jordan Dies Go here for timeline sources.