Jordan: A Country Profile

Capital: Amman (with a population of about 2 million). Other Major Cities: Az Zarqa (472,830 inhabitants) and Irbid (272,681). Independence: Jordan celebrates its independence on May 25, the day in 1946 on which Abdullah ibn Hussein al Hashimi was proclaimed King of Transjordan and a new constitution was enacted, replacing the British Mandate that ended three days before. Public Holidays: Public holidays observed in Jordan include New Year’s Day (January 1), King Abdullah’s birthday (January 30), Labor Day (May 1), Independence Day (May 25), King Abdullah’s accession to the throne (June 9), King Hussein Remembrance Day (November 14), and Christmas Day (December 25). In addition, religious holidays with movable dates dependent on the Islamic lunar calendar include Eid al Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice; Eid al Fitr, the end of Ramadan; Muharram, the Islamic New Year; Mawlid al Nabi, celebration of the birth of Muhammad; and Leilat al-Meiraj, the Ascension of Muhammad.