What is the Hashemite Kingdom?

Jodan, officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a progressive Muslim country in the Middle East. Surprisingly, Jordan is known as having a upper middle income economy, and since late 2010, the kingdom enjoys "advance status" with the European Union.

The Kingdom of Jordan has more Free Trade Agreements than any other country in the region. The name "Jordan" comes from the Jordan River which serves as part of the western border between Israel and Jordan. But what is the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan? Who are the Hashemites? and how is Jordan ruled?

Jordan's royal family can trace their roots back to the great-grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. The tribe or clan of the Hashemites from which Muhammad came is the ancestry of King Abdullah of Jordan.

The word "Hashemite" is the Latinized translation of "the Arabic: هاشمي‎, transliteration: Hāšimī, and traditionally refers to those belonging to the Banu Hashim, or "clan of Hashim", a clan within the larger Quraish tribe. This clan originally stemmed from the network of tribal alliances and blood loyalties in the Hejaz region of Saudi Arabia, along the Red Sea," according to Wikipedia.

The Prophet Muhammad was born into the tribe of the Bani Hashim. The Hashemite family ruled the area of the Hejaz in Saudi Arabia under the Ottoman Empire, effectively ruling the important Islamic cities of Mecca and Medina.

Because of the help the Hashemite family gave the British in ending the Ottoman Empire, their sons were rewarded the rulership of Jordan, Iraq, and the Hejaz. Eventually, the Hejaz became part of Saudi Arabia, the King of Iraq was overthrown in 1958, and Jordan is the last country still ruled by the Hashemite family.

Officially, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy with an appointed government. The King is both the chief executive and the commander-in-chief of the military.

Currently, King Abdullah II reigns with Queen Rania, and together have brought Jordan to a new level of develepment. Under his rule, the unemployment rate has lowered, the standard of living has improved for all Jordanians, western investment has flowed in, and education has benefited more of the population.