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A Short History of Jordan

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The emergence of Jordan as a nation started when Nabataens built Petra as the capital of the ancient Arab kingdom between the period 400 B.C.E. and 160 C.E. Mount Nebo which was located in western Jordan was believed by people as the Promised Land prophesied by Moses. Four hundred years of rule of Ottoman Empire collapsed and Britain sought the event to divide the Crescent Land which later on gave birth to modern Jordan.

Among the many Arab countries, Jordan is the only one that allows Palestinians to become citizens. However, there is still a clear differentiation in the society among its people: Bedouins, Palestinians, and Jordanians. To determine one's national identity, each is defined. Jordanians are known as the residents who have lived in the eastern part of the Jordan River prior to 1948. Palestinians are classified as the residents whose birthright can be traced back to western part of the Jordan River while the Bedouins are regarded as the purest Arab residents.

The Bedouins have managed to live in the most traditional way for centuries coping with the reality that they were living in deserts where there was limited source of vegetation and water. They became nomads who were not really concerned about crossing borders. However, their political influence eventually diminished even though they possessed key positions. The rise of Jordanians can be linked to their being hardworking and they put great emphasis on education. It will be no long when Jordan turned into a richer and global economy as they start to play important roles in the modern Arab world.