Jordan

A country of southwest Asia in northwest Arabia. Inhabited since biblical times, the area was conquered by the Romans (first century A.D.), Arabs (seventh century), and Ottoman Turks, who held it from 1516 until World War I. As Transjordan the country became part of the British mandate of Palestine in 1920, gaining independence in 1946. It was renamed Jordan in 1949 after acquiring the West Bank, which it later renounced in 1974. Amman is the capital and the largest city. Population: 6,050,000.

American politician. An eloquent spokesperson for the rights of poor people and minority groups, she served as a U.S. representative for Texas (1973-1979).

American basketball player. A guard with the Chicago Bulls (1985-1993, 1995-1999) he holds a National Basketball Association record for most seasons leading the league in scoring, and was named the NBA's most valuable player four times.