Lake Michigan they entered the Fox
River at Green Bay. They portaged, or
carried their canoes and supplies, from
the Fox to theWisconsin River. Then
they continued to the Mississippi.
In July Jolliet and Marquette reached the
mouth of the Arkansas River in what is
now Arkansas. The Quapaw people
there told them that the river flowed
into the Gulf of Mexico. The explorers
had hoped that the river would take
them all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Jolliet and Marquette turned back and
returned by way of the Illinois River.
They became the first white men to visit
what is now Illinois.
Jolliet later explored Hudson Bay and
some Canadian rivers. He died in the
summer of 1700 near Quebec, Canada.
#More to explore
Marquette, Jacques • Mississippi River
Jones, John Paul
John Paul Jones was a hero of the colonial
navy during the American Revolution.
He defeated a British ship in one
of the most famous sea battles in history.
Early Life
John Paul Jones was originally named
John Paul. He was born on July 6, 1747,
near Kirkcudbright, Scotland. At about
age 12, he began working on ships that
carried goods for trade.
Jolliet took
notes on and
drew maps of
the Mississippi
River. All were
lost when his
canoe overturned.
Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette
sometimes had to portage, or carry their
canoes, while exploring the Mississippi River.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Jones, John Paul 31
Career
By 1766 Paul had sailed to places as far
away as North America and Jamaica. In
1768 a fever spread through the ship he
was on. When the ship’s commanders
died, Paul took charge and brought the
ship safely into port. The ship’s owners
quickly appointed him captain of the
ship.
In 1772 Paul bought a ship in theWest
Indies. The following year he killed a
sailor who challenged his authority. To
escape trial Paul fled to North America,
where he changed his name to John Paul
Jones.
When the American Revolution began,
the leaders of the American colonies
made Jones a senior lieutenant in the
Continental Navy. During the war Jones
and his crew destroyed and captured
many enemy ships.
In 1779 Jones fought his most famous
battle—a fierce clash with the British
ship Serapis. The battle took place off
the east coast of England. The Serapis
was larger and better-armed than Jones’s
ship, the Bonhomme Richard. But when
the British captain called to Jones to
surrender, Jones yelled back, “I have not
yet begun to fight!” After a long battle,
the Serapis surrendered. However, the
Bonhomme Richard was badly damaged,
and it sank soon afterward. In 1787
Jones received a Congressional gold
medal.
Retirement and Death
After serving briefly in Russia’s navy,
Jones retired to Paris, France. He died
in that city on July 18, 1792. More
than 100 years later, U.S. warships
carried Jones’s body back to the United
States. He was reburied in a tomb at
the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis,
Maryland. His grave was made a
national shrine.
#More to explore
American Revolution • Navy
John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones’s ship the Bonhomme Richard
is pictured in battle with the British ship
Serapis on September 23, 1779.
32 Jones, John Paul BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Jordan
The Middle Eastern nation of Jordan is
a small state with an ancient history. The
country’s full name is the Hashimite
Kingdom of Jordan. The capital and
largest city is Amman.
Geography
Jordan borders Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia,
Israel, and the Palestinian territory of
theWest Bank. The Jordan River flows
along Jordan’s western border to the
Dead Sea. Jordan has a short coastline
on the Gulf of Aqaba, an arm of the Red
Sea.
A fertile valley runs along the Jordan
River. East of the valley are rocky highlands.
Beyond the highlands is a desert,
which covers more than 80 percent of
Jordan’s land. The country is generally
dry, with hot summers and cool winters.
Plants and Animals
Banana, date palm, and citrus trees grow
in the valley. The highlands have small
trees, sagebrush, and grasslands. Few
plants grow in the desert.
The animals found in Jordan include
wild boars, hares, jackals, foxes, wildcats,
hyenas, wolves, mongooses, and gazelles.
Birds include golden eagles, vultures,
pigeons, and partridges.
People
Most of Jordan’s people are Arabs.
About a third of the Arabs are Palestinians
from Israel and theWest Bank.
Most of the people practice Islam. There
is also a small number of Christians.
Arabic is the main language, but many
people also speak English. About three
fourths of the people live in cities.
Economy
Unlike some other countries in the
Middle East, Jordan does not have much
petroleum (oil) or other natural
resources. The economy is based on services,
including banking, government
work, and tourism. Many tourists come
to see the biblical cities near the Jordan
River.
Manufacturing and mining are also
important. Factories produce chemicals,
cement, clothing, and food products.
The country refines petroleum and
mines potash and phosphates, which are
used to make fertilizers. Limited farming
produces tomatoes, olives, vegetables,
and citrus fruits.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Jordan 33
History
