:Israel People
Population:4,748,059 (July 1992), growth rate 4.0% (1992); includes 95,000 Jewishsettlers in the West Bank, 14,000 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights,4,000 in the Gaza Strip, and 132,000 in East Jerusalem (1992 est.)Birth rate:21 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:6 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:26 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:9 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:76 years male, 80 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.9 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Israeli(s); adjective - IsraeliEthnic divisions:Jewish 83%, non-Jewish (mostly Arab) 17%Religions:Judaism 82%, Islam (mostly Sunni Muslim) 14%, Christian 2%, Druze and other2%Languages:Hebrew (official); Arabic used officially for Arab minority; English mostcommonly used foreign languageLiteracy:92% (male 95%, female 89%) age 15 and over can read and write (1983)Labor force:1,400,000 (1984 est.); public services 29.3%; industry, mining, andmanufacturing 22.8%; commerce 12.8%; finance and business 9.5%; transport,storage, and communications 6.8%; construction and public works 6.5%;personal and other services 5.8%; agriculture, forestry, and fishing 5.5%;electricity and water 1.0% (1983)Organized labor:90% of labor force
:Israel Government
Long-form name:State of IsraelType:republicCapital:Israel proclaimed Jerusalem its capital in 1950, but the US, like nearly allother countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel AvivAdministrative divisions:6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem,Northern, Southern, Tel AvivIndependence:14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)Constitution:no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are filledby the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the basic laws of the parliament(Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship lawLegal system:mixture of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and, in personalmatters, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim legal systems; in December 1985,Israel informed the UN Secretariat that it would no longer accept compulsoryICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Day; Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but theJewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or MayExecutive branch:president, prime minister, vice prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral parliament (Knesset)Judicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:President Chaim HERZOG (since 5 May 1983)Head of Government:Prime Minister Yitzhak SHAMIR (since 20 October 1986)Political parties and leaders:Israel currently has a coalition government comprising 12 parties that hold66 of the Knesset's 120 seats; currently in state of flux; election held 23June 1992Members of the government:Likud bloc, Prime Minister Yitzhak SHAMIR; Sephardic Torah Guardians (SHAS),Minister of Interior Arieh DER'I; National Religious Party, Minister ofEducation Shulamit ALONI; Agudat Israel, Avraham SHAPIRA; Degel HaTorah,Avraham RAVITZ; Moriya, Minister of Immigrant Absorption, Yair TZABAN;Ge'ulat Israel, Eliezer MIZRAHI; New Liberal Party, Minister of Finance,Avraham SHOCHAT; Tehiya Party, Minister of Science Technology, Yuval NEEMAN;Tzomet Party Unity for Peace and Aliyah, Rafael EITAN; Moledet Party,Rehavam ZEEVIOpposition parties:Labor Party, Shimon PERES; Citizens' Rights Movement, Shulamit ALONI; UnitedWorkers' Party (MAPAM), Yair TZABAN; Center Movement-Shinui, AmnonRUBENSTEIN; New Israeli Communist Party (MAKI), Meir WILNER; ProgressiveList for Peace, Muhammad MI'ARI; Arab Democratic Party, `Abd Al WahabDARAWSHAH; Black Panthers, Charlie BITONSuffrage:universal at age 18
:Israel Government
Elections:President:last held 23 February 1988 (next to be held February 1994); results - ChaimHERZOG reelected by KnessetKnesset:last held June 1992 (next to be held by NA; results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (120 total) Labor Party 44, Likud bloc 12, SHAS 6,National Religious Party 6, Meretz 12, Agudat Yisrael 4, PAZI 3, MAKI 3,Tehiya Party 3, Tzomet Party 8, Moledet Party 3, Degel HaTorah 4, CenterMovement Progressive List for Peace 1, Arab Democratic Party 2; BlackPanthers 1, Moriya 1, Ge'ulat Yisrael 1, Unity for Peace and Aliyah 1Communists:Hadash (predominantly Arab but with Jews in its leadership) has some 1,500membersOther political or pressure groups:Gush Emunim, Jewish nationalists advocating Jewish settlement on the WestBank and Gaza Strip; Peace Now, critical of government's West Bank/GazaStrip and Lebanon policiesMember of:AG (observer), CCC, EBRD, FAO, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO,ITU, OAS (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Zalman SHOVAL; Chancery at 3514 International Drive NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 364-5500; there are Israeli ConsulatesGeneral in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York,Philadelphia, and San FranciscoUS:Ambassador William HARROP; Embassy at 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv (mailingaddress is APO AE 09830; telephone [972] (3) 654338; FAX [972] (3) 663449;there is a US Consulate General in JerusalemFlag:white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the MagenDavid (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bandsnear the top and bottom edges of the flag
:Israel Economy
Overview:Israel has a market economy with substantial government participation. Itdepends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and militaryequipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensivelydeveloped its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years.Industry employs about 20% of Israeli workers, agriculture 5%, and servicesmost of the rest. Diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agriculturalproducts (fruits and vegetables) are leading exports. Israel usually postsbalance-of-payments deficits, which are covered by large transfer paymentsfrom abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's $17billion external debt is owed to the United States, which is its majorsource of economic and military aid. To earn needed foreign exchange, Israelhas been targeting high-technology niches in international markets, such asmedical scanning equipment. Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 dealt ablow to Israel's economy. Higher world oil prices added an estimated $300million to the oil import bill that year and helped keep annual inflation at18%. Regional tension and the continuing Palestinian uprising (intifadah)have contributed to a sharp drop in tourism - a key foreign exchange earner- to the lowest level since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. The influx of Jewishimmigrants from the former USSR, which topped 330,000 during the period1990-91, will increase unemployment, intensify housing problems, widen thegovernment budget deficit, and fuel inflation.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $54.6 billion, per capita $12,000; real growthrate 5% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):18% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:11% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $41.7 billion; expenditures $47.6 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (FY92)Exports:$12.1 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:polished diamonds, citrus and other fruits, textiles and clothing, processedfoods, fertilizer and chemical products, military hardware, electronicspartners:US, EC, Japan, Hong Kong, SwitzerlandImports:$18.1 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.)commodities:military equipment, rough diamonds, oil, chemicals, machinery, iron andsteel, cereals, textiles, vehicles, ships, aircraftpartners:US, EC, Switzerland, Japan, South Africa, Canada, Hong KongExternal debt:$24 billion, of which government debt is $17 billion (December 1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate - 7% (1991 est.); accounts for about 20% of GDPElectricity:5,300,000 kWh capacity; 21,000 million kWh produced, 4,800 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:food processing, diamond cutting and polishing, textiles, clothing,chemicals, metal products, military equipment, transport equipment,electrical equipment, miscellaneous machinery, potash mining,high-technology electronics, tourism
:Israel Economy
Agriculture:accounts for about 3% of GDP; largely self-sufficient in food production,except for grains; principal products - citrus and other fruits, vegetables,cotton; livestock products - beef, dairy, and poultryEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $18.2 billion; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.8 billionCurrency:new Israeli shekel (plural - shekels); 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 newagorotExchange rates:new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.4019 (March 1992), 2.2791 (1991),2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987)Fiscal year:previously 1 April - 31 March; FY91 was 1 April - 31 December, and since 1January 1992 the fiscal year has conformed to the calendar year
:Israel Communications
Railroads:600 km 1.435-meter gauge, single track; diesel operatedHighways:4,750 km; majority is bituminous surfacedPipelines:crude oil 708 km; petroleum products 290 km; natural gas 89 kmPorts:Ashdod, HaifaMerchant marine:34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 629,966 GRT/721,106 DWT; includes 8cargo, 23 container, 2 refrigerated cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off; note - Israelalso maintains a significant flag of convenience fleet, which is normally atleast as large as the Israeli flag fleet; the Israeli flag of conveniencefleet typically includes all of its petroleum tankersCivil air:32 major transport aircraftAirports:51 total, 44 usable; 26 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 6 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 11 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:most highly developed in the Middle East although not the largest; goodsystem of coaxial cable and radio relay; 1,800,000 telephones; broadcaststations - 14 AM, 21 FM, 20 TV; 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations- 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT
:Israel Defense Forces
Branches:Israel Defense Forces, including ground, naval, and air components;historically, there have been no separate Israeli military servicesManpower availability:eligible 15-49, 2,357,195; of the 1,189,275 males 15-49, 977,332 are fit formilitary service; of the 1,167,920 females 15-49, 955,928 are fit formilitary service; 44,624 males and 42,705 females reach military age (18)annually; both sexes are liable for military service; Nahal or PioneerFighting Youth, Frontier Guard, ChenDefense expenditures:$7.5 billion, 12.1% of GNP (1992 budget); note - does not include pay forreserve soldiers and other defense-related categories; actual outlays wouldtherefore be higher
:Italy Geography
Total area:301,230 km2Land area:294, 020 km2; includes Sardinia and SicilyComparative area:slightly larger than ArizonaLand boundaries:1,899.2 km; Austria 430 km, France 488 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 199km, Switzerland 740 km, Vatican City 3.2 kmCoastline:4,996 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitationTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in southTerrain:mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlandsNatural resources:mercury, potash, marble, sulfur, dwindling natural gas and crude oilreserves, fish, coalLand use:arable land 32%; permanent crops 10%; meadows and pastures 17%; forest andwoodland 22%; other 19%; includes irrigated 10%Environment:regional risks include land-slides, mudflows, snowslides, earthquakes,volcanic eruptions, flooding, pollution; land sinkage in VeniceNote:strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as southern seaand air approaches to Western Europe
:Italy People
Population:57,904,628 (July 1992), growth rate 0.2% (1992)Birth rate:10 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:10 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:1 migrant/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:8 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:74 years male, 81 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.4 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Italian(s); adjective - ItalianEthnic divisions:primarily Italian but population includes small clusters of German-,French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians andGreek-Italians in the south; Sicilians; SardiniansReligions:virtually 100% Roman CatholicLanguages:Italian; parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly Germanspeaking; small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region;Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia areaLiteracy:97% (male 98%, female 96%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:23,988,000; services 58%, industry 32.2%, agriculture 9.8% (1988)Organized labor:40-45% of labor force (est.)
:Italy Government
Long-form name:Italian RepublicType:republicCapital:RomeAdministrative divisions:20 regions (regioni, singular - regione); Abruzzi, Basilicata, Calabria,Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardia,Marche, Molise, Piemonte, Puglia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Toscana, Trentino-AltoAdige, Umbria, Valle d'Aosta, VenetoIndependence:17 March 1861, Kingdom of Italy proclaimedConstitution:1 January 1948Legal system:based on civil law system, with ecclesiastical law influence; appealstreated as trials de novo; judicial review under certain conditions inConstitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Anniversary of the Republic, 2 June (1946)Executive branch:president, prime minister (president of the Council of Ministers)Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament (Parlamento) consists of an upper chamber or Senate ofthe Republic (Senato della Repubblica) and a lower chamber or Chamber ofDeputies (Camera dei Deputati)Judicial branch:Constitutional Court (Corte Costituzionale)Leaders:Chief of State:President Oscar Luigi SCALFARO (since 28 May 1992)Head of Government:Prime Minister Guiliano AMATO (since 28 June 1992); Deputy Prime MinisterPolitical parties and leaders:Christian Democratic Party (DC), Arnaldo FORLANI (general secretary),Ciriaco De MITA (president); Socialist Party (PSI), Bettino CRAXI (partysecretary); Social Democratic Party (PSDI), Carlo VIZZINI (party secretary);Liberal Party (PLI), Renato ALTISSIMO (secretary general); Democratic Partyof the Left (PDS - was Communist Party, or PCI, until January 1991), AchilleOCCHETTO (secretary general); Italian Social Movement (MSI), Gianfranco FINI(national secretary); Republican Party (PRI), Giorgio La MALFA (politicalsecretary); Lega Nord (Northern League), Umberto BOSSI, presidentSuffrage:universal at age 18 (except in senatorial elections, where minimum age is25)Elections:Senate:last held 5-6 April 1992 (next to be held by April 1997); results - DC33.9%, PCI 28.3%, PSI 10.7%, other 27.1%; seats - (326 total, 315 elected)DC 107, PDS 64, PSI 49, Leagues 25, other 70Chamber of Deputies:last held 5-6 April 1992 (next to be held April 1997); results - DC 29.7%,PDS 26.6%, PSI 13.6%, Leagues 8.7%, Communist Renewal 5.6%, MSI 5.4%, PRI4.4%, PLI 2.8%, PSDI 2.7%, other 11%
:Italy Government
Other political or pressure groups:the Roman Catholic Church; three major trade union confederations (CGIL -Communist dominated, CISL - Christian Democratic, and UIL - SocialDemocratic, Socialist, and Republican); Italian manufacturers association(Confindustria); organized farm groups (Confcoltivatori, Confagricoltura)Member of:AfDB, AG (observer), Australia Group, AsDB, BIS, CCC, CDB (nonregionalmember), CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-7, G-10,GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IEA, IFC, ILO, IMF,IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC,NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, MTCR, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIIMOG, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO,ZCDiplomatic representation:Ambassador Boris BIANCHERI CHIAPPORI; Chancery at 1601 Fuller Street NW,Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 328-5500; there are Italian ConsulatesGeneral in Boston, Chicago, Houston, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Philadelphia,San Francisco, and Consulates in Detroit and Newark (New Jersey)US:Ambassador Peter F. SECCHIA; Embassy at Via Veneto 119/A, 00187, Rome(mailing address is APO AE 09624); telephone [39] (6) 46741, FAX [39] (6)467-2356; there are US Consulates General in Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples,and Palermo (Sicily)Flag:three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; similar tothe flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoist side), white, andorange; also similar to the flag of the Ivory Coast, which has the colorsreversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green
:Italy Economy
Overview:Since World War II the economy has changed from one based on agricultureinto a ranking industrial economy, with approximately the same total and percapita output as France and the UK. The country is still divided into adeveloped industrial north, dominated by small private companies, and anundeveloped agricultural south, dominated by large public enterprises.Services account for 48% of GDP, industry about 35%, agriculture 4%, andpublic administration 13%. Most raw materials needed by industry and over75% of energy requirements must be imported. After growing at an annualaverage rate of 3% during the period 1983-90, growth slowed to about 1% in1991. For the 1990s, Italy faces the problems of refurbishing a totteringcommunications system, curbing pollution in major industrial centers, andadjusting to the new competitive forces accompanying the ongoing economicintegration of the European Community.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $965.0 billion, per capita $16,700; realgrowth rate 1.0% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):6.5% (1991)Unemployment rate:11.0% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $431 billion; expenditures $565 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $48 billion (1991)Exports:$209 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:textiles, wearing apparel, metals, transportation equipment, chemicalspartners:EC 58.5%, US 8%, OPEC 4%Imports:$222 billion (c.i.f., 1991)commodities:petroleum, industrial machinery, chemicals, metals, food, agriculturalproductspartners:EC 58%, OPEC 7%, US 5%External debt:NAIndustrial production:growth rate - 2.0% (1991); accounts for almost 35% of GDPElectricity:57,500,000 kW capacity; 235,000 million kWh produced, 4,072 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motorvehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramicsAgriculture:accounts for about 4% of GDP and 10% of the work force; self-sufficient infoods other than meat and dairy products; principal crops - fruits,vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives; fishcatch of 388,200 metric tons in 1988Economic aid:donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $25.9 billionCurrency:Italian lira (plural - lire); 1 Italian lira (Lit) = 100 centesimiExchange rates:Italian lire (Lit) per US$1 - 1,248.4 (March 1992), 1,240.6 (January 1991),1,198.1 (1990), 1,372.1 (1989), 1,301.6 (1988), 1,296.1 (1987)
:Italy Economy
Fiscal year: calendar year
:Italy Communications
Railroads:20,011 km total; 16,066 km 1.435-meter government-owned standard gauge(8,999 km electrified); 3,945 km privately owned - 2,100 km 1.435-meterstandard gauge (1,155 km electrified) and 1,845 km 0.950-meter narrow gauge(380 km electrified)Highways:294,410 km total; autostrada (expressway) 5,900 km, state highways 45,170km, provincial highways 101,680 km, communal highways 141,660 km; 260,500 kmpaved, 26,900 km gravel and crushed stone, 7,010 km earthInland waterways:2,400 km for various types of commercial traffic, although of limitedoverall valuePipelines:crude oil 1,703 km; petroleum products 2,148 km; natural gas 19,400 kmPorts:Cagliari (Sardinia), Genoa, La Spezia, Livorno, Naples, Palermo (Sicily),Taranto, Trieste, VeniceMerchant marine:546 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,004,462 GRT/10,265,132 DWT;includes 17 passenger, 39 short-sea passenger, 94 cargo, 4 refrigeratedcargo, 24 container, 66 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 9 vehicle carrier, 1multifunction large-load carrier, 1 livestock carrier, 142 petroleum tanker,33 chemical tanker, 39 liquefied gas, 10 specialized tanker, 10 combinationore/oil, 55 bulk, 2 combination bulkCivil air:125 major transport aircraftAirports:137 total, 134 usable; 91 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runwaysover 3,659 m; 36 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 39 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:modern, well-developed, fast; 25,600,000 telephones; fully automatedtelephone, telex, and data services; high-capacity cable and radio relaytrunks; very good broadcast service by stations - 135 AM, 28 (1,840repeaters) FM, 83 (1,000 repeaters) TV; international service by 21submarine cables; 3 satellite earth stations operating in INTELSAT with 3Atlantic Ocean antennas and 2 Indian Ocean antennas; also participates inINMARSAT and EUTELSAT systems
:Italy Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, CarabinieriManpower availability:males 15-49, 14,864,191; 12,980,362 fit for military service; 441,768 reachmilitary age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $22.7 billion, 2.2% of GDP (1991)
:Ivory Coast Geography
Total area:322,460 km2Land area:318,000 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than New MexicoLand boundaries:3,110 km; Burkina 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia 716 km, Mali532 kmCoastline:515 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:200 m (depth)Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry(November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June toOctober)Terrain:mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwestNatural resources:crude oil, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copperLand use:arable land 9%; permanent crops 4%; meadows and pastures 9%; forest andwoodland 26%; other 52%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; severe deforestation
:Ivory Coast People
Population:13,497,153 (July 1992), growth rate 3.9% (1992)Birth rate:47 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:12 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:3 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:94 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:53 years male, 57 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.8 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Ivorian(s); adjective - IvorianEthnic divisions:over 60 ethnic groups; most important are the Baoule 23%, Bete 18%, Senoufou15%, Malinke 11%, and Agni; foreign Africans, mostly Burkinabe about 2million; non-Africans about 130,000 to 330,000 (French 30,000 and Lebanese100,000 to 300,000)Religions:indigenous 63%, Muslim 25%, Christian 12%,Languages:French (official), over 60 native dialects; Dioula most widely spokenLiteracy:54% (male 67%, female 40%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:5,718,000; over 85% of population engaged in agriculture, forestry,livestock raising; about 11% of labor force are wage earners, nearly half inagriculture and the remainder in government, industry, commerce, andprofessions; 54% of population of working age (1985)Organized labor:20% of wage labor force
:Ivory Coast Government
Long-form name:Republic of the Ivory Coast; note - the local official name is Republique deCote d'IvoireType:republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960Capital:Yamoussoukro (although Yamoussoukro has been the capital since 1983, Adibjanremains the administrative center; foreign governments, including the UnitedStates, maintain presence in Abidjan)Administrative divisions:49 departments (departements, singular - (departement); Abengourou, Abidjan,Aboisso, Adzope, Agboville, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma, Bondoukou,Bongouanou, Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali, Dabakala, Daloa, Danane,Daoukro, Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue, Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Lahou,Guiglo, Issia, Katiola, Korhogo, Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro, Odienne,Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro, Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra, Soubre, Tabou, Tanda,Tingrela, Tiassale, Touba, Toumodi, Vavoua, Yamoussoukro, ZuenoulaIndependence:7 August 1960 (from France)Constitution:3 November 1960Legal system:based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in theConstitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdictionNational holiday:National Day, 7 DecemberExecutive branch:president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)Leaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Dr. Felix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY (since 27 November 1960); PrimeMinister Alassane OUATTARA (since 7 November 1990)Political parties and leaders:Democratic Party of the Ivory Coast (PDCI), Dr. Felix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY;Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), Laurent GBAGBO; Ivorian Worker's Party (PIT),Francis WODIE; Ivorian Socialist Party (PSI), Morifere BAMBA; over 20smaller partiesSuffrage:universal at age 21Elections:President:last held 28 October 1990 (next to be held October 1995); results -President Felix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY received 81% of the vote in his firstcontested election; he is currently serving his seventh consecutivefive-year termNational Assembly:last held 25 November 1990 (next to be held November 1995); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (175 total) PDCI 163, FPI 9, PIT 1,independents 2Member of:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, GATT,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
:Ivory Coast Government
Diplomatic representation:Ambassador Charles GOMIS; Chancery at 2424 Massachusetts Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 797-0300US:Ambassador Kenneth L. BROWN; Embassy at 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan (mailingaddress is 01 B. P. 1712, Abidjan); telephone [225] 21-09-79 or 21-46-72,FAX [225] 22-32-59Flag:three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green; similarto the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green(hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which isgreen (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France
:Ivory Coast Economy
Overview:Ivory Coast is among the world's largest producers and exporters of coffee,cocoa beans, and palm-kernel oil. Consequently, the economy is highlysensitive to fluctuations in international prices for coffee and cocoa andto weather conditions. Despite attempts by the government to diversify, theeconomy is still largely dependent on agriculture and related industries.The agricultural sector accounts for over one-third of GDP and about 80% ofexport earnings and employs about 85% of the labor force. A collapse ofworld cocoa and coffee prices in 1986 threw the economy into a recession,from which the country had not recovered by 1990. Continuing poor prices forcommodity exports, an overvalued exchange rate, a bloated public-sector wagebill, and a large foreign debt hindered economic recovery in 1991.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $10 billion, per capita $800; real growth rate-2.9% (1990)Inflation rate (consumer prices):-0.8% (1990 est.)Unemployment rate:14% (1985)Budget:revenues $2.8 billion (1989 est.); expenditures $4.1 billion, includingcapital expenditures of $NA (1989 est.)Exports:$2.5 billion (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:cocoa 30%, coffee 20%, tropical woods 11%, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palmoil, cottonpartners:France, FRG, Netherlands, US, Belgium, Spain (1985)Imports:$1.4 billion (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:manufactured goods and semifinished products 50%, consumer goods 40%, rawmaterials and fuels 10%partners:France, other EC, Nigeria, US, Japan (1985)External debt:$15.0 billion (1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate - 6% (1989); accounts for 17% of GDPElectricity:1,210,000 kW capacity; 2,680 million kWh produced, 210 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:foodstuffs, wood processing, oil refinery, automobile assembly, textiles,fertilizer, beverageAgriculture:most important sector, contributing one-third to GDP and 80% to exports;cash crops include coffee, cocoa beans, timber, bananas, palm kernels,rubber; food crops - corn, rice, manioc, sweet potatoes; not self-sufficientin bread grain and dairy productsIllicit drugs:illicit producer of cannabis on a small scale for the international drugtradeEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $356 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $5.2 billionCurrency:Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF)= 100 centimes
:Ivory Coast Economy
Exchange rates:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54(1987), 346.30 (1986)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Ivory Coast Communications
Railroads:660 km (Burkina border to Abidjan, 1.00-meter gauge, single track, except 25km Abidjan-Anyama section is double track)Highways:46,600 km total; 3,600 km paved; 32,000 km gravel, crushed stone, laterite,and improved earth; 11,000 km unimprovedInland waterways:980 km navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoonsPorts:Abidjan, San-PedroMerchant marine:7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 70,957 GRT/ 91,782 DWT; includes 5cargo, 1 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tankerCivil air:14 major transport aircraft, including multinationally owned Air AfriquefleetAirports:45 total, 39 usable; 7 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 15 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:well-developed by African standards but operating well below capacity;consists of open-wire lines and radio relay links; 87,700 telephones;broadcast stations - 3 AM, 17 FM, 13 TV, 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian OceanINTELSAT earth station; 2 coaxial submarine cables
:Ivory Coast Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, MilitaryFire GroupManpower availability:males 15-49, 3,083,765; 1,597,108 fit for military service; 141,259 malesreach military age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $200 million, 2.3% of GDP (1988)
:Jamaica Geography
Total area:10,990 km2Land area:10,830 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than ConnecticutLand boundaries:noneCoastline:1,022 kmMaritime claims:Territorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical; hot, humid; temperate interiorTerrain:mostly mountains with narrow, discontinuous coastal plainNatural resources:bauxite, gypsum, limestoneLand use:arable land 19%; permanent crops 6%; meadows and pastures 18%; forest andwoodland 28%; other 29%; includes irrigated 3%Environment:subject to hurricanes (especially July to November); deforestation; waterpollutionNote:strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sealanes for Panama Canal
:Jamaica People
Population:2,506,701 (July 1992), growth rate 0.9% (1992)Birth rate:23 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:6 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-8 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:18 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:72 years male, 76 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.5 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Jamaican(s); adjective - JamaicanEthnic divisions:African 76.3%, Afro-European 15.1%, East Indian and Afro-East Indian 3.0%,white 3.2%, Chinese and Afro-Chinese 1.2%, other 1.2%Religions:predominantly Protestant 55.9% (Church of God 18.4%, Baptist 10%, Anglican7.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.9%, Pentecostal 5.2%, Methodist 3.1%, UnitedChurch 2.7%, other 2.5%), Roman Catholic 5%, other 39.1%, including somespiritualist cults (1982)Languages:English, CreoleLiteracy:98% (male 98%, female 99%) age 15 and over having ever attended school (1990est.)Labor force:1,062,100; services 41%, agriculture 22.5%, industry 19%; unemployed 17.5%(1989)Organized labor:24% of labor force (1989)
:Jamaica Government
Long-form name:noneType:parliamentary democracyCapital:KingstonAdministrative divisions:14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, SaintAndrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, SaintMary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, WestmorelandIndependence:6 August 1962 (from UK)Constitution:6 August 1962Legal system:based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Independence Day (first Monday in August)Executive branch:British monarch, governor general, prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower houseor House of RepresentativesJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor GeneralHoward COOKE (since 1 August 1991)Head of Government:Prime Minister P. J. Patterson (since 30 March 1992)Political parties and leaders:People's National Party (PNP) P. J. Patterson; Jamaica Labor Party (JLP),Edward SEAGASuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:House of Representatives:last held 9 February 1989 (next to be held by February 1994); results - PNP57%, JLP 43%; seats - (60 total) PNP 45, JLP 15Other political or pressure groups:Rastafarians (black religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists)Member of:ACP, C, CARICOM, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, GATT, G-15, IADB,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,ISO, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Richard BERNAL; Chancery at Suite 355, 1850 K Street NW,Washington, DC 20006; telephone (202) 452-0660; there are JamaicanConsulates General in Miami and New YorkUS:Ambassador Glen A. HOLDEN; Embassy at 3rd Floor, Jamaica Mutual Life Center,2 Oxford Road, Kingston; telephone (809) 929-4850 through 4859, FAX (809)926-6743Flag:diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green (top andbottom) and black (hoist side and fly side)
:Jamaica Economy
Overview:The economy is based on sugar, bauxite, and tourism. In 1985 it suffered asetback with the closure of some facilities in the bauxite and aluminaindustry, a major source of hard currency earnings. Since 1986 an economicrecovery has been under way. In 1987 conditions began to improve for thebauxite and alumina industry because of increases in world metal prices. Therecovery has also been supported by growth in the manufacturing and tourismsectors. In September 1988, Hurricane Gilbert inflicted severe damage oncrops and the electric power system, a sharp but temporary setback to theeconomy. By October 1989 the economic recovery from the hurricane waslargely complete, and real growth was up about 3% for 1989. In 1991,however, growth dropped to 1.0% as a result of the US recession, lower worldbauxite prices, and monetary instability.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $3.6 billion, per capita $1,400; real growth rate1.0% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):80% (1991 projected)Unemployment rate:15.1% (1991)Budget:revenues $600 million; expenditures $736 million (FY91 est.)Exports:$1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991, projected)commodities:bauxite, alumina, sugar, bananaspartners:US 36%, UK, Canada, Norway, Trinidad and TobagoImports:$1.8 billion (c.i.f., 1991 projected)commodities:petroleum, machinery, food, consumer goods, construction goodspartners:US 48%, UK, Venezuela, Canada, Japan, Trinidad and TobagoExternal debt:$3.8 billion (1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate - 2.0% (1990); accounts for almost 25% of GDPElectricity:1,122,000 kW capacity; 2,520 million kWh produced, 1,012 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:tourism, bauxite mining, textiles, food processing, light manufacturesAgriculture:accounts for about 9% of GDP, 22% of work force, and 17% of exports;commercial crops - sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, potatoes, andvegetables; live-stock and livestock products include poultry, goats, milk;not self-sufficient in grain, meat, and dairy productsIllicit drugs:illicit cultivation of cannabis; transshipment point for cocaine fromCentral and South America to North America; government has an activecannabis eradication programEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.2 billion; other countries,ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.6 billionCurrency:Jamaican dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Jamaican dollar (J$) = 100 cents
:Jamaica Economy
Exchange rates:Jamaican dollars (J$) per US$1 - 21.946 (January 1992), 12.116 (1991), 7.184(1990), 5.7446 (1989), 5.4886 (1988), 5.4867 (1987), 5.4778 (1986)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
:Jamaica Communications
Railroads:294 km, all 1.435-meter standard gauge, single trackHighways:18,200 km total; 12,600 km paved, 3,200 km gravel, 2,400 km improved earthPipelines:petroleum products 10 kmPorts:Kingston, Montego BayMerchant marine:4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,619 GRT/16,302 DWT; includes 1roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 petroleum tanker, 2 bulkCivil air:8 major transport aircraftAirports:36 total, 23 usable; 13 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:fully automatic domestic telephone network; 127,000 telephones; broadcaststations - 10 AM, 17 FM, 8 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations; 3coaxial submarine cables
:Jamaica Defense Forces
Branches:Jamaica Defense Force (including Coast Guard and Air Wing), JamaicaConstabulary ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 640,058; 454,131 fit for military service; no conscription;26,785 reach minimum volunteer age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $20 million, less than 1% of GDP (FY91)
:Jan Mayen Geography
Total area:373 km2Land area:373 km2Comparative area:slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:124.1 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:10 nmContinental shelf:200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitationExclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:4 nmDisputes:Denmark has challenged Norway's maritime claims beween Greenland and JanMayenClimate:arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fogTerrain:volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers; Beerenberg is the highest peak,with an elevation of 2,277 metersNatural resources:noneLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 100%Environment:barren volcanic island with some moss and grass; volcanic activity resumedin 1970Note:located north of the Arctic Circle about 590 km north-northeast of Icelandbetween the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea
:Jan Mayen People
Population: no permanent inhabitants
:Jan Mayen Government
Long-form name:noneType:territory of NorwayCapital:none; administered from Oslo, Norway, through a governor (sysselmann)resident in Longyearbyen (Svalbard)
:Jan Mayen Economy
Overview:Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources.Economic activity is limited to providing services for employees of Norway'sradio and meteorological stations located on the island.Electricity:15,000 kW capacity; 40 million kWh produced, NA kWh per capita (1989)
:Jan Mayen Communications
Ports:none; offshore anchorage onlyAirports:1 with runways 1,220 to 2,439 mTelecommunications:radio and meteorological station
:Jan Mayen Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of Norway
:Japan Geography
Total area:377,835 km2Land area:374,744 km2; includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto,Minami-jima, Okinotori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and VolcanoIslands (Kazan-retto)Comparative area:slightly smaller than CaliforniaLand boundaries:noneCoastline:29,751 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nm (3 nm in international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi,and Eastern and Western channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait)Disputes:Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan Islands and the Habomai island groupoccupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia, claimed byJapan; Liancourt Rocks disputed with South Korea; Senkaku-shoto (SenkakuIslands) claimed by China and TaiwanClimate:varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in northTerrain:mostly rugged and mountainousNatural resources:negligible mineral resources, fishLand use:arable land 13%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 1%; forest andwoodland 67%; other 18%; includes irrigated 9%Environment:many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences(mostly tremors) every year; subject to tsunamisNote:strategic location in northeast Asia
:Japan People
Population:124,460,481 (July 1992), growth rate 0.4% (1992)Birth rate:10 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:4 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:77 years male, 82 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.6 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Japanese (singular and plural); adjective - JapaneseEthnic divisions:Japanese 99.4%, other (mostly Korean) 0.6%Religions:most Japanese observe both Shinto and Buddhist rites so the percentages addto more than 100% - Shinto 95.8%, Buddhist 76.3%, Christian 1.4%, other 12%(1985)Languages:JapaneseLiteracy:99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.)Labor force:63,330,000; trade and services 54%; manufacturing, mining, and construction33%; agriculture, forestry, and fishing 7%; government 3% (1988)Organized labor:about 29% of employed workers; public service 76.4%, transportation andtelecommunications 57.9%, mining 48.7%, manufacturing 33.7%, services 18.2%,wholesale, retail, and restaurant 9.3%
:Japan Government
Long-form name:noneType:constitutional monarchyCapital:TokyoAdministrative divisions:47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka,Fukushima, Gifu, Gumma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa,Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi,Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka,Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori,Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, YamanashiIndependence:660 BC, traditional founding by Emperor JimmuConstitution:3 May 1947Legal system:civil law system with English-American influence; judicial review oflegislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,with reservationsNational holiday:Birthday of the Emperor, 23 December (1933)Executive branch:Emperor, prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral Diet (Kokkai) consists of an upper house or House of Councillors(Sangi-in) and a lower house or House of Representatives (Shugi-in)Judicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989)Head of Government:Prime Minister Kiichi MIYAZAWA (since 5 November 1991)Political parties and leaders:Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Kiichi MIYAZAWA, president; TamisukeWATANUKI, secretary general; Social Democratic Party of Japan (SDPJ), MakotoTANABE, Chairman; Democratic Socialist Party (DSP), Keizo OUCHI, chairman;Japan Communist Party (JCP), Tetsuzo FUWA, Presidium chairman; Komeito(Clean Government Party, CGP), Koshiro ISHIDA, chairmanSuffrage:universal at age 20Elections:House of Councillors:last held on 23 July 1989 (next to be held 26 July 1992); results - percentof vote by party NA; seats - (263 total) LDP 114, SDPJ 71, CGP 20, JCP 14,other 33House of Representatives:last held on 18 February 1990 (next to be held by February 1993); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (512 total) LDP 278, SDPJ 137, CGP 46,JCP 16, DSP 13, others 5, independents 6, vacant 11Communists:about 490,000 registered Communist party members
:Japan Government
Member of:AfDB, AG (observer), Australia Group, APEC, AsDB, BIS, CCC, COCOM, CP, EBRD,ESCAP, FAO, G-2, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD,PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation:Ambassador Takakazu KURIYAMA; Chancery at 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-6700; there are JapaneseConsulates General in Agana (Guam), Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago,Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City (Missouri), Los Angeles, New Orleans, NewYork, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland (Oregon), and a Consulate inSaipan (Northern Mariana Islands)US:Ambassador Michael H. ARMACOST; Embassy at 10-5, Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku(107), Tokyo (mailing address is APO AP 96337-0001); telephone [81] (3)3224-5000; FAX [81] (3) 3505-1862; there are US Consulates General in Naha(Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, and Sapporo and a Consulate in FukuokaFlag:white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in thecenter
:Japan Economy
Overview:Government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, and a comparativelysmall defense allocation have helped Japan advance with extraordinaryrapidity, notably in high-technology fields. Industry, the most importantsector of the economy, is heavily dependent on imported raw materials andfuels. Self-sufficent in rice, Japan must import 50% of its requirements forother grain and fodder crops. Japan maintains one of the world's largestfishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. Overalleconomic growth has been spectacular: a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5%average in the 1970s and 1980s. A major contributor to overall growth of4.5% in 1991 was net exports, which cushioned the effect of slower growth indomestic demand. Inflation remains low at 3.3% and is easing due to loweroil prices and a stronger yen. Japan continues to run a huge trade surplus,$80 billion in 1991, which supports extensive investment in foreign assets.The increased crowding of its habitable land area and the aging of itspopulation are two major long-run problems.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $2,360.7 billion, per capita $19,000; realgrowth rate 4.5% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.3% (1991)Unemployment rate:2.1% (1991)Budget:revenues $481 billion; expenditures $531 billion, including capitalexpenditures (public works only) of about $60 billion (FY91)Exports:$314.3 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:manufactures 97% (including machinery 40%, motor vehicles 18%, consumerelectronics 10%)partners:Southeast Asia 31%, US 29%, Western Europe 23%, Communist countries 4%,Middle East 3%Imports:$236.6 billion (c.i.f., 1991)commodities:manufactures 50%, fossil fuels 21%, foodstuffs and raw materials 25%partners:Southeast Asia 25%, US 22%, Western Europe 17%, Middle East 12%, Communistcountries 8%External debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate 2.1% (1991); accounts for 30% of GDP (mining and manufacturing)Electricity:196,000,000 kW capacity; 823,000 million kWh produced, 6,640 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:metallurgy, engineering, electrical and electronic, textiles, chemicals,automobiles, fishing, telecommunications, machine tools, constructionequipmentAgriculture:accounts for only 2% of GDP; highly subsidized and protected sector, withcrop yields among highest in world; principal crops - rice, sugar beets,vegetables, fruit; animal products include pork, poultry, dairy and eggs;about 50% self-sufficient in food production; shortages of wheat, corn,soybeans; world's largest fish catch of 11.9 million metric tons in 1988
:Japan Economy
Economic aid:donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $83.2 billion; ODA outlay of $9.1billion in 1990 (est.)Currency:yen (plural - yen); 1 yen (Y) = 100 senExchange rates:yen (Y) per US$1 - 132.70 (March 1992), 134.71 (1991), 144.79 (1990), 137.96(1989), 128.15 (1988), 144.64 (1987)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
:Japan Communications
Railroads:27,327 km total; 2,012 km 1.435-meter standard gauge and 25,315 kmpredominantly 1.067-meter narrow gauge; 5,724 km doubletrack and multitracksections, 9,038 km 1.067-meter narrow-gauge electrified, 2,012 km1.435-meter standard-gauge electrified (1987)Highways:1,111,974 km total; 754,102 km paved, 357,872 km gravel, crushed stone, orunpaved; 4,400 km national expressways; 46,805 km national highways; 128,539km prefectural roads; and 930,230 km city, town, and village roadsInland waterways:about 1,770 km; seagoing craft ply all coastal inland seasPipelines:crude oil 84 km; petroleum products 322 km; natural gas 1,800 kmPorts:Chiba, Muroran, Kitakyushu, Kobe, Tomakomai, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo,Yokkaichi, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Niigata, Fushiki-Toyama, Shimizu, Himeji,Wakayama-Shimozu, Shimonoseki, Tokuyama-ShimomatsuMerchant marine:976 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 21,684,459 GRT/34,683,035 DWT;includes 10 passenger, 40 short-sea passenger, 3 passenger cargo, 89 cargo,44 container, 36 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 111 refrigerated cargo, 93 vehiclecarrier, 227 petroleum tanker, 11 chemical tanker, 40 liquefied gas, 9combination ore/oil, 3 specialized tanker, 260 bulk; note - Japan also ownsa large flag of convenience fleet, including up to 55% of the total numberof ships under the Panamanian flagCivil air:360 major transport aircraftAirports:163 total, 158 usable; 131 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runwaysover 3,659 m; 31 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 51 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:excellent domestic and international service; 64,000,000 telephones;broadcast stations - 318 AM, 58 FM, 12,350 TV (196 major - 1 kw or greater);satellite earth stations - 4 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian OceanINTELSAT; submarine cables to US (via Guam), Philippines, China, and Russia
:Japan Defense Forces
Branches:Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (Army), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force(Navy), Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Air Force), Maritime Safety Agency(Coast Guard)Manpower availability:males 15-49, 32,219,754; 27,767,280 fit for military service; 1,042,493reach military age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $36.7 billion, 0.94% of GDP (FY92 est.)
:Jarvis Island Geography
Total area:4.5 km2Land area:4.5 km2Comparative area:about 7.5 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:8 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:12 nmContinental shelf:200 m (depth)Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sunTerrain:sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reefNatural resources:guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)Land use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 100%Environment:sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; lacks freshwater; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds,shorebirds, and marine wildlife; feral catsNote:2,090 km south of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean, just south of theEquator, about halfway between Hawaii and the Cook Islands
:Jarvis Island People
Population:uninhabitedPopulation:note:Millersville settlement on western side of island occasionally used as aweather station from 1935 until World War II, when it was abandoned;reoccupied in 1957 during the International Geophysical Year by scientistswho left in 1958; public entry is by special-use permit only and generallyrestricted to scientists and educators
:Jarvis Island Government
Long-form name:none (territory of the US)Type:unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and WildlifeService of the US Department of the Interior as part of the NationalWildlife Refuge SystemCapital:none; administered from Washington, DC
:Jarvis Island Economy
Overview: no economic activity
:Jarvis Island Communications
Ports:none; offshore anchorage only - one boat landing area in the middle of thewest coast and another near the southwest corner of the islandNote:there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast
:Jarvis Island Defense Forces
Note:defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US CoastGuard
:Jersey Geography
Total area:117 km2Land area:117 km2Comparative area:about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:70 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:3 nmDisputes:noneClimate:temperate; mild winters and cool summersTerrain:gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coastNatural resources:agricultural landLand use:arable land NA%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures NA%; forest andwoodland NA%; other NA%; about 58% of land under cultivationEnvironment:about 30% of population concentrated in Saint HelierNote:largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; 27 km from France
:Jersey People
Population:85,026 (July 1992), growth rate 0.8% (1992)Birth rate:12 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:10 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:6 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:72 years male, 78 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.3 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Channel Islander(s); adjective - Channel IslanderEthnic divisions:UK and Norman-French descentReligions:Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist,PresbyterianLanguages:English and French (official), with the Norman-French dialect spoken incountry districtsLiteracy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%) but compulsory education age 5 to 16Labor force:NAOrganized labor:none
:Jersey Government
Long-form name:Bailiwick of JerseyType:British crown dependencyCapital:Saint HelierAdministrative divisions:none (British crown dependency)Independence:none (British crown dependency)Constitution:unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practiceLegal system:English law and local statuteNational holiday:Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)Executive branch:British monarch, lieutenant governor, bailiffLegislative branch:unicameral Assembly of the StatesJudicial branch:Royal CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)Head of Government:Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Air Marshal Sir John SUTTON(since NA 1990); Bailiff Peter CRILL (since NA)Political parties and leaders:none; all independentsSuffrage:universal adult at age NAElections:Assembly of the States:last held NA (next to be held NA); results - no percent of vote by partysince all are independents; seats - (56 total, 52 elected) 52 independentsMember of:noneDiplomatic representation:none (British crown dependency)Flag:white with the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland)extending to the corners of the flag
:Jersey Economy
Overview:The economy is based largely on financial services, agriculture, andtourism. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, and especially flowers areimportant export crops, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairycattle is known worldwide and represents an important export earner. Milkproducts go to the UK and other EC countries. In 1986 the finance sectorovertook tourism as the main contributor to GDP, accounting for 40% of theisland's output. In recent years the government has encouraged lightindustry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industryhas developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of knitwear. All rawmaterial and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large share ofJersey's food needs.GDP:$NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate 8% (1987 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):8% (1988 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $308.0 million; expenditures $284.4 million, including capitalexpenditures of NA (1985)Exports:$NAcommodities:light industrial and electrical goods, foodstuffs, textilespartners:UKImports:$NAcommodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineralfuels, chemicalspartners:UKExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:50,000 kW standby capacity (1990); power supplied by FranceIndustries:tourism, banking and finance, dairyAgriculture:potatoes, cauliflowers, tomatoes; dairy and cattle farmingEconomic aid:noneCurrency:Jersey pound (plural - pounds); 1 Jersey pound (#J) = 100 penceExchange rates:Jersey pounds (#J) per US$1 - 0.5799 (March 1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603(1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988), 0.6102 (1987), 0.6817 (1986); theJersey pound is at par with the British poundFiscal year:1 April - 31 March
:Jersey Communications
Ports:Saint Helier, Gorey, Saint AubinAirports:1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m (Saint Peter)Telecommunications:63,700 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 3 submarinecables
:Jersey Defense Forces