@Israel, Economy
Overview:Israel has a market economy with substantial government participation.It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, andmilitary equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel hasintensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over thepast 20 years. Industry employs about 22% of Israeli workers,construction 6.5%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 3.5%, andservices most of the rest. Diamonds, high-technology equipment, andagricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are leading exports.Israel usually posts current account deficits, which are covered bylarge transfer payments from abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly halfof the government's external debt is owed to the United States, whichis its major source of economic and military aid. To earn neededforeign exchange, Israel has been targeting high-technology niches ininternational markets, such as medical scanning equipment. The influxof Jewish immigrants from the former USSR, which topped 450,000 duringthe period 1990-93, increased unemployment, intensified housingproblems, and strained the government budget. At the same time, theimmigrants bring to the economy valuable scientific and professionalexpertise. Economic problems have eased as immigration has declined,but activity has slowed as the economy shifts from housing toexport-driven growth.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $65.7 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:3.5% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$13,350 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):11.3% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:10.4% (1993 est.)Budget:revenues:$33.4 billionexpenditures:$36.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $9.4 billion (FY93)Exports:$14.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:machinery and equipment, cut diamonds, chemicals, textiles andapparel, agricultural products, metalspartners:US, EC, JapanImports:$20.3 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)commodities:military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, oil, otherproductive inputs, consumer goodspartners:US, ECExternal debt:$24.8 billion (December 1993 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 6.5% (1993 est.); accounts for about 30% of GDPElectricity:capacity:5,835,000 kWproduction:21.84 billion kWhconsumption per capita:4,600 kWh (1992)Industries:food processing, diamond cutting and polishing, textiles and apparel,chemicals, metal products, military equipment, transport equipment,electrical equipment, miscellaneous machinery, potash mining,high-technology electronics, tourismAgriculture:accounts for about 7% of GDP; largely self-sufficient in foodproduction, except for grains; principal products - citrus and otherfruits, vegetables, cotton; livestock products - beef, dairy, poultryIllicit drugs:increasingly concerned about cocaine and heroin abuse and traffickingEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $18.2 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.8billionCurrency:1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorotExchange rates:new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.9760 (February 1994), 2.8301(1993), 2.4591 (1992), 2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
@Israel, Communications
Railroads:600 km 1.435-meter gauge, single track; diesel operatedHighways:total:13,300 kmpaved:13,300 kmPipelines:crude oil 708 km; petroleum products 290 km; natural gas 89 kmPorts:Ashdod, HaifaMerchant marine:33 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 637,097 GRT/737,762 DWT, cargo8, container 22, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1note:Israel also maintains a significant flag of convenience fleet, whichis normally at least as large as the Israeli flag fleet; the Israeliflag of convenience fleet typically includes all of its oil tankersAirports:total:55usable:48with permanent-surface runways:30with runways over 3,659 m:1with runways 2,440-3,659 m:6with runways 1,220-2,439 m:13Telecommunications:most highly developed in the Middle East although not the largest;good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; 1,800,000telephones; broadcast stations - 14 AM, 21 FM, 20 TV; 3 submarinecables; satellite earth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1Indian Ocean INTELSAT
@Israel, Defense Forces
Branches:Israel Defense Forces (including ground, naval, and air components)note:historically, there have been no separate Israeli military servicesManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,257,345; females age 15-49 1,280,899; males fit formilitary service 1,026,699; females fit for military service1,049,998; males reach military age (18) annually 47,297 (1994 est.);females reach military age (18) annually 45,214 (1994 est.); bothsexes are liable for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $12.5 billion, 18% of GDP (1993)
@Italy, Geography
Location:Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central MediterraneanSeaMap references:Africa, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:301,230 sq kmland area:294,020 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than Arizonanote:includes Sardinia and SicilyLand boundaries:total 1,899.2 km, Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (VaticanCity) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 199 km, Switzerland 740 kmCoastline:4,996 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200-m depth or to depth of exploitationterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes: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 and woodland:22%other:19%Irrigated land:31,000 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur dioxide;coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agriculturaleffluents; acid rain damaging lakesnatural hazards:regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes,volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Veniceinternational agreements:party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur, Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands;signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law ofthe SeaNote:strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well assouthern sea and air approaches to Western Europe
@Italy, People
Population:58,138,394 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.21% (1994 est.)Birth rate:10.79 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:9.71 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:7.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:77.64 yearsmale:74.44 yearsfemale:81.04 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.39 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Italian(s)adjective:ItalianEthnic divisions:Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, andSlovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italiansin the south), Sicilians, SardiniansReligions:Roman Catholic 98%, other 2%Languages:Italian, German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantlyGerman speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valled'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in theTrieste-Gorizia area)Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population:97%male:98%female:96%Labor force:23.988 millionby occupation:services 58%, industry 32.2%, agriculture 9.8% (1988)
@Italy, Government
Names:conventional long form:Italian Republicconventional short form:Italylocal long form:Repubblica Italianalocal short form:Italiaformer:Kingdom of ItalyDigraph:ITType: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-Alto Adige, Umbria, Valle d'Aosta, VenetoIndependence:17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed)National holiday:Anniversary of the Republic, 2 June (1946)Constitution: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 jurisdictionSuffrage:18 years of age, universal (except in senatorial elections, whereminimum age is 25)Executive branch:chief of state:President Oscar Luigi SCALFARO (since 28 May 1992)head of government:Prime Minister Silvio BERLUSCONI (since 11 May 1994)cabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed by the presidentLegislative branch:bicameral Parliament (Parlamento)Senate (Senato della Repubblica):elections last held 27-28 March 1994 (next expected to be held byspring 2001); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (326total; 315 elected, 11 appointed senators-for-life) PDS 61, NorthernLeague 60, National Alliance 48, Forza Italia 36, Popular Party 31,Communist Refounding 18, Greens and The Network 13, Socialist Party13, Christian Democratic Center 12, Democratic Alliance 8, ChristianSocialists 5, Pact for Italy 4, Radical Party 1, others 5Chamber of Deputies (Camera dei Deputati):elections last held 27-28 March 1994 (next expected to be held byspring 2001); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (630total) Northern League 117, PDS 114, Forza Italia 113, NationalAlliance 109, Communist Refounding 39, Christian Democratic Center 33,Popular Party 33, Greens and The Network 20, Democratic Alliance 18,Socialist Party 16, Pact for Italy 13, Christian Socialists 5Judicial branch:Constitutional Court (Corte Costituzionale)Political parties and leaders:Rightists:Forza Italia, Silvio BERLUSCONI; National Alliance (was Italian SocialMovement - MSI - until January 1994), Gianfranco FINI, partysecretary; Lega Nord (Northern League), Umberto BOSSI, presidentLeftists:Democratic Party of the Left (PDS - was Communist Party, or PCI, untilJanuary 1991), Achille OCCHETTO, secretary; Communist Refounding,Fausto BERTINOTTI; Greens, Carlo RIPA di MEARA; Radical Party, MarcoPANNELLA; Italian Socialist Party, Ottaviano DELTURCO; The Network,Leoluca ORLANDO; Christian Socialists, Ermanno GORRIERICentrists:Pact for Italy, Mario SEGNI; Popular Party, Rosa JERVOLINO; ChristianDemocratic Center, Pier Ferdinando CASINIOther political or pressure groups:the Roman Catholic Church; three major trade union confederations(CGIL - formerly Communist dominated, CISL - Christian Democratic, andUIL - Social Democratic, Socialist, and Republican); Italianmanufacturers and merchants associations (Confindustria,Confcommercio); organized farm groups (Confcoltivatori,Confagricoltura)Member of:AfDB, AG (observer), Australia Group, AsDB, BIS, CCC, CDB(non-regional), CE, CEI, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, ECLAC, 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, LAIA (observer), LORCS, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG,OAS (observer), OECD, ONUSAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNOSOM, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Boris BIANCHERI-CHIAPPORIchancery:1601 Fuller Street NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone:(202) 328-5500consulate(s) general:Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia,San Franciscoconsulate(s):Detroit, New Orleans, and Newark (New Jersey)US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Reginald BARTHOLOMEWembassy:Via Veneto 119/A, 00187-Romemailing address:PSC 59, Box 100, Rome; APO AE 09624telephone:[39] (6) 46741FAX:[39] (6) 488-2672consulate(s) general:Florence, Milan, NaplesFlag:three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red;similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoistside), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the Coted'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white,and green
@Italy, Economy
Overview:Since World War II the Italian economy has changed from one based onagriculture into a ranking industrial economy, with approximately thesame total and per capita output as France and the UK. The country isstill divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by privatecompanies, and an undeveloped agricultural south, dominated by largepublic enterprises. Services account for 48% of GDP, industry 35%,agriculture 4%, and public administration 13%. Most raw materialsneeded by industry and over 75% of energy requirements must beimported. After growing at an annual average rate of 3% in 1983-90,growth slowed to about 1% in 1991 and 1992 and fell by 0.7% in 1993.In the second half of 1992, Rome became unsettled by the prospect ofnot qualifying to participate in EC plans for economic and monetaryunion later in the decade; thus it finally began to address its hugefiscal imbalances. Thanks to the determination of Prime MinistersAMATO and CIAMPI, the government adopted a fairly stringent budget for1993 and 1994, abandoned its highly inflationary wage indexationsystem, and started to scale back its extremely generous socialwelfare programs, including pension and health care benefits. Monetaryofficials were forced to withdraw the lira from the European monetarysystem in September 1992 when it came under extreme pressure incurrency markets. For the 1990s, Italy faces the problems ofrefurbishing a tottering communications system, curbing pollution inmajor industrial centers, and adjusting to the new competitive forcesaccompanying the ongoing economic integration of the European Union.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $967.6 billion (1993)National product real growth rate:-0.7% (1993)National product per capita:$16,700 (1993)Inflation rate (consumer prices):4.2% (1993)Unemployment rate:11.3% (January 1994)Budget:revenues:$302 billionexpenditures:$391 billion, including capital expenditures of $48 billion (1993est.)Exports:$178.2 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:metals, textiles and clothing, production machinery, motor vehicles,transportation equipment, chemicals, otherpartners:EC 58.3%, US 6.8%, OPEC 5.1% (1992)Imports:$188.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:industrial machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, petroleum,metals, food, agricultural productspartners:EC 58.8%, OPEC 6.1%, US 5.5% (1992)External debt:$67 billion (1993 est.)Industrial production:growth rate -2.8% (1993 est.); accounts for almost 35% of GDPElectricity:capacity:58,000,000 kWproduction:235 billion kWhconsumption per capita:4,060 kWh (1992)Industries:machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motorvehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramicsAgriculture:accounts for about 4% of GDP and about 9.8% of the work force;self-sufficient in foods other than meat, dairy products, and cereals;principal crops - fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets,soybeans, grain, olives; fish catch of 525,000 metric tons in 1990Illicit drugs:important gateway country for Latin American cocaine and SouthwestAsian heroin entering the European marketEconomic aid:donor:ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $25.9 billionCurrency:1 Italian lira (Lit) = 100 centesimiExchange rates:Italian lire (Lit) per US$1 - 1,700.2 (January 1994), 1,573.7 (1993),1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1,372.1 (1989)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 km1.435-meter standard gauge (1,155 km electrified) and 1,845 km0.950-meter narrow gauge (380 km electrified)Highways:total:298,000 kmpaved:270,000 km (including nearly 7,000 km of expressways)unpaved:gravel, crushed stone 23,000 km; earth 5,000 kmInland 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:474 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,055,779 GRT/8,924,779 DWT,bulk 50, cargo 72, chemical tanker 34, combination bulk 1, combinationore/oil 5, container 20, liquefied gas 39, multifunction large-loadcarrier 1, oil tanker 129, passenger 8, refrigerated cargo 2,roll-on/roll-off cargo 62, short-sea passenger 34, specialized tanker10, vehicle carrier 7Airports:total:137usable:132with permanent-surface runways:92with runways over 3,659 m:2with runways 2,440-3,659 m:36with runways 1,220-2,439 m:39Telecommunications:modern, well-developed, fast; 25,600,000 telephones; fully automatedtelephone, telex, and data services; high-capacity cable and microwaveradio relay trunks; broadcast stations - 135 AM, 28 (1,840 repeaters)FM, 83 (1,000 repeaters) TV; international service by 21 submarinecables, 3 satellite earth stations operating in INTELSAT with 3Atlantic Ocean antennas and 2 Indian Ocean antennas; also participatesin INMARSAT and EUTELSAT systems
@Italy, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, CarabinieriManpower availability:males age 15-49 14,921,411; fit for military service 12,982,445; reachmilitary age (18) annually 403,017 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $16.1 billion, 1.3% of GDP (1992)
@Jamaica, Geography
Location:Caribbean, in the northern Caribbean Sea, about 160 km south of CubaMap references:Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zonesof the WorldArea:total area:10,990 sq kmland area:10,830 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than ConnecticutLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:1,022 kmMaritime claims:exclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes: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 and woodland:28%other:29%Irrigated land:350 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:deforestation; water pollutionnatural hazards:subject to hurricanes (especially July to November)international agreements:party to - Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation,Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, butnot ratified - Biodiversity, Climate ChangeNote:strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the mainsea lanes for Panama Canal
@Jamaica, People
Population:2,555,064 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:1.02% (1994 est.)Birth rate:21.69 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:5.62 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:-5.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:16.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:74.36 yearsmale:72.16 yearsfemale:76.68 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:2.41 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Jamaican(s)adjective:JamaicanEthnic divisions:African 76.3%, Afro-European 15.1%, East Indian and Afro-East Indian3%, white 3.2%, Chinese and Afro-Chinese 1.2%, other 1.2%Religions:Protestant 55.9% (Church of God 18.4%, Baptist 10%, Anglican 7.1%,Seventh-Day Adventist 6.9%, Pentecostal 5.2%, Methodist 3.1%, UnitedChurch 2.7%, other 2.5%), Roman Catholic 5%, other, including somespiritual cults 39.1% (1982)Languages:English, CreoleLiteracy:age 15 and over having ever attended school (1990 est.)total population:98%male:98%female:99%Labor force:1,062,100by occupation:services 41%, agriculture 22.5%, industry 19%, unemployed 17.5% (1989)
@Jamaica, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:JamaicaDigraph:JMType:parliamentary democracyCapital:KingstonAdministrative divisions:14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, SaintAndrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James,Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, WestmorelandIndependence:6 August 1962 (from UK)National holiday:Independence Day (first Monday in August) (1962)Constitution:6 August 1962Legal system:based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdictionSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by GovernorGeneral Sir Howard COOKE (since 1 August 1991)head of government:Prime Minister P. J. PATTERSON (since 30 March 1992); Deputy PrimeMinister Seymour MULLINGS (since NA)cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on the advice of the primeministerLegislative branch:bicameral ParliamentSenate:consists of a 21-member body appointed by the governor generalHouse of Representatives:elections last held 30 March 1993 (next to be held by February 1998);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total) PNP 52, JLP8Judicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:People's National Party (PNP) P. J. PATTERSON; Jamaica Labor Party(JLP), Edward SEAGAOther political or pressure groups:Rastafarians (black religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists); NewBeginnings Movement (NBM)Member of:ACP, C, CARICOM, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, 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 in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Richard Leighton BERNALchancery:Suite 355, 1850 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006telephone:(202) 452-0660FAX:(202) 452-0081consulate(s) general:Miami and New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:(vacant); Charge d'Affaires Lacy A. WRIGHT, Jr.embassy:Jamaica Mutual Life Center, 2 Oxford Road, 3rd floor, Kingstonmailing address:use Embassy street addresstelephone:(809) 929-4850 through 4859FAX:(809) 926-6743Flag:diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green(top and bottom) and black (hoist side and fly side)
@Jamaica, Economy
Overview:The economy is based on sugar, bauxite, and tourism. In September1988, Hurricane Gilbert inflicted severe damage on crops and theelectric power system, a sharp but temporary setback to the economy.By October 1989 the economic recovery from the hurricane was largelycomplete, and real growth was up to about 3% for 1989. In 1991,however, growth dropped to 0.2% as a result of the US recession, lowerworld bauxite prices, and monetary instability. In 1992, growth was1.2%, supported by a recovery in tourism and stabilization of theJamaican dollar in the second half of 1992.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $8 billion (1992 est.)National product real growth rate:1.2% (1992 est.)National product per capita:$3,200 (1992 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):30% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:15.4% (1992)Budget:revenues:$600 millionexpenditures:$736 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY91 est.)Exports:$1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:alumina, bauxite, sugar, bananas, rumpartners:US 40%, UK 14%, Germany 10%, Canada 10%, Norway 7%Imports:$1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:fuel, other raw materials, construction materials, food, transportequipment, other machinery and equipmentpartners:US 53%, UK 5%, Venezuela 6%, Germany 5%, Japan 4.0%External debt:$4.5 billion (1992 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 2% (1990); accounts for almost 25% of GDPElectricity:capacity:1,127,000 kWproduction:2.736 trillion kWhconsumption per capita:1,090 kWh (1992)Industries:tourism, bauxite mining, textiles, food processing, light manufacturesAgriculture:accounts for about 7% of GDP, 23% of work force, and 17% of exports;commercial crops - sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, potatoes,vegetables; livestock and livestock products include poultry, goats,milk; not self-sufficient in grain, meat, and dairy productsIllicit drugs:transshipment point for cocaine from Central and South America toNorth America and Europe; illicit cultivation of cannabis; governmenthas an active cannabis eradication programEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.2 billion; othercountries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.6 billionCurrency:1 Jamaican dollar (J$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Jamaican dollars (J$) per US$1 -32.758 (31 December 1993), 22.960(1992), 12.116 (1991), 7.184 (1990), 5.7446 (1989)Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
@Jamaica, Communications
Railroads:370 km, all 1.435-meter standard gauge, single trackHighways:total:18,200 kmpaved:12,600 kmunpaved:gravel 3,200 km; improved earth 2,400 kmPipelines:petroleum products 10 kmPorts:Kingston, Montego Bay, Port AntonioMerchant marine:4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,618 GRT/16,215 DWT, bulk 2, oiltanker 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1Airports:total:40usable:27with permanent-surface runways:10with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:1Telecommunications:fully automatic domestic telephone network; 127,000 telephones;broadcast stations - 10 AM, 17 FM, 8 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSATearth stations; 3 coaxial submarine cables
@Jamaica, Defense Forces
Branches:Jamaica Defense Force (including Ground Forces, Coast Guard and AirWing), Jamaica Constabulary ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 664,122; fit for military service 469,982; reachmilitary age (18) annually 26,103 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $19.3 million, 1% of GDP (FY91/92)
@Jan Mayen
Header Affiliation: (territory of Norway)
@Jan Mayen, Geography
Location:Nordic State, Northern Europe, in the North Atlantic Ocean, north ofthe Arctic Circle about 590 km north-northeast of Iceland, between theGreenland Sea and the Norwegian SeaMap references:Arctic RegionArea:total area:373 sq kmland area:373 sq kmcomparative area:slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:124.1 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:10 nmcontinental shelf:200-m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:4 nmInternational disputes:dispute between Denmark and Norway over maritime boundary in ArcticOcean between Greenland and Jan Mayen has been settled by theInternational Court of JusticeClimate:arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fogTerrain:volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers; Beerenberg is the highestpeak, with an elevation of 2,277 metersNatural resources:noneLand use:arable land:0%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:0%other:100%Irrigated land:0 sq kmEnvironment:current issues:NAnatural hazards:volcanic activity resumed in 1970international agreements:NANote:barren volcanic island with some moss and grass
@Jan Mayen, People
Population:no permanent inhabitants; note - there are personnel who man the LORANC base and the weather and coastal services radio station
@Jan Mayen, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Jan MayenDigraph:JNType:territory of NorwayCapital:none; administered from Oslo, Norway, through a governor (sysselmann)resident in Longyearbyen (Svalbard)Independence:none (territory of Norway)
@Jan Mayen, Economy
Overview:Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources.Economic activity is limited to providing services for employees ofNorway's radio and meteorological stations located on the island.Electricity:capacity:15,000 kWproduction:40 million kWhconsumption per capita:NA (1992)
@Jan Mayen, Communications
Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 0 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: radio and meteorological station
@Jan Mayen, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of Norway
@Japan, Geography
Location:Eastern Asia, off the southeast coast of Russia and east of the KoreanpeninsulaMap references:Asia, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:377,835 sq kmland area:374,744 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than Californianote:includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima,Okinotori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands(Kazan-retto)Land boundaries:0 kmCoastline:29,751 kmMaritime claims:exclusive fishing zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nm; 3 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya,Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western Channels of the Korea orTsushima StraitInternational disputes:islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, Shikotau, and the Habomai groupoccupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia,claimed by Japan; Liancourt Rocks disputed with South Korea;Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands) 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 and woodland:67%other:18%Irrigated land:28,680 sq km (1989)Environment:current issues:air pollution from power plant emissions results in acid rain;acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality andthreatening aquatic lifenatural hazards:many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismicoccurrences (mostly tremors) every year; subject to tsunamisinternational agreements:party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping,Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, TropicalTimber, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified -Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the SeaNote:strategic location in northeast Asia
@Japan, People
Population:125,106,937 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.32% (1994 est.)Birth rate:10.49 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:7.31 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:4.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:79.31 yearsmale:76.47 yearsfemale:82.28 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.55 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Japanese (singular and plural)adjective:JapaneseEthnic divisions:Japanese 99.4%, other 0.6% (mostly Korean)Religions:observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including 0.7%Christian)Languages:JapaneseLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1970 est.)total population:99%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:63.33 millionby occupation:trade and services 54%, manufacturing, mining, and construction 33%,agriculture, forestry, and fishing 7%, government 3% (1988)
@Japan, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:JapanDigraph:JAType: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 Jimmu)National holiday:Birthday of the Emperor, 23 December (1933)Constitution:3 May 1947Legal system:modeled after European civil law system with English-Americaninfluence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsSuffrage:20 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989)head of government:Prime Minister Tsutomu HATA (since 25 April 1994); Deputy PrimeMinister (vacant)cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the prime ministerLegislative branch:bicameral Diet (Kokkai)House of Councillors (Sangi-in):elections last held on 26 July 1992 (next to be held NA July 1995);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (252 total) LDP 95,SDPJ 68, Shin Ryoku fu-Kai 37, CGP 24, JCP 11, other 17House of Representatives (Shugi-in):elections last held on 18 July 1993 (next to be held by NA); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (511 total) LDP 206, SDPJ 74,Shinseito 62, CGP 52, JNP 37, DSP 19, JCP 15, Sakigake 15, others 19,independents 10, vacant 2Judicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Yohei KONO, president; Yoshiro MORI,secretary general; Social Democratic Party of Japan (SDPJ), TomiichiMURAYAMA; Democratic Socialist Party (DSP), Keigo OUCHI, chairman;Japan Communist Party (JCP), Tetsuzo FUWA, Presidium chairman; Komeito(Clean Government Party, CGP), Koshiro ISHIDA, chairman; Japan NewParty (JNP), Morihiro HOSOKAWA, chairman; Shinseito (Japan RenewalParty, JRP), Tsutomu HATA, chairman; Ichiro OZAWA, secretary general;Sakigake (Harbinger), Masayoshi TAKEMURA, chairman; Mirai (FutureParty), Michihiko KANO, chairman; The Liberal Party, Koji KAKIZAWA,chairmannote:Shin Ryoku fu-Kai is a new, upper house only, parliamentary alliancewhich includes the JRP, JNP, DSP, and a minor labor groupMember of:AfDB, AG (observer), Australia Group, APEC, AsDB, BIS, CCC, COCOM, CP,CSCE (observer), 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, UNTAC, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Takakazu KURIYAMAchancery:2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 939-6700FAX:(202) 328-2187consulate(s) general:Agana (Guam), Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Honolulu,Houston, Kansas City (Missouri), Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, NewYork, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, and Seattleconsulate(s):Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Walter F. MONDALEembassy:10-5, Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku (107), Tokyomailing address:Unit 45004, Box 258, Tokyo; APO AP 96337-0001telephone:[81] (3) 3224-5000FAX:[81] (3) 3505-1862consulate(s) general:Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporoconsulate(s):FukuokaFlag:white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in thecenter
@Japan, Economy
Overview:Government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of hightechnology, and a comparatively small defense allocation have helpedJapan advance with extraordinary rapidity to the rank of second mostpowerful economy in the world. Industry, the most important sector ofthe economy, is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels.Self-sufficient in rice, Japan must import about 50% of itsrequirements of other grain and fodder crops. Japan maintains one ofthe world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of theglobal catch. Overall economic growth has been spectacular: a 10%average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s and 1980s. Economicgrowth came to a halt in 1992-93 largely because of contractionarydomestic policies intended to wring speculative excesses from thestock and real estate markets. At the same time, the stronger yen andslower global growth are containing export growth. Unemployment andinflation remain remarkably low in comparison with the otherindustrialized nations. Japan continues to run a huge trade surplus -$120 billion in 1993, up more than 10% from the year earlier - whichsupports extensive investment in foreign assets. The new primeminister HATA in early 1994 reiterated previous governments' vows ofadministrative and economic reform, including reduction in the tradesurplus, but his weak coalition government faces strong resistancefrom traditional interest groups. The crowding of the habitable landarea and the aging of the population are two major long-run problems.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.549 trillion (1993)National product real growth rate:0% (1993)National product per capita:$20,400 (1993)Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.3% (1993)Unemployment rate:2.5% (1993)Budget:revenues:$490 billionexpenditures:$579 billion, including capital expenditures (public works only) ofabout $68 billion (FY93)Exports:$360.9 billion (f.o.b., 1993)commodities:manufactures 97% (including machinery 46%, motor vehicles 20%,consumer electronics 10%)partners:Southeast Asia 33%, US 29%, Western Europe 18%, China 5%Imports:$240.7 billion (c.i.f., 1993)commodities:manufactures 52%, fossil fuels 20%, foodstuffs and raw materials 28%partners:Southeast Asia 25%, US 23%, Western Europe 15%, China 9%External debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate -4% (1993); accounts for 30% of GDPElectricity:capacity:196,000,000 kWproduction:835 billion kWhconsumption per capita:6,700 kWh (1992)Industries:steel and non-ferrous metallurgy, heavy electrical equipment,construction and mining equipment, motor vehicles and parts,electronic and telecommunication equipment and components, machinetools and automated production systems, locomotives and railroadrolling stock, shipbuilding, chemicals, textiles, food processingAgriculture:accounts for only 2% of GDP; highly subsidized and protected sector,with crop yields among highest in world; principal crops - rice, sugarbeets, vegetables, fruit; animal products include pork, poultry, dairyand eggs; about 50% self-sufficient in food production; shortages ofwheat, corn, soybeans; world's largest fish catch of 10 million metrictons in 1991Economic aid:donor:ODA and OOF commitments (1970-93), $123 billionnote:ODA outlay of $9.9 billion in 1994 (est.)Currency:yen (Y)Exchange rates:yen (Y) per US$1 - 111.51 (January 1994), 111.20 (1993), 126.65(1992), 134.71 (1991), 144.79 (1990), 137.96 (1989)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 andmultitrack sections, 9,038 km 1.067-meter narrow-gauge electrified,2,012 km 1.435-meter standard-gauge electrified (1987)Highways:total:1,115,609 kmpaved:782,042 km (including 4,869 km of national expressways)unpaved:gravel, crushed stone, or earth 333,567 km (1991)Inland 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:926 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,383,101 GRT31,007,515 DWT,bulk 225, cargo 76, chemical tanker 9, combination ore/oil 9,container 44, liquefied gas 42, multi-function large load carrier 1,oil tanker 265, passenger 10, passenger cargo 3, refrigerated cargo66, roll-on/roll-off cargo 44, short-sea passenger 36, specializedtanker 2, vehicle carrier 94note:Japan also owns a large flag of convenience fleet, including up to 38%of the total number of ships under the Panamanian flagAirports:total:167usable:165with permanent-surface runways:137with runways over 3,659 m:2with runways 2,440-3,659 m:34with runways 1,220-2,439 m:52Telecommunications:excellent domestic and international service; 64,000,000 telephones;broadcast stations - 318 AM, 58 FM, 12,350 TV (196 major - 1 kw orgreater); satellite earth stations - 4 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 1Indian Ocean INTELSAT; submarine cables to US (via Guam), Philippines,China, and Russia
@Japan, Defense Forces
Branches:Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (Army), Japan Maritime Self-DefenseForce (Navy), Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Air Force), MaritimeSafety Agency (Coast Guard)Manpower availability:males age 15-49 32,044,032; fit for military service 27,597,444; reachmilitary age (18) annually 953,928 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $45.5 billion, less than 1% of GDP (FY94/95est.)
@Jarvis Island
Header Affiliation: (territory of the US)
@Jarvis Island, Geography
Location:Oceania, Polynesia, in the South Pacific Ocean, 2,090 km south ofHonolulu, just south of the Equator, about halfway between Hawaii andthe Cook IslandsMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:4.5 sq kmland area:4.5 sq kmcomparative area:about 7.5 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:8 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200-m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes: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 and woodland:0%other:100%Irrigated land:0 sq kmEnvironment:current issues:lacks fresh waternatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:NANote:sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; primarilya nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds,and marine wildlife; feral cats
@Jarvis Island, People
Population:uninhabited; note - Millersville settlement on western side of islandoccasionally used as a weather station from 1935 until World War II,when it was abandoned; reoccupied in 1957 during the InternationalGeophysical Year by scientists who left in 1958; public entry is byspecial-use permit only and generally restricted to scientists andeducators
@Jarvis Island, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Jarvis IslandDigraph:DQType:unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish andWildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of theNational Wildlife 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 ofthe west 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
defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard
@Jersey
Header
Affiliation:(British crown dependency)
@Jersey, Geography
Location: Western Europe, 27 km from France in the English Channel Map references: Europe Area: total area: 117 sq km land area: 117 sq km comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 70 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: temperate; mild winters and cool summers Terrain: gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast Natural resources: agricultural land Land use: arable land: 57% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier
@Jersey, People
Population: 86,048 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.7% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 12.81 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 10.1 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 4.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.64 years male: 73.54 years female: 80.09 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.43 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Ethnic divisions: UK and Norman-French descent Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian Languages: English (official), French (official), Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA
@Jersey, Government
Names:conventional long form:Bailiwick of Jerseyconventional short form:JerseyDigraph:JEType:British crown dependencyCapital:Saint HelierAdministrative divisions:none (British crown dependency)Independence:none (British crown dependency)National holiday:Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)Constitution:unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practiceLegal system:English law and local statuteSuffrage:universal adult at age NAExecutive branch: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 Sir Peter L. CRILL (since NA)cabinet:committees; appointed by the StatesLegislative branch:unicameralAssembly of the States:elections last held NA (next to be held NA); results - no percent ofvote by party since all are independents; seats - (56 total, 52elected) 52 independentsJudicial branch:Royal CourtPolitical parties and leaders:none; all independentsMember of:noneDiplomatic representation in US:none (British crown dependency)US diplomatic representation:none (British crown dependency)Flag:white with the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint ofIreland) 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 ofdairy cattle is known worldwide and represents an important exportearner. Milk products go to the UK and other EU countries. In 1986 thefinance sector overtook tourism as the main contributor to GDP,accounting for 40% of the island's output. In recent years thegovernment has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey, with theresult that an electronics industry has developed alongside thetraditional manufacturing of knitwear. All raw material and energyrequirements are imported, as well as a large share of Jersey's foodneeds.National product:GDP $NANational product real growth rate:8% (1987 est.)National product per capita:$NAInflation rate (consumer prices):8% (1988 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues:$308 millionexpenditures:$284.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1985)Exports:$NAcommodities:light industrial and electrical goods, foodstuffs, textilespartners:UKImports:$NAcommodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs,mineral fuels, chemicalspartners:UKExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:capacity:50,000 kW standbyproduction:power supplied by Franceconsumption per capita:NA (1992)Industries:tourism, banking and finance, dairyAgriculture:potatoes, cauliflowers, tomatoes; dairy and cattle farmingEconomic aid:noneCurrency:1 Jersey pound (#J) = 100 penceExchange rates:Jersey pounds (#J) per US$1 - 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6658 (1993),0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989); the Jerseypound is at par with the British poundFiscal year:1 April - 31 March
@Jersey, Communications
Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Saint Helier, Gorey, Saint Aubin Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: 63,700 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 3 submarine cables
@Jersey, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Johnston Atoll
Header
Affiliation: (territory of the US)
@Johnston Atoll, Geography
Location:Oceania, Polynesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,430 kmwest-southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way between Hawaiiand the Marshall IslandsMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:2.8 sq kmland area:2.8 sq kmcomparative area:about 4.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:10 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200-m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds withlittle seasonal temperature variationTerrain:mostly flat with a maximum elevation of 4 metersNatural resources:guano (deposits worked until about 1890)Land use:arable land:0%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:0%other:100%Irrigated land:0 sq kmEnvironment:current issues:NAnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:NANote:strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; Johnston Island andSand Island are natural islands; North Island (Akau) and East Island(Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; closed to thepublic; former nuclear weapons test site; site of Johnston AtollChemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS); some low-growing vegetation
@Johnston Atoll, People
Population: 327 (July 1994 est.)
@Johnston Atoll, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Johnston AtollDigraph:JQType:unincorportated territory of the US administered by the US DefenseNuclear Agency (DNA) and managed cooperatively by DNA and the Fish andWildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of theNational Wildlife Refuge systemCapital:none; administered from Washington, DCDiplomatic representation in US:none (territory of the US)US diplomatic representation:none (territory of the US)Flag:the flag of the US is used
@Johnston Atoll, Economy
Overview:Economic activity is limited to providing services to US militarypersonnel and contractors located on the island. All food andmanufactured goods must be imported.Electricity:supplied by the management and operations contractor
@Johnston Atoll, Communications
Highways:total:NApaved:NAunpaved:NAAirports:total:1usable:1with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1 with TACAN and beaconwith runways 1,220-2,439 m:0Telecommunications:excellent system including 60-channel submarine cable, Autodin/SRTterminal, digital telephone switch, Military Affiliated Radio System(MARS station), commercial satellite television system, and UHF/VHFair-ground radio
@Johnston Atoll, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US
@Jordan
Header Affiliation: (also see separate West Bank entry)
@Jordan, Geography
Location:Middle East, between Israel and Saudi ArabiaMap references:Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:89,213 sq kmland area:88,884 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than IndianaLand boundaries:total 1,619 km, Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 728 km, Syria375 km, West Bank 97 kmCoastline:26 kmMaritime claims:territorial sea:3 nmInternational disputes:differences with Israel over the location of the 1949 Armistice Linethat separates the two countries; water-sharing issues with IsraelClimate:mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April)Terrain:mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great RiftValley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan RiverNatural resources:phosphates, potash, shale oilLand use:arable land:4%permanent crops:0.5%meadows and pastures:1%forest and woodland:0.5%other:94%Irrigated land:570 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:lack of adequate natural water resources; deforestation; overgrazing;soil erosion; desertificationnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, HazardousWastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,Wetlands
@Jordan, People
Population:3,961,194 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:3.5% (1994 est.)Birth rate:38.77 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:4.22 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:32.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:71.85 yearsmale:70.04 yearsfemale:73.77 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:5.64 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Jordanian(s)adjective:JordanianEthnic divisions:Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1%Religions:Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 8%Languages:Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middleclassesLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population:80%male:89%female:70%Labor force:600,000 (1992)by occupation:industry 11.4%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 10.5%, construction10.0%, transport and communications 8.7%, agriculture 7.4%, otherservices 52.0% (1992)
@Jordan, Government
Names:conventional long form:Hashemite Kingdom of Jordanconventional short form:Jordanlocal long form:Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyahlocal short form:Al Urdunformer:TransjordanDigraph:JOType:constitutional monarchyCapital:AmmanAdministrative divisions:8 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Balqa', Al Karak,Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Ma'anIndependence:25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under Britishadministration)National holiday:Independence Day, 25 May (1946)Constitution:8 January 1952Legal system:based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of legislativeacts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionSuffrage:20 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:King HUSSEIN Bin Talal Al Hashimi (since 11 August 1952)head of government:Prime Minister Abd al-Salam al-MAJALI (since May 1993)cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the monarchLegislative branch:bicameral National Assembly (Majlis al-'Umma)House of Notables (Majlis al-A'ayan):consists of a 40-member body appointed by the king from designatedcategories of public figuresHouse of Representatives:elections last held 8 November 1993 (next to be held NA November1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (80 total)Muslim Brotherhood (fundamentalist) 16, Independent Islamic bloc(generally traditionalist) 6, Radical leftist 3, pro-government 55note:the House of Representatives has been convened and dissolved by theKing several times since 1974 and in November 1989 the firstparliamentary elections in 22 years were heldJudicial branch:Court of CassationPolitical parties and leaders:NA; note - political parties were legalized in December 1992Member of:ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OIC, PCA,UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOSOM, UNRWA, UNPROFOR, UNTAC,UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Fayiz A. TARAWNAHchancery:3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 966-2664FAX:(202) 966-3110US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Wesley EGAN, Jr.embassy:Jabel Amman, Ammanmailing address:P. O. Box 354, Amman, or APO AE 09892-0200telephone:[962] (6) 820-101Flag:three equal horizontal bands of black (top), white, and green with ared isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a small whiteseven-pointed star; the seven points on the star represent the sevenfundamental laws of the Koran
@Jordan, Economy
Overview:Jordan benefited from increased Arab aid during the oil boom of thelate 1970s and early 1980s, when its annual real GNP growth averagedmore than 10%. In the remainder of the 1980s, however, reductions inboth Arab aid and worker remittances slowed real economic growth to anaverage of roughly 2% per year. Imports - mainly oil, capital goods,consumer durables, and food - outstripped exports, with the differencecovered by aid, remittances, and borrowing. In mid-1989, the JordanianGovernment began debt-rescheduling negotiations and agreed toimplement an IMF-supported program designed to gradually reduce thebudget deficit and implement badly needed structural reforms. ThePersian Gulf crisis that began in August 1990, however, aggravatedJordan's already serious economic problems, forcing the government toshelve the IMF program, stop most debt payments, and suspendrescheduling negotiations. Aid from Gulf Arab states, workerremittances and trade contracted, and refugees flooded the country,producing serious balance-of-payments problems, stunting GDP growth,and straining government resources. The economy rebounded in 1992,largely due to the influx of capital repatriated by workers returningfrom the Gulf, but the recovery has been losing steam since mid-1993.The government is implementing the reform program adopted in 1992 andcontinues to secure rescheduling of its heavy foreign debt.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $11.5 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:5% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$3,000 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):5% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:20% (1993 est.)Budget:revenues:$1.7 billionexpenditures:$1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $420 million (1993)Exports:$1.4 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)commodities:phosphates, fertilizers, potash, agricultural products, manufacturespartners:India, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, EC, Indonesia, UAEImports:$3.2 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)commodities:crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, food, live animals,manufactured goodspartners:EC, US, Iraq, Japan, TurkeyExternal debt:$6.8 billion (December 1993 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 3% (1993 est.); accounts for 20% of GDPElectricity:capacity:1,030,000 kWproduction:3.814 billion kWhconsumption per capita:1,070 kWh (1992)Industries:phosphate mining, petroleum refining, cement, potash, lightmanufacturingAgriculture:accounts for about 10% of GDP; principal products are wheat, barley,citrus fruit, tomatoes, melons, olives; livestock - sheep, goats,poultry; large net importer of foodEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.7 billion; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.5billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $9.5 billion; Communistcountries (1970-89), $44 millionCurrency:1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000 filsExchange rates:Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1 - 0.7019 (February 1994), 0.6928(1993), 0.6797 (1992), 0.6808 (1991), 0.6636 (1990), 0.5704 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year