GDP:purchasing power parity - $3.651 trillion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:0.2% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $28,700 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 1.4%industry: 30.9%services: 67.7% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.8% highest 10%: 21.7% (1993)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:24.9 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):-0.9% (2002 est.)
Labor force:67.7 million (December 2001)
Labor force - by occupation:services 70%, industry 25%, agriculture 5% (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate:5.4% (2002)
Budget:revenues: $441 billionexpenditures: $718 billion, including capital expenditures (publicworks only) of about $0 NA (FY 01/02 est.)
Industries:among world's largest and technologically advanced producers ofmotor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel andnonferrous metals, ships, chemicals; textiles, processed foods
Industrial production growth rate:-1.4% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:1.037 trillion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 60% hydro: 8.4% other: 1.8% (2001) nuclear: 29.8%
Electricity - consumption:964.2 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2001)
Oil - production:17,330 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:5.29 million bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:93,360 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:5.449 million bbl/day (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:29.29 million bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:2.519 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:80.42 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:77.73 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:20.02 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs; fish
Exports:$383.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:motor vehicles, semiconductors, office machinery, chemicals
Exports - partners:US 28.8%, China 9.6%, South Korea 6.9%, Taiwan 6.2%, Hong Kong 6.1%(2002)
Imports:$292.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, fuels, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles,raw materials (2001)
Imports - partners:China 18.3%, US 17.4%, South Korea 4.6%, Indonesia 4.2%, Australia4.1% (2002)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $9.1 billion (1999)
Currency:yen (JPY)
Currency code:JPY
Exchange rates:yen per US dollar - 125.39 (2002), 121.53 (2001), 107.77 (2000),113.91 (1999), 130.91 (1998)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Japan
Telephones - main lines in use:60.381 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:63.88 million (2000)
Telephone system:general assessment: excellent domestic and international servicedomestic: high level of modern technology and excellent service ofevery kindinternational: satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (4 PacificOcean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region), and1 Inmarsat (Pacific and Indian Ocean regions); submarine cables toChina, Philippines, Russia, and US (via Guam) (1999)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 215 plus 370 repeaters, FM 89 plus 485 repeaters, shortwave 21(2001)
Radios:120.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 211 plus 7,341 repeaters note: in addition, US Forces are served by 3 TV stations and 2 TV cable services (1999)
Televisions:86.5 million (1997)
Internet country code:.jp
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):73 (2000)
Internet users:56 million (2002)
Transportation Japan
Railways:total: 23,168 km (15,995 km electrified)standard gauge: 3,204 km 1.435-m gauge (3,204 km electrified)narrow gauge: 77 km 1.372-m gauge (77 km electrified); 19,855 km1.067-m gauge (12,683 km electrified); 31 km 0.762-m gauge (31 kmelectrified) (2002)
Highways:total: 1,161,894 kmpaved: 534,471 km (including 6,455 km of expressways)unpaved: 627,423 km (1999)
Waterways: 1,770 km approximately note: seagoing craft ply all coastal inland seas
Pipelines:gas 2,719 km; oil 170 km; oil/gas/water 60 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Akita, Amagasaki, Chiba, Hachinohe, Hakodate, Higashi-Harima,Himeji, Hiroshima, Kawasaki, Kinuura, Kobe, Kushiro, Mizushima,Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Sakai, Sakaide, Shimizu, Tokyo, Tomakomai
Merchant marine:total: 594 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 10,467,142 GRT/13,335,833 DWTships by type: bulk 120, cargo 45, chemical tanker 18, combinationbulk 28, combination ore/oil 1, container 18, liquefied gas 52,passenger 8, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 179, refrigeratedcargo 9, roll on/roll off 59, short-sea passenger 6, vehicle carrier49note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag ofconvenience: China 1, Panama 1, Singapore 1 (2002 est.)
Airports:172 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 141 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 37 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 32 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 38
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 31 over 3047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 26 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 3
Heliports: 15 (2002)
Military Japan
Military branches:Ground Self-Defense Force (Army), Maritime Self-Defense Force(Navy), Air Self-Defense Force (Air Force), Coast Guard
Military manpower - military age:18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 29,392,559 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 25,405,779 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 725,281 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$39.52 billion (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1% (FY02)
Transnational Issues Japan
Disputes - international:islands of Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan, and the Habomai groupoccupied by the Soviet Union in 1945, now administered by Russia,claimed by Japan; Liancourt Rocks (Take-shima/Tok-do) disputed withSouth Korea; Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu Tai) claimed by China and Taiwan
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Jarvis Island
Introduction Jarvis Island
Background:First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island wasannexed by the US in 1858, but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guanohad been removed. The UK annexed the island in 1889, but nevercarried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied andreclaimed the island in 1935. Abandoned after World War II, theisland is currently a National Wildlife Refuge administered by theUS Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near themiddle of the west coast.
Geography Jarvis Island
Location:Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way betweenHawaii and the Cook Islands
Geographic coordinates:0 22 S, 160 03 W
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 4.5 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 4.5 sq km
Area - comparative:about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:8 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain:sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location 7 m
Natural resources:guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquaticwildlife
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritimehazard
Environment - current issues:no natural fresh water resources
Geography - note:sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs;primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds,shorebirds, and marine wildlife
People Jarvis Island
Population:uninhabitednote: Millersville settlement on western side of island occasionallyused as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it wasabandoned; reoccupied in 1957 during the International GeophysicalYear by scientists who left in 1958; public entry is by special-usepermit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generallyrestricted to scientists and educators; visited annually by US Fishand Wildlife Service (July 2003 est.)
Government Jarvis Island
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jarvis Island
Dependency status:unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington,DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of theInterior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system
Legal system:the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Flag description:the flag of the US is used
Economy Jarvis Island
Economy - overview: no economic activity
Transportation Jarvis Island
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boatlanding area in the middle of the west coast and another near thesouthwest corner of the island
Transportation - note:there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast
Military Jarvis Island
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the USCoast Guard
Transnational Issues Jarvis Island
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Jersey
Introduction Jersey
Background:The island of Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent thelast remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy that held sway inboth France and England. These islands were the only British soiloccupied by German troops in World War II.
Geography Jersey
Location:Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France
Geographic coordinates:49 15 N, 2 10 W
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 116 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 116 sq km
Area - comparative:about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:70 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM territorial sea: 3 NM
Climate:temperate; mild winters and cool summers
Terrain:gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 143 m
Natural resources: arable land
Land use: arable land: NEGL% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:NA sq km
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% ofpopulation concentrated in Saint Helier
People Jersey
Population:90,156 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 17.8% (male 8,292; female 7,744)15-64 years: 67.2% (male 30,178; female 30,410)65 years and over: 15% (male 5,858; female 7,674) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 39.8 yearsmale: 39.1 yearsfemale: 40.6 years (2002)
Population growth rate:0.4% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:10.44 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:9.17 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:2.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.08 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 5.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 78.93 yearsmale: 76.48 yearsfemale: 81.57 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.57 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Channel Islander(s)adjective: Channel Islander
Ethnic groups:UK and Norman-French descent
Religions:Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church,Methodist, Presbyterian
Languages:English (official), French (official), Norman-French dialect spokenin country districts
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%
Government Jersey
Country name:conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jerseyconventional short form: Jersey
Dependency status:British crown dependency
Government type:NA
Capital:Saint Helier
Administrative 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 practice
Legal system:English law and local statute; justice is administered by the RoyalCourt
Suffrage:NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor andbailiff appointed by the monarchhead of government: Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief AirChief Marshall Sir John CHESHIRE (since 24 January 2001) and BailiffPhilip Martin BAILHACHE (since NA February 1995)cabinet: committees appointed by the Assembly of the States
Legislative branch:unicameral Assembly of the States (55 voting members - 12 senators(elected for 6-year terms), 12 constables or heads of parishes(elected for 3-year terms), 29 deputies (elected for 3-year terms);the bailiff and the deputy bailiff; and 3 non-voting members - theDean of Jersey, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor General allappointed by the monarch)elections: last held NA (next to be held NA)election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 52
Judicial branch:Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff)
Political parties and leaders:none; all independents
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (British crown dependency)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (British crown dependency)
Flag description:white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of theflag and in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a redshield holding the three lions of England in yellow
Economy Jersey
Economy - overview:The economy is based largely on international financial services,agriculture, and tourism. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, andespecially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to theUK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide andrepresents an important export income earner. Milk products go tothe UK and other EU countries. In 1996 the finance sector accountedfor about 60% of the island's output. Tourism, another mainstay ofthe economy, accounts for 24% of GDP. In recent years, thegovernment has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey, withthe result 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. Light taxes and death duties make the island a popular taxhaven.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $2.2 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:NA%
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $24,800 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 5%industry: 2%services: 93% (1996)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):4.7% (1998)
Labor force:57,050 (1996)
Unemployment rate:0.7% (1998 est.)
Budget:revenues: $601 millionexpenditures: $588 million, including capital expenditures of $98million (2000 est.)
Industries:tourism, banking and finance, dairy
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - imports:NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France
Agriculture - products:potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products
Exports:$NA
Exports - commodities:light industrial and electrical goods, foodstuffs, textiles
Exports - partners:UK
Imports:$NA
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs,mineral fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners:UK
Debt - external:none
Economic aid - recipient:none
Currency:British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Jersey pound
Currency code:GBP
Exchange rates:Jersey pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596(2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998); the Jersey pound is at parwith the British pound
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Jersey
Telephones - main lines in use:65,500 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:4,400 (1997)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: 3 submarine cables
Radio broadcast stations:AM NA, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:NA
Television broadcast stations:2 (1997)
Televisions:NA
Internet country code:.je
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):NA
Internet users:NA
Transportation Jersey
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 577 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier
Merchant marine:none (2002 est.)
Airports:1 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Military Jersey
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues Jersey
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Johnston Atoll
Introduction Johnston Atoll
Background:Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late1880s. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934, and subsequently theUS Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used forhigh-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s, and until latein 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site forchemical weapons. Munitions destruction is now complete. Cleanup andclosure of the facility is progressing, with completion anticipatedin 2004.
Geography Johnston Atoll
Location:Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 717 NM (1328 km)southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii, about one-third of the way fromHawaii to the Marshall Islands
Geographic coordinates:16 45 N, 169 31 W
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 2.8 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 2.8 sq km
Area - comparative:about 4.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:34 km
Maritime claims:exclusive economic zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds withlittle seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:mostly flat
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Summit Peak 5 m
Natural resources:guano deposits worked until depletion about 1890, terrestrial andaquatic wildlife
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:NA
Environment - current issues:no natural fresh water resources
Geography - note:strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; Johnston Island andSand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coraldredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmadeislands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km incircumference; closed to the public; a former US nuclear weaponstest site; site of Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System(JACADS); some low-growing vegetation
People Johnston Atoll
Population:no indigenous inhabitantsnote: in previous years, there was an average of 1,100 US militaryand civilian contractor personnel present; as of September 2001,population had decreased significantly when US Army ChemicalActivity Pacific (USACAP) departed; as of January 2003 the islandpopulation was just above 800 personnel, including US Air Force, USDepartment of Defense civilian, and civilian contractor personnel(January 2003 est.) (July 2003 est.)
Government Johnston Atoll
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Johnston Atoll
Dependency status:unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Honolulu, HI,by Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, and the Fish andWildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of theNational Wildlife Refuge system
Legal system:the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Flag description:the flag of the US is used
Economy 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 - production:44.2 million kWh; note - approximate annual production; there aresix 25,000 kWh generators operated by the base operating supportcontractor (1999)
Electricity - consumption:2.002 million kWh; note - approximate annual consumption
Communications Johnston Atoll
Telephone system:general assessment: 33 commercial lines, 15 incoming and 18outgoing; adequate telecommunicationsdomestic: 60-channel submarine cable (broken in January 2002), 24DSN circuits by satellite, Automated Digital Network (AUTODIN) withstandard remote terminal, digital telephone switch, MilitaryAffiliated Radio System (MARS) station (scheduled fordecommissioning March 2003), UHF/VHF air-ground radio, a link to thePacific Consolidated Telecommunications Network (PCTN) satelliteinternational: NA (2002)
Radio broadcast stations:AM NA, FM 7 (1 island-run morale, welfare, and recreation stationand 6 all-music digital radio stations broadcast over FM band),shortwave NA (2002)
Television broadcast stations:commercial satellite television system, with 30 channels (2002)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 256 KB circuit to US Department of Defense-run Nonsecure InternetProtocol Router Network (NIPRNET) (2002)
Transportation Johnston Atoll
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:Johnston Island
Airports:1 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
Military Johnston Atoll
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues Johnston Atoll
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Jordan
Introduction Jordan
Background:For most of its history since independence from Britishadministration in 1946, Jordan was ruled by King HUSSEIN (1953-99).A pragmatic ruler, he successfully navigated competing pressuresfrom the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states,Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population, through severalwars and coup attempts. In 1989 he resumed parliamentary electionsand gradually permitted political liberalization; in 1994 a formalpeace treaty was signed with Israel. King ABDALLAH II - the eldestson of King HUSSEIN and Princess MUNA - assumed the throne followinghis father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidatedhis power and established his domestic priorities, including anaggressive economic reform program. Jordan acceded to the WorldTrade Organization in January 2000, and signed free trade agreementswith the United States in 2000, and with the European Free TradeAssociation in 2001.
Geography Jordan
Location:Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates:31 00 N, 36 00 E
Map references:Middle East
Area:total: 92,300 sq kmwater: 329 sq kmland: 91,971 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Indiana
Land boundaries:total: 1,635 kmborder countries: Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 744 km,Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km
Coastline:26 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 3 NM
Climate: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 River
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Dead Sea -408 mhighest point: Jabal Ram 1,734 m
Natural resources:phosphates, potash, shale oil
Land use: arable land: 2.87% permanent crops: 1.52% other: 95.61% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:750 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:droughts; periodic earthquakes
Environment - current issues:limited natural fresh water resources; deforestation; overgrazing;soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arabcountry that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupiedWest Bank
People Jordan
Population:5,460,265 (July 2003 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 35.9% (male 1,001,174; female 959,157)15-64 years: 60.5% (male 1,764,061; female 1,541,453)65 years and over: 3.6% (male 95,566; female 98,854) (2003 est.)
Median age:total: 21.8 yearsmale: 22.4 yearsfemale: 21.1 years (2002)
Population growth rate:2.78% (2003 est.)
Birth rate:23.68 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Death rate:2.62 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Net migration rate:6.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.14 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 18.86 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 14.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)male: 22.51 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 77.88 yearsmale: 75.42 yearsfemale: 80.5 years (2003 est.)
Total fertility rate:3 children born/woman (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:less than 1,000
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Jordanian(s)adjective: Jordanian
Ethnic groups:Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1%
Religions:Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 6% (majority Greek Orthodox, but someGreek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox,Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), other 2% (severalsmall Shi'a Muslim and Druze populations) (2001 est.)
Languages:Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middleclasses
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 91.3%male: 95.9%female: 86.3% (2003 est.)
Government Jordan
Country name:conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordanconventional short form: Jordanlocal short form: Al Urdunlocal long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyahformer: Transjordan
Government type:constitutional monarchy
Capital:'Amman
Administrative divisions:12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ajlun, Al'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, AzZarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba
Independence:25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under Britishadministration)
National holiday:Independence Day, 25 May (1946)
Constitution:8 January 1952
Legal system:based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review oflegislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has notaccepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); CrownPrince HAMZAH (half brother of the monarch, born 29 March 1980)head of government: Prime Minister Faisal al-FAYEZ (since 25 October2003)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister in consultationwith the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointedby the monarch
Legislative branch:bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of theSenate, also called the House of Notables (Majlis al-Ayan) (40seats; members appointed by the monarch from designated categoriesof public figures; members serve four-year terms) and the House ofRepresentatives, also called the House of Deputies (Majlisal-Nuwaab) (110 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basisof proportional representation to serve four-year terms; note - sixseats are reserved for women and are allocated by a specialelectoral panel if no women are elected)elections: House of Representatives - last held 17 June 2003, nextto be held NA 2007note: the House of Representatives has been convened and dissolvedby the monarch several times since 1974; in November 1989, the firstparliamentary elections in 22 years were held; political partieswere not legalized until 1992; King Abdallah delayed the 2001elections until 2003election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote byparty - independents and others 89.6%, Islamic Action Front 10.4%;seats by party - independents and others 92, Islamic Action Front 18(note - one of the six quota seats was given to a female IAFcandidate)
Judicial branch:Court of Cassation; Supreme Court (court of final appeal)
Political parties and leaders:Al-Umma (Nation) Party [Ahmad al-HANANDEH, secretary general]; ArabLand Party [Dr. Muhammad al-'ORAN, secretary general]; CommunistParty [Munir HAMARINAH, secretary general]; Constitutional Front[Mahdi al-TALL, secretary general]; Jordanian Democratic PopularUnity Party [Sa'id DHIYAB, secretary general]; Jordanian ProgressiveParty [Fawwaz al-ZUBI, secretary general]; Jordanian People'sDemocratic (Hashd) Party [Salim al-NAHHAS, secretary general];Islamic Action Front [Hazma MANSOUR, secretary general]; NationalAction (Haqq) Party [Muhammad al-ZUBI, secretary general]; NationalConstitutional Party [Abdul Hadi MAJALI, secretary general]; (Arab)Socialist Ba'th Party [Taysif al-HIMSI, secretary general]; Pan-Arab(Democratic) Movement [Mahmud al-NUWAYHI, secretary general]
Political pressure groups and leaders:Anti-Normalization Committee [Ali Abu SUKKAR, president vicechairman]; Jordanian Bar Association [Saleh ARMOUTI, president];Jordanian Press Association [Sayf al-SHARIF, president]; MuslimBrotherhood [Abd-al-Majid DHUNAYBAT, secretary general]
International organization participation:ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE(partner), PCA, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIBH,UNMIK, UNMISET, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Karim Tawfiq KAWAR chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward William GNEHM, Jr. embassy: Abdoun, Amman mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman 11118 Jordan; Unit 70200, Box 5, APO AE 09892-0200 telephone: [962] (6) 5920101 FAX: [962] (6) 5920121
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of black (top, the Abbassid Caliphateof Islam), white (the Ummayyad Caliphate of Islam), and green (theFatimid Caliphate of Islam) with a red isosceles triangle(representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916) based on the hoist sidebearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the sevenverses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the sevenpoints on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, nationalspirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations
Economy Jordan
Economy - overview:Jordan is a small Arab country with inadequate supplies of waterand other natural resources such as oil. Debt, poverty, andunemployment are fundamental problems, but King ABDALLAH sinceassuming the throne in 1999 has undertaken some broad economicreforms in a long-term effort to improve living standards. Amman inthe past three years has worked closely with the IMF, practicedcareful monetary policy, and made significant headway withprivatization. The government also has liberalized the trade regimesufficiently to secure Jordan's membership in the WTrO (2000), afree trade accord with US (2000), and an association agreement withthe EU (2001). These measures have helped improve productivity andhave put Jordan on the foreign investment map. The US-led war inIraq in 2003 dealt an economic blow to Jordan, which was dependenton Iraq for discounted oil. It remains unclear how Jordan willfinance energy imports in the absence of such a deal. Other ongoingchallenges include fiscal adjustment to reduce the budget deficitand broader investment incentives to promote job-creating ventures.
GDP:purchasing power parity - $22.63 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4.9% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.7% industry: 26% services: 70.3% (2001 est.)
Population below poverty line: 30% (2001 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.3% highest 10%: 29.8% (1997)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:36.4 (1997)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.3% (2002 est.)
Labor force:1.36 million (2002)
Labor force - by occupation:services 82.5%, industry 12.5%, agriculture 5% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:16% official rate; actual rate is 25%-30% (2001 est.)
Budget:revenues: $2.7 billionexpenditures: $3 billion, including capital expenditures of $614million (2002 est.)
Industries:phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement,potash, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:1% (2002 est.)
Electricity - production:7.091 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 99.4% hydro: 0.6% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption:6.86 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports:2 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports:267 million kWh (2001)
Oil - production:40 bbl/day NA bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - consumption:103,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:NA (2001)
Oil - imports:NA (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:445,000 bbl (37257)
Natural gas - production:290 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:290 million cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:3.256 billion cu m (37257)
Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, citrus, tomatoes, melons, olives; sheep, goats, poultry
Exports: $2.5 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities:phosphates, fertilizers, potash, agricultural products,manufactures, pharmaceuticals
Exports - partners:Iraq 20.1%, US 14.5%, India 8.1%, Saudi Arabia 5.4%, Israel 4.4%(2002)
Imports:$4.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Imports - commodities:crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, food, live animals,manufactured goods
Imports - partners:Iraq 13.4%, Germany 8.8%, US 8%, China 6%, France 4.2%, UK 4.1%,Italy 4.1% (2002)
Debt - external:$8.2 billion (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:ODA, $553 million (2000 est.)
Currency:Jordanian dinar (JOD)
Currency code:JOD
Exchange rates:Jordanian dinars per US dollar - 0.71 (2002), 0.71 (2001), 0.71(2000), 0.71 (1999), 0.71 (1998)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Jordan
Telephones - main lines in use:403,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular:11,500 (1995)
Telephone system:general assessment: service has improved recently with theincreased use of digital switching equipment, but better access tothe telephone system is needed in the rural areas and easier accessto pay telephones is needed by the urban publicdomestic: microwave radio relay transmission and coaxial andfiber-optic cable are employed on trunk lines; considerable use ofmobile cellular systems; Internet service is availableinternational: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals; fiber-optic cable to SaudiArabia and microwave radio relay link with Egypt and Syria;connection to international submarine cable FLAG (Fiber-Optic LinkAround the Globe); participant in MEDARABTEL; international linkstotal about 4,000
Radio broadcast stations:AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1999)
Radios:1.66 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:20 (plus 96 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:500,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.jo
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):5 (2000)
Internet users:212,000 (2002)
Transportation Jordan
Railways: total: 505 km narrow gauge: 505 km 1.050-m gauge (2002)
Highways: total: 7,245 km paved: 7,245 km unpaved: 0 km (2000)
Waterways:none
Pipelines:gas 10 km; oil 743 km (2003)
Ports and harbors:Al 'Aqabah
Merchant marine:total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 63,522 GRT/79,776 DWTships by type: cargo 3, container 1, refrigerated cargo 1, rollon/roll off 3, short-sea passenger 1note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag ofconvenience: Greece 6 (2002 est.)
Airports:17 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2002) 914 to 1,523 m: 1
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 2under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Heliports:2 (2002)
Military Jordan
Military branches:Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) (Royal Jordanian Land Force, RoyalNaval Force, Royal Jordanian Air Force, and Special OperationsCommand or SOCOM); note - Public Security Directorate normally fallsunder Ministry of Interior but comes under JAF in wartime or crisissituations
Military manpower - military age:18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - availability:males age 15-49: 1,577,136 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,113,787 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually:males: 58,840 (2003 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$757.5 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:8.6% (FY01)
Transnational Issues Jordan
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Juan de Nova Island
Introduction Juan de Nova Island
Background:Named after a famous 15th century Spanish navigator and explorer,the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has beenexploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small militarygarrison oversees a meteorological station.
Geography Juan de Nova Island
Location:Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-thirdof the way between Madagascar and Mozambique
Geographic coordinates:17 03 S, 42 45 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 4.4 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmland: 4.4 sq km
Area - comparative:about seven times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:24.1 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 NMterritorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:tropical
Terrain:low and flat
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 10 m
Natural resources: guano deposits and other fertilizers
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (90% forest) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:periodic cyclones
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:wildlife sanctuary
People Juan de Nova Island
Population:no indigenous inhabitantsnote: there is a small French military garrison along with a fewmeteorologists; occasionally visited by scientists (July 2003 est.)
Government Juan de Nova Island
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Juan de Nova Islandlocal short form: Ile Juan de Novalocal long form: none
Dependency status:possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of theRepublic, resident in Reunion
Legal system:the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (possession of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (possession of France)
Flag description:the flag of France is used
Economy Juan de Nova Island
Economy - overview:Up to 12,000 tons of guano are mined per year.
Communications Juan de Nova Island
Communications - note: 1 meteorological station
Transportation Juan de Nova Island
Railways:total: NA km; short line going to a jetty
Waterways:none
Ports and harbors:none; offshore anchorage only
Airports:1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 1914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Military Juan de Nova Island
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues Juan de Nova Island
Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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@Kazakhstan
Introduction Kazakhstan
Background:Native Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes whomigrated into the region in the 13th century, were rarely united asa single nation. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18thcentury and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1936. During the1950s and 1960s agricultural "Virgin Lands" program, Soviet citizenswere encouraged to help cultivate Kazakhstan's northern pastures.This influx of immigrants (mostly Russians, but also some otherdeported nationalities) skewed the ethnic mixture and enablednon-Kazakhs to outnumber natives. Independence has caused many ofthese newcomers to emigrate. Current issues include: developing acohesive national identity; expanding the development of thecountry's vast energy resources and exporting them to world markets;achieving a sustainable economic growth outside the oil, gas, andmining sectors; and strengthening relations with neighboring statesand other foreign powers.
Geography Kazakhstan
Location:Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the UralRiver in eastern-most Europe
Geographic coordinates:48 00 N, 68 00 E