October, 1993 [Etext #87]Part 18 out of 42growth rate 9.4% (1992 est.); accounts for about 20% of GDP Electricity: 5,835,000 kW capacity; 21,840 million kWh produced, 4,600 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: food processing, diamond cutting and polishing, textiles, clothing, chemicals, metal products, military equipment, transport equipment, electrical equipment, miscellaneous machinery, potash mining, high-technology electronics, tourism *Israel, Economy Agriculture: accounts for about 3% of GDP; largely self-sufficient in food production, except for grains; principal products - citrus and other fruits, vegetables, cotton; livestock products - beef, dairy, poultry Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $18.2 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2.8 billion Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.8000 (December 1992), 2.4591 (1992), 2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992) *Israel, Communications Railroads: 600 km 1.435-meter gauge, single track; diesel operated Highways: 4,750 km; majority is bituminous surfaced Pipelines: crude oil 708 km; petroleum products 290 km; natural gas 89 km Ports: Ashdod, Haifa Merchant marine: 35 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 678,584 GRT/785,220 DWT; includes 8 cargo, 24 container, 2 refrigerated cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off; note - Israel also maintains a significant flag of convenience fleet, which is normally at least as large as the Israeli flag fleet; the Israeli flag of convenience fleet typically includes all of its oil tankers Airports: total: 53 usable: 46 with permanent-surface runways: 28 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 7 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 12 Telecommunications: most highly developed in the Middle East although not the largest; good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; 1,800,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 14 AM, 21 FM, 20 TV; 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT *Israel, Defense Forces Branches: Israel Defense Forces (including ground, naval, and air components) note: historically, there have been no separate Israeli military services Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,240,757; females age 15-49 1,218,610; males fit for military service 1,018,212; females fit for military service 996,089; males reach military age (18) annually 46,131; females reach military age (18) annually 44,134 (1993 est.); both sexes are liable for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $12.5 billion, 18% of GDP (1993 est.) *Italy, Geography Location: Southern Europe, a peninsula in the central Mediterranean Sea Map references: Africa, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 301,230 km2 land area: 294,020 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Arizona note: includes Sardinia and Sicily Land boundaries: total 1,899.2 km, Austria 430 km, France 488 km, Holy See (Vatican City) 3.2 km, San Marino 39 km, Slovenia 199 km, Switzerland 740 km Coastline: 4,996 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: small vocal minority in northern Italy seeks the return of parts of southwestern Slovenia Climate: predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands Natural resources: mercury, potash, marble, sulfur, dwindling natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, coal Land use: arable land: 32% permanent crops: 10% meadows and pastures: 17% forest and woodland: 22% other: 19% Irrigated land: 31,000 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: regional risks include landslides, mudflows, snowslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding, pollution; land sinkage in Venice Note: strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe *Italy, People Population: 58,018,540 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.2% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 10.65 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 9.66 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.43 years male: 74.22 years female: 80.85 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.37 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Italian(s) adjective: Italian Ethnic divisions: Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south), Sicilians, Sardinians Religions: Roman Catholic 100% Languages: Italian, German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 97% male: 98% female: 96% Labor force: 23.988 million by occupation: services 58%, industry 32.2%, agriculture 9.8% (1988) *Italy, Government Names: conventional long form: Italian Republic conventional short form: Italy local long form: Repubblica Italiana local short form: Italia former: Kingdom of Italy Digraph: IT Type: republic Capital: Rome Administrative 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, Veneto Independence: 17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed) Constitution: 1 January 1948 Legal system: based on civil law system, with ecclesiastical law influence; appeals treated as trials de novo; judicial review under certain conditions in Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Anniversary of the Republic, 2 June (1946) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party (DC), Fermo Mino MARTINAZZOLI, general secretary; Rosa Russo JERVOLINO, president; Socialist Party (PSI), Giorgio BENVENUTO, party secretary; Social Democratic Party (PSDI), Enrico FERRI, party secretary; Liberal Party (PLI); Democratic Party of the Left (PDS - was Communist Party, or PCI, until January 1991), Achille OCCHETTO, secretary general; Italian Social Movement (MSI), Gianfranco FINI, national secretary; Republican Party (PRI), Giorgio BOGI, political secretary; Lega Nord (Northern League), Umberto BOSSI, president; Communist Renewal (RC), Sergio GARAVINI Other political or pressure groups: the Roman Catholic Church; three major trade union confederations (CGIL - formerly Communist dominated, CISL - Christian Democratic, and UIL - Social Democratic, Socialist, and Republican); Italian manufacturers association (Confindustria); organized farm groups (Confcoltivatori, Confagricoltura) Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal (except in senatorial elections, where minimum age is 25) Elections: Senate: last held 5-6 April 1992 (next to be held by April 1997); results - DC 27.3%, PDS 17.0%, PSI 13.6%, Northern Leagues 8.2%, other 33.9%; seats - (326 total; 315 elected, 11 appointed senators-for-life) DC 107, PDS 64, PSI 49, Leagues 25, other 70 *Italy, Government Chamber of Deputies: last held 5-6 April 1992 (next to be held by April 1997); results - DC 29.7%, PDS 16.1%, PSI 13.6%, Northern Leagues 8.7%, RC 5.6%, MSI 5.4%, PRI 4.4%, PLI 2.8%, PSDI 2.7%, other 11%; seats - (630 total) DC 206, PDS 107, PSI 92, Northern Leagues 55, RC 35, MSI 34, PRI 27, PLI 17, PSDI 16, other 41 Executive branch: president, prime minister (president of the Council of Ministers) Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Parlamento) consists of an upper chamber or Senate of the Republic (Senato della Repubblica) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Deputies (Camera dei Deputati) Judicial branch: Constitutional Court (Corte Costituzionale) Leaders: Chief of State: President Oscar Luigi SCALFARO (since 28 May 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister Carlo Azeglio CIAMPI (29 April 1993) 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, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNOMOZ, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Boris BIANCHERI CHIAPPORI chancery: 1601 Fuller Street NW, Washington DC 20009 telephone: (202) 328-5500 consulates general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco consulates: Detroit, New Orleans, and Newark (New Jersey) US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant) embassy: Via Veneto 119/A, 00187, Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 100, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (6) 46741 FAX: [39] (6) 488-2672 consulates general: Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Palermo (Sicily) Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green *Italy, Economy Overview: Since World War II the economy has changed from one based on agriculture into a ranking industrial economy, with approximately the same total and per capita output as France and the UK. The country is still divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and an undeveloped agricultural south, dominated by large public enterprises. Services account for 48% of GDP, industry 35%, agriculture 4%, and public administration 13%. Most raw materials needed by industry and over 75% of energy requirements must be imported. After growing at an annual average rate of 3% in 1983-90, growth slowed to about 1% in 1991 and 1992. In the second half of 1992, Rome became unsettled by the prospect of not qualifying to participate in EC plans for economic and monetary union later in the decade; thus it finally began to address its huge fiscal imbalances. Thanks to the determination of Prime Minister AMATO, the government adopted a fairly stringent budget for 1993, abandoned its highly inflationary wage indexation system, and started to scale back its extremely generous social welfare programs, including pension and health care benefits. Monetary officials, who were forced to withdraw the lira from the European monetary system in September 1992 when it came under extreme pressure in currency markets, remain committed to bringing the currency back into the grid as soon as conditions warrant. For the 1990s, Italy faces the problems of refurbishing a tottering communications system, curbing pollution in major industrial centers, and adjusting to the new competitive forces accompanying the ongoing economic integration of the European Community. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.012 trillion (1992) National product real growth rate: 0.9% (1992) National product per capita: $17,500 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.4% (1992) Unemployment rate: 11% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $447 billion; expenditures $581 billion, including capital expenditures of $46 billion (1992 est.) Exports: $168.8 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: textiles, wearing apparel, metals, production machinery, motor vehicles, transportation equipment, chemicals, other partners: EC 58.3%, US 6.8%, OPEC 5.1% (1992) Imports: $169.7 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: petroleum, industrial machinery, chemicals, metals, food, agricultural products partners: EC 58.8%, OPEC 6.1%, US 5.5% (1992) External debt: $42 billion (September 1992) Industrial production: growth rate -0.5% (1992 est.); accounts for almost 35% of GDP Electricity: 58,000,000 kW capacity; 235,000 million kWh produced, 4,060 kWh per capita (1992) *Italy, Economy Industries: machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics Agriculture: accounts for about 4% of GDP and about 10% 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 1990 Illicit drugs: increasingly important gateway country for Latin American cocaine entering the European market Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $25.9 billion Currency: 1 Italian lira (Lit) = 100 centesimi Exchange rates: Italian lire (Lit) per US$1 - 1,482.5 (January 1993), 1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1,372.1 (1989), 1,301.6 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year *Italy, Communications Railroads: 20,011 km total; 16,066 km 1.435-meter government-owned standard gauge (8,999 km electrified); 3,945 km privately owned - 2,100 km 1.435-meter standard gauge (1,155 km electrified) and 1,845 km 0.950-meter narrow gauge (380 km electrified) Highways: 298,000 km total; autostrada (expressway) 6,000 km, state highways 46,000 km, provincial highways 103,000 km, communal highways 143,000 km; 270,000 km paved, 23,000 km gravel and crushed stone, 5,000 km earth Inland waterways: 2,400 km for various types of commercial traffic, although of limited overall value Pipelines: crude oil 1,703 km; petroleum products 2,148 km; natural gas 19,400 km Ports: Cagliari (Sardinia), Genoa, La Spezia, Livorno, Naples, Palermo (Sicily), Taranto, Trieste, Venice Merchant marine: 536 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,788,938 GRT/10,128,468 DWT; includes 15 passenger, 36 short-sea passenger, 87 cargo, 4 refrigerated cargo, 21 container, 69 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 8 vehicle carrier, 1 multifunction large-load carrier, 138 oil tanker, 34 chemical tanker, 45 liquefied gas, 10 specialized tanker, 9 combination ore/oil, 57 bulk, 2 combination bulk Airports: total: 137 usable: 133 with permanent-surface runways: 92 with runways over 3,659 m: 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 36 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 39 Telecommunications: modern, well-developed, fast; 25,600,000 telephones; fully automated telephone, telex, and data services; high-capacity cable and microwave radio relay trunks; broadcast stations - 135 AM, 28 (1,840 repeaters) FM, 83 (1,000 repeaters) TV; international service by 21 submarine cables, 3 satellite earth stations operating in INTELSAT with 3 Atlantic Ocean antennas and 2 Indian Ocean antennas; also participates in INMARSAT and EUTELSAT systems *Italy, Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri Manpower availability: males age 15-49 14,898,913; fit for military service 12,989,142; reach military age (18) annually 425,286 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $24.5 billion, 2% of GDP (1992) *Jamaica, Geography Location: in the northern Caribbean Sea, about 160 km south of Cuba Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 10,990 km2 land area: 10,830 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,022 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain Natural resources: bauxite, gypsum, limestone Land use: arable land: 19% permanent crops: 6% meadows and pastures: 18% forest and woodland: 28% other: 29% Irrigated land: 350 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: subject to hurricanes (especially July to November); deforestation; water pollution Note: strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for Panama Canal *Jamaica, People Population: 2,529,981 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.96% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 22.24 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.72 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -6.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.09 years male: 71.92 years female: 76.36 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.47 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Jamaican(s) adjective: Jamaican Ethnic divisions: African 76.3%, Afro-European 15.1%, East Indian and Afro-East Indian 3%, 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%, United Church 2.7%, other 2.5%), Roman Catholic 5%, other, including some spiritual cults 39.1% (1982) Languages: English, Creole Literacy: age 15 and over having ever attended school (1990) total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% Labor force: 1,062,100 by occupation: services 41%, agriculture 22.5%, industry 19%, unemployed 17.5% (1989) *Jamaica, Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jamaica Digraph: JM Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Kingston Administrative divisions: 14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland Independence: 6 August 1962 (from UK) Constitution: 6 August 1962 Legal system: based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day (first Monday in August) Political parties and leaders: People's National Party (PNP) P. J. PATTERSON; Jamaica Labor Party (JLP), Edward SEAGA Other political or pressure groups: Rastafarians (black religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: House of Representatives: last held 30 March 1993 (next to be held by February 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total) PNP 52, JLP 8 Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Howard COOKE (since 1 August 1991) Head of Government: Prime Minister P. J. PATTERSON (since 30 March 1992) 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, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard BERNAL chancery: Suite 355, 1850 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: (202) 452-0660 *Jamaica, Government consulates general: Miami and New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Glen A. HOLDEN embassy: Kingston mailing address: 3rd Floor, Jamaica Mutual Life Center, 2 Oxford Road, Kingston telephone: (809) 929-4850 through 4859 FAX: (809) 926-6743 Flag: 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 1985 it suffered a setback with the closure of some facilities in the bauxite and alumina industry, a major source of hard currency earnings. Since 1986 an economic recovery has been under way. In 1987 conditions began to improve for the bauxite and alumina industry because of increases in world metal prices. The recovery has also been supported by growth in the manufacturing and tourism sectors. In September 1988, Hurricane Gilbert inflicted severe damage on crops and the electric power system, a sharp but temporary setback to the economy. By October 1989 the economic recovery from the hurricane was largely complete, and real growth was up about 3% for 1989. In 1991, however, growth dropped to 0.2% as a result of the US recession, lower world bauxite prices, and monetary instability. In 1992, growth was 1.5%, supported by a recovery in tourism and stabilization of the Jamaican dollar in the second half of 1992. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $3.7 billion (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 1.5% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $1,500 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 52% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 15.4% (1992) Budget: revenues $600 million; expenditures $736 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY91 est.) Exports: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: alumina, bauxite, sugar, bananas, rum partners: US 39%, UK 14%, Canada 12%, Netherlands 8%, Norway 7% Imports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: fuel, other raw materials, construction materials, food, transport equipment, other machinery and equipment partners: US 51%, UK 6%, Venezuela 5%, Canada 5%, Japan 4.5% External debt: $4.4 billion (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 2.0% (1990); accounts for almost 25% of GDP Electricity: 1,127,000 kW capacity; 2,736 million kWh produced, 1,090 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: tourism, bauxite mining, textiles, food processing, light manufactures Agriculture: accounts for about 9% of GDP, 22% 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 products Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of cannabis; transshipment point for cocaine from Central and South America to North America; government has an active cannabis eradication program *Jamaica, Economy Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.2 billion; other countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.6 billion Currency: 1 Jamaican dollar (J$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Jamaican dollars (J$) per US$1 - 22.173 (September 1992), 12.116 (1991), 7.184 (1990), 5.7446 (1989), 5.4886 (1988), 5.4867 (1987) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March *Jamaica, Communications Railroads: 294 km, all 1.435-meter standard gauge, single track Highways: 18,200 km total; 12,600 km paved, 3,200 km gravel, 2,400 km improved earth Pipelines: petroleum products 10 km Ports: Kingston, Montego Bay, Port Antonio Merchant marine: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,619 GRT/16,302 DWT; includes 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 oil tanker, 2 bulk Airports: total: 36 usable: 23 with permanent-surface runways: 10 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: fully automatic domestic telephone network; 127,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 10 AM, 17 FM, 8 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations; 3 coaxial submarine cables *Jamaica, Defense Forces Branches: Jamaica Defense Force (including Ground Forces, Coast Guard and Air Wing), Jamaica Constabulary Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 651,931; fit for military service 461,980 (1993 est.); no conscription; 26,445 reach minimum volunteer age (18) annually Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $19.3 million, 1% of GDP (FY91/92) *Jan Mayen, Header Affiliation: (territory of Norway) *Jan Mayen, Geography Location: in the North Atlantic Ocean, north of the Arctic Circle about 590 km north-northeast of Iceland, between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea Map references: Arctic Region Area: total area: 373 km2 land area: 373 km2 comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 124.1 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 10 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 4 nm International disputes: Denmark has challenged Norway's maritime claims between Greenland and Jan Mayen Climate: arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog Terrain: volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers; Beerenberg is the highest peak, with an elevation of 2,277 meters Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 km2 Environment: barren volcanic island with some moss and grass; volcanic activity resumed in 1970 *Jan Mayen, People Population: no permanent inhabitants; note - there are personnel who man the LORAN C base and the weather and coastal services radio station *Jan Mayen, Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jan Mayen Digraph: JN Type: territory of Norway Capital: 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 of Norway's radio and meteorological stations located on the island. Electricity: 15,000 kW capacity; 40 million kWh produced, NA kWh per capita (1992) *Jan Mayen, Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: total: 1 useable: 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: Northeast Asia, off the southeast coast of Russia and east of the Korean peninsula Map references: Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 377,835 km2 land area: 374,744 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than California note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okinotori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto) Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 29,751 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm 3 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and Eastern and Western channels of the Korea or Tsushima Strait International disputes: Etorofu, Kunashiri, and Shikotan Islands and the Habomai island group occupied 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 Taiwan Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous Natural resources: negligible mineral resources, fish Land use: arable land: 13% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 67% other: 18% Irrigated land: 28,680 km2 (1989) Environment: many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; subject to tsunamis Note: strategic location in northeast Asia *Japan, People Population: 124,711,551 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.32% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 10.31 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 7.17 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.18 years male: 76.35 years female: 82.15 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.54 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Japanese (singular and plural) adjective: Japanese Ethnic divisions: Japanese 99.4%, other 0.6% (mostly Korean) Religions: Shinto 95.8%, Buddhist 76.3%, Christian 1.4%, other 12% note: most Japanese observe both Shinto and Buddhist rites so the percentages add to more than 100% Languages: Japanese Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1970) total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 63.33 million by occupation: trade and services 54%, manufacturing, mining, and construction 33%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 7%, government 3% (1988) *Japan, Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Japan Digraph: JA Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Tokyo Administrative 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, Yamanashi Independence: 660 BC (traditional founding by Emperor Jimmu) Constitution: 3 May 1947 Legal system: modled after European civil law system with English-American influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Birthday of the Emperor, 23 December (1933) Political parties and leaders: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Kiichi MIYAZAWA, president; Seiroku KAJIYAMA, secretary general; Social Democratic Party of Japan (SDPJ), Sadao YAMAHANA, Chairman; Democratic Socialist Party (DSP), Keizo OUCHI, chairman; Japan Communist Party (JCP), Tetsuzo FUWA, Presidium chairman; Komeito (Clean Government Party, CGP), Koshiro ISHIDA, chairman; Japan New Party (JNP), Morihiro HOSOKAWA, chairman Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Elections: House of Councillors: last held on 26 July 1992 (next to be held NA July 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (252 total) LDP 106, SDPJ 73, CGP 24, DSP 12, JCP 11, JNP 4, other 22 House of Representatives: last held on 18 February 1990 (next to be held by NA February 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (512 total) LDP 274, SDPJ 137, CGP 46, JCP 16, DSP 13, others 5, independents 6, vacant 15 Executive branch: Emperor, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Diet (Kokkai) consists of an upper house or House of Councillors (Sangi-in) and a lower house or House of Representatives (Shugi-in) Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Emperor AKIHITO (since 7 January 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Kiichi MIYAZAWA (since 5 November 1991) *Japan, Government Member 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, UNOMOZ, UNRWA, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Takakazu KURIYAMA chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 939-6700 consulates general: Agana (Guam), Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City (Missouri), Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Portland (Oregon) consulates: Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael H. ARMACOST embassy: 10-5, Akasaka 1-chome, Minato-ku (107), Tokyo mailing address: APO AP 96337-0001 telephone: [81] (3) 3224-5000 FAX: [81] (3) 3505-1862 consulates general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate: Fukuoka Flag: white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center *Japan, Economy Overview: Government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, and a comparatively small defense allocation have helped Japan advance with extraordinary rapidity, notably in high-technology fields. Industry, the most important sector of the economy, is heavily dependent on imported raw materials and fuels. Self-sufficient in rice, Japan must import about 50% of its requirements of other grain and fodder crops. Japan maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets and accounts for nearly 15% of the global catch. Overall economic growth has been spectacular: a 10% average in the 1960s, a 5% average in the 1970s and 1980s. Economic growth slowed markedly in 1992 largely because of contractionary domestic policies intended to wring speculative excesses from the stock and real estate markets. At the same time, the stronger yen and slower global growth are containing export growth. Unemployment and inflation remain low at 2%. Japan continues to run a huge trade surplus - $107 billion in 1992, up nearly 40% from the year earlier - which supports extensive investment in foreign assets. The crowding of its habitable land area and the aging of its population are two major long-run problems. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.468 trillion (1992) National product real growth rate: 1.5% (1992) National product per capita: $19,800 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (1992) Unemployment rate: 2.2% (1992) Budget: revenues $490 billion; expenditures $579 billion, including capital expenditures (public works only) of about $68 billion (FY93) Exports: $339.7 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: manufactures 97% (including machinery 40%, motor vehicles 18%, consumer electronics 10%) partners: Southeast Asia 31%, US 29%, Western Europe 23%, Communist countries 4%, Middle East 3% Imports: $232.7 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: manufactures 44%, fossil fuels 33%, foodstuffs and raw materials 23% partners: Southeast Asia 25%, US 22%, Western Europe 17%, Middle East 12%, former Communist countries and China 8% External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate -6.0% (1992); accounts for 30% of GDP Electricity: 196,000,000 kW capacity; 835,000 million kWh produced, 6,700 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: steel and non-ferrous metallurgy, heavy electrical equipment, construction and mining equipment, motor vehicles and parts, electronic and telecommunication equipment and components, machine tools and automated production systems, locomotives and railroad rolling stock, shipbuilding, chemicals, textiles, food processing *Japan, Economy Agriculture: accounts for only 2% of GDP; highly subsidized and protected sector, with crop yields among highest in world; principal crops - rice, sugar beets, vegetables, fruit; animal products include pork, poultry, dairy and eggs; about 50% self-sufficient in food production; shortages of wheat, corn, soybeans; world's largest fish catch of 10 million metric tons in 1991 Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $83.2 billion; ODA outlay of $9.1 billion in 1990 (est.) Currency: 1 yen (Y) = 100 sen Exchange rates: yen (Y) per US$1 - 125.01 (January 1993), 126.65 (1992), 134.71 (1991), 144.79 (1990), 137.96 (1989), 128.15 (1988) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March *Japan, Communications Railroads: 27,327 km total; 2,012 km 1.435-meter standard gauge and 25,315 km predominantly 1.067-meter narrow gauge; 5,724 km doubletrack and multitrack sections, 9,038 km 1.067-meter narrow-gauge electrified, 2,012 km 1.435-meter standard-gauge electrified (1987) Highways: 1,111,974 km total; 754,102 km paved, 357,872 km gravel, crushed stone, or unpaved; 4,400 km national expressways; 46,805 km national highways; 128,539 km prefectural roads; and 930,230 km city, town, and village roads, 6,400 km other Inland waterways: about 1,770 km; seagoing craft ply all coastal inland seas Pipelines: crude oil 84 km; petroleum products 322 km; natural gas 1,800 km Ports: Chiba, Muroran, Kitakyushu, Kobe, Tomakomai, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Yokkaichi, Yokohama, Kawasaki, Niigata, Fushiki-Toyama, Shimizu, Himeji, Wakayama-Shimozu, Shimonoseki, Tokuyama-Shimomatsu Merchant marine: 950 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 21,080,149 GRT/32,334,270 DWT; includes 10 passenger, 39 short-sea passenger, 1 passenger cargo, 81 cargo, 43 container, 43 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 87 refrigerated cargo, 97 vehicle carrier, 240 oil tanker, 11 chemical tanker, 39 liquefied gas, 9 combination ore/oil, 2 specialized tanker, 247 bulk, 1 multi-function large load carrier; note - Japan also owns a large flag of convenience fleet, including up to 44% of the total number of ships under the Panamanian flag Airports: total: 162 usable: 159 with permanent-surface runways: 132 with runways over 3,659 m: 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 32 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 50 Telecommunications: excellent domestic and international service; 64,000,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 318 AM, 58 FM, 12,350 TV (196 major - 1 kw or greater); satellite earth stations - 4 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Indian 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-Defense Force (Navy), Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Air Force), Maritime Safety Agency (Coast Guard) Manpower availability: males age 15-49 32,134,496; fit for military service 27,689,029; reach military age (18) annually 1,002,998 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $37 billion, 0.94% of GDP (FY93/94 est.) *Jarvis Island, Header Affiliation: (territory of the US) *Jarvis Island, Geography Location: in the South Pacific Ocean, 2,090 km south of Honolulu, just south of the Equator, about halfway between Hawaii and the Cook Islands Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 4.5 km2 land area: 4.5 km2 comparative area: about 7.5 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 8 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m or depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Terrain: sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef Natural 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 km2 Environment: sparse bunch grass, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; lacks fresh water; primarily a 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 island occasionally used as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it was abandoned; reoccupied in 1957 during the International Geophysical Year by scientists who left in 1958; public entry is by special-use permit only and generally restricted to scientists and educators *Jarvis Island, Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jarvis Island Digraph: DQ Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC *Jarvis Island, Economy Overview: no economic activity *Jarvis Island, Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only - one boat landing area in the middle of the west coast and another near the southwest corner of the island Note: 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 km2 land area: 117 km2 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% Environment: about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier Note: largest and southernmost of Channel Islands *Jersey, People Population: 85,450 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.7% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 12.79 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 10.23 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 4.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.4 years male: 73.28 years female: 79.86 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.42 children born/woman (1993 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 Jersey conventional short form: Jersey Digraph: JE Type: British crown dependency Capital: Saint Helier Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency) Independence: none (British crown dependency) Constitution: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Legal system: English law and local statute National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Political parties and leaders: none; all independents Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: Assembly of the States: last held NA (next to be held NA); results - no percent of vote by party since all are independents; seats - (56 total, 52 elected) 52 independents Executive branch: British monarch, lieutenant governor, bailiff Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the States Judicial branch: Royal Court Leaders: 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 J. CRILL (since NA) Member of: none Diplomatic 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 of Ireland) extending to the corners of the flag *Jersey, Economy Overview: The economy is based largely on financial services, agriculture, and tourism. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, and especially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide and represents an important export earner. Milk products go to the UK and other EC countries. In 1986 the finance sector overtook tourism as the main contributor to GDP, accounting for 40% of the island's output. In recent years the government has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industry has developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of knitwear. All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: 8% (1987 est.) National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (1988 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $308.0 million; expenditures $284.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1985) Exports: $NA commodities: light industrial and electrical goods, foodstuffs, textiles partners: UK Imports: $NA commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals partners: UK External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 50,000 kW standby capacity (1992); power supplied by France Industries: tourism, banking and finance, dairy Agriculture: potatoes, cauliflowers, tomatoes; dairy and cattle farming Economic aid: none Currency: 1 Jersey pound (#J) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Jersey pounds (#J) per US$1 - 0.6527 (January 1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989), 0.5614 (1988); the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March *Jersey, Communications Ports: Saint Helier, Gorey, Saint Aubin Airports: total: 1 useable: 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: in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,430 km west-southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way between Hawaii and the Marshall Islands Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 2.8 km2 land area: 2.8 km2 comparative area: about 4.7 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 10 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m or depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly flat with a maximum elevation of 4 meters Natural 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 km2 Environment: some low-growing vegetation Note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; closed to the public; former nuclear weapons test site; site of Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS) *Johnston Atoll, People Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 1,400 US Government personnel and contractors *Johnston Atoll, Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Johnston Atoll Digraph: JQ Type: unincorportated territory of the US administered by the US Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) and managed cooperatively by DNA and the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC Diplomatic representation in US: 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 military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Electricity: supplied by the management and operations contractor *Johnston Atoll, Communications Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440 to 3,659 m: 1 with TACAN and beacon with runways 1,220 to 2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: excellent system including 60-channel submarine cable, Autodin/SRT terminal, digital telephone switch, Military Affiliated Radio System (MARS station), commercial satellite television system, and UHF/VHF air-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 Arabia Map references: Africa, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 89,213 km2 land area: 88,884 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: total 1,619 km, Iraq 181 km, Israel 238 km, Saudi Arabia 728 km, Syria 375 km, West Bank 97 km Coastline: 26 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: differences with Israel over the location of the 1949 Armistice Line that separates the two countries; water-sharing issues with Israel Climate: mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April) Terrain: mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River Natural resources: phosphates, potash, shale oil Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 0.5% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 0.5% other: 94% Irrigated land: 570 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: lack of natural water resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification *Jordan, People Population: 3,823,636 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.57% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 39.48 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 4.32 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 33.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.61 years male: 69.83 years female: 73.51 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.79 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Jordanian(s) adjective: Jordanian Ethnic divisions: Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1% Religions: Sunni Muslim 92%, Christian 8% Languages: Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 80% male: 89% female: 70% Labor force: 572,000 (1988) by occupation: agriculture 20%, manufacturing and mining 20% (1987 est.) *Jordan, Government Names: conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan conventional short form: Jordan local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah local short form: Al Urdun former: Transjordan Digraph: JO Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Amman Administrative divisions: 8 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Ma'an Independence: 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) Constitution: 8 January 1952 Legal system: based on Islamic law and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in a specially provided High Tribunal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 25 May (1946) Political parties and leaders: approximately 24 parties have been formed since the National Charter, but the number fluctuates; after the 1989 parliamentary elections, King Hussein promised to allow the formation of political parties; a national charter that sets forth the ground rules for democracy in Jordan - including the creation of political parties - was approved in principle by the special National Conference on 9 June 1991, but its specific provisions have yet to be passed by National Assembly Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal Elections: House of Representatives: last held 8 November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (80 total) Muslim Brotherhood (fundamentalist) 22, Independent Islamic bloc (generally traditionalist) 6, Democratic bloc (mostly leftist) 9, Constitutionalist bloc (traditionalist) 17, Nationalist bloc (traditionalist) 16, independent 10 Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Majlis al-'Umma) consists of an upper house or House of Notables (Majlis al-A'ayan) and a lower house or House of Representatives (Majlis al-Nuwaab); note - the House of Representatives has been convened and dissolved by the King several times since 1974 and in November 1989 the first parliamentary elections in 22 years were held Judicial branch: Court of Cassation *Jordan, Government Leaders: Chief of State: King HUSSEIN Ibn Talal Al Hashemi (since 11 August 1952) Head of Government: Prime Minister Zayd bin SHAKIR (since 21 November 1991) Member 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, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Fayez A. TARAWNEH chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 966-2664 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Roger Gram HARRISON embassy: Jebel Amman, Amman mailing address: P. O. Box 354, Amman, or APO AE 09892 telephone: [962] (6) 644-371 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), white, and green with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a small white seven-pointed star; the seven points on the star represent the seven fundamental laws of the Koran *Jordan, Economy Overview: Jordan benefited from increased Arab aid during the oil boom of the late 1970s and early 1980s, when its annual GNP growth averaged more than 10%. In the remainder of the 1980s, however, reductions in both Arab aid and worker remittances slowed economic growth to an average of roughly 2% per year. Imports - mainly oil, capital goods, consumer durables, and food - have been outstripping exports, with the difference covered by aid, remittances, and borrowing. In mid-1989, the Jordanian Government began debt-rescheduling negotiations and agreed to implement an IMF program designed to gradually reduce the budget deficit and implement badly needed structural reforms. The Persian Gulf crisis that began in August 1990, however, aggravated Jordan's already serious economic problems, forcing the government to shelve the IMF program, stop most debt payments, and suspend rescheduling negotiations. Aid from Gulf Arab states and worker remittances have plunged, and refugees have flooded the country, straining government resources. Economic recovery is unlikely without substantial foreign aid, debt relief, and economic reform. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $3.6 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 3% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $1,100 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 40% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $1.3 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $440 million (1992 est.) Exports: $1.0 billion (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: phosphates, fertilizers, potash, agricultural products, manufactures partners: India, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Ethiopia, UAE, China Imports: $2.3 billion (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: crude oil, machinery, transport equipment, food, live animals, manufactured goods partners: EC countries, US, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Turkey External debt: $9 billion (December 1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 1% (1991 est.); accounts for 20% of GDP Electricity: 1,030,000 kW capacity; 3,814 million kWh produced, 1,070 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: phosphate mining, petroleum refining, cement, potash, light manufacturing Agriculture: accounts for about 7% of GDP; principal products are wheat, barley, citrus fruit, tomatoes, melons, olives; livestock - sheep, goats, poultry; large net importer of food *Jordan, Economy Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.7 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.5 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $9.5 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $44 million Currency: 1 Jordanian dinar (JD) = 1,000 fils Exchange rates: Jordanian dinars (JD) per US$1 - 0.6890 (January 1993), 0.6797 (1992), 0.6808 (1991), 0.6636 (1990), 0.5704 (1989), 0.3709 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year *Jordan, Communications Railroads: 789 km 1.050-meter gauge, single track Highways: 7,500 km; 5,500 km asphalt, 2,000 km gravel and crushed stone Pipelines: crude oil 209 km Ports: Al 'Aqabah Merchant marine: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 60,378 GRT/113,557 DWT; includes 1 cargo and 1 oil tanker Airports: total: 19 usable: 15 with permanent-surface runways: 14 with runways over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 13 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: adequate telephone system of microwave, cable, and radio links; 81,500 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 7 FM, 8 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 ARABSAT, 1 domestic TV receive-only; coaxial cable and microwave to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria; microwave link to Lebanon is inactive; participant in MEDARABTEL, a microwave radio relay network linking Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco *Jordan, Defense Forces Branches: Royal Jordanian Land Force, Royal Jordanian Air Force, Royal Naval Force, Public Security Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 936,213; fit for military service 664,095; reach military age (18) annually 42,093 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $434.8 million, 7.9% of GDP (1993 est.) *Juan de Nova Island, Header Affiliation: (possession of France) *Juan de Nova Island, Geography Location: Southern Africa, in the central Mozambique Channel about one-third of the way between Madagascar and Mozambique Map references: Africa Area: total area: 4.4 km2 land area: 4.4 km2 comparative area: about 7.5 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline:
Back to Full Books |