This entry gives the annual percentage increase in industrial production (includes manufacturing, mining, and construction).

Topic: Afghanistan-1.9% (2016 est.)

Topic: Albania6.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: Algeria0.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: American SamoaNA

Topic: AndorraNA

Topic: Angola2.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Anguilla4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Antigua and Barbuda6.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: Argentina2.7% (2017 est.)

note: based on private sector estimates

Topic: Armenia5.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: ArubaNA

Topic: Australia1.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Austria6.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Azerbaijan-3.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: Bahamas, The5.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: Bahrain0.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Bangladesh10.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Barbados2.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Belarus5.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Belgium0.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Belize-0.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Benin3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Bermuda2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Bhutan6.3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Bolivia2.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Botswana-4.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Brazil0% (2017 est.)

Topic: British Virgin Islands1.1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Brunei1.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Bulgaria3.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Burkina Faso10.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Burma8.9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Burundi-2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Cabo Verde2.9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Cambodia10.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Cameroon3.3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Canada4.9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Cayman Islands2.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Central African Republic3.9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Chad-4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Chile-0.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: China6.1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Colombia-2.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Comoros1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the1.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Congo, Republic of the-3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Cook Islands1% (2002)

Topic: Costa Rica1.3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Cote d'Ivoire4.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Croatia1.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Cuba-1.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: CuracaoNA

Topic: Cyprus13.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Czechia7.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Denmark2.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Djibouti2.7% (2017 est.)

Topic: Dominica-13% (2017 est.)

Topic: Dominican Republic3.1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Ecuador-0.6% (2017 est.)

note: excludes oil refining

Topic: Egypt3.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: El Salvador3.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Equatorial Guinea-6.9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Eritrea5.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Estonia9.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Eswatini5.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Ethiopia10.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: European Union3.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA

Topic: Faroe Islands3.4% (2009 est.)

Topic: Fiji2.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: Finland6.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: France2% (2017 est.)

Topic: French PolynesiaNA

Topic: Gabon1.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: Gambia, The-0.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: Gaza Strip2.2% (2017 est.)

note: see entry for the West Bank

Topic: Georgia6.7% (2017 est.)

Topic: Germany3.3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Ghana16.7% (2017 est.)

Topic: GibraltarNA

Topic: Greece3.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: GreenlandNA

Topic: Grenada10% (2017 est.)

Topic: GuamNA

Topic: Guatemala1.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: GuernseyNA

Topic: Guinea11% (2017 est.)

Topic: Guinea-Bissau2.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Guyana-5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Haiti0.9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Honduras4.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Hong Kong1.7% (2017 est.)

Topic: Hungary7.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Iceland2.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: India5.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Indonesia4.1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Iran3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Iraq0.7% (2017 est.)

Topic: Ireland7.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: Israel3.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Italy2.1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Jamaica0.9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Japan1.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: JerseyNA

Topic: Jordan1.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Kazakhstan5.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: Kenya3.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Kiribati1.1% (2012 est.)

Topic: Korea, North1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Korea, South4.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Kosovo1.2% (2016 est.)

Topic: Kuwait2.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: Kyrgyzstan10.9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Laos8% (2017 est.)

Topic: Latvia10.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Lebanon-21.1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Lesotho12.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Liberia9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Libya60.3% (2017 est.)

Topic: LiechtensteinNA

Topic: Lithuania5.9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Luxembourg1.9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Macau2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Madagascar5.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Malawi1.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Malaysia5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Maldives14% (2012 est.)

Topic: Mali6.3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Malta-3.3% (2016 est.)

Topic: Marshall IslandsNA

Topic: Mauritania1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Mauritius3.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Mexico-0.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofNA

Topic: Moldova3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Monaco6.8% (2015)

Topic: Mongolia-1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Montenegro-4.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Montserrat-21% (2017 est.)

Topic: Morocco2.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: Mozambique4.9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Namibia-0.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: NauruNA

Topic: Nepal12.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Netherlands3.3% (2017 est.)

Topic: New Caledonia3.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: New Zealand1.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: Nicaragua3.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Niger6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Nigeria2.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: NiueNA

Topic: North Macedonia-7.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsNA

Topic: Norway1.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Oman-3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Pakistan5.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: PalauNA

Topic: Panama6.3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Papua New Guinea3.3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Paraguay2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Peru2.7% (2017 est.)

Topic: Philippines7.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Poland7.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Portugal3.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Puerto Rico-2.1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Qatar3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Romania5.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Russia-1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Rwanda4.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaNA

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Saint Lucia6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonNA

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines2.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Samoa-1.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: San Marino-1.1% (2012 est.)

Topic: Sao Tome and Principe5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Saudi Arabia-2.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Senegal7.7% (2017 est.)

Topic: Serbia3.9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Seychelles2.3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Sierra Leone15.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Singapore5.7% (2017 est.)

Topic: Slovakia2.7% (2017 est.)

Topic: Slovenia8.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Solomon Islands3.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Somalia3.5% (2014 est.)

Topic: South Africa1.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Spain4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Sri Lanka4.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Sudan4.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Suriname1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Sweden4.1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Switzerland3.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Syria4.3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Taiwan3.9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Tajikistan1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Tanzania12% (2017 est.)

Topic: Thailand1.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Timor-Leste2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Togo5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Tonga5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Trinidad and Tobago-4.3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Tunisia0.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Turkey9.1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Turkmenistan1% (2017 est.)

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Tuvalu-26.1% (2012 est.)

Topic: Uganda4.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: Ukraine3.1% (2017 est.)

Topic: United Arab Emirates1.8% (2017 est.)

Topic: United Kingdom3.4% (2017 est.)

Topic: United States2.3% (2017 est.)

Topic: Uruguay-3.6% (2017 est.)

Topic: Uzbekistan4.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Vanuatu4.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Venezuela-2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Vietnam8% (2017 est.)

Topic: Virgin IslandsNA

Topic: Wallis and FutunaNA

Topic: West Bank2.2% (2017 est.)

note: includes Gaza Strip

Topic: World3.2% (2017 est.)

Topic: Yemen8.9% (2017 est.)

Topic: Zambia4.7% (2017 est.)

Topic: Zimbabwe0.3% (2017 est.)


Topic: Photos of Jamaica

Topic: Introduction
Background: The island - discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1494 - was settled by the Spanish early in the 16th century. The native Taino, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were gradually exterminated and replaced by African slaves. England seized the island in 1655 and established a plantation economy based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed a quarter million slaves, many of whom became small farmers. Jamaica gradually increased its independence from Britain. In 1958 it joined other British Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the West Indies. Jamaica withdrew from the Federation in 1961 and gained full independence in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence as rival gangs affiliated with the major political parties evolved into powerful organized crime networks involved in international drug smuggling and money laundering. Violent crime, drug trafficking, corruption, the COVID-19 pandemic, and poverty pose significant challenges to the government today. Nonetheless, many rural and resort areas remain relatively safe and contribute substantially to the economy.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 77 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 10,991 sq km

land: 10,831 sq km

water: 160 sq km
Area - comparative: about half the size of New Jersey; slightly smaller than Connecticut
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 1,022 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin

measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior
Terrain: mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain
Elevation: highest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 18 m
Natural resources: bauxite, alumina, gypsum, limestone
Land use: agricultural land: 41.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 11.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 9.2% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 21.1% (2018 est.)

forest: 31.1% (2018 est.)

other: 27.5% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 250 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: population density is high throughout, but increases in and around Kingston, Montego Bay, and Port Esquivel
Natural hazards: hurricanes (especially July to November)
Geography - note: third largest island in the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola); strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for the Panama Canal
Map description: Jamaica map showing major population centers of this island nation in the Caribbean Sea.Jamaica map showing major population centers of this island nation in the Caribbean Sea.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 2,818,596 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Jamaican(s)

adjective: Jamaican
Ethnic groups: Black 92.1%, mixed 6.1%, East Indian 0.8%, other 0.4%, unspecified 0.7% (2011 est.)
Languages: English, English patois
Religions: Protestant 64.8% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 12.0%, Pentecostal 11.0%, Other Church of God 9.2%, New Testament Church of God 7.2%, Baptist 6.7%, Church of God in Jamaica 4.8%, Church of God of Prophecy 4.5%, Anglican 2.8%, United Church 2.1%, Methodist 1.6%, Revived 1.4%, Brethren 0.9%, and Moravian 0.7%), Roman Catholic 2.2%, Jehovah's Witness 1.9%, Rastafarian 1.1%, other 6.5%, none 21.3%, unspecified 2.3% (2011 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.2% (male 360,199/female 347,436)

15-24 years: 17.95% (male 255,102/female 248,927)

25-54 years: 38.06% (male 518,583/female 550,410)

55-64 years: 9.63% (male 133,890/female 136,442)

65 years and over: 9.17% (2020 est.) (male 121,969/female 135,612)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 48

youth dependency ratio: 34.6

elderly dependency ratio: 13.4

potential support ratio: 7.4 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 29.4 years

male: 28.6 years

female: 30.1 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.08% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 15.91 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 7.43 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -7.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: population density is high throughout, but increases in and around Kingston, Montego Bay, and Port Esquivel
Urbanization: urban population: 57% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.79% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 595,000 KINGSTON (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 21.2 years (2008 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 25-29
Maternal mortality ratio: 80 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 11.17 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 12.43 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.75 years

male: 73.98 years

female: 77.6 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.06 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.3% of population

rural: 93.9% of population

total: 96.4% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population

rural: 6.1% of population

total: 3.6% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 6.1% (2019)
Physicians density: 1.31 physicians/1,000 population (2017)
Hospital bed density: 1.7 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 98.6% of population

rural: 99.4% of population

total: 98.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.4% of population

rural: 0.6% of population

total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.4% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 32,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <1,000
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 24.7% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 4.4% (2016)
Education expenditures: 5.4% of GDP (2020)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population: 88.7%

male: 84%

female: 93.1% (2015)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years

male: 11 years

female: 13 years (2015)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.6%

male: 16.8%

female: 25.4% (2019 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: heavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted by industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air pollution in Kingston from vehicle emissions; land erosion
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 13.25 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 8.23 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 1.08 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior
Land use: agricultural land: 41.4% (2018 est.)

arable land: 11.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 9.2% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 21.1% (2018 est.)

forest: 31.1% (2018 est.)

other: 27.5% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 57% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.79% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.15% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,051,695 tons (2016 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 140 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 1.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 114 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 10.823 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Jamaica

etymology: from the native Taino word "haymaca" meaning "Land of Wood and Water" or possibly "Land of Springs"
Government type: parliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital: name: Kingston

geographic coordinates: 18 00 N, 76 48 W

time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name is a blending of the words "king's" and "town"; the English king at the time of the city's founding in 1692 was William III (r. 1689-1702)
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

note: for local government purposes, Kingston and Saint Andrew were amalgamated in 1923 into the present single corporate body known as the Kingston and Saint Andrew Corporation
Independence: 6 August 1962 (from the UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 August (1962)
Constitution: history: several previous (preindependence); latest drafted 1961-62, submitted to British Parliament 24 July 1962, entered into force 6 August 1962 (at independence)

amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments to "non-entrenched" constitutional sections, such as lowering the voting age, requires majority vote by the Parliament membership; passage of amendments to "entrenched" sections, such as fundamental rights and freedoms, requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament; passage of amendments to "specially entrenched" sections such as the dissolution of Parliament or the executive authority of the monarch requires two-thirds approval by Parliament and approval in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2017
Legal system: common law system based on the English model
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 4 out of the previous 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Patrick L. ALLEN (since 26 February 2009)

head of government:  Prime Minister Andrew HOLNESS (since 3 March 2016)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Representatives is appointed prime minister by the governor general
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
Senate (21 seats; 13 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister and 8 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the opposition party leader; members serve 5-year terms (no term limits) or until Parliament is dissolved)
House of Representatives (63 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms (no term limits) or until Parliament is dissolved)

elections: Senate - last full slate of appointments early on 3 September 2020 (next full slate in 2025)
House of Representatives - last held on 3 September 2020 (next to be held in 2025)

election results: Senate - percent by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition (as of June 2021) - men 13, women 8, percent of women 38.1%
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - JLP 57%, PNP 42.8%, independent 0.2%; seats by party - JLP 48, PNP 15; composition (as of June 2021) - men 45, women 18; percent of women 28.6%; note - total Parliament percent of women 31%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of president of the court and a minimum of 4 judges); Supreme Court (40 judges organized in specialized divisions); note - appeals beyond Jamaica's highest courts are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) rather than to the Caribbean Court of Justice (the appellate court for member states of the Caribbean Community)

judge selection and term of office: chief justice of the Supreme Court and president of the Court of Appeal appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister; other judges of both courts appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; judges of both courts serve till age 70

subordinate courts: resident magistrate courts, district courts, and petty sessions courts
Political parties and leaders: Jamaica Labor Party or JLP [Andrew Michael HOLNESS]
People's National Party or PNP [Mark GOLDING]
United Independents' Congress or UIC [Joseph PATTERSON]
Jamaica Progressive Party or JPP [Gilbert EDWARDS]Jamaica Labor Party or JLP [Andrew Michael HOLNESS]
People's National Party or PNP [Mark GOLDING]
United Independents' Congress or UIC [Joseph PATTERSON]
Jamaica Progressive Party or JPP [Gilbert EDWARDS]
International organization participation: ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Audrey Patrice MARKS (since 18 January 2017)

chancery: 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 452-0660

FAX: [1] (202) 452-0036

email address and website:
firstsec@jamaicaembassy.org

http://www.embassyofjamaica.org/

consulate(s) general: Miami, New York

consulate(s): Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Concord (MA), Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Richmond (VA), San Francisco, Seattle
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador N. Nickolas PERRY (since 13 May 2022)

embassy: 142 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6

mailing address: 3210 Kingston Place, Washington DC  20521-3210

telephone: (876) 702-6000 (2018)

FAX: (876) 702-6348 (2018)

email address and website:
KingstonACS@state.gov

https://jm.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and fly side); green represents hope, vegetation, and agriculture, black reflects hardships overcome and to be faced, and yellow recalls golden sunshine and the island's natural resources
National symbol(s): green-and-black streamertail (bird), Guaiacum officinale (Guaiacwood); national colors: green, yellow, black
National anthem: name: Jamaica, Land We Love

lyrics/music: Hugh Braham SHERLOCK/Robert Charles LIGHTBOURNE

note: adopted 1962
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (mixed)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Blue and John Crow Mountains

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: The Jamaican economy is heavily dependent on services, which accounts for more than 70% of GDP. The country derives most of its foreign exchange from tourism, remittances, and bauxite/alumina. Earnings from remittances and tourism each account for 14% and 20% of GDP, while bauxite/alumina exports have declined to less than 5% of GDP.   Jamaica's economy has grown on average less than 1% a year for the last three decades and many impediments remain to growth: a bloated public sector which crowds out spending on important projects; high crime and corruption; red-tape; and a high debt-to-GDP ratio. Jamaica, however, has made steady progress in reducing its debt-to-GDP ratio from a high of almost 150% in 2012 to less than 110% in 2017, in close collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The current IMF Stand-By Agreement requires Jamaica to produce an annual primary surplus of 7%, in an attempt to reduce its debt burden below 60% by 2025.   Economic growth reached 1.6% in 2016, but declined to 0.9% in 2017 after intense rainfall, demonstrating the vulnerability of the economy to weather-related events. The HOLNESS administration therefore faces the difficult prospect of maintaining fiscal discipline to reduce the debt load while simultaneously implementing growth inducing policies and attacking a serious crime problem. High unemployment exacerbates the crime problem, including gang violence fueled by advanced fee fraud (lottery scamming) and the drug trade.The Jamaican economy is heavily dependent on services, which accounts for more than 70% of GDP. The country derives most of its foreign exchange from tourism, remittances, and bauxite/alumina. Earnings from remittances and tourism each account for 14% and 20% of GDP, while bauxite/alumina exports have declined to less than 5% of GDP. Jamaica's economy has grown on average less than 1% a year for the last three decades and many impediments remain to growth: a bloated public sector which crowds out spending on important projects; high crime and corruption; red-tape; and a high debt-to-GDP ratio. Jamaica, however, has made steady progress in reducing its debt-to-GDP ratio from a high of almost 150% in 2012 to less than 110% in 2017, in close collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The current IMF Stand-By Agreement requires Jamaica to produce an annual primary surplus of 7%, in an attempt to reduce its debt burden below 60% by 2025. Economic growth reached 1.6% in 2016, but declined to 0.9% in 2017 after intense rainfall, demonstrating the vulnerability of the economy to weather-related events. The HOLNESS administration therefore faces the difficult prospect of maintaining fiscal discipline to reduce the debt load while simultaneously implementing growth inducing policies and attacking a serious crime problem. High unemployment exacerbates the crime problem, including gang violence fueled by advanced fee fraud (lottery scamming) and the drug trade.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $25.89 billion (2020 est.)

$28.83 billion (2019 est.)

$28.57 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 0.7% (2017 est.)

1.5% (2016 est.)

0.9% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $8,700 (2020 est.)

$9,800 (2019 est.)

$9,700 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $15.847 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (2019 est.)

3.7% (2018 est.)

4.3% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B+ (2019)

Moody's rating: B2 (2019)

Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2019)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 7% (2017 est.)

industry: 21.1% (2017 est.)

services: 71.9% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 81.9% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 13.7% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 21.3% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 30.1% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -47.1% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: sugar cane, goat milk, yams, poultry, coconuts, oranges, bananas, gourds, plantains, grapefruit
Industries: agriculture, mining, manufacture, construction, financial and insurance services, tourism, telecommunications
Industrial production growth rate: 0.9% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 1.113 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 16.1%

industry: 16%

services: 67.9% (2017)
Unemployment rate: 7.72% (2019 est.)

9.13% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.6%

male: 16.8%

female: 25.4% (2019 est.)
Population below poverty line: 17.1% (2016 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 35 (2016)

38 (2015)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 29.3% (2015)
Budget: revenues: 4.382 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 4.314 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 101% of GDP (2017 est.)

113.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 29.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Current account balance: -$298 million (2019 est.)

-$288 million (2018 est.)
Exports: $5.92 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$5.79 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: United States 32%, Netherlands 11%, Germany 9%, Canada 7%, Iceland 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities: bauxite, refined petroleum, aluminum, rum, fruits, nuts (2019)
Imports: $8.25 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$7.89 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: United States 43%, China 11% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, natural gas, packaged medicines (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.781 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.719 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $13.876 billion (2019 est.)

$13.912 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: Jamaican dollars (JMD) per US dollar -

128.36 (2017 est.)

125.14 (2016 est.)

125.126 (2015 est.)

116.898 (2014 est.)

110.935 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 99% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 97% (2019)
Electricity - production: 4.007 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 2.847 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity: 1.078 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels: 83% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 3% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources: 15% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Crude oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports: 24,360 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 24,250 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption: 55,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 823 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 30,580 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 198.2 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 198.2 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 436,249 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 2,873,259 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 97 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: good domestic and international service; mobile sector dominates, accounting for majority of the Internet connections and half of telecom sector revenue; extensive LTE networks providing coverage to most of the island population; regulator encouraging competition with little success due to breach of license; government announced support of national broadband network to aid access to education, hospitals, police, and municipal institutions; operators provided customers with data plans to support educational platforms; US grant to fund New Kingston smart city program (2020)

domestic: fixed-line subscriptions nearly 15 per 100, cellular-mobile roughly 97 per 100 subscriptions (2020)

international: country code - 1-876 and 1-658; landing points for the ALBA-1, CFX-1, Fibralink, East-West, and Cayman-Jamaican Fiber System submarine cables providing connections to South America, parts of the Caribbean, Central America and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: 3 free-to-air TV stations, subscription cable services, and roughly 30 radio stations (2019)
Internet country code: .jm
Internet users: total: 1,621,552 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 55% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 385,603 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 0 (2020)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 6Y
Airports: total: 28 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 11

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 5 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 16 (2021)
Roadways: total: 22,121 km (2011) (includes 44 km of expressways)

paved: 16,148 km (2011)

unpaved: 5,973 km (2011)
Merchant marine: total: 43

by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 5, general cargo 9, oil tanker 1, other 27 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Discovery Bay (Port Rhoades), Kingston, Montego Bay, Port Antonio, Port Esquivel, Port Kaiser, Rocky Point

container port(s) (TEUs): Kingston (1,647,609) (2019)

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Jamaica Defense Force (JDF): Jamaica Regiment (Ground Forces), Maritime-Air-Cyber Command (includes Coast Guard, Air Wing, Military Intelligence Unit, Special Activities Regiment, and Military Cyber Corps), Support Brigade (logistics, engineers, health service, and military police); Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) (2021)

note - both the JDF and JCF are under the Ministry of National Security
Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.)

1.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

1.6% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $300 million)

1.4% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $260 million)

1% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $190 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 4,000 total active personnel (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Jamaica Defense Force is lightly armed with a limited inventory featuring equipment mostly from Europe and the US (2021)
Military service age and obligation: no conscription; 18-23 for voluntary military service (17 with parental consent; 18-28 for the reserves); since 2017, the JDF's standard mode of recruitment is to enroll recruits ages 18-23 through the Jamaica National Service Corps (JNSC); in the JNSC, soldiers receive basic military, vocational, and life skills training; upon completion of 1-year of service, soldiers can continue on with the JDF or seek other opportunities with law enforcement (2021)
Military - note: as of 2021, the JDF’s primary missions were maritime/border and internal security, including support to police operations to combat crime and violenceas of 2021, the JDF’s primary missions were maritime/border and internal security, including support to police operations to combat crime and violence

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: nonenone
Illicit drugs: the largest Caribbean source of marijuana which is trafficked to other Caribbean countries for illegal weapons and other contraband; transit point for cocaine trafficked from South America to North America and other international markets


This entry includes the mean elevation and elevation extremes, lowest point and highest point.

Topic: Afghanistanhighest point: Noshak 7,492 m

lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m

mean elevation: 1,884 m

Topic: Albaniahighest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 708 m

Topic: Algeriahighest point: Tahat 2,908 m

lowest point: Chott Melrhir -40 m

mean elevation: 800 m

Topic: American Samoahighest point: Lata Mountain 964 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Andorrahighest point: Pic de Coma Pedrosa 2,946 m

lowest point: Riu Runer 840 m

mean elevation: 1,996 m

Topic: Angolahighest point: Moca 2,620 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,112 m

Topic: Anguillahighest point: Crocus Hill 73 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Antarcticahighest point: Vinson Massif 4,892 m

lowest point: Denman Glacier more than -3,500 m (-11,500 ft) below sea level

mean elevation: 2,300 m

note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Denman Glacier; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater

Topic: Antigua and Barbudahighest point: Mount Obama 402 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Arctic Oceanhighest point: sea level

lowest point: Molloy Deep -5,577 m

mean depth: -1,205 m

ocean zones: Composed of water and in a fluid state, the oceans are delimited differently than the solid continents. Oceans are divided into three zones based on depth and light level. Although some sea creatures depend on light to live, others can do without it. Sunlight entering the water may travel about 1,000 m into the oceans under the right conditions, but there is rarely any significant light beyond 200 m.

The upper 200 m (656 ft) of oceans is called the euphotic, or "sunlight," zone. This zone contains the vast majority of commercial fisheries and is home to many protected marine mammals and sea turtles. Only a small amount of light penetrates beyond this depth.

The zone between 200 m (656 ft) and 1,000 m (3,280 ft) is usually referred to as the "twilight" zone, but is officially the dysphotic zone. In this zone, the intensity of light rapidly dissipates as depth increases. Such a minuscule amount of light penetrates beyond a depth of 200 m that photosynthesis is no longer possible.

The aphotic, or "midnight," zone exists in depths below 1,000 m (3,280 ft). Sunlight does not penetrate to these depths and the zone is bathed in darkness.

Topic: Argentinahighest point: Cerro Aconcagua (located in the northwestern corner of the province of Mendoza; highest point in South America) 6,962 m

lowest point: Laguna del Carbon (located between Puerto San Julian and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa Cruz) -105 m

mean elevation: 595 m

Topic: Armeniahighest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m

lowest point: Debed River 400 m

mean elevation: 1,792 m

Topic: Arubahighest point: Ceru Jamanota 188 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandshighest point: Cartier Island 5 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

Topic: Atlantic Oceanhighest point: sea level

lowest point: Puerto Rico Trench -8,605 m

mean depth: -3,646 m

ocean zones: Composed of water and in a fluid state, the oceans are delimited differently than the solid continents. Oceans are divided into three zones based on depth and light level. Although some sea creatures depend on light to live, others can do without it. Sunlight entering the water may travel about 1,000 m into the oceans under the right conditions, but there is rarely any significant light beyond 200 m.

The upper 200 m (656 ft) of oceans is called the euphotic, or "sunlight," zone. This zone contains the vast majority of commercial fisheries and is home to many protected marine mammals and sea turtles. Only a small amount of light penetrates beyond this depth.

The zone between 200 m (656 ft) and 1,000 m (3,280 ft) is usually referred to as the "twilight" zone, but is officially the dysphotic zone. In this zone, the intensity of light rapidly dissipates as depth increases. Such a minuscule amount of light penetrates beyond a depth of 200 m that photosynthesis is no longer possible.

The aphotic, or "midnight," zone exists in depths below 1,000 m (3,280 ft). Sunlight does not penetrate to these depths and the zone is bathed in darkness.

Topic: Australiahighest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,228 m

lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m

mean elevation: 330 m

Topic: Austriahighest point: Grossglockner 3,798 m

lowest point: Neusiedler See 115 m

mean elevation: 910 m

Topic: Azerbaijanhighest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,466 m

lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m

mean elevation: 384 m

Topic: Bahamas, Thehighest point: 1.3 km NE of Old Bight on Cat Island 64 m
note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it indicates the wrong high elevation point

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Topic: Bahrainhighest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 135 m

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

Topic: Bangladeshhighest point: Mowdok Taung 1,060 m
note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong high elevation

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 85 m

Topic: Barbadoshighest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Topic: Belarushighest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m

lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m

mean elevation: 160 m

Topic: Belgiumhighest point: Botrange 694 m

lowest point: North Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 181 m

Topic: Belizehighest point: Doyle's Delight 1,124 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 173 m

Topic: Beninhighest point: unnamed elevation located 2.5 km southeast of the town of Kotopounga 675 m
note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong high elevation

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 273 m

Topic: Bermudahighest point: Town Hill 79 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Topic: Bhutanhighest point: Gangkar Puensum 7,570 m

lowest point: Drangeme Chhu 97 m

mean elevation: 2,220 m

Topic: Boliviahighest point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m

lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m

mean elevation: 1,192 m

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinahighest point: Maglic 2,386 m

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 500 m

Topic: Botswanahighest point: Manyelanong Hill 1,495 m
note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong high elevation

lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m

mean elevation: 1,013 m

Topic: Bouvet Islandhighest point: Olavtoppen (Olav Peak) 780 m

lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Topic: Brazilhighest point: Pico da Neblina 2,994 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 320 m

Topic: British Indian Ocean Territoryhighest point: ocean-side dunes on Diego Garcia 9 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

Topic: British Virgin Islandshighest point: Mount Sage 521 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Bruneihighest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 478 m

Topic: Bulgariahighest point: Musala 2,925 m

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 472 m

Topic: Burkina Fasohighest point: Tena Kourou 749 m

lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m

mean elevation: 297 m

Topic: Burmahighest point: Gamlang Razi 5,870 m

lowest point: Andaman Sea/Bay of Bengal 0 m

mean elevation: 702 m

Topic: Burundihighest point: unnamed elevation on Mukike Range 2,685 m
note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong high elevation

lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m

mean elevation: 1,504 m

Topic: Cabo Verdehighest point: Mt. Fogo (a volcano on Fogo Island) 2,829 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Topic: Cambodiahighest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m

lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m

mean elevation: 126 m

Topic: Cameroonhighest point: Fako on Mont Cameroun 4,045 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 667 m

Topic: Canadahighest point: Mount Logan 5,959 m

lowest point: Atlantic/Pacific/Arctic Oceans 0 m

mean elevation: 487 m

Topic: Cayman Islandshighest point: 1 km SW of The Bluff on Cayman Brac 50 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Central African Republichighest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,410 m

lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m

mean elevation: 635 m

Topic: Chadhighest point: Emi Koussi 3,445 m

lowest point: Djourab 160 m

mean elevation: 543 m

Topic: Chilehighest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,893 m (highest volcano in the world)

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,871 m

Topic: Chinahighest point: Mount Everest (highest peak in Asia and highest point on earth above sea level) 8,849 m

lowest point: Turpan Pendi (Turfan Depression) -154 m

mean elevation: 1,840 m

Topic: Christmas Islandhighest point: Murray Hill 361 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

Topic: Clipperton Islandhighest point: Rocher Clipperton 29 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandshighest point: South Point on South Island 9 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

Topic: Colombiahighest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,730 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 593 m

Topic: Comoroshighest point: Karthala 2,360 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thehighest point: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 726 m

Topic: Congo, Republic of thehighest point: Mont Nabeba 1,020 m
note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong high elevation

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 430 m

Topic: Cook Islandshighest point: Te Manga 652 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Coral Sea Islandshighest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 9 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Costa Ricahighest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,819 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 746 m

Topic: Cote d'Ivoirehighest point: Monts Nimba 1,752 m

lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m

mean elevation: 250 m

Topic: Croatiahighest point: Dinara 1,831 m

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 331 m

Topic: Cubahighest point: Pico Turquino 1,974 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 108 m

Topic: Curacaohighest point: Mt. Christoffel 372 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Cyprushighest point: Mount Olympus 1,951 m

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 91 m

Topic: Czechiahighest point: Snezka 1,602 m

lowest point: Labe (Elbe) River 115 m

mean elevation: 433 m

Topic: Denmarkhighest point: Store Mollehoj 171 m

lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m

mean elevation: 34 m

Topic: Djiboutihighest point: Moussa Ali 2,021 m

lowest point: Lac Assal -155 m

mean elevation: 430 m

Topic: Dominicahighest point: Morne Diablotins 1,447 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Dominican Republichighest point: Pico Duarte 3,098 m

lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m

mean elevation: 424 m

Topic: Ecuadorhighest point: Chimborazo 6,267

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,117 m

note: because the earth is not a perfect sphere and has an equatorial bulge, the highest point on the planet farthest from its center is Mount Chimborazo not Mount Everest, which is merely the highest peak above sea level

Topic: Egypthighest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m

lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m

mean elevation: 321 m

Topic: El Salvadorhighest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 442 m

Topic: Equatorial Guineahighest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 577 m

Topic: Eritreahighest point: Soira 3,018 m

lowest point: near Kulul within the Danakil Depression -75 m

mean elevation: 853 m

Topic: Estoniahighest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 61 m

Topic: Eswatinihighest point: Emlembe 1,862 m

lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m

mean elevation: 305 m

Topic: Ethiopiahighest point: Ras Dejen 4,550 m

lowest point: Danakil Depression -125 m

mean elevation: 1,330 m

Topic: European Unionhighest point: Mont Blanc, France 4,810 m

lowest point: Zuidplaspolder, Netherlands -7 m

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Topic: Faroe Islandshighest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Topic: Fijihighest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Finlandhighest point: Halti (alternatively Haltia, Haltitunturi, Haltiatunturi) 1,328 m

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 164 m

Topic: Francehighest point: Mont Blanc 4,810

lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m

mean elevation: 375 m

note: to assess the possible effects of climate change on the ice and snow cap of Mont Blanc, its surface and peak have been extensively measured in recent years; these new peak measurements have exceeded the traditional height of 4,807 m and have varied between 4,808 m and 4,811 m; the actual rock summit is 4,792 m and is 40 m away from the ice-covered summit

Topic: French Polynesiahighest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landshighest point: Mont de la Dives on Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 867 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest points throughout the French Southern and Antarctic Lands: unnamed location on Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 272 m; Pic Marion-Dufresne in Iles Crozet 1090 m; Mont Ross in Iles Kerguelen 1850 m; unnamed location on Bassas de India (Iles Eparses) 2.4 m;24 unnamed location on Europa Island (Iles Eparses) 24 m; unnamed location on Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses) 12 m; unnamed location on Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses) 10 m; unnamed location on Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) 7 m

Topic: Gabonhighest point: Mont Bengoue 1,050 m
note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong high elevation

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 377 m

Topic: Gambia, Thehighest point: unnamed elevation 3 km southeast of the town of Sabi 63 m
note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong location of the high elevation

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 34 m

Topic: Gaza Striphighest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Awdah) 105 m

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Topic: Georgiahighest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,193 m

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 1,432 m

Topic: Germanyhighest point: Zugspitze 2,963 m

lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.5 m

mean elevation: 263 m

Topic: Ghanahighest point: Mount Afadjato 885 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 190 m

Topic: Gibraltarhighest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 m

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Topic: Greecehighest point: Mount Olympus 2,917

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 498 m

note: Mount Olympus actually has 52 peaks but its highest point, Mytikas (meaning "nose"), rises to 2,917 meters; in Greek mythology, Olympus' Mytikas peak was the home of the Greek gods

Topic: Greenlandhighest point: Gunnbjorn Fjeld 3,694 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,792 m

Topic: Grenadahighest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Guamhighest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Guatemalahighest point: Volcan Tajumulco (highest point in Central America) 4,220 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 759 m

Topic: Guernseyhighest point: Le Moulin on Sark 114 m

lowest point: English Channel 0 m

Topic: Guineahighest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 472 m

Topic: Guinea-Bissauhighest point: Dongol Ronde 277 m
note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong location of the high elevation

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 70 m

Topic: Guyanahighest point: Laberintos del Norte on Mount Roraima 2,775 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 207 m

Topic: Haitihighest point: Pic la Selle 2,674 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 470 m

Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandshighest point: Mawson Peak on Big Ben volcano 2,745 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)highest point: Vatican Gardens (Vatican Hill) 78 m

lowest point: Saint Peter's Square 19 m

Topic: Hondurashighest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 684 m

Topic: Hong Konghighest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

Topic: Hungaryhighest point: Kekes 1,014 m

lowest point: Tisza River 78 m

mean elevation: 143 m

Topic: Icelandhighest point: Hvannadalshnukur (at Vatnajokull Glacier) 2,110 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 557 m

Topic: Indiahighest point: Kanchenjunga 8,586 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 160 m

Topic: Indian Oceanhighest point: sea level

lowest point: Java Trench -7,192 m unnamed deep

mean depth: -3,741 m

ocean zones: Composed of water and in a fluid state, the oceans are delimited differently than the solid continents. Oceans are divided into three zones based on depth and light level. Although some sea creatures depend on light to live, others can do without it. Sunlight entering the water may travel about 1,000 m into the oceans under the right conditions, but there is rarely any significant light beyond 200 m.

The upper 200 m (656 ft) of oceans is called the euphotic, or "sunlight," zone. This zone contains the vast majority of commercial fisheries and is home to many protected marine mammals and sea turtles. Only a small amount of light penetrates beyond this depth.

The zone between 200 m (656 ft) and 1,000 m (3,280 ft) is usually referred to as the "twilight" zone, but is officially the dysphotic zone. In this zone, the intensity of light rapidly dissipates as depth increases. Such a minuscule amount of light penetrates beyond a depth of 200 m that photosynthesis is no longer possible.

The aphotic, or "midnight," zone exists in depths below 1,000 m (3,280 ft). Sunlight does not penetrate to these depths and the zone is bathed in darkness.

Topic: Indonesiahighest point: Puncak Jaya 4,884 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 367 m

Topic: Iranhighest point: Kuh-e Damavand 5,625 m

lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m

mean elevation: 1,305 m

Topic: Iraqhighest point: Cheekha Dar (Kurdish for "Black Tent") 3,611 m

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

mean elevation: 312 m

Topic: Irelandhighest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 118 m

Topic: Isle of Manhighest point: Snaefell 621 m

lowest point: Irish Sea 0 m

Topic: Israelhighest point: Mitspe Shlagim 2,224 m; note - this is the highest named point, the actual highest point is an unnamed dome slightly to the west of Mitspe Shlagim at 2,236 m; both points are on the northeastern border of Israel, along the southern end of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range

lowest point: Dead Sea -431 m

mean elevation: 508 m note - does not include elevation data from the Golan Heights

Topic: Italyhighest point: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc) 4,748 m

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 538 m

Topic: Jamaicahighest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 18 m

Topic: Jan Mayenhighest point: Haakon VII Toppen on Beerenberg 2,277

lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m

note: Beerenberg volcano has numerous peaks; the highest point on the volcano rim is named Haakon VII Toppen, after Norway's first king following the reestablishment of Norwegian independence in 1905

Topic: Japanhighest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m

lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m

mean elevation: 438 m

Topic: Jerseyhighest point: Les Platons 136 m

lowest point: English Channel 0 m

Topic: Jordanhighest point: Jabal Umm ad Dami 1,854 m

lowest point: Dead Sea -431 m

mean elevation: 812 m

Topic: Kazakhstanhighest point: Pik Khan-Tengri 7,010 m
note - the northern most 7,000 meter peak in the World

lowest point: Qauyndy Oyysy -132 m

mean elevation: 387 m

Topic: Kenyahighest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 762 m

Topic: Kiribatihighest point: unnamed elevation on Banaba 81 m m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 2 m

Topic: Korea, Northhighest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m

lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m

mean elevation: 600 m

Topic: Korea, Southhighest point: Halla-san 1,950 m

lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m

mean elevation: 282 m

Topic: Kosovohighest point: Gjeravica/Deravica 2,656 m

lowest point: Drini i Bardhe/Beli Drim (located on the border with Albania) 297 m

mean elevation: 450 m

Topic: Kuwaithighest point: 3.6 km W. of Al-Salmi Border Post 300 m

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

mean elevation: 108 m

Topic: Kyrgyzstanhighest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m

mean elevation: 2,988 m

Topic: Laoshighest point: Phu Bia 2,817 m

lowest point: Mekong River 70 m

mean elevation: 710 m

Topic: Latviahighest point: Gaizina Kalns 312 m

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 87 m

Topic: Lebanonhighest point: Qornet es Saouda 3,088 m

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 1,250 m

Topic: Lesothohighest point: Thabana Ntlenyana 3,482 m

lowest point: junction of the Orange and Makhaleng Rivers 1,400 m

mean elevation: 2,161 m

Topic: Liberiahighest point: Mount Wuteve 1,447 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 243 m

Topic: Libyahighest point: Bikku Bitti 2,267 m

lowest point: Sabkhat Ghuzayyil -47 m

mean elevation: 423 m

Topic: Liechtensteinhighest point: Vorder-Grauspitz 2,599 m

lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m

Topic: Lithuaniahighest point: Aukstojas 294 m

lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 110 m

Topic: Luxembourghighest point: Buurgplaatz 559 m

lowest point: Moselle River 133 m

mean elevation: 325 m

Topic: Macauhighest point: Alto Coloane 172 m

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

Topic: Madagascarhighest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 615 m

Topic: Malawihighest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m

lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m

mean elevation: 779 m

Topic: Malaysiahighest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,095 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 419 m

Topic: Maldiveshighest point: 8th tee, golf course, Villingi Island 5 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 2 m

Topic: Malihighest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m

lowest point: Senegal River 23 m

mean elevation: 343 m

Topic: Maltahighest point: Ta'Dmejrek on Dingli Cliffs 253 m

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Topic: Marshall Islandshighest point: East-central Airik Island, Maloelap Atoll 14 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 2 m

Topic: Mauritaniahighest point: Kediet Ijill 915 m

lowest point: Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 m

mean elevation: 276 m

Topic: Mauritiushighest point: Mont Piton 828 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

Topic: Mexicohighest point: Volcan Pico de Orizaba 5,636 m

lowest point: Laguna Salada -10 m

mean elevation: 1,111 m

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofhighest point: Nanlaud on Pohnpei 782 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Moldovahighest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m

lowest point: Dniester (Nistru) 2 m

mean elevation: 139 m

Topic: Monacohighest point: Chemin des Revoires on Mont Agel 162 m

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

Topic: Mongoliahighest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Khuiten Peak) 4,374 m

lowest point: Hoh Nuur 560 m

mean elevation: 1,528 m

Topic: Montenegrohighest point: Zia Kolata 2,534 m

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 1,086 m

Topic: Montserrathighest point: Soufriere Hills volcano pre-eruption height was 915 m; current lava dome is subject to periodic build up and collapse; estimated dome height was 1,050 m in 2015

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Moroccohighest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m

lowest point: Sebkha Tah -59 m

mean elevation: 909 m

Topic: Mozambiquehighest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 345 m

Topic: Namibiahighest point: Konigstein on Brandberg 2,573 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,141 m

Topic: Nauruhighest point: Command Ridge 70 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Navassa Islandhighest point: 200 m NNW of lighthouse 85 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Nepalhighest point: Mount Everest (highest peak in Asia and highest point on earth above sea level) 8,849 m

lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m

mean elevation: 2,565 m

Topic: Netherlandshighest point: Mount Scenery (on the island of Saba in the Caribbean, now considered an integral part of the Netherlands following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles) 862 m

lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 m

mean elevation: 30 m

note: the highest point on continental Netherlands is Vaalserberg at 322 m

Topic: New Caledoniahighest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: New Zealandhighest point: Aoraki/Mount Cook 3,724 m; note - the mountain's height was 3,764 m until 14 December 1991 when it lost about 10 m in an avalanche of rock and ice; erosion of the ice cap since then has brought the height down another 30 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 388 m

Topic: Nicaraguahighest point: Mogoton 2,085 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 298 m

Topic: Nigerhighest point: Idoukal-n-Taghes 2,022 m

lowest point: Niger River 200 m

mean elevation: 474 m

Topic: Nigeriahighest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 380 m

Topic: Niuehighest point: unnamed elevation 1.4 km east of Hikutavake 80 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Norfolk Islandhighest point: Mount Bates 319 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: North Macedoniahighest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m

lowest point: Vardar River 50 m

mean elevation: 741 m

Topic: Northern Mariana Islandshighest point: Agrihan Volcano 965 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Norwayhighest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m

lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 460 m

Topic: Omanhighest point: Jabal Shams 3,004 m

lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 310 m

Topic: Pacific Oceanhighest point: sea level

lowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 m
note - the Pacific Ocean is the deepest ocean basin

mean depth: -4,080 m

ocean zones: Composed of water and in a fluid state, the oceans are delimited differently than the solid continents. Oceans are divided into three zones based on depth and light level. Although some sea creatures depend on light to live, others can do without it. Sunlight entering the water may travel about 1,000 m into the oceans under the right conditions, but there is rarely any significant light beyond 200 m.

The upper 200 m (656 ft) of oceans is called the euphotic, or "sunlight," zone. This zone contains the vast majority of commercial fisheries and is home to many protected marine mammals and sea turtles. Only a small amount of light penetrates beyond this depth.

The zone between 200 m (656 ft) and 1,000 m (3,280 ft) is usually referred to as the "twilight" zone, but is officially the dysphotic zone. In this zone, the intensity of light rapidly dissipates as depth increases. Such a minuscule amount of light penetrates beyond a depth of 200 m that photosynthesis is no longer possible.

The aphotic, or "midnight," zone exists in depths below 1,000 m (3,280 ft). Sunlight does not penetrate to these depths and the zone is bathed in darkness.

Topic: Pakistanhighest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m

lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 900 m

Topic: Palauhighest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Panamahighest point: Volcan Baru 3,475 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 360 m

Topic: Papua New Guineahighest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 667 m

Topic: Paracel Islandshighest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

Topic: Paraguayhighest point: Cerro Pero 842 m

lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m

mean elevation: 178 m

Topic: Peruhighest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,746 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,555 m

Topic: Philippineshighest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 442 m

Topic: Pitcairn Islandshighest point: Palwala Valley Point on Big Ridge 347 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Polandhighest point: Rysy 2,499 m

lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m

mean elevation: 173 m

Topic: Portugalhighest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in the Azores 2,351 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 372 m

Topic: Puerto Ricohighest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 261 m

Topic: Qatarhighest point: Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

mean elevation: 28 m

Topic: Romaniahighest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 414 m

Topic: Russiahighest point: Gora El'brus (highest point in Europe) 5,642 m

lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m

mean elevation: 600 m

Topic: Rwandahighest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m

lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m

mean elevation: 1,598 m

Topic: Saint Barthelemyhighest point: Morne du Vitet 286 m

lowest point: Caribbean Ocean 0 m

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhahighest point: Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 859 m; Green Mountain on Ascension Island 818 m; Mount Actaeon on Saint Helena Island 2,060 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevishighest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Saint Luciahighest point: Mount Gimie 948 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Saint Martinhighest point: Pic du Paradis 424 m

lowest point: Caribbean Ocean 0 m

Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonhighest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadineshighest point: La Soufriere 1,234 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Samoahighest point: Mount Silisili 1,857 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: San Marinohighest point: Monte Titano 739 m

lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m

Topic: Sao Tome and Principehighest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Topic: Saudi Arabiahighest point: As Sarawat range, 3,000 m

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

mean elevation: 665 m

Topic: Senegalhighest point: unnamed elevation 2.8 km southeast of Nepen Diaka 648 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 69 m

Topic: Serbiahighest point: Midzor 2,169 m

lowest point: Danube and Timok Rivers 35 m

mean elevation: 442 m

Topic: Seychelleshighest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

Topic: Sierra Leonehighest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 279 m

Topic: Singaporehighest point: Bukit Timah 166 m

lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m

Topic: Sint Maartenhighest point: Mount Flagstaff 383 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Slovakiahighest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m

lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m

mean elevation: 458 m

Topic: Sloveniahighest point: Triglav 2,864 m

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 492 m

Topic: Solomon Islandshighest point: Mount Popomanaseu 2,335 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Somaliahighest point: Mount Shimbiris 2,460 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 410 m

Topic: South Africahighest point: Ntheledi (Mafadi) 3,450 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,034 m

Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandshighest point: Mount Paget (South Georgia) 2,934 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Topic: South Sudanhighest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m

lowest point: White Nile 381 m

Topic: Southern Oceanhighest point: sea level

lowest point: southern end of the South Sandwich Trench -7,434 m unnamed deep

mean depth: -3,270 m

ocean zones: Composed of water and in a fluid state, the oceans are delimited differently than the solid continents. Oceans are divided into three zones based on depth and light level. Although some sea creatures depend on light to live, others can do without it. Sunlight entering the water may travel about 1,000 m into the oceans under the right conditions, but there is rarely any significant light beyond 200 m.

The upper 200 m (656 ft) of oceans is called the euphotic, or "sunlight," zone. This zone contains the vast majority of commercial fisheries and is home to many protected marine mammals and sea turtles. Only a small amount of light penetrates beyond this depth.

The zone between 200 m (656 ft) and 1,000 m (3,280 ft) is usually referred to as the "twilight" zone, but is officially the dysphotic zone. In this zone, the intensity of light rapidly dissipates as depth increases. Such a minuscule amount of light penetrates beyond a depth of 200 m that photosynthesis is no longer possible.

The aphotic, or "midnight," zone exists in depths below 1,000 m (3,280 ft). Sunlight does not penetrate to these depths and the zone is bathed in darkness.

Topic: Spainhighest point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 660 m

Topic: Spratly Islandshighest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 6 m

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

Topic: Sri Lankahighest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 228 m

Topic: Sudanhighest point: Jabal Marrah 3,042 m

lowest point: Red Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 568 m

Topic: Surinamehighest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m

lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m

mean elevation: 246 m

Topic: Svalbardhighest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m

lowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 m

Topic: Swedenhighest point: Kebnekaise South 2,100 m

lowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, near Kristianstad -2.4 m

mean elevation: 320 m

Topic: Switzerlandhighest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m

lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m

mean elevation: 1,350 m

Topic: Syriahighest point: Mount Hermon (Jabal a-Shayk) 2,814 m

lowest point: Yarmuk River -66 m

mean elevation: 514 m

Topic: Taiwanhighest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 1,150 m

Topic: Tajikistanhighest point: Qullai Somoniyon 7,495 m

lowest point: Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 m

mean elevation: 3,186 m

Topic: Tanzaniahighest point: Kilimanjaro (highest point in Africa) 5,895 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,018 m

Topic: Thailandhighest point: Doi Inthanon 2,565 m

lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m

mean elevation: 287 m

Topic: Timor-Lestehighest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m

lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m

Topic: Togohighest point: Mont Agou 986 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 236 m

Topic: Tokelauhighest point: unnamed location 5 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Tongahighest point: Kao Volcano on Kao Island 1,046 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Trinidad and Tobagohighest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 83 m

Topic: Tunisiahighest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m

lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m

mean elevation: 246 m

Topic: Turkeyhighest point: Mount Ararat 5,137 m

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 1,132 m

Topic: Turkmenistanhighest point: Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m

lowest point: Vpadina Akchanaya (Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with a water level that fluctuates above and below the elevation of Vpadina Akchanaya, the lake has dropped as low as -110 m) -81 m

mean elevation: 230 m

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandshighest point: Blue Hill on Providenciales and Flamingo Hill on East Caicos 48 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Tuvaluhighest point: unnamed location 5 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 2 m

Topic: Ugandahighest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m

lowest point: Albert Nile 614 m

Topic: Ukrainehighest point: Hora Hoverla 2,061 m

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 175 m

Topic: United Arab Emirateshighest point: Jabal Bil 'Ays 1,905 m
note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong location of the high elevation

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

mean elevation: 149 m

Topic: United Kingdomhighest point: Ben Nevis 1,345 m

lowest point: The Fens -4 m

mean elevation: 162 m

Topic: United Stateshighest point: Denali 6,190 m (Mount McKinley) (highest point in North America)

lowest point: Death Valley (lowest point in North America) -86 m

mean elevation: 760 m

note: Denali is one of the most striking features on the entire planet; at 20,310 feet, it is the crowning peak of the Alaska Range and the highest mountain on North America; it towers three and one-half vertical miles above its base, making it a mile taller from base to summit than Mt. Everest; Denali's base sits at about 2,000 feet above sea level and rises over three and one-half miles to its 20,310 foot summit; Everest begins on a 14,000-foot high plain, then summits at 29,028 feet.
note: the peak of Mauna Kea (4,207 m above sea level) on the island of Hawaii rises about 10,200 m above the Pacific Ocean floor; by this measurement, it is the world's tallest mountain - higher than Mount Everest (8,850 m), which is recognized as the tallest mountain above sea level

Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugeshighest point: Baker Island, unnamed location 8 m; Howland Island, unnamed location 3 m; Jarvis Island, unnamed location 7 m; Johnston Atoll, Sand Island 10 m; Kingman Reef, unnamed location 2 m; Midway Islands, unnamed location less than 13 m; Palmyra Atoll, unnamed location 3 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Uruguayhighest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 109 m

Topic: Uzbekistanhighest point: Xazrat Sulton Tog' 4,643 m
note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong location and name of the high elevation

lowest point: Sariqamish Kuli -12 m

Topic: Vanuatuhighest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Venezuelahighest point: Pico Bolivar 4,978 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 450 m

Topic: Vietnamhighest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 398 m

Topic: Virgin Islandshighest point: Crown Mountain 474 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Topic: Wake Islandhighest point: unnamed location 8 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: Wallis and Futunahighest point: Mont Singavi (on Futuna) 522 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Topic: West Bankhighest point: Khallat al Batrakh 1,020 m

lowest point: Dead Sea -431 m

Topic: Worldhighest point: Mount Everest 8,849 m

lowest point: Denman Glacier (Antarctica) more than -3,500 m (in the oceanic realm, Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is the lowest point, lying -10,924 m below the surface of the Pacific Ocean)

mean elevation: 840 m

top ten highest mountains (measured from sea level): Mount Everest (China-Nepal) 8,849 m; K2 (Pakistan) 8,611 m; Kanchenjunga (India-Nepal) 8,598 m; Lhotse (Nepal) 8,516 m; Makalu (China-Nepal) 8,463 m; Cho Oyu (China-Nepal) 8,201 m; Dhaulagiri (Nepal) 8,167 m; Manaslu (Nepal) 8,163 m; Nanga Parbat (Pakistan) 8,125 m; Anapurna (Nepal) 8,091 m; note - Mauna Kea (United States) is the world's tallest mountain as measured from base to summit; the peak of this volcanic colossus lies on the island of Hawaii, but its base begins more than 70 km offshore and at a depth of about 6,000 m; total height estimates range from 9,966 m to 10,203 m

top ten highest island peaks: Puncak Jaya (New Guinea) 4,884 m (Indonesia)*; Mauna Kea (Hawaii) 4,207 m (United States); Gunung Kinabalu (Borneo) 4,095 m (Malaysia)*; Yu Shan (Taiwan) 3,952 (Taiwan)*; Mount Kerinci (Sumatra) 3,805 m (Indonesia); Mount Erebus (Ross Island) 3,794 (Antarctica); Mount Fuji (Honshu) 3,776 m (Japan)*; Mount Rinjani (Lombok) 3,726 m (Indonesia); Aoraki-Mount Cook (South Island) 3,724 m (New Zealand)*; Pico de Teide (Tenerife) 3,718 m (Spain)*; note - * indicates the highest peak for that Factbook entry

highest point on each continent: Asia - Mount Everest (China-Nepal) 8,849 m; South America - Cerro Aconcagua (Argentina) 6,960 m; North America - Denali (Mount McKinley) (United States) 6,190 m; Africa - Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) 5,895 m; Europe - El'brus (Russia) 5,633 m; Antarctica - Vinson Massif 4,897 m; Australia - Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m

highest capital on each continent: South America - La Paz (Bolivia) 3,640 m; Africa - Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) 2,355 m; Asia - Thimphu (Bhutan) 2,334 m; North America - Mexico City (Mexico) 2,240 m; Europe - Andorra la Vella (Andorra) 1,023 m; Australia - Canberra (Australia) 605 m

lowest point on each continent: Antarctica - Denman Glacier more than -3,500 m; Asia - Dead Sea (Israel-Jordan) -431 m; Africa - Lac Assal (Djibouti) -155 m; South America - Laguna del Carbon (Argentina) -105 m; North America - Death Valley (United States) -86 m; Europe - Caspian Sea (Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Russia) -28 m; Australia - Lake Eyre -15

lowest capital on each continent: Asia - Baku (Azerbaijan) -28 m; Europe - Amsterdam (Netherlands) -2 m; Africa - Banjul (Gambia); Bissau (Guinea-Bissau), Conakry (Guinea), Djibouti (Djibouti), Libreville (Gabon), Male (Maldives), Monrovia (Liberia), Tunis (Tunisia), Victoria (Seychelles) 0 m; North America - Basseterre (Saint Kitts and Nevis), Kingstown (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), Panama City (Panama), Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), Roseau (Dominica), Saint John's (Antigua and Barbuda), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) 0 m; South America - Georgetown (Guyana) 0 m; Australia - Canberra (Australia) 605 m

Topic: Yemenhighest point: Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,666 m

lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 999 m

Topic: Zambiahighest point: Mafinga Central 2,330 m

lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m

mean elevation: 1,138 m

Topic: Zimbabwehighest point: Inyangani 2,592 m

lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save Rivers 162 m

mean elevation: 961 m