IVORY COAST

General

Buoyage System

Currency

Government

Holidays

Industries

Languages

Navigational Information

Time Zone

U.S. Embassy

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Buoyage System

The IALA Buoyage System (Region A) is in effect. See Chart No. 1 for further IALA Buoyage System information.

Currency

The official unit of currency is the French African Community franc, consisting of 100 centimes.

General

The Ivory Coast is located on the W coast of Africa. The country is bounded by Liberia and Guinea on the W, Mali and Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) on the N, and Ghana on the E.

The seacoast, about 275 miles long, lies between the mouth of the Riviere Cavally (4˚22'N., 7˚32'W.) and a position 2.5 miles W of Newtown. The W part of the coast is high and rocky. The country rises gradually to the interior. The E part of the coast is low and sandy, with a series of lagoons and connecting canals reaching some distance inland.

The most important characteristic of the country is the primeval forest, which covers about forty percent of the country's area. North of the forest lies an inland savanna zone of sandy soil, where the vegetation is sparse and the landscape unbroken. Only the Guinea Highlands in the NW, which rise up to 1,460m, break the monotony of the inland plain.

The climate varies with the terrain, from tropical along the coast to semiarid and hot in the N.

Government

Flag of Ivory Coast

The Ivory Coast is a republic. The country is divided into 58 departments.

The Ivory Coast is governed by a directly-elected President who serves a 5-year term.The President appoints the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

The unicameral National Assembly consists of 225 directlyelected members serving 5-year terms. An upper house (Senate) is scheduled to be created in 2005.

The legal system is based on French civil law and customary law.

In March 1983, the capital was changed from Abidjan (5˚15'N., 4˚01'W.) to Yamoussoukro, which is situated 155 miles NW. The new capital is not recognized by the United States, which maintains an official presence in Abidjan.

Holidays

The following holidays are observed:

Islamic holidays, which are subject to the appearance of the moon, include Eid Al-Fitr (End of Ramadan), Eid Al-Adha (End of Pilgrimage), Hijrah (Islamic New Year), and the Prophet’s Birthday.

Industries

Agriculture, the principal industry, includes the production of coffee, cocoa, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, and cotton.

Current mineral production is negligible, but limited amounts of diamonds and gold are produced. Deposits of low-grade iron ore have been found and offshore exploration for oil is being carried out.

Languages

French is the official language. Dioula, one of over 60 native dialects, is also widely spoken.

Navigational Information

The maritime territorial claims of the Ivory Coast are, as follows:

Time Zone

The Time Zone description is ZULU. Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Embassy is situated at 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan.

The mailing address is B.P. 1712, Abidjan 01.

U. S. Embassy Ivory Coast Home Page

http://abidjan.usembassy.gov

General

Jordan, located in the Middle East, is bounded on the N by Syria, on the E by Iraq, on the SE and S by Saudi Arabia, and on the W by Israel.

The country is landlocked, except for its S extremity, where 16 miles of shoreline on the Gulf of Aqaba provide access to the Red Sea through the port of Aqaba (Al Aqabah).

The climate is predominantly Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.

The rainy season is from November to April. The E part of the country has an arid desert climate.

Buoyage System

Cautions

Special Warning 121 (Issued 20 March 2003)

Information on Special Warning 121 can be found in Iraq— Cautions.

Special Warning 115 (Issued 5 March 2001)

Information on Special Warning 115 can be found in Iraq— Cautions.

Currency

The official unit of currency is the Jordan dinar, consisting of 1,000 fils. Some local Syrian units are still used.

Government

Flag of Jordan

The IALA Buoyage System (Region A) is in effect. See Chart No. 1 for further IALA Buoyage System information.

Jordan is a constitutional monarchy. The country is divided into 12 governorates.

Jordan is governed by a King. The Prime Minster is appointed by the King. The Prime Minister appoints the Cabinet, in consultation with the King.

The bicameral National Assembly consists of the appointed (by the King) 40-member House of Notables (Senate), serving 4-year terms, and the directly-elected, via proportional representation, 110-member House of Deputies (House of Representatives), serving 4-year terms.

The legal system is based on Islamic law and French codes. The capital is Amman.

Holidays

The following holidays are observed:

Islamic holidays, which are subject to the appearance of the moon, include Eid Al-Fitr (End of Ramadan), Eid Al-Adha (End of Pilgrimage), Hijrah (Islamic New Year), Ashoora, Ascension of the Prophet, and the Prophet’s Birthday.

Industries

Irrigation is increasing agricultural production. The principal crops include wheat, fruits, and vegetables.

Industries include phosphate mining, petroleum products, cement, potash extraction, pharmaceuticals, and tourism.

Languages

Arabic is the official language. English is also widely used in commerce and government.

Navigational Information

The only maritime territorial claim of Jordan is a territorial sea of 3 miles.

Regulations

Embargo

The naval interception effort in support of the United Nations sanctions pertaining to Iraq continues in the Arabian Gulf and other areas. For further details, see Iraq—Regulations.

Reporting

A Notice of Arrival and ETA must be sent to the harbormaster at Aqaba, through the ship's agent, at least 24 hours before arrival. The ETA must be confirmed by radio before entering the Strait of Tiran. A confirmation of ETA by VHF is also required at least 2 hours prior to arrival.

Entry of ships to the anchorage between 2000 and daybreak is prohibited.

Search and Rescue

The Aqaba Harbormaster is responsible for coordinating search and rescue operations.

Time Zone

The Time Zone description is BRAVO(-2). Daylight Savings Time (CHARLIE (-3)) is maintained from the last Friday in March through the last Friday in October.

U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Embassy is situated at Jamel Amman, Amman. The mailing addresses are, as follows:

1.Jordan address— P.O. Box 354

Amman, 11118 Jordan

2.U.S. address—

Unit 70200, Box 5

APO AE 09892-0200

U.S. Embassy Jordan Home Page http://amman.usembassy.gov