Countries That Start With J: Complete List

There are exactly 3 sovereign countries that start with the letter J: Jamaica, Japan, and Jordan. Although they share an initial letter, these three nations could hardly be more different: a Caribbean island, an East Asian archipelago, and a Middle Eastern kingdom. This guide covers each one in detail, with key facts, geography, and answers to the questions people most often ask.

Complete List of Countries Starting With J

Only three United Nations member states begin with the letter J. Here they are with their capitals, regions, and approximate populations:

• Jamaica — Capital: Kingston — Region: Caribbean — Population: ~2.8 million
• Japan — Capital: Tokyo — Region: East Asia — Population: ~123 million
• Jordan — Capital: Amman — Region: Western Asia (Middle East) — Population: ~11 million

That is the full list. No other fully recognized sovereign state, dependent territory with sovereign status, or current UN member begins with J. Historically, the spelling "Yugoslavia" was rendered "Jugoslavija" in its own languages, but in English it began with Y, and the state dissolved in the 1990s.

Jamaica

Jamaica is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea, lying south of Cuba and west of the island of Hispaniola. It is the third-largest island in the Greater Antilles, covering about 10,991 square kilometres. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1962 and remains a member of the Commonwealth, with the British monarch as ceremonial head of state and a prime minister leading the government.

Jamaica's interior is dominated by the rugged Blue Mountains, which rise to over 2,250 metres and give their name to the island's famous coffee. The capital, Kingston, sits on the southeastern coast and is one of the largest natural harbours in the world. English is the official language, while most Jamaicans speak Jamaican Patois in daily life. The island is globally renowned as the birthplace of reggae music and the home of athletes such as Usain Bolt. You can learn more in our Jamaica country guide.

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia, made up of an archipelago of roughly 14,000 islands stretching along the Pacific coast of the Asian mainland. The four main islands — Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku — account for the vast majority of its land and population. With around 123 million people, Japan is one of the most populous countries in the world and has the third- or fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP.

The capital, Tokyo, anchors the largest metropolitan area on Earth, home to more than 37 million people in its greater urban region. Japan sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," making it highly volcanic and earthquake-prone; its highest point, Mount Fuji, is an iconic dormant volcano rising to 3,776 metres. Japan is a constitutional monarchy with an emperor as a symbolic figurehead and a parliamentary government led by a prime minister. The country is celebrated for its blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge technology. See our Japan country guide for a deeper look.

Jordan

Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a country in Western Asia at the crossroads of the Middle East. It borders Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Israel, and the Palestinian West Bank, and has a short coastline on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea. Much of the country is arid desert, while the western highlands receive more rainfall and contain most of the population.

The capital, Amman, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Jordan is a constitutional monarchy ruled by the Hashemite dynasty, with a king as head of state. Arabic is the official language. The country is famous for the ancient rock-carved city of Petra — one of the New Seven Wonders of the World — and for the Dead Sea, the lowest land point on Earth at roughly 430 metres below sea level. Despite limited natural resources and water scarcity, Jordan is regarded as one of the more politically stable states in its region.

How the Three Compare

These three J-countries span three continents and three very different ways of life:

• By size: Japan is by far the largest at about 378,000 square kilometres, followed by Jordan at about 89,000, and Jamaica at about 11,000.
• By population: Japan (~123 million) dwarfs Jordan (~11 million) and Jamaica (~2.8 million).
• By geography: Jamaica and Japan are island nations, while Jordan is mostly landlocked desert with a tiny sea outlet.
• By government: All three are monarchies of different kinds — Jamaica a Commonwealth realm, Japan a constitutional monarchy with an emperor, and Jordan a Hashemite kingdom with a ruling king.

Key Facts

• Number of J-countries: 3 (Jamaica, Japan, Jordan)
• Largest by area: Japan (~378,000 km²)
• Most populous: Japan (~123 million)
• Smallest by area: Jamaica (~10,991 km²)
• Continents represented: North America (Caribbean), Asia (East and Western)
• Total recognized countries worldwide: 195 (193 UN members plus the Holy See and Palestine)
• Letter starting the most countries: S, with around 26 nations

Fun Facts About Country Names

• The letters W and X do not begin the name of any sovereign country.
• The letter Q begins only one country: Qatar.
• Japan's name in Japanese is "Nihon" or "Nippon," meaning "origin of the sun" — the source of the nickname "Land of the Rising Sun."
• Many country names derive from geographic features, historical figures, or indigenous languages.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many countries start with the letter J?

There are exactly three sovereign countries that start with the letter J: Jamaica, Japan, and Jordan. All three are full member states of the United Nations.

What is the largest country that starts with J?

Japan is the largest J-country by both land area (about 378,000 square kilometres) and population (about 123 million people). Jordan is second in area, and Jamaica is the smallest.

Are all three J-countries islands?

No. Jamaica and Japan are island nations, but Jordan is a mostly desert country in the Middle East with only a small coastline on the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea.

What are the capital cities of the countries starting with J?

The capitals are Kingston (Jamaica), Tokyo (Japan), and Amman (Jordan). Tokyo is the largest of the three and anchors the most populous metropolitan area in the world.