1. JAA is not necessarily 'Europe' although the vast bulk of European countries are part of the JAA. Similarly, a country doesn't have to be part of Europe (or, more accurately, the European Union) to be a member of JAA eg Norway & Iceland.

You would have to compare a list of JAA members agains a list of EU members to find who in the EU is, or is not, a JAA participant.

Joint Aviation Authorities - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia gives list of members.

Bear in mind that the JAA is on the way out to be replaced by the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA). The key difference is that JAA sets standards which then should be implemented by each member's aviation regulatory authority. EASA, on the other hand, *is* the regulatory authority. Who knows how long that will take! Some aspects are already an EASA province, others are still under JAA.

2. Usually S. American countries accept FAA licences. You really need to contact the relevent country's aviation authority. Don't forget to ask about what other countries they accept if you don't like their answer. It's possible - albeit uncommon - that you could side-step a limitation by doing a 3rd country's licence first. That was a case for someone who wanted to convert from a JAR CPL with ATPL hours to an Australian ATPL. In that bloke's case a transition via an FAA ATP first would have made the whole process easier *and* resulted in the transferrence of more qualifications & privileges.

3. Probably, but not necessarily.

4. ATP --> ATP is usually easier. It really depends on your experience & qualifications AND each country's interpretation of JARs. For the UK download LASORs for information, as I wrote previously. Don't forget to explore other JAA members rules to look for a more favourable option. Not necessarily on credits granted but even just cost of the whole process. I was originally going to convert to an Irish ATPL (after submitting a logbook/experience/qualifications assessment) for the reduced number of exams I would have required but they required a test on a >12500 lb aircraft whereas the UK accepted any twin (but a ****load more exams). Of course JAA now requires a multi-crew type so that issue has become a bit moot.