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___ Jamaica |
![]() Bob Marley images on a wall of the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, Jamaica. Image: Takehiko Ono |
Destination Jamaica, the third largest island in the Caribbean Sea is situated west of Hispaniola and south of Cuba, about 870 km (540 mi) south east of Miami. Jamaica shares maritime borders with the Cayman Islands (UK), Colombia, Cuba, and Haiti. Nearby Caribbean island nations are Dominican Republic and Haiti on the island of Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. Jamaica's landscape is mostly mountainous, a limestone plateau covers two-thirds of the island, karst formations with caverns and caves dominate the island, it has narrow coastal plains, green dense rainforests and sandy bays and beaches. Highest point is Blue Mountain Peak (2,256 m) in the Blue Mountains National Park in the east of the island. Jamaica covers an area of 10,991 km², making it slightly larger than Cyprus, or slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Connecticut. The island has a population of 2.75 million people (2015). Capital and largest city is Kingston, other major cities are Spanish Town and Montego Bay. Official language is Jamaican English, mainly spoken is Jamaican Patois or Patwa, an English-based creole language with West African influences. |
Jamaica | Jamaïque | Jamaika | Xaymaca |
Country Profile |
Background: Jamaica is the third largest of the Caribbean islands, and the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean Sea. In pre-columbian times Jamaica was inhabited by an estimated 60,000 Arawak Indians. In 1494 Christopher Columbus "discovered" the island and claimed it at once for the King and Queen of Spain. In 1517 first Africans brought to Jamaica by the Spaniards. The British arrived in 1655, defeated the Spaniards and claimed the island for the King of England. By the late 17th and early 18th centuries the island was virtually divided. Colonial planters and their slaves inhabited and worked in the costal plains, while high up in the Blue Mountains there lived fugitive slaves, the free community of the Maroons. More than 300 years later on August 6, 1962, Jamaica became an independent sovereign state and a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. related countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Spain, United Kingdom |
Official Name: Jamaica ISO Country Code: jm, JAM Time: Local Time = UTC -5h Actual Time: Wed-Feb-12 04:38 Country Calling Code: +1 876 Capital City: Kingston (pop. 630 000) Other Cities: Montego Bay (pop. 97 000), Negril. Government: Type: Constitutional parliamentary democracy. Independence: 6 August 1962 (from the UK). At Independence, Jamaica became a member of the Commonwealth, with Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State. The Queen is represented in Jamaica by the Governor-General. Geography: Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba. Area: 11,000 km² (4,247 sq. mi.) Terrain: Mountainous, less than one-fifth of the land is relatively flat. Climate: Jamaica's climate is tropical marine. The mountainous terrain, the north-east trade winds and land-sea breezes modify the climate. People: Nationality: Noun and adjective--Jamaican(s). Population: 2.7 million (2015) Ethnic Groups: multi-ethnic society, with blacks predominating - 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%, Chinese 0.2%, White 0.2%, mixed 7.3%, other 0.1%. Religions: Anglican, Baptist and other Protestant, Roman Catholic, Rastafarian, Jewish. Languages: English (official), most Jamaicans speak an English-based dialect which is known as patois. Literacy: 80% Natural resources: Bauxite, gypsum, limestone. Agriculture products: Sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, yams, vegetables, poultry, goats, milk, crustaceans, and mollusks. Industries: Tourism, bauxite/alumina, textiles, agro processing, wearing apparel, light manufactures, rum, cement, metal, paper, chemical products, telecommunications. Exports - commodities: alumina, bauxite, sugar, rum, coffee, yams, beverages, chemicals, apparel, mineral fuels Exports - partners: USA 24.4%, Canada 16.5%, Russia 9.3%, Netherlands 8.9%, Iceland 7.2%, UK 6.5% (2015) Imports - commodities: food and other consumer goods, industrial supplies, fuel, parts and accessories of capital goods, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials Imports - partners: USA 32.6%, Venezuela 12.4%, China 12%, Trinidad and Tobago 11.1% (2015) Currency: Jamaican Dollar (JMD) ![]() Jamaica key statistical data. |
![]() King's House Jamaica, the King's House (formerly Somerset Pen) in Kingston is the official residence of the Governor-General of Jamaica. Image: Government of Jamaica Political system Jamaica is a constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm. Chief of state is the British monarch, represented by the Governor-General, head of government is the Prime Minister of Jamaica. Official Sites of JamaicaNote: External links will open in a new browser window.Government of Jamaica Website of the Cabinet Office of the Government of Jamaica. Jamaica Houses of Parliament Site of Jamaica's parliament. Jamaica Information Service Information on Government policies, programmes and the activities. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Official website of the ministry. Missions Jamaican High Commission Established as one of the first diplomatic missions at the time of Jamaica's emergence as an independent country - London. Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the United Nations The official web site of Jamaica's Mission to the UN. Jamaican Embassies and High Commissions Overseas List of Jamaican Diplomatic Missions Abroad. Diplomatic Representation in Jamaica Address list of Consular Missions in Jamaica. Statistics Statistical Institute of Jamaica Statistics in the island of Jamaica. ![]() Key statistical data of Jamaica. Maps![]() Political Map of Jamaica. ![]() Map showing Jamaica with parish boundaries, parish capitals, major cities, main roads, railroads and major airports. ![]() Searchable map and satellite view of Jamaica. ![]() Searchable map and satellite view of Kingston, Jamaica's capital. ![]() Reference Map of the Caribbean. ![]() Reference Map of Central America and the Caribbean. |
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Jamaica NewsJamaica enjoys a free press and its newspapers frequently criticise officials. [1]Jamaica Gleaner Biggest national news paper offers Jamaica News and country information. The Jamaica Observer Jamaica News. The Jamaica Star More Jamaican News. Radio Radio Jamaica |
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![]() Beach talk, Negril Jamaica. Image: Peter Arts & CultureInstitute of Jamaica Cultural, artistic and scientific organisation in Jamaica. Jamaica Photo Gallery A Jamaican online photo album by National Geographic. National Library of Jamaica Jamaica's premier library for fostering and promoting the nation's knowledge of its history and heritage. Reggae Music The culture of Jamaica is a music culture. Dread Library The Rhetoric of Reggae Music. Reggae Sumfest Reggae @ it's best - Montego Bay. RootzUnderground Rootz,Reggae and more. Artists Bob Marley The Spirit of Jamaica. The Bob Marley Foundation Manifesting the Message. Burning Spear The Official site. Misty in Roots English but roots. Third World First Class Music from the Third World. |
![]() Bob Marley Shot. The Pan-African colors are red, gold, and green (inspired by the flag of Ethiopia). Image: Steve Bennett |
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Business & EconomyJamaica has a mixed economic system that includes a variety of private freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation. Jamaica is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). |
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![]() Looking into the Caribbean, Saint James, Montego Bay. Image: Kitty Schweizer Travel and Tour Consumer Information
Destination Jamaica - Travel and Tourism GuidesDiscover Jamaica: Bob Marley Museum (Reggae legend Bob Marley's 19th-century house is now a museum in Kingston); Blue Mountains (mountain range with the island's highest point, Blue Mountain Peak, at 2256 m); Doctor's Cave Beach Club (famous beach in Montego Bay); Dolphin Cove Jamaica Ocho Rios (swim with dolphins, snorkel with stingrays and feed sharks); Dunn's River Falls (terraced waterfall near Ocho Rios); Jamaica Official Jamaica tourist information by the Jamaica Tourist Board. Discover Jamaica Kingston, Mandeville, Montego Bay and more. Best Jamaica Jamaica Tour Company. Jamaica Irie A site for information about tourism related topics in Jamaica. Jamaica De web site on Jamaica, a portal dedicated to Jamaican arts and culture. Jamaica's South Coast Travel Jamaica's South Coast. Jtbonline Jamaica travel and tourism Information. What to do in Jamaica A guide to Jamaica by the Association of Jamaica Attractions Ltd. Cities Montego Bay (pop. 97 000) Montego Bay City visitors guide. Negril Negril visitors guide. ![]() Catching the sun at Bloody Bay Negril. Image: Robert Whitefield |
![]() ![]() Xaymaca - Land of Wood and Water © Jamaica Tourist Board |
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EducationNational Library of Jamaica College of Agriculture (CASE) Northern Caribbean University Mandeville. University of the West Indies Mona Campus. |
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![]() The Blue Hole near Ocho Rios is a popular spot for tourists and locals, has scenic tropical waterfalls. Image: florador Environment & NatureNational Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA) Home Page NEPA promotes Sustainable Development by ensuring protection of the environment and orderly development in Jamaica. Cockpit Country Windsor Research Centre (WRC) created this website to share information about a globally unique landscape located in the heart of Jamaica. |
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Cultural and ethnic groups of Jamaica__Maroons Accompong - the Maroon Capital The Maroon Capital. The Maroons of Jamaica The Maroons, escaped ex-slaves who settled in the mountains of Jamaica, carved out a significant area of influence. The Maroons Creativity and Resistance: Maroon Cultures in the Americas, Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The Jamaican Maroons Page about the Jamaican Maroons. The Maroons and Moore Town Article from L.G. Harris a former Colonel of the Moore Town Maroons. The Story of Grandy Nanny The woman who became one of Jamaica's founding "fathers"! __Rastafarians Marcus Garvey and the Early Rastafarians: Continuity and Discontinuity Background history of the Rastafarian movement. Rastafarianism: An Overview Rastafari at a glance by BBC. |
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History![]() An overview of Jamaica's history. |
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LanguageJamaican Language Site The contemporary form of Patois. Jamaican Patwah Patois Definitions, a Jamaican dictionary with Patois, Rasta and Reggae words - Walk Good! |
Other Countries and Territories in the Caribbean Anguilla | Antigua and Barbuda | Aruba | Bahamas | Barbados | British Virgin Islands | Cuba | Dominica Dominican Republic | Grenada | Guadeloupe | Haiti | Martinique | Montserrat | Netherlands Antilles Puerto Rico | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Lucia | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago | U.S. Virgin Islands Major Cities in the Caribbean: Basse-Terre, Basseterre, Bridgetown, Castries, Charlotte Amalie, Fort-de-France, Hamilton, Havana, Kingston, Kingstown, Nassau, Oranjestad, Port-au-Prince, Port-of-Spain, Roseau, Saint George's, Saint John's, Saint Martin, San Juan, Santo Domingo, The Valley, Willemstad |
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