Jamaica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jamaica
Jumieka (Jamaican Patois)
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Motto: "Out of Many, One People"
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Anthem: "Jamaica, Land We Love"
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| Capital and largest city
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Kingston 17°58′17″N 76°47′35″W / 17.97139°N 76.79306°W |
| Official languages | English |
| Vernacular language | Jamaican Patois |
| Ethnic groups |
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| Religion |
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| Demonym(s) | Jamaican |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
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• Monarch
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Charles III |
| Patrick Allen | |
| Andrew Holness | |
| Legislature | Parliament |
| Senate | |
| House of Representatives | |
| Independence
from the United Kingdom
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• Granted
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6 August 1962 |
| Area | |
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• Total
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10,991 km2 (4,244 sq mi) (160th) |
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• Water (%)
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1.5 |
| Population | |
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• 2019 estimate
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2,734,092 (137th) |
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• 2011 census
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2,697,983 |
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• Density
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266/km2 (688.9/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2023 estimate |
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• Total
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 $35.690 billion (143rd) |
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• Per capita
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$12,994 (134th) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
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• Total
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$18.761 billion (119th) |
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• Per capita
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$6,830 (101st) |
| Gini (2021) | ▲ 40.2 medium |
| HDI (2022) | 0.706 high · 115th |
| Currency | Jamaican dollar (JMD) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +1-876 +1-658 (Overlay of 876) |
| ISO 3166 code | JM |
| Internet TLD | .jm |
Jamaica is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning 10,990 square kilometres (4,240 sq mi) in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the fourth-largest island country in the Caribbean. Jamaica lies about 145 kilometres (90 mi) south of Cuba, and 191 kilometres (119 mi) west of Hispaniola (the island containing the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic).
Jamaica is the third-most populous english-speaking country in the Americas (after the United States and Canada), and the fourth-most populous country in the Caribbean. Kingston is the country's capital and largest city, with a population of 937,700.
Jamaicans predominately have African ancestry, with significant European, Chinese, Indian, Lebanese, and mixed-race minorities. Due to a high rate of emigration for work since the 1960s, Jamaica has a large diaspora around the world, particularly in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The official language of Jamaica is English and the population also speaks Jamaican Creole English.
Contents
Government and politics
Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, with King Charles II serving as the monarch. However, as Charles III is shared as head of state of fifteen other countries (the Commonwealth realm) in addition to the United Kingdom and resides mostly in the United Kingdom, he is thus often represented as King of Jamaica in Jamaica and abroad by the Governor-General of Jamaica.
The governor-general is nominated by the Prime Minister of Jamaica and appointed by the monarch. All the members of the Cabinet are appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister. The monarch and the governor-general serve largely ceremonial roles.
Geography and Climate
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Jamaica is the third-largest island country in the Greater Antilles, after Cuba and the Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic); it is larger than Puerto Rico. The island is 235 kilometres (146 mi) from east to west; the width, from north to south, varies between 35 kilometres (22 mi) to 82 kilometres (51 mi). The country is composed mainly of the mainland, but near the coast there are a few isolated small islands.
The Blue Mountains are the longest mountain range in Jamaica. They include the island's highest point, Blue Mountain Peak, at 2,256 metres (7,402 ft).The Black River is one of the longest rivers in Jamaica. At a length of 53.4 km (33.2 mi). It was originally called Rio Caobana.
Kingston Harbour is the seventh-largest natural harbour in the world, which contributed to the city being designated as the capital in 1872.
Tourist attractions include Dunn's River Falls in St. Ann, YS Falls in St. Elizabeth, the Blue Lagoon in Portland, believed to be the crater of an extinct volcano. Port Royal was the site of a major earthquake in 1692 that helped form the island's Palisadoes. The climate in Jamaica is tropical, with hot and humid weather.
Jamaica lies in the hurricane belt of the Atlantic Ocean and because of this, the island sometimes suffers significant storm damage. Hurricanes Charlie and Gilbert hit Jamaica directly in 1951 and 1988. In the 2000s, hurricanes Ivan, Dean, and Gustav also brought severe weather to the island.
Among the variety of ecosystems are dry and wet limestone forests, rainforests, woodland, wetlands, caves, rivers, seagrass beds and coral reefs. The authorities have recognised the tremendous significance and potential of the environment and have made some of the more 'fertile' areas as 'protected'. Among the island's protected areas are the Cockpit Country, Hellshire Hills, and Litchfield forest reserves.
In 1992, Jamaica's first marine park, covering nearly 15 square kilometres (5.8 sq mi), was established in Montego Bay. Portland Bight Protected Area was designated in 1999. The following year Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park was created on roughly 300 square miles (780 km2) of wilderness, which supports thousands of tree and fern species and rare animals.
Jamaica's plant life has changed considerably over the centuries. When the Spanish arrived in 1494, except for small agricultural clearings, the country was deeply forested. The European settlers cut down the great timber trees for building and ships' supplies, and cleared the plains, savannas, and mountain slopes for agricultural cultivation. Many new plants were introduced including sugarcane, bananas, and citrus trees.
Areas of heavy rainfall contain bamboo, ferns, ebony, mahogany, and rosewood. Cactus and similar dry-area plants are found along the south and southwest coastal area. Parts of the west and southwest consist of large grasslands, with scattered groups trees.
Culture
Though a small nation, Jamaican culture has a strong global presence. The musical genres reggae, ska, mento, rocksteady, dub, and, more recently, dancehall and ragga all originated in the island's vibrant, popular urban recording industry. Jamaica also played an important role in the development of punk rock, through reggae. Reggae has also influenced American rap music, as they share roots as rhythmic, African styles of music. Some rappers, such as The Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, and Heavy D, are of Jamaican descent. Internationally known reggae musician Bob Marley and Millie Small were also Jamaican.
Cuisine
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The island is famous for its Jamaican jerk spice, curries and rice and peas which is integral to Jamaican cuisine. Jamaica is also home to Red Stripe beer and Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee.
Sport
Sport is an major part of life in Jamaica and the island's athletes tend to perform to a standard well above what might be expected of such a small country. While the most popular local sport is cricket, on the international stage Jamaicans have tended to do particularly well at track and field athletics.
Jamaica has produced some of the world's most famous cricketers. The country was one of the venues of 2007 Cricket World Cup. The Jamaica national cricket team competes regionally, and also provides players for the West Indies team. Sabina Park is the only Test venue in the island, but the Greenfield Stadium is also used for cricket. Chris Gayle is the most renowned batsman from Jamaica currently representing the West Indies cricket team.
Since independence Jamaica has consistently produced world class athletes in track and field. In Jamaica involvement in athletics begins at a very young age and most high schools maintain rigorous athletics programs with their top athletes competing in national competitions and international meets. In Jamaica it is not uncommon for young athletes to attain press coverage and national fame long before they arrive on the international athletics stage. Over the past six decades Jamaica has produced dozens of world class sprinters including Olympic and World Champion Usain Bolt, world record holder in the 100m for men at 9.58s, and 200m for men at 19.19s. Jamaica has several world class amateur and professional boxers.
Association football and horse-racing are other popular sports in Jamaica. The national football team qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
The Jamaica national bobsled team was once a serious contender in the Winter Olympics, beating many well-established teams. Chess and basketball are widely played in Jamaica and are supported by the Jamaica Chess Federation (JCF) and the Jamaica Basketball Federation (JBF). Netball is also very popular on the island, with the Jamaica national netball team called The Sunshine Girls consistently ranking in the top five in the world.
Economy
Jamaica is a mixed economy with both state and private businesses. Major parts of the Jamaican economy include agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, and financial and insurance services. Tourism and mining are the leading earners of foreign exchange. Half the Jamaican economy relies on services, with its income coming from services such as tourism. An estimated 1.3 million foreign tourists visit Jamaica every year.
Owing to its location in the Caribbean Sea in the shipping lane to the Panama Canal Jamaica receives high container traffic. The container terminal at the Port of Kingston has undergone large expansion in capacity in recent years to handle growth. To aid the navigation of shipping, Jamaica operates nine lighthouses.
Energy
Jamaica depends on petroleum imports to satisfy its national energy needs. Many test sites have been explored for oil, but none have been found. The most convenient sources of imported oil and motor fuels (diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel) are from Mexico and Venezuela.
Jamaica's electrical power is produced by diesel (bunker oil) generators located in Old Harbour. Other smaller power stations support the island's electrical grid. A wind farm, owned by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, was established at Wigton, Manchester.
Jamaica imports approximately 80,000 barrels (13,000 m3) of oil energy products per day, including asphalt and lubrication products. Just 20% of imported fuels are used for road transportation, the rest being used by the bauxite industry, electricity generation, and aviation. 30,000 barrels/day of crude imports are processed into various motor fuels and asphalt.
Images for kids
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Henry Morgan was a famous Caribbean pirate, privateer, plantation owner and slaveholder; he had first come to the West Indies as an indentured servant, like most of the early English colonists.
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A plantation set alight during the Baptist War of 1831–32
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Harbour Street, Kingston, c. 1820
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Marcus Garvey, father of the Back to Africa Movement and Jamaica's first National Hero
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Michael Manley, Prime Minister 1972–1980 and 1989–1992
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Topographic map of Jamaica
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Jamaica's national bird, a red-billed streamertail
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Jamaica's population, 1800–2019
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Montego Bay, Jamaica's second-largest city
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Northern suburbs of Kingston, Jamaica's capital and largest city
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Mandeville Church (est. 1816), an Anglican church in Manchester Parish. Christianity is the largest religion in Jamaica.
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A historic Ashura celebration in Jamaica, which is known locally as Hussay or Hosay
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Jamaica motto on a building at Papine High School in Kingston, Jamaica
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Usain Bolt is one of the most prominent sprinters in the world.
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A beach in Negril with a hotel and restaurant
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Halfway Tree Transport Centre, Kingston
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A US Airways aircraft landing at Montego Bay (2013)
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Norman Manley International Airport
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Bob Marley, the most famous reggae artist from Jamaica
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Jamaican albatross butterfly
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Vervain hummingbird
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See also
In Spanish: Jamaica para niños
