Jamaica
map | facts

Geography
Jamaica with an area of 10,991 sq. km (4,244 sq. ml) is the third largest island of the Greater Antilles of the West Indies. The island has a maximum length, from east to west, of about 235 km (about 146 ml); the maximum width is approximately 80km (about 50 ml) and the terrain is mountainous, except for several tracts of lowlands in the southern coastal area. The principal range, situated in the eastern section of the island, is the Blue Mountains, of which Blue Mountain Peak (2256 m/7402 ft) is the highest summit in the West Indies. A series of lesser mountains, with many transverse spurs, extends generally West to the extremity of the island, surmounting an extensive plateau. The coastline, about 800 km (about 500 ml) long, is irregular, particularly in the South, and the island has a number of excellent natural harbors, including those at Kingston, Saint Ann's Bay, Montego Bay, and Port Maria. Thermal springs occur in various areas and the island is subject to severe earthquakes. Many small un-navigable rivers traverse the island.

History
The Arawaks were the first inhabitants of Jamaica, which they called Xaymaca, meaning "isle of springs." In May 1494 the Spanish landed in Montego Bay and later in1510 a permanent Spanish settlement was finally established under the orders of the Spanish governor of the day. In 1655 Britain, under Oliver Cromwell, challenged Spain's claim to the island, ultimately triumphing and establishing a base at Port Royal across the harbor from what is now Kingston. It was from this point that Henry Morgan and his band of buccaneers wreaked havoc upon the Spanish colony of Panama.

Sugarcane farming was established and so many black slaves were imported that Jamaica became one of the world's principal slave trading centers. Jamaica's population also included "free coloreds", the offspring of white men and slave women, and Maroons, descendants of freed slaves

Sir Alexander Bustamante became the nation's first prime minister when Jamaica gained its independence in 1962.

People and Culture
The population of Jamaica is primarily of African or mixed African-European origin. Among the established minorities are East Indians, Europeans, and Chinese. English is the official language, although many Jamaicans speak a local dialect of English that incorporates African, Spanish, and French elements. Among the Christian majority, the Church of God, Baptists, Anglicans, Seventh day Adventists, Pentecostalists, and Roman Catholics predominate. Several well-established Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu communities

exist. Number of popular sects, such as Pocomania and Rastafarianism, are a significant and famous feature of the national religious life.

Reggae a distinctively syncopated style of Jamaican music was popularized by Bob Marley and many others. Today reggae music has been established as the most distinctive aspect of Jamaican culture.

Economy
The economy of Jamaica is primarily agricultural but mining , manufacturing and tourism have diversified the economy. Investments in the bauxite/ alumina industry have fueled continued growth of production and exports in this sector. The principal exports are bauxite and alumina, apparel, sugar, bananas, coffee, Citrus, and citrus products, rum and cocoa. Tourism is vital to the economy and provides a large portion of foreign-exchange earnings. Each year more than a million people visit the island, contributing more than $ 6oo million.

Places of interest
Jamaica's scenic vistas are simply breath taking and there are numerous sights and places of interest to be visited. Each parish is resplendent in its own beauty with scenes common to no other. Montego Bay, the second largest city of Jamaica, offers opportunities for water skiing, sailing and deep sea fishing among other things. There are attractions such as the Greenwood Great House, built by Elizabeth Browning's family and said to have ghosts in residence; Rose Hall Great House, a 1760 plantation house where legend has it that Annie Palmer the white witch ruled with cruelty and met a violent death.

In Ocho Rios can be found the intriguing limestone Green Grotto caves which lead to an underground lake. There is also Dunn's River Falls, Fern Gully, Columbus Park and Negril with its seven miles of white sand beach, the longest in Jamaica.