Geography

Jamaica is one of the three islands in the Northern Caribbean forming the Greater Antilles.  It is the largest English-speaking country in the Caribbean Sea, stretching 146 miles from east to west. It is a little smaller than Connecticut. The island is made up of coastal lowlands, a limestone plateau, and the Blue Mountains, a group of volcanic hills. Jamaica is well placed on the world’s major shipping and airline routes. Chief towns include the capital city Kingston, Portmore, Mandeville, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, and the city of Montego Bay.

The country’s name is derived from an Arawak (aboriginal Indian) word “Xaymaca”, meaning “land of wood and water”. With waterfalls, and springs, rivers and streams flowing from the forest-clad mountains to the fertile plains, Jamaica has one of the richest and most varied landscapes in the region. Along a north coast a narrow plain stretches with the beaches built by fine-grained white sand and coral reefs protected from waves. These places are especially attractive for tourists.

The climate in Jamaica is tropical, with hot and humid weather, although higher inland regions have a more temperate climate. Some regions on the south coast, such as the Liguanea Plain and the Pedro Plains are relatively dry rain-shadow areas.

People and Culture

Jamaica is populated by over 2 million people. The majority of Jamaica’s population is of African decent (76%), which stems from the slaves brought to the island by the Spanish and British to work on the sugar cane plantations. However, over the centuries Indians, Chinese, Germans, Irish, and many more have left their imprint on Jamaican culture.

This diversity is most apparent in the various foods. Ackee (a fruit) and salt fish, is along with rice and peas, the best known traditional Jamaican dish. Another traditional recipe is that for jerk meat – pork or chicken seasoned in hot spices cooked over a barbecue. Fish from the rivers and the coastal waters are an important part of the national diet.

Though a small nation, Jamaica is rich in culture, and has a strong global presence. The musical genres reggae, ska, mento, rocksteady, dub originated in the island. Internationally known reggae musician Bob Marley is one of the world’s greatest signing legends and he continues to entertain millions across the world. Bob Marley is symbolic of the pervasiveness of Jamaican culture.

Language

The official language of Jamaica is English. But the majority of population speaks Jamaican Patois. This informal language was influenced by British English and includes words and syntax from various African languages (including Akan and Yoruba); other European languages (Spanish, Portuguese and French); Pre-Columbian Caribbean languages (Arawak); and Asian languages (Hindi and Mandarin) which is evidence of the long-standing mixing of the people. A number of linguists classify Jamaican Patois as a separate language, while others consider it to be a dialect of English.

Religion

Most of Jamaica’s population (about 65 %) practices Christianity, particularly Protestantism. Christianity remains a strong influence on cultural life, particularly in music. Most people learn their music at church, and Biblical references are often used in popular songs.

In spite of this a great number of non-Christian religions can be found on the island (Bahai, Buddhism, Islam, Spiritism). The largest non-Christian religion is the Rastafari. The Rastafarian religion started in the 1930s. Rastafarians look to Africa and believe that Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia was divine.

Economy

Jamaica is classified as a developing country. Despite high standards of literacy, modernization and expansion of the fishing industry, and development of an oil industry (especially along the coast of Venezuela near Lake Maracaibo), most Caribbean nations remain overly reliant on tourism and a few exports (such as bauxite, sugar, and bananas) and depend heavily on imported food and fuel.

Agriculture and the mining industry are dominant factors in Jamaica’s economy today. Sugar, tropical fruits, coffee, cacao, and spices are grown in quantity for export through the ports of Kingston and Montego Bay. Jamaica has recently developed a profitable mining industry. It ranks among the world’s top nations in the production of bauxite and alumina, which are exported to Canada, Norway, and the United States for refining into aluminum. A petroleum refinery operates in Kingston. Other industries include sugar processing, textiles, printing, and chemicals.

One of every three employed workers in Jamaica works in tourism and services. In 2000, Jamaica hosted more than 1 million visitors, and tourism and services contributed $1.33 billion to the economy, up 4.2 percent from 1999.

Government

The 1962 constitution established a parliamentary system based on the U.K. model. As chief of state, Queen Elizabeth II appoints a governor general, on the advice of the prime minister, as her representative in Jamaica. The governor general’s role is largely ceremonial. Executive power is vested in the cabinet, led by the prime minister.

Parliament is composed of an appointed Senate and an elected House of Representatives. Thirteen Senators are nominated on the advice of the prime minister and eight on the advice of the leader of the opposition. General elections must be held within 5 years of the forming of a new government. The prime minister may ask the governor general to call elections sooner, however. The Senate may submit bills, and it also reviews legislation submitted by the House.

The judiciary also is modeled on the U.K. system. The Court of Appeals is the highest appellate court in Jamaica. Under certain circumstances, cases may be appealed to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.

Currency

The unit of currency in Jamaica is the Jamaican dollar. One U.S. Dollar equals approximately 48.5 Jamaican dollars. Jamaican law requires that Jamaican currency to be used when paying for all goods and services, though that law is followed very loosely and the U.S. dollar is accepted almost universally. Credit cards may also be used.

The Jamaican dollar was used not only by Jamaica, but also by the Cayman Islands, a former dependency of Jamaica, until 1972. In that year, the territory stopped using the Jamaican dollar and adopted its own currency, the Cayman Islands dollar.

The Maritime Authority of Jamaica

The Maritime Authority’s responsibilities include:

1. The registration of ships;
2. The regulation of safety, with regard to the construction, seaworthiness and navigation of vessels;
3. The certification of seafarers and the inspection of vessels to insure compliance with safety and environmental standards.

With its strong commitment to safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment, the Maritime Authority requires high standards of safety, security and management of vessels proposed for registration under the Jamaican Flag.