Country Information on Jamaica 

Terrain

Jamaica is mostly hilly, the highest peak is the Blue Mountain (2,256 m). Long and narrow beaches of white sand stretch along the coastline. The country has 120 rivers flowing from the mountains to the coast, a large central plateau, fertile agricultural lands, waterfalls, and dense tropical forests.

Climate

The climate is tropical at the coast; it is temperate and cooler in the mountains. Jamaica's tropical coastal climate means that there are only small fluctuations in temperature. However, the weather can change dramatically, especially during the rainy season, which is from May to December. The region is at risk of experiencing hurricanes from June to November, but they do not hit Jamaica often.

Fauna/Flora

Jamaica's flora is characterized by abundant vegetation that varies greatly. Indigenous trees include the cedar, mahoe, mahogany, logwood, rosewood, ebony, fan palm, the coconut palm and the pepper plant. Imported species such as the mango tree and the breadfruit tree also grow on the island and are cultivated on plantations. Like all the islands of the West Indies, Jamaica's animal life includes an enormous range of bird species. There is an especially large variety of parrots and humming birds, including the Jamaican Tody.

History/Politics

Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1494 during his second voyage and it became a Spanish colony in 1509. An English fleet led by Sir William Penn conquered Jamaica in 1655. In the Madrid Treaty, signed in 1670, Jamaica was formally handed over to England. In the late 17th century an increasing number of English immigrants arrived on the island and it became an important centre for pirates. Sugar plantations made rapid progress and African slaves were brought into the country to cover the demand for workers. Jamaica became one of the principal slave-trading centres in the world. During the 18th century groups of slaves revolted. The government had to quash the various uprisings. Slavery was finally abolished by the parliament in 1838. In 1962 the British colony of Jamaica was granted independence and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) won the elections in April of the same year. Its leader, Sir Alexander Bustamante, became prime minister. In 1967 he stepped down and Hugh Lawson Shearer became his successor.

After the 1972 elections, the People's National Party led by Michael N. Manley came to power. However, he was voted out of office in 1980, and former Chancellor of the Exchequer Edward Seaga (JLP) became prime minister and formed a new government. In September 1988, Hurricane Gilbert caused severe damage (amounting to an estimated 8 billion US dollars), and approximately 500,000 Jamaicans lost their homes. In 1989 the PNP won a majority of parliament seats, and Manley returned to power. He introduced free-market policies before resigning in 1992, due to ill health. Percival J. Patterson, his successor as prime minister and leader of the PNP, won the election one year later and is still in power today.

Economy

Over 20% of the Jamaican workforce is employed in agriculture. The chief crop is sugar cane, but bananas, citrus fruits, tobacco, cocoa, coffee, coconuts, maize, various kinds of pepper, ginger, mangos, potatoes, and arrowroot are also grown. Jamaica exports nearly the entire world supply of pepper. The industrial sector is increasing in importance, which is why the government has made concessions such as duty-free imports and tax reduction in order to encourage industrial development. In addition to the traditional food industries, companies were set up which produce textiles, shoes, dyes, agricultural machinery, transistor radios, cement, artificial fertilizer, etc. The oil refinery in Kingston produces enough fuel to meet half of the national requirements. The unemployment rate was 13.1% in 2003 and inflation was 16.7%.

Culture

British and African influences are reflected in Jamaica's culture. Reggae was made popular by Bob Marley and other musicians. This style of music still influences international pop and rock music today. Music has a strong presence in the capital, Kingston, in particular, where Bob Marley made reggae famous. Reggae combines elements of popular music with rhythm and blues. It originated in the sixties in a district called Trenchtown, where Marley lived. Trenchtown, which gets its name from a nearby drainage trench, is a district where poor people live. A museum to honour Bob Marley was built there. The national dishes are saltfish, curried goat, and pepper pot soup. Dry and spicy rashers of pork and chicken are Jamaican specialties, which are also known abroad, as is rum (an alcoholic beverage produced from sugar cane).