Jamaica

Jamaica
 History!
The island - discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1494 - was
settled by the Spanish early in the 16th century. The native
Taino Indians, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were
gradually exterminated and replaced by African slaves. England
seized the island in 1655 and established a plantation economy
based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee. The abolition of slavery in
1834 freed a quarter million slaves, many of whom became
small farmers. Jamaica gradually obtained increasing
independence from Britain, and in 1958 it joined other British
Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the West
Indies. Jamaica gained full independence when it withdrew
from the Federation in 1962. Deteriorating economic
conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence as rival
gangs affiliated with the major political parties evolved into
powerful organized crime networks involved in international
drug smuggling and money laundering. Violent crime, drug
trafficking, and poverty pose significant challenges to the
government today. Nonetheless, many rural and resort areas
remain relatively safe and contribute substantially to the
economy
*Capital-
Kingston*
Climate- tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior

Terrain- mostly mountains, with narrow,

discontinuous coastal plain
 Environmen
tal current is
of deforestati sues- heavy
on; coastal w rates
by industrial aters pollute
waste, sewa d
damage to c g e , and oil spills
oral reefs; ai ;
Kingston res r p ollution in
ults from ve
hicle emissio
ns

ite , gy psu m , li me stone

- b au x
Natural resources

Natural haz
ards- hurric
November) anes (espec
ially July to

on-
Extreme elevati
p o int: C a rib b ea n S ea 0 m
lowest u nta in Pe ak 2,256 m
lue M o
highest point: B
 People of Jamaica!
Population- 2,804,332

languages-
Life expectancy- English, English patois
total population: 73.59 years
male: 71.88 years
female: 75.38 years
Ethnic groups-
black 91.2%, mixed 6.2%, other or unknown
2.6%

Religions-
Protestant 62.5% (Seventh-Day Adventist 10.8%, Pentecostal 9.5%, Other
Church of God 8.3%, Baptist 7.2%, New Testament Church of God 6.3%, Church
of God in Jamaica 4.8%, Church of God of Prophecy 4.3%, Anglican 3.6%, other
Christian 7.7%), Roman Catholic 2.6%, other or unspecified 14.2%, none 20.9%
 Government!
Government type-
constitutional parliamentary democracy

Prime minister-
Bruce Golding
Voting age-
18 years old
 Economy!
The Jamaican economy is heavily dependent on services, which now account for
more than 60% of GDP. The country continues to derive most of its foreign exchange
from tourism, remittances, and bauxite/alumina. Remittances account for nearly
20% of GDP and are equivalent to tourism revenues.

- s ug a r c a n e, bananas,
roducts
Agriculture p e e s , ve g e ta bles;
ffe e , cit r u s , yams, ack s , mollusks
Unemployment rate- 9.9%
co c ru sta c e an
s, milk;
poultry, goat

Industries- tourism, bauxi

te/alumina, agro
processing, light manufact
Labor force- ures, rum, cement,
metal, paper, chemical p
agriculture: 17% roducts,
telecommunications
industry: 19%
services: 64%
 rt s !
Expo
bauxite, alumina, gypsum, sugar, bananas,
citrus, coffee, cocoa, pimento, and rum.
(US 37.2%, Canada 15%, UK 9.7%,
Netherlands 9.1%)

Imports!
food and other consumer goods, industrial
supplies, fuel, parts and accessories of capital
goods, machinery and transport equipment,
construction materials

(US 37.2%, Trinidad and Tobago

14.5%, Grenada 9.7%, Venezuela
8.3%, Brazil 4.2% )
 Currency!
r ( J MD )
ndo ll a
Jamaica

Exchan
ge rate
- Ja
per US maican dollars
dollar -
69.034 (JMD)
 -Jamaican residents have come from around the globe, bringing

Foo d! with them the cooking techniques, flavors, spices and recipes of
their homelands and blending them with the bountiful harvest
of this tropical island. The result is some of the most flavorful
cuisine in the Caribbean.

Jerk. The most popular dish in Jamaica is jerk. The main ingredient – pork, chicken or
fish – is marinated with a fiery mixture of spices, including Scotch bonnet, pimento or
allspice, nutmeg and thyme. Jerk is one of the ultimate Jamaican dishes, dating back to
the island’s earliest days.

Festival. This bread is frequently served with jerk and is similar to hush puppies.

Red pea soup. Another one of Jamaica’s famous soups, this one is made from kidney
beans, salted pig tails, beef and vegetables

Cut cake. This sweet cake is made with diced coconut and ginger toffee.

Ackee and Saltfish. The national breakfast dish is ackee and saltfish. Ackee is cooked and
looks (and tastes) much like scrambled eggs.

Curried goat. You just don’t get any more Jamaican than curried goat. Look for it on
any traditional island menu. It’s especially popular at festivals and parties.
Bammy. This fried bread is made from cassava flour and is served with fried fish.
 i li ta r y ! Military branches- Jamaica Defense Force: Ground
M Forces, Coast Guard, Air Wing

Service age- 18 years of age for voluntary military service; younger recruits
may be conscripted with parental consent

Wars!
Not too many I guess?
 Jamaica’s Flag!

The black is symbolic of hardships suffered in the past,

green represents the fertile land, and yellow the shining
sun. In addition, black, green and yellow are Pan-
African colors, and pay tribute to Jamaica's significant
African heritage.
 Crime!

Some areas of Jamaica experience high levels of violent crime.

Jamaica has had one of the highest murder rates in the world for
many years according to UN estimates. Jamaica's former Prime
Minister P.J. Patterson described the situation as "a national
challenge of unprecedented proportions". In 2005, Jamaica had
1,674 murders for a murder rate of 58 per 100,000 people; that year,
Jamaica had the highest murder rate in the world.
The End!!