Country Information on Jamaica

Terrain Jamaica is mostly hilly, the highest peak being Blue Mountain (2,256 m). There are narrow, discontinuous coastal plains with miles of white beaches. The country has 120 rivers flowing from the mountains to the coast. Furthermore it has a large central plateau, fertile agricultural lands, waterfalls, and dense tropical forests. Climate The climate is tropical in the coastal areas, in the mountains it is temperate and cooler. Jamaica's tropical maritime climate means that dramatic fluctuations in temperature are virtually non-existent. However, the weather may change quickly, especially during the rainy season, which is from May to December. The region is threatened by hurricanes from June to November, but relatively few of the hurricanes that sweep the region touch Jamaica. Fauna/Flora An abundant and multifarious vegetation characterizes Jamaica's flora. Indigenous trees include the cedar, mahogany, rosewood, ebony, fan palm, and the coconut palm. Imported species such as the mango tree and banana trees grow on the island, as well, and are cultivated on plantations. Jamaica's fauna includes an enormous range of bird species, as does the fauna of all islands of the West Indies. There is an especially large number of parrots and humming birds, also including the Green Todi. History/Politics Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1494 during his second American 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 transferred to England. In the late 17th century an increasing number of English immigrants arrived on the island which became a centre of pirate activities. Plantations grew more and more important, and, owing to the enormous demand for labourers, African slaves were brought into the country. Jamaica became one of the principal slave-trading centres in the world. The 18th century was characterized by slave revolts which were all put down by the government. Slavery was finally abolished by the parliament in 1838. In 1962 the British colony of Jamaica was granted independence. The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) won the elections in April 1962. 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. In 1980 he was voted out of office, and Edward Seaga (JLP), who had previously been Chancellor of the Exchequer, 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 owing to poor health. Percival J. Patterson, his successor as prime minister and leader of the PNP, won the election one year later. Economy Over 20% of the Jamaican workforce engage in agriculture. The chief crop is sugar cane, furthermore bananas, citrus fruits, tobacco, cocoa, coffee, coconuts, maize, various kinds of pepper, ginger, mangos, potatoes, and arrowroot are grown. Jamaica exports nearly the entire world supply of pimentos. The production of industrial commodities is increasing in importance for the Jamaican economy, and government have embarked on a policy of duty-free imports and tax reduction in order to support the establishing of industries in the country. Besides the traditional production of foods, semi-luxury foods, and tobacco, companies were established which produce e.g. textiles, shoes, dyes, agricultural machinery, transistor radios, cement, and artificial fertilizer. The oil refinery in Kingston produces enough fuel to meet half of the national requirements. Culture British and African influences are obvious in Jamaica's culture. Reggae was made popular by Bob Marley and other musicians. This style of music keeps influencing international pop and rock'n'roll music. Especially in the capital, Kingston, music has a strong presence. This is in fact the city where Bob Marley developed his glorious reggae, which combines elements of popular music and of rhythm and blues. It originated in the sixties in a district called Trenchtown, where Marley lived. Trenchtown is situated around a large drainage trench, hence the name, and it is a slum where the poorest of poor live. Today it features a museum to honour Bob Marley. The national dishes are saltfish, curried goat, and pepper pot soup. Air-dried and spicy rashers of pork and chicken and rum (an alcoholic beverage produced of sugar cane) are Jamaican specialties, which are known outside the country as well.