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Jamaica

Origin of Name from the native Taino word "haymaca" meaning "land of wood and water" or possibly "land of springs"

Location in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba

Total Area 4,244 sq mi (10,991 sq km)
Greatest Distance, E-W 146 mi (235 km)
Greatest Distance, N-S 51 mi (82 km)
Highest Point
Blue Mountain Peak; 7,402 ft (2,256 m)
Lowest Point Caribbean Sea; sea level
Natural Resources bauxite, gypsum, limestone

Nationality Jamaican
Population (July 2016)
2,970,340
Largest Cities Kingston
Ethnic Groups
black, mixed
Religions Protestant, Roman Catholic
Languages
English

Capital Kingston
Form of Government
parliamentary democracy
Constitution Adopted August 6, 1962
Chief of State
Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor General Patrick L. Allen (since February 26, 2009)
Head of Government
Prime Minister Andrew Holness (since March 3, 2016)
Cabinet appointed by the Governor General in consultation with the Prime Minister
Legislature
bicameral Parliament
Judiciary
Court of Appeals, Supreme Court
Local Government
14 parishes

Currency East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
Per Capita Income
$8,800
Principal Industries
tourism, bauxite/alumina, agricultural-processing, light manufactures, rum, cement, metal, paper, chemical products, telecommunications
Agricultural Products
sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, yams, ackees, vegetables; poultry, goats, milk; shellfish
Export Commodities
alumina, bauxite, sugar, rum, coffee, yams, beverages, chemicals, apparel, mineral fuels
Import Commodities
food and other consumer goods, industrial supplies, fuel, parts and accessories of capital goods, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials

Independence from the United Kingdom Achieved August 6, 1962
National Holidays Emancipation Day, August 1 (1834); Independence Day, August 6
Flag
A diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green and black. Green represents hope, vegetation, and agriculture; black reflects hardships overcome and to be faced; and yellow recalls golden sunshine and the island's natural resources.

SEE ALSO
Cuba
Queen Elizabeth II

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SKC Films Library >> American History >> Caribbean Islands >> Jamaica

This page was last updated on 03/06/2017.