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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