Country Guide • Jamaica
The third largest island in the Caribbean, Jamaica is an island in the West Indies, south of Cuba and west of Haiti.
| Official Name | Jamaica |
|---|---|
| Area | 10,991km² (4,244mile²) |
| Population | 2,694,000 |
| Continent | Caribbean/North America |
| Population per mile² | 635 |
| Capital City | Kingston |
| Religions | 18% Church of God, 10% Baptist, 10% Anglican, 5% Roman Catholic, 7% Seventh Day Adventist, 5% Methodist, 5% Presbyterian. Other minorities include Rastafarians and Hindus |
| Language | English and Patois |
| Government | Constitutional Monarchy |
| Currency | Jamaican Dollar |
| GDP | $10 billion |
| GDP per Head | $3,900 |
| Natural Resources | Bauxite, gypsum, limestone |
| Land Use | Arable Land 16% |
| Agriculture | Sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus fruits, potatoes, vegetables; poultry and goats |
| Industry | Tourism, bauxite, sugar, bananas, tobacco products |
| Tourism | Jamaica has wonderful white-sand beaches, mountains, waterfalls, wildlife and superb coffee.The two main tourist resorts are Negril and Montego Bay, Jamaica’s second city |
| Natural Hazards | Hurricanes (especially July to November) |
| Health Risks | HIV/AIDS |
| Climate | Jamaica has a tropical climate at sea-level and a temperate climate towards the highlands within the interior. There are two rainy seasons from May - June and September - November and two dry seasons from July - August and December - April. The hurricane season is from May to August/September. Average annual rainfall is 77 inches and average temperature ranges in Kingston are from 19°C to 32°C all year |
| Time | GMT/UTC-6 hours |
| National Days | Independence Day, first Monday in August |
| Visas | US and Canadian citizens do not need passports for visits up to six months. All other visitors must arrive with a passport, but most western travellers do not need a visa |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
