For other uses, see Jamaica (disambiguation). Jamaica Flag Coat of arms Motto: "Out of Many, One People" Anthem: "Jamaica, Land We Love" Royal anthem: "God Save the Queen" Capital (and largest city) Kingston 17°59′N 76°48′W / 17.983°N 76.8°W / 17.983; -76.8 Official language(s) English National language Jamaican Patois Ethnic groups  91.2% black, 6.2% mixed, 2.6% other1 Demonym Jamaican Government Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy  -  Monarch Elizabeth II  -  Governor-General Patrick Allen  -  Prime Minister Bruce Golding Independence  -  from the United Kingdom 6 August 1962  Area  -  Total 10,991 km2 (166th) 4,244 sq mi   -  Water (%) 1.5 Population  -  July 2010 estimate 2,847,2321 (133rd)  -  Density 252/km2 (49th) 656/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2009 estimate  -  Total $23.797 billion2   -  Per capita $8,7772  GDP (nominal) 2009 estimate  -  Total $11.903 billion2   -  Per capita $4,3902  Gini (2000) 37.9 (medium)  HDI (2010) 0.6883 (high) (80th) Currency Jamaican dollar (JMD) Time zone (UTC-5) Drives on the left ISO 3166 code JM Internet TLD .jm Calling code +1-876 Jamaica (pronounced /dʒəˈmeɪkə/ ( listen)) is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, 234 kilometres (145 mi) in length and as much as 80 kilometres (50 mi) in width, and amounts to 10,990 square kilometres (4,243 sq mi). It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about 145 kilometres (90 mi) south of Cuba, and 191 kilometres (119 mi) west of Hispaniola, the island harboring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Its indigenous Arawakan-speaking Taíno inhabitants named the island Xaymaca, meaning the "Land of Wood and Water", or the "Land of Springs".4 Once a Spanish possession known as Santiago, in 1655 it became an English, and later a British, colony, known as "Jamaica". It achieved full independence in 1962. With 2.8 million people, it is the third most populous anglophone country in the Americas, after the United States and Canada. It remains a Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.5 Kingston is the country's largest city and the capital.6 Contents 1 History 2 Government and politics 2.1 Parishes 2.2 Military 3 Geography 4 Demographics 4.1 Ethnic origins 4.2 Language 4.3 Emigration 4.4 Crime 5 Religion 6 Culture 6.1 National symbols 7 Sport 8 Education 9 Economy 10 Infrastructure 10.1 Transport 10.1.1 Roadways 10.1.2 Railways 10.2 Air transport 10.2.1 Ports, shipping and lighthouses 10.3 Energy 10.4 Communication 11 See also 12 References 13 Further reading 14 External links // History Main article: History of Jamaica The Arawak and Taino indigenous people, originating in South America, settled on the island between 4000 and 1000 BC.7 When Christopher Columbus arrived in 1494, there were over 200 villages ruled by caciques (chiefs of villages). The south coast of Jamaica was the most populated, especially around the area now known as Old Harbour.7 The Tainos were still inhabiting Jamaica when the English took control of the island.7 The Jamaican National Heritage Trust is attempting to locate and document any evidence of the Taino/Arawaks.8 Christopher Columbus claimed Jamaica for Spain after landing there in 1494 and his probable landing point was Dry Harbour, now called Discovery Bay.9 There is some debate as to whether he landed in St. Ann's Bay or in Discovery Bay. St. Ann's Bay was the "Saint Gloria" of Columbus who first sighted Jamaica at this point. One mile west of St. Ann's Bay is the site of the first Spanish settlement on the island, Sevilla, which was abandoned around 1524 because it was deemed unhealthy.10 The capital was moved to Spanish Town, then called "Villa de la Vega", around 1534 and is located in present day St. Catherine.11 Out of all the British colonies in the Caribbean, Spanish Town has the oldest Cathedral.11 The Spanish were forcibly evicted by the English at Ocho Rios in St. Ann, In 1655 the English, lead by William Penn and General Robert Venables, took over the last Spanish fort in Jamaica.12 The name of Montego Bay, the capital of the parish of St. James, was derived from the Spanish name manteca bahía (or Bay of Lard) for the large quantity of boar used for the lard-making industry.13 Henry Morgan was a famous Caribbean pirate and privateer who had arrived in the West Indies as an indentured servant, like many of the early settlers.14 In 1660, the population of Jamaica was about 4,500 whites and some 1,500 blacks and15 as early as the 1670s, blacks formed a majority of the population.16 When the English captured Jamaica in 1655 the Spanish colonists fled after freeing their slaves.12 The slaves fled into the mountains, joining those who had previously escaped from the Spanish to live with the Taínos.17 These runaway slaves, who became known as the Jamaican Maroons, fought the British during the 18th century.17 The name is still used today for their modern descendants. During the long years of slavery Maroons established free communities in the mountainous interior of Jamaica, maintaining their freedom and independence for generations. During its first 200 years of British rule, Jamaica became one of the world's leading sugar-exporting, slave-dependent nations, producing more than 77,000 tons of sugar annually between 1820 and 1824. After the abolition of the slave trade (but not slavery itself) in 1807,18 the British imported Indian and Chinese workers as indentured servants to supplement the labour pool. Descendants of indentured servants of Indian and Chinese origin continue to reside in Jamaica today. By the beginning of the 19th century, Jamaica's heavy reliance on slavery resulted in blacks outnumbering whites by a ratio of almost 20 to 1. Even though England had outlawed the importation of slaves, some were still smuggled into the colonies. The British government drew up laws regimenting the abolition of slavery, but they also included instructions for the improvement of the slaves' way of life. These instructions included a ban of the use of whips in the field, a ban on the flogging of women, notification that slaves were to be allowed religious instruction, a requirement that slaves be given an extra free day during the week when they could sell their produce as well as a ban on Sunday markets. Map of Jamaica In Jamaica these measures were resisted by the House of Assembly. The Assembly claimed that the slaves were content and objected to Parliament's interference in island affairs, although many slave owners feared possible revolts. Following a series of rebellions and changing attitudes in Great Britain, the nation formally abolished slavery in 1834, with full emancipation from chattel slavery declared in 1838. The population in 1834 was 371,070 of whom 15,000 were white, 5,000 free black, 40,000 ‘coloured’ or mixed race, and 311,070 slaves.15

In the 1800s, the British established a number of botanical gardens. These included the Castleton Garden, set up in 1862 to replace the Bath Garden (created in 1779) which was subject to flooding. Bath Garden was the site for planting breadfruit brought to Jamaica from the Pacific by Captain William Bligh. Other gardens were the Cinchona Plantation founded in 1868 and the Hope Garden founded in 1874. In 1872, Kingston became the island's capital. In 1945, Sir Horace Hector Hearne became Chief Justice and Keeper of the Records in Jamaica. He headed the Supreme Court, Kingston between 1945 and 1950/1951. He then moved to Kenya where he was appointed Chief Justice. Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley and his wife with US president Jimmy Carter in 1977. Jamaica slowly gained increasing independence from the United Kingdom and in 1958, it became a province in the Federation of the West Indies, a federation among the British West Indies. Jamaica attained full independence by leaving the federation in 1962. Strong economic growth, averaging approximately 6% per annum, marked the first ten years of independence under conservative governments which were led successively by Prime Ministers Alexander Bustamante, Donald Sangster and Hugh Shearer. The growth was fuelled by strong investments in bauxite/alumina, tourism, manufacturing industry and, to a lesser extent, the agricultural sector. The optimism of the first decade was accompanied by a growing sense of inequality, and a sense that the benefits of growth were not being experienced by the urban poor. This, combined with the effects of a slowdown in the global economy in 1970, prompted the electorate to change government, electing the PNP (People's National Party) in 1972. Despite efforts to create more socially equitable policies in education and health, Jamaica continued to lag economically, with its gross national product having fallen in 1980 to some 25% below the 1972 level. Rising foreign and local debt, accompanied by large fiscal deficits, resulted in the invitation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) financing from the United States and others, and the imposition of IMF austerity measures (with a greater than 25% interest rate per year). Economic deterioration continued into the mid-1980s, exacerbated by a number of factors; the first and third largest alumina producers, Alpart and Alcoa closed, and there was a significant reduction in production by the second largest producer, Alcan. In addition, tourism decreased and Reynolds Jamaica Mines, Ltd. left the Jamaican industry. Government and politics Main article: Politics of Jamaica Further information: Foreign relations of Jamaica Inside the Parliament of Jamaica Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy with the monarch being represented by a Governor-General.19 The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who officially uses the title "Queen of Jamaica" when she visits the country or performs duties overseas on Jamaica's behalf.20 The Governor General is nominated by the Prime Minister and the entire Cabinet and appointed by the monarch. All the members of the Cabinet are appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The monarch and the Governor-General serve largely ceremonial roles, apart from their potent reserve power to dismiss the Prime Minister or Parliament. Jamaica's current Constitution was drafted in 1962 by a bipartisan joint committee of the Jamaican legislature. It came into force with the Jamaica Independence Act, 1962 of the United Kingdom Parliament, which gave Jamaica political independence. The Parliament of Jamaica is bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives (Lower House) and the Senate (Upper House). Members of the House (known as Members of Parliament or MPs) are directly elected, and the member of the House of Representatives who, in the Governor-General's best judgement, is best able to command the confidence of a majority of the members of that House, is appointed by the Governor-General to be the Prime Minister. Senators are nominated jointly by the Prime Minister and the parliamentary Leader of the Opposition and are then appointed by the Governor-General. Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C. In February 2006, Portia Simpson-Miller was elected by delegates of the ruling People's National Party (PNP) to replace P. J. Patterson as President of the Party. At the end of March 2006 when Patterson demitted office, Simpson-Miller became the first female Prime Minister of Jamaica. Former Prime Minister Patterson had held office since the 1992 resignation of Michael Manley. Patterson was re-elected three times, the last being in 2002. On 3 September 2007, Bruce Golding of the Jamaica Labour Party was voted in as Prime Minister-Designate after achieving a 33 – 27 seat victory over Portia Simpson-Miller and the PNP in the 2007 Jamaican general election. Portia Simpson-Miller conceded defeat on 5 September 2007.21 On 11 September 2007, after being sworn in by Governor-General Kenneth Hall, The Hon. Bruce Golding assumed office as Prime Minister of Jamaica. Jamaica has traditionally had a two-party system, with power often alternating between the People's National Party and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Over the past decade a new political party called the National Democratic Movement (NDM) emerged in an attempt to challenge the two-party system, though it has become largely irrelevant in this system, as it garnered only 540 votes of the over 800,000 votes cast in the 3 September elections. Jamaica is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Parishes Main article: Parishes of Jamaica Jamaica is divided into 14 parishes, which are grouped into three historic counties that have no administrative relevance. Cornwall County Capital km2 Middlesex County Capital km2 Surrey County Capital km2 1 Hanover Lucea   450 6 Clarendon May Pen 1,196 11 Kingston Kingston 25 2 Saint Elizabeth Black River 1,212 7 Manchester Mandeville    830 12 Portland Port Antonio 814 3 Saint James Montego Bay   595 8 Saint Ann St. Ann's Bay 1,213 13 Saint Andrew Half Way Tree 453 4 Trelawny Falmouth   875 9 Saint Catherine Spanish Town 1,192 14 Saint Thomas Morant Bay 743 5 Westmoreland Savanna-la-Mar   807 10 Saint Mary Port Maria    611 Military Main article: Jamaica Defence Force Jamaican Defence Force assault team and the Canadian Special Operations Regiment. The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is the small but professional military force of Jamaica. The JDF is based on the British military model with organisation, training, weapons and traditions closely aligned with Commonwealth realms. Once chosen, officer candidates are sent to one of several British or Canadian basic officer courses depending on which arm of service they are selected for. Enlisted soldiers are given basic training at JDF Training Depot, Newcastle or Up Park Camp, both in St. Andrew. As with the British model, NCOs are given several levels of professional training as they rise up the ranks. Additional military schools are available for speciality training in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.

The JDF is directly descended from the British West India Regiment formed during the colonial era.22 The West India Regiment was used extensively by the British Empire in policing the empire from 1795 to 1926. Other units in the JDF heritage include the early colonial Jamaica Militia, the Kingston Infantry Volunteers of WWI and reorganised into the Jamaican Infantry Volunteers in World War II. The West Indies Regiment was reformed in 1958 as part of the West Indies Federation, after dissolution of the Federation the JDF was established. The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) comprises an infantry Regiment and Reserve Corps, an Air Wing, a Coast Guard fleet and a supporting Engineering Unit.23 The infantry regiment contains the 1st, 2nd and 3rd (National Reserve) battalions. The JDF Air Wing is divided into three flight units, a training unit, a support unit and the JDF Air Wing (National Reserve). The Coast Guard is divided between seagoing crews and support crews who conduct maritime safety and maritime law enforcement as well as defence-related operations.24 The role of the support battalion is to provide support to boost numbers in combat and issue competency training in order to allow for the readiness of the force.25 The 1st Engineer Regiment was formed due to an increased demand for military engineers and their role is to provide engineering services whenever and wherever they are needed.26 The Headquarters JDF contains the JDF Commander, Command Staff as well as Intelligence, Judge Advocate office, Administrative and Procurement sections.27 In recent years the JDF has been called on to assist the nation's police, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), in fighting drug smuggling and a rising crime rate which includes one of the highest murder rates in the world. JDF units actively conduct armed patrols with the JCF in high-crime areas and known gang neighbourhoods. There has been vocal controversy as well as support of this JDF role. In early 2005, an Opposition leader, Edward Seaga, called for the merger of the JDF and JCF. This has not garnered support in either organisation nor among the majority of citizens. Geography Main article: Geography of Jamaica Doctor's Cave Beach Club is a popular destination in Montego Bay. The picturesque Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Ríos. Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean.28 It lies between latitudes 17° and 19°N, and longitudes 76° and 79°W. The island is home to the Blue Mountains inland and is surrounded by a narrow coastal plain.29 Chief towns and cities include the capital Kingston, Portmore, Spanish Town, Mandeville, Ocho Ríos, Port Antonio, Negril, and Montego Bay.30 Jamaica is also home to the seventh largest natural harbor in the world, Kingston Harbour.31 There are several tourist attractions scattered across the country, including Dunn's River Falls in St. Ann, YS Falls in St. Elizabeth, the Blue Lagoon in Portland, and Port Royal, which was the site of an earthquake that helped form the island's Palisadoes.32333435 The climate in Jamaica is tropical, with hot and humid weather, although higher inland regions are more temperate.36 Some regions on the south coast, such as the Liguanea Plain and the Pedro Plains, are relatively dry rain-shadow areas.37 Jamaica lies in the hurricane belt of the Atlantic Ocean and because of this, the island sometimes experiences significant storm damage.38 Hurricanes Charlie and Gilbert hit Jamaica directly in 1951 and 1988, respectively, causing major damage and many deaths. In the 2000s, hurricanes Ivan, Dean, and Gustav also brought severe weather to the island. Demographics Further information: Demographics of Jamaica Ethnic origins According to the 2001 census, Jamaica's population consists mainly of people of African descent (referring to those who have origins mainly in Africa) and stands at about 2.5 million. The most common ethnic groups among all Africans taken to Jamaica were the Akan (known as the "Coromantee") and the Igbo.39 There is also a sizeable population of multiracial Jamaicans many of whom also have some Irish ancestry although most mixed-race people on the island now self-report simply as "Jamaican".40414243 Jamaicans of Indian and Chinese ancestry, the largest minority groups, total 160,000. Lebanese, Syrian, English, Scottish, Irish, and German Jamaicans make up around 3,000–4,000 people.1 In recent years, immigration has increased, coming mainly from China, Haiti, Cuba, Colombia, and other Latin American countries; 20,000 Latin Americans currently reside in Jamaica. About 7,000 Americans also reside in Jamaica.444546 Language Main articles: Jamaican Patois and Jamaican English The official language of Jamaica is English. Jamaicans primarily speak an English-African Creole language known as Jamaican Patois, which has become known widely through the spread of Reggae music. Jamaican Patois had formed from African and Native American words mixed in with English, as well as other influences such as from the Irish. Emigration Main article: Jamaican diaspora Many Jamaicans have emigrated to other countries, especially to the United Kingdom, the United States, and to Canada. In the case of the United States, about 20,000 Jamaicans per year are granted permanent residence.47 The great number of Jamaicans living abroad has become known as the Jamaican diaspora. There has also been emigration of Jamaicans to Cuba.48 The scale of emigration has been widespread and similar to other Caribbean entities such as Puerto Rico, Guyana, and The Bahamas. It is estimated that up to 2.5 million Jamaicans and Jamaican descendants live abroad.49 An estimated 60% of the highly educated people of Jamaica now live abroad.50 Concentrations of expatriate Jamaicans are large in a number of cities in the United States, including New York City, Buffalo, the Miami metro area, Atlanta, Chicago, Orlando, Tampa, Washington, D.C, Philadelphia, Hartford, Providence and Los Angeles. Jamaicans in the United Kingdom number an estimated 800,000 making them by far the country's largest African-Caribbean group. Large scale migration from Jamaica to the UK occurred primarily in the 1950s and 1960s (when the country was still under British rule), nowadays Jamaican communities exist in most large UK cities.51 In Canada, the Jamaican population is centred in Toronto, and there are smaller communities in cities such as Hamilton, Montreal, Vancouver and Ottawa. Crime Main article: Crime in Jamaica See also: Prisons in Jamaica Jamaica has had one of the highest murder rates in the world for many years, according to UN estimates.5253 Some areas of Jamaica, particularly cities such as Kingston, experience high levels of crime and violence.54 Many Jamaicans are hostile toward LGBT and intersex people.54 Various mob attacks against gay people have been reported,555657 prompting human-rights groups to call Jamaica "the most homophobic place on earth."58 Religion Main article: Religion in Jamaica Christianity is the largest religion practised in Jamaica. According to the 2001 census, the country's largest denominations are the Church of God of Prophecy (24% of the population), Seventh-day Adventist Church (11%), Pentecostal (10%), Baptist (7%), Anglican (4%), Roman Catholic (2%), United Church (2%), Methodist (2%), Moravian (1%) and Plymouth Brethren (1%)59 The Christian faith gained credibility as British Christian abolitionists and Baptist missionaries joined educated former slaves in the struggle against slavery.60

The Rastafari movement had 24,020 adherents, according to the 2001 census.59 Other religions in Jamaica include Jehovah's Witnesses (2% population), the Bahá'í faith, which counts perhaps 8,000 adherents61 and 21 Local Spiritual Assemblies,62 Buddhism, and Hinduism.63 There is a small population of Jews, about 200, who describe themselves as Liberal-Conservative.64 The first Jews in Jamaica trace their roots back to early 15th century Spain and Portugal.65 Muslim groups in Jamaica claim 5,000 adherents.59 Culture Main article: Culture of Jamaica Further information: Music of Jamaica, Cuisine of Jamaica, and Jamaican literature Marcus Garvey, Father of the Back to Africa Movement and Jamaica's first National Hero. Bob Marley, the most famous reggae artist from Jamaica. Though a small nation, Jamaican culture has a strong global presence. The musical genres reggae, ska, mento, rocksteady, dub, and, more recently, dancehall and ragga all originated in the island's vibrant, popular urban recording industry. Jamaica also played an important role in the development of punk rock, through reggae and ska. Reggae has also influenced American rap music, as they both share their roots as rhythmic, African styles of music. Some rappers, such as The Notorious B.I.G. and Heavy D, are of Jamaican descent. Internationally known reggae musician Bob Marley was also Jamaican. Many other internationally known artists were born in Jamaica including Millie Small, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Big Youth, Jimmy Cliff, Dennis Brown, Desmond Dekker, Beres Hammond, Beenie Man, Shaggy, Grace Jones, Shabba Ranks, Super Cat, Buju Banton, Sean Paul, I Wayne, Bounty Killer and many others. Band artist groups that came from Jamaica include Black Uhuru, Third World Band, Inner Circle, Chalice Reggae Band, Culture, Fab Five and Morgan Heritage. The genre jungle emerged from London's Jamaican diaspora. The birth of hip-hop in New York City, New York also owed much to the city's Jamaican community. Ian Fleming, who lived in Jamaica, repeatedly used the island as a setting in the James Bond novels, including Live and Let Die, Doctor No, For Your Eyes Only, The Man with the Golden Gun and Octopussy and The Living Daylights. In addition, James Bond uses a Jamaica-based cover in Casino Royale. So far, the only James Bond film adaptation to have been set in Jamaica is Doctor No. Filming for the fictional island of San Monique in Live and Let Die took place in Jamaica. Journalist and author H. G. de Lisser (1878–1944) used his native country as the setting for his many novels. Born at Falmouth, de Lisser worked as a reporter for the Jamaica Times at a young age and in 1920 began publishing the magazine Planters' Punch. The White Witch of Rosehall is one of his better known novels. He was named Honorary President of the Jamaican Press Association, and worked throughout his professional career to promote the Jamaican sugar industry. The American film Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise, is one of the more popular films to depict Jamaica. A look at delinquent youth in Jamaica is presented in the 1970s musical crime film The Harder They Come, starring Jimmy Cliff as a frustrated (and psychopathic) reggae musician who descends into a murderous crime spree. Another popular Jamaican-based film is the 1993 comedy Cool Runnings which is loosely based on the true story of Jamaica's first bobsled team trying to make it in the Winter Olympics. Errol Flynn lived with his third wife Patrice Wymore in Port Antonio in the 1950s. He was responsible for developing tourism to this area, popularising raft trips down rivers on bamboo rafts.66 The island is famous for its Jamaican jerk spice which forms a popular part of Jamaican cuisine. Jamaica is also home to Red Stripe beer and Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee. National symbols (From the Jamaica Information Service)67 National Bird — Doctor Bird (Red-billed Streamertail Hummingbird, Trochilus polytmus) National Flower – Lignum vitae (Guiacum officinale) National Tree — Blue Mahoe (Hibiscus talipariti elatum) National Fruit — Ackee (Blighia sapida) National Motto — "Out of Many, One People." Sport Main article: Sport in Jamaica See also: Cricket in the West Indies and Athletics in Jamaica Usain Bolt at Berlin World Championships 2009 Sport is an integral part of national life in Jamaica and the island's athletes tend to perform to a standard well above what might ordinarily be expected of such a small country.68 While the most popular local sport is cricket, on the international stage Jamaicans have tended to do particularly well at Track and Field.6869 The country was one the venues of 2007 Cricket World Cup and West Indies cricket team is one of the only 10 ICC full member teams who participate in international Test Cricket.70 The Jamaica national cricket team competes regionally, and also provides players for the West Indies. Sabina Park is the only test venue in the island, but the Greenfield Stadium (Trelawny) is also used for cricket.7172 Since independence Jamaica has consistently produced world class athletes in track and field.68 In Jamaica involvement in athletics begins at a very young age and most high schools maintain rigorous athletics programs with their top athletes competing in national competitions (most notably the VMBS Girls and Boys Athletics Championships) and international meets (most notably the Penn Relays). In Jamaica it is not uncommon for young athletes to attain press coverage and national fame long before they arrive on the international athletics stage. Over the past six decades Jamaica has produced dozens of world class sprinters including most recentlywhen? Usain Bolt, world record holder in the 100m for men at 9.58s, and 200m for men at 19.19s. Other noteworthy Jamaican sprinters include Arthur Wint--the first Jamaican Olympic Gold Medalist, Donald Quarrie--Olympic Champion and former 200m world record holder, Merlene Ottey, Delloreen Ennis-London, Shelly-Ann Fraser--the current World and Olympic 100m Champion, Kerron Stewart, Aleen Bailey, Juliet Cuthbert, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Sherone Simpson, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Yohan Blake, Herb McKenley, George Rhoden--Olympic Gold Medalist, Deon Hemmings--Olympic Gold Medalist as well as former 100m world record holder and 2x 100m Olympic finalist and Gold medal winner in the mens 2008 Olympic 4x100m Asafa Powell. Jamaica has also produced several world class amateur and professional boxers including Trevor Berbick and Mike McCallum. Second generation Jamaican athletes have continued to make a significant impact on the sport internationally, especially in the United Kingdom where the list of top British boxers born in Jamaica or of Jamaican parents includes Lloyd Honeyghan Chris Eubank, Audley Harrison, David Haye, Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno. Association football and horse-racing are other popular sports in Jamaica. The national football team qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The Jamaica national bobsled team was once a serious contender in the Winter Olympics, beating many well-established teams. Chess, and Basketball are widely played in Jamaica which are supported by the Jamaica Chess Federation (JCF), and the Jamaica Basketball Federation (JBF). Netball is also very popular on the island, with the Jamaica national netball team called The Sunshine Girls consistently ranking in the top five in the world.citation needed

The Jamaica national rugby league team is made up of players who play in Jamaica, and UK-players from professional and semi professional teams in the UK.73 Their first international was a 37-22 loss to the USA Tomahawks in November 2009.74 Rugby league in Jamaica is growing with universities and high schools taking up the sport.7576 The JRLA Championship is the main rugby league competition in the country.77 Education Main article: Education in Jamaica The emancipation of the slaves heralded in the establishment of the Jamaican education system for the masses. Prior to emancipation there were few schools for educating locals. Many sent their children off to England to access quality education. After emancipation the West Indian Commission granted a sum of money to establish Elementary Schools, now known as All Age Schools. Most of these schools were established by the churches.78 This was the genesis of the modern Jamaican school system. Presently the following categories of schools exist: Early childhood – Basic, Infant and privately operated pre- school. Age cohort – 2 – 5 years. Primary – Publicly and privately owned (Privately owned being called Preparatory Schools). Ages 3 – 12 years. Secondary – Publicly and privately owned. Ages 10 – 19 years. The high schools in Jamaica may be either single-sex or co-educational institutions, and many schools follow the traditional English grammar school model used throughout the British West Indies. Tertiary – Community Colleges, Teachers’ Colleges with The Mico Teachers' College(now The MICO University College) being the oldest founded in 1836,The Shortwood Teachers' College (which was once an all female teacher training institution), Vocational Training Centres, Colleges and Universities – Publicly and privately owned. There are five local universities namely: The University of the West Indies (Mona Campus); the University of Technology, Jamaica formerly The College of Art Science and Technology (CAST); the Northern Caribbean University formerly West Indies College; the University College of The Caribbean and the International University of the Caribbean. Additionally, there are many community and teacher training colleges. Education is free from the early childhood to secondary levels. There are also opportunities for those who cannot afford further education in the vocational arena through the Human Employment and Resource Training-National Training Agency (HEART Trust-NTA) programme79 and through an extensive scholarship network for the various universities. They are taught Spanish in school from primary school, about 40–45% of educated people in Jamaica knows some form of Spanish. Economy Main article: Economy of Jamaica A beach in Negril with a hotel and restaurant Jamaica is a mixed economy with both state enterprises and private sector businesses. Major sectors of the Jamaican economy include agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, and financial and insurance services. Tourism and mining are the leading earners of foreign exchange. Half the Jamaican economy relies on services, with half of its income coming from services such as tourism. An estimated 1.3 million foreign tourists visit Jamaica every year.80 Supported by multilateral financial institutions, Jamaica has, since the early 1980s, sought to implement structural reforms aimed at fostering private sector activity and increasing the role of market forces in resource allocation. Since 1991, the government has followed a programme of economic liberalization and stabilization by removing exchange controls, floating the exchange rate, cutting tariffs, stabilising the Jamaican currency, reducing inflation and removing restrictions on foreign investment. Emphasis has been placed on maintaining strict fiscal discipline, greater openness to trade and financial flows, market liberalisation and reduction in the size of government. During this period, a large share of the economy was returned to private sector ownership through divestment and privatisation programmes. The macroeconomic stabilisation programme introduced in 1991, which focused on tight fiscal and monetary policies, has contributed to a controlled reduction in the rate of inflation. The annual inflation rate has decreased from a high of 80.2% in 1991 to 7.9% in 1998. inflation for FY1998/99 was 6.2% compared to 7.2% in the corresponding period in CUU1997/98. The Government of Jamaica remains committed to lowering inflation, with a long-term objective of bringing it in line with that of its major trading partners. After a period of steady growth from 1985 to 1995, real GDP decreased by 1.8% and 2.4% in 1996 and 1997, respectively. The decrease in GDP in 1996 and 1997 was largely due to significant problems in the financial sector and, in 1997, a severe island-wide drought (the worst in 70 years) that drastically reduced agricultural production. In 1997, nominal GDP was approximately J$220,556.2 million (US$6,198.9 million based on the average annual exchange rate of the period). Fishing boats and bauxite cargo ships share the waterways near Alligator Pond, Jamaica The economy in 1997 was marked by low levels of import growth, high levels of private capital inflows and relative stability in the foreign exchange market. Recent economic performance shows the Jamaican economy is recovering. Agricultural production, an important engine of growth increased 15.3% in third quarter of 1998 compared to the corresponding period in 1997, signaling the first positive growth rate in the sector since January 1997. Bauxite and alumina production increased 5.5% from January to December, 1998 compared to the corresponding period in 1997. January's bauxite production recorded a 7.1% increase relative to January 1998 and continued expansion of alumina production through 2009 is planned by Alcoa.81 Tourism, which is the largest foreign exchange earner, showed improvement as well. In the third quarter of 1998, growth in tourist arrivals accelerated with an overall increase of 8.5% in tourism earnings in 1998 when compared to the corresponding period in 1997. Jamaica's agricultural exports are sugar, bananas, coffee, rum,and yams. Jamaica is the fifth largest exporter of bauxite in the world, behind Australia, China, Brazil and Guinea. Jamaica has a wide variety of industrial and commercial activities. The aviation industry is able to perform most routine aircraft maintenance, except for heavy structural repairs. There is a considerable amount of technical support for transport and agricultural aviation. Jamaica has a considerable amount of industrial engineering, light manufacturing, including metal fabrication, metal roofing, and furniture manufacturing. Food and beverage processing, glassware manufacturing, computer software and data processing, printing and publishing, insurance underwriting, music and recording, and advanced education activities can be found in the larger urban areas. The Jamaican construction industry is entirely self-sufficient, with professional technical standards and guidance.82 Since the first quarter of 2006, the economy of Jamaica has undergone a period of staunch growth. With inflation for the 2006 calendar year down to 6.0% and unemployment down to 8.9%, the nominal GDP grew by an unprecedented 2.9%.83 An investment programme in island transportation and utility infrastructure and gains in the tourism, mining, and service sectors all contributed this figure. All projections for 2007 show an even higher potential for economic growth with all estimates over 3.0% and hampered only by urban crime and public policies.

In 2006, Jamaica became part of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) as one of the pioneering members. The global economic downturn had a significant impact on the Jamaican economy for the years 2007 to 2009, resulting in negative economic growth. The government implemented a new Debt Management Initiative, the Jamaica Debt Exchange (JDX) on January 14, 2010. The initiative would see holders of Government of Jamaica (GOJ) bonds returning the high interest earning instruments for bonds with lower yields and longer maturities.The offer was taken up by over 95% of local financial institutions and was deemed a success by the government. Owing to the success of the JDX program, the Bruce Golding led government was successful in entering into a borrowing arrangement with the IMF on Ferbruary 4,2010 for the amount of US$1.27b. The loan agreement is for a period of three years. 84 Infrastructure Transport Further information: Transport in Jamaica The transport infrastructure in Jamaica consists of roadways, railways and air transport, with roadways forming the backbone of the island's internal transport system. Roadways Main article: Roads in Jamaica The Jamaican road network consists of almost 13 049 miles (21,000 kilometres) of roads, of which over 9 321 miles (15,000 kilometres) is paved.1 The Jamaican Government has, since the late 1990s and in cooperation with private investors, embarked on a campaign of infrastructural improvement projects, one of which includes the creation of a system of freeways, the first such access-controlled roadways of their kind on the island, connecting the main population centres of the island. This project has so far seen the completion of 21 miles (33 kilometres) of freeway. Railways Main article: Railways of Jamaica Railways in Jamaica no longer enjoy the prominent position they once did, having been largely replaced by roadways as the primary means of transport. Of the 169 miles (272 kilometres) of railway found in Jamaica, only 35 miles (57 kilometres) remain in operation, currently used to transport bauxite.1 Air transport Air Jamaica Airbus A340 landing at London Heathrow Airport, England. (2002) There are two international airports in Jamaica with modern terminals, long runways, and the navigational equipment required to accommodate the large jet aircraft used in modern and air travel: Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and Sangster International Airport in the resort city of Montego Bay. Both airports are home to the country's national airline, Air Jamaica. In addition there are local commuter airports at Tinson Pen (Kingston), Port Antonio, Ocho Ríos, and Negril which cater to internal flights only. Many other small, rural centres are served by private fields on sugar estates or bauxite mines. Ports, shipping and lighthouses See also: Lighthouses in Jamaica Owing to its location in the Caribbean Sea in the shipping lane to the Panama Canal and relative proximity to large markets in North America and emerging markets in Latin America, Jamaica receives high container traffic. The container terminal at the Port of Kingston has undergone large expansion in capacity in recent years to handle growth both already realised as well as that which is projected in coming years.85 Montego Freeport in Montego Bay also handles a variety of cargo like (though more limited than) the Port of Kingston, mainly agricultural products. There are several other ports positioned around the island, including Port Esquivel in St. Catherine (WINDALCO), Rocky Point in Clarendon, Port Kaiser in St. Elizabeth, Port Rhoades in Discovery Bay, Reynolds Pier in Ocho Rios, and Boundbrook Port in Port Antonio. To aid the navigation of shipping, Jamaica operates nine lighthouses. Energy Jamaica depends on petroleum imports to satisfy its national energy needs.1 Many test sites have been explored for oil, but no commercially viable quantities have been found.86 The most convenient sources of imported oil and motor fuels (diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel) are from Mexico and Venezuela. Jamaica's electrical power is produced by diesel (bunker oil) generators located in Old Harbour. Other smaller power stations (most owned by the Jamaica Public Service Company – the island's electricity provider) support the island's electrical grid including the Hunts Bay Power Station, the Bogue Power Station, the Rockfort Power Station and small hydroelectric plants on the White River, Rio Bueno, Morant River, Black River (Maggotty) and Roaring River.87 A wind farm, owned by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, was established at Wigton, Manchester.88 Jamaica imports approximately 80,000 barrels (13,000 m3) of oil energy products per day,86 including asphalt and lubrication products. Just 20% of imported fuels are used for road transportation, the rest being used by the bauxite industry, electricity generation, and aviation. Jamaica produces enormous quantities of hydrous ethanol (5% water content), most of which appears to be consumed as beverages, and none of it used as motor fuel. Facilities exist to refine hydrous ethanol feedstock into anhydrous ethanol (0% water content), but the process appears to be uneconomic at this time and the facility remains idle.89 Communication Jamaica has a fully digital telephone communication system with a mobile penetration of over 95%.90 The country’s three mobile operators – Cable and Wireless (marketed as LIME – Landline, Internet, Mobile and Entertainment), Digicel, and Oceanic Digital (operating as MiPhone and now known as Claro since late 2008) – have spent millions in network upgrade and expansion.Both Digicel and Oceanic Digital were granted licences in 2001 to operate mobile services in the newly liberalised telecom market that had once been the sole domain of the incumbent Cable and Wireless monopoly. Digicel opted for the more widely used GSM wireless system, while Oceanic opted for the CDMA standard. Cable and Wireless, which had begun with TDMA standard, subsequently upgraded to GSM, and currently utilises both standards on its network. With wireless usage increasing, landlines supplied by Cable and Wireless have declined from just over half a million to roughly about three hundred thousand as of 2006.90 In a bid to grab more market share, Cable and Wireless recentlywhen? launched a new land line service called HomeFone Prepaid that would allow customers to pay for minutes they use rather than pay a set monthly fee for service, much like prepaid wireless service. A new entrant to the Jamaican communications market, Flow Jamaica, recentlywhen? laid a new submarine cable connecting Jamaica to the United States. This new cable increases the total number of submarine cables connecting Jamaica to the rest of the world to four. Two more licences were auctioned by the Jamaican government to provide mobile services on the island, including one that was previously owned by AT&T Wireless but never utilised, and one new licence. See also Jamaica portal Main article: Outline of Jamaica Index of Jamaica-related articles References ^ a b c d e f The CIA World Factbook – Jamaica. Retrieved 2007-06-27. ^ a b c d "Jamaica". International Monetary Fund. http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2010/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2007&ey=2010&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=343&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=108&pr.y=11. Retrieved 2010-04-21.  ^ "Human Development Report 2010". United Nations. 2010. http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2010_EN_Table1.pdf. Retrieved 5 November 2010.  ^ "Taíno Dictionary" (in Spanish). The United Confederation of Taíno People. Archived from the original on 2007-10-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20071016055722/http://www.uctp.org/VocesIndigena.html. Retrieved 2007-10-18.  ^ "Jamaica country profile". BBC News. May 26, 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1190968.stm. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Jamaica - Largest Cities". GeoNames. http://www.geonames.org/JM/largest-cities-in-jamaica.html. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ a b c "The Taino of Jamaica (Jamaica)". Jamaicans.com. 2001-04-01. http://www.jamaicans.com/articles/primearticles/taino.shtml. Retrieved 2009-07-04.  ^ "Jamaican National Heritage Trust". Web.archive.org. 2007-09-28. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. http://web.archive.org/web/20070928013715/http://www.jnht.com/archaeology/barbican_rescue.php. Retrieved 2010-06-26.  ^ Pickering, Keith A.. "A Christopher Columbus Timeline". http://www.columbusnavigation.com/cctl.shtml. Retrieved 30 September 2010.  ^ "History of Jamaica". Jamaica National Heritage Trust. http://www.jnht.com/jamaica/hist_spanish.php. Retrieved 30 September 2010.  ^ a b "Spanish Town". Jamaica National Heritage Trust. http://www.jnht.com/heritage_site.php?id=217. Retrieved 30 September 2010.  ^ a b "Jamaica's English History". Jamaica National Heritage Trust. http://www.jnht.com/jamaica/hist_english.php. Retrieved 30 September 2010.  ^ "Town of Montego Bay info". Mobay.com. 2007-05-07. http://www.mobay.com/town4.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-04.  ^ Henry Morgan: The Pirate Who Invaded Panama in 1671. Historynet.com. ^ a b Donovan, J. (1910). Jamaica. Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company ^ A failed settler society: marriage and demographic failure in early Jamaica, Journal of Social History, Fall, 1994, by Trevor Burnard ^ a b Benitez, Suzette. "The Maroons". http://scholar.library.miami.edu/slaves/Maroons/individual_essays/suzette1.html. Retrieved 30 September 2010.  ^ The Sugar Revolutions and Slavery, U.S. Library of Congress ^ "The Monarchy Today: Queen and Commonwealth". http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page4923.asp. Retrieved 2007-06-25.  ^ Queen of Jamaica http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/Jamaica/Jamaica.aspx ^ "BBC News: Jamaica confirms opposition win". 2007-09-07. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6984105.stm. Retrieved 2007-09-09.  ^ "Jamaica Defense Force History". Jamaica Defense Force. http://www.jdfmil.org/overview/background/background2.php. Retrieved 10 October 2010.  ^ "Jamaica Defense Force General Information". Jamaica Defense Force. http://www.jdfmil.org/overview/background/background3.php. Retrieved 10 October 2010.  ^ "JDF Coast Guard Roles". Jamaica Defense Force. http://www.jdfmil.org/Units/coast_guard/cg_roles.php. Retrieved 10 October 2010.  ^ "The Combat Support Battalion (Cbt Sp Bn)". Jamaica Defense Force. http://www.jdfmil.org/Units/combat_Support/CSB_home.php. Retrieved 10 October 2010.  ^ "1st Engineering Regiment History". Jamaica Defense Force. http://www.jdfmil.org/Units/engineers/er_history.php. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Headquarters Jamaica Defence Force (HQ JDF)". Jamaica Defense Force. http://www.jdfmil.org/Units/hq_jdf/hqjdf_home.php. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "County Background - Jamaica". Pan American Health Organization. http://www.bvsde.paho.org/bvsana/e/fulltext/perfiles/jamaica.pdf. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Geography of Jamaica". Jamaica Gleaner. http://www.discoverjamaica.com/gleaner/discover/geography/geography.htm. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Jamaican Cities". My Island Jamaica. http://www.my-island-jamaica.com/jamaican_cities.html. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Port Authority History". Port Authority of Jamaica. http://www.portjam.com/nmCMS.php?p=history. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Kingston tourist destinations". Planet Aware. http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/kingston-jam-jam-jk.htm. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Jamaican tourist attractions". Planet Aware. http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/jamaica-jam-jam-jam.htm. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Port Antonio tourist attractions". Planet Aware. http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/port-antonio-jam-jam-jpa.htm. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Ocho Rios tourist attractions". Planet Aware. http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/ocho-rios-jam-jam-joch.htm. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Jamaica Climate and Weather". Word Travels. http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Jamaica/Climate. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Climate of Jamaica". Jamaica Gleaner. http://www.discoverjamaica.com/gleaner/discover/geography/climate.htm. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Construction and Building in Jamaica". Projects Abroad. http://www.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-in-latin-america/building/jamaica/. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ Richardson, David; Tibbles, Anthony; Schwarz, Suzanne (2007). Liverpool and transatlantic slavery. Liverpool University Press. p. 141. ISBN 18-463-1066-0. http://books.google.com/books?id=IeM1rrKiQosC&pg=PA141.  ^ "Pieces of the Past:The Arrival Of The Irish". Jamaica Gleaner. 2003-12-01. http://jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0058.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-20.  ^ Name * (2010-06-23). "How a huge Irish community came to be in Jamaica « Repeating Islands". Repeatingislands.com. http://repeatingislands.com/2010/06/23/how-a-huge-irish-community-came-to-be-in-jamaica/. Retrieved 2010-12-20.  ^ "How a huge Irish community came to be in Jamaica: How the Irish ended up in the Caribbean Sea in the 1600s", DANIEL O'CARROLL, Irish Central magazine, Wednesday, June 23, 2010 ^ "A Short History of the Irish in Jamaica, Part 1 of 3 - The Wild Geese Today". Thewildgeese.com. http://www.thewildgeese.com/pages/jamone.html. Retrieved 2010-12-20.  ^ Joshua Project. "Tajik, Afghani of Afghanistan Ethnic People Profile". Joshua Project. http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php. Retrieved 2009-07-04.  ^ "Special Reports | Brits Abroad". BBC News. 2006-12-06. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/in_depth/brits_abroad/html/caribbean.stm. Retrieved 2009-07-04.  ^ "The Portuguese of the West Indies". Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. 2001-07-31. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~portwestind/diaspora/waves_of_migration.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-04.  ^ "United States immigration statistics". Dhs.gov. 2009-06-23. http://www.dhs.gov/immigrationstatistics. Retrieved 2009-07-04.  ^ "Jamaicans to Cuba". Jamaicans to Cuba. Encarta.msn.com. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761569844_2/Cuba.html. Retrieved 2009-07-04.  ^ Linking the Jamaican Diaspora. Jamaica Observer. June 20, 2004. ^ Global migrants reach 191 million. BBC News. June 7, 2006. ^ "Jamaica: Mapping exercise". London: International Organization for Migration. July 2007. http://www.iomlondon.org/doc/mapping/IOM_JAMAICA.pdf. Retrieved 27 May 2010.  ^ "Nationmaster Crime Stats". Nationmaster.com. http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_percap-crime-murders-per-capita. Retrieved 2009-07-04.  ^ "Crime, violence and development: trends, costs, and policy options in the Caribbean" (PDF). United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. p. 37. http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/Caribbean-study-en.pdf. Retrieved 2007-12-26.  ^ a b "North and Central America and Caribbean Jamaica". Travel advice by country. United Kingdom, Foreign & Commonwealth Office. 2009-03-20. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/north-central-america/jamaica#. Retrieved 2009-03-20.  ^ Lacey, Marc (2008-02-24). "Attacks Show Easygoing Jamaica Is Dire Place for Gays". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/world/americas/24jamaica.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2. Retrieved 2009-03-19.  ^ "Jamaica: Shield Gays from Mob Attacks". Human Rights Watch. 2008-01-31. http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2008/01/31/jamaica-shield-gays-mob-attacks. Retrieved 2009-03-19.  ^ Amnesty International (2007-04-15). "Document – Jamaica: Amnesty International condemns homophobic violence". Press release. http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR38/004/2007/en/496206cb-d39d-11dd-a329-2f46302a8cc6/amr380042007en.html. Retrieved 2009-03-19.  ^ TIME: The Most Homophobic Place on Earth? By Tim Padgett. Wednesday, April 12, 2006 ^ a b c "Jamaica". State.gov. 2007-09-14. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90259.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-04.  ^ Jamaican Christian Missions:Their Influence in the Jamaican Slave Rebellion http://www.eiu.edu/~historia/archives/2005/Elam.pdf ^ "Map Source: www.worldmap.org". 2007. http://www.worldmap.org/maps/other/profiles/jamaica/Jamaica%20Profile.doc.  ^ Bahá'í International Community (2006-08-11). "Jamaicans celebrate 4th National Baha'i Day". Bahá'í World News Service. http://news.bahai.org/story/468.  ^ religiousintelligence.co.uk, religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu ^ Haruth Communications, Harry Leichter. "Jamaican Jews". Haruth.com. http://www.haruth.com/JewsJamaica.html. Retrieved 2009-07-04.  ^ Dawes, Mark (2003-06-10). "Jews hold firm Life goes on in Old Synagogue". Gleaner Co.. http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20030610/mind/mind2.html. Retrieved 2010-03-11.  ^ Dr. Rebecca Tortello The History of Jamaica – Captivated by Jamaica ^ "National Symbols of Jamaica". Jis.gov.jm. 1962-08-06. http://www.jis.gov.jm/special_sections/this%20is%20Jamaica/symbols.html. Retrieved 2010-06-26.  ^ a b c "Athletics in Jamaica". My island Jamaica. http://www.my-island-jamaica.com/athletics_in_jamaica.html. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Jamaican Sports An Overview". My Island Jamaica. http://www.jamaicans.com/culture/sports/cricketjamaica.shtml. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Test and ODI cricket playing nations". Cricinfo. http://www.cricinfo.com/rankings/content/current/page/211271.html. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Cricket Ground Information". Windies Online. http://www.windiesonline.com/west_indies_cricket_grounds. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Greenfield Stadium". Surf India. http://www.surfindia.com/cricket/greenfield-stadium.html. Retrieved 11 October 2010.  ^ "Jamaica to Tour UK". Americanrugbynews.com. http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Jamaica_to_Tour_UK.shtml. Retrieved 2010-12-20.  ^ "Rugby League Europe Federation". Rlef.eu.com. 2009-11-15. http://www.rlef.eu.com/news.php?id=1276. Retrieved 2010-12-20.  ^ "The World of Rugby League". rleague.com. http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=36827. Retrieved 2010-12-20.  ^ "The World of Rugby League". rleague.com. http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=36730. Retrieved 2010-12-20.  ^ "The World of Rugby League". rleague.com. http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=36351. Retrieved 2010-12-20.  ^ "Moravian Church Contribution to Education in Jamaica". http://www.jis.gov.jm/education/html/20041212T090000-0500_4438_JIS_MORAVIAN_CHURCH_CONTRIBUTING_MUCH_TO_EDUCATION.asp. Retrieved 2007-12-22.  ^ "Transforming the Jamaican Education System". Archived from the original on 2008-05-20. http://web.archive.org/web/20080520221921/http://www.moec.gov.jm/news/speeches/ict2003.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-22.  ^ Sex tourism as economic aid. Smh.com.au. July 12, 2003. ^ No gas from Trinidad, Venezuela by 2009 – Jamaica Observer.com at www.jamaicaobserver.com ^ "History of Aviation in Jamaica: Part I". Jamaica-gleaner.com. http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0070.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-04.  ^ Statistical Institute of Jamaica at www.statinja.com ^ http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100205/business/business1.html ^ The Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 27 June 2007. Archived September 26, 2007 at the Wayback Machine. ^ a b "Petroleum Corp of Jamaica, Petroleum Industry Statistics". http://www.pcj.com/industry_stat.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-21.  ^ "JPS – JPS' Power Plants". http://www.myjpsco.com/about_us/power_plants.php. Retrieved 2011-01-01.  ^ "Wigton Wind Farm Company". http://www.wwfja.com. Retrieved 2008-03-25.  ^ "Petroleum Corp of Jamaica, Petrojam Ethanol". Archived from the original on 2007-07-17. http://web.archive.org/web/20070717000252/http://www.pcj.com/petrojam/associate_text.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-21.  ^ a b Doing eBusiness in Jamaica, The Economist Intelligence Unit. Senior, O. (2003). The Encyclopedia of the Jamaican Heritage. Kingston Twin Guinep Publishers. Sherlock, P.and Bennett, H. (1998). The Story of the Jamaican people. Kingston: Ian Randle Publishers. Arbell, M. (2000). The Portuguese Jews of Jamaica. Kingston: UWI Press. Curtin, M. (2003). Williams, J. J. (1932). Whence the "Black Irish" of Jamaica. NY: The Dial Press. Mullally, R. (2003). "One Love' The Black Irish of Jamaica. The Jamaica Journal, 42, pp. 104–116. Hall, D. Bounties European Immigration with Special Reference of the German Settlement at Seaford Town, Parts 1 and 2. Jamaica Journal, 8, (4), 48–54 and 9 (1), 2–9. The Gleaner. Seaford Town Advertising Feature. August 14, 2003, D7-8, Jacobs, H. P. (2003). Germany in Jamaica. Indian heritage in Jamaica. The Jamaica Journal, 10, (2,3,4), 10–19, Parboosingh, I. S. An Indo-Jamaica beginning in The Jamaica Journal, 18, (3), 2–10, 12. Ammar, N. From Whence they came. The Jamaica Journal. Issa, S. (1994). Mr. Jamaica – Abe Issa: A pictorial biography. Kingston: publisher Further reading Chapman, V.J. 1961. The Marine Algae of Jamaica. Part 1. Myxophyceae and Chlorophyceae. Institute of Jamaica. Chapman, V.J. 1963. The Marine Algae of Jamaica. Part 2. Phaeophyceas and Rhodophyceae. Institute of Jamaica. External links Listen to this article (2 parts) · (info) Part 1 • Part 2 This audio file was created from a revision of Jamaica dated 2005-09-23, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. (Audio help) More spoken articles Find more about Jamaica on Wikipedia's sister projects: Definitions from Wiktionary Images and media from Commons Learning resources from Wikiversity News stories from Wikinews Quotations from Wikiquote Source texts from Wikisource Textbooks from Wikibooks Governmental Details Government of Jamaica Official webpage of Queen Elizabeth as Queen of Jamaica Official website of the Jamaica Information Service The Cabinet Office of the Government of Jamaica Chief of State and Cabinet Members General information Jamaica entry at The World Factbook Jamaica from UCB Libraries GovPubs Jamaica at the Open Directory Project Wikimedia Atlas of Jamaica Jamaica travel guide from Wikitravel Jamaica, an external wiki National Library of Jamaica materials in the Digital Library of the Caribbean JAMAICA VIRTUAL TOUR IN HD – many locations around the island  Articles Related to Jamaica   Geographic locale

Lat. and Long. 17°59′N 76°48′W / 17.983°N 76.8°W / 17.983; -76.8 (Kingston) v · d · eCountries and territories of the Caribbean  Sovereign states Commonwealth Realms Antigua and Barbuda · Bahamas · Barbados · Grenada · Jamaica · St. Kitts and Nevis · St. Lucia · St. Vincent and the Grenadines Commonwealth republics Dominica · Trinidad and Tobago Other republics Cuba · Dominican Republic · Haiti  Dependencies and other areas by parent state United Kingdom Anguilla · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Montserrat · Turks and Caicos Islands Netherlands Aruba · Bonaire · Curaçao · Saba · Saint Eustatius · Sint Maarten France Guadeloupe · Martinique · St. Barthélemy · St. Martin United States Bajo Nuevo Bank · Navassa Island · Puerto Rico · Serranilla Bank · U.S. Virgin Islands v · d · eCountries and dependencies of North America Sovereign states Antigua and Barbuda · Bahamas · Barbados · Belize · Canada · Costa Rica · Cuba · Dominica · Dominican Republic · El Salvador · France (Guadeloupe · Martinique) · Grenada · Guatemala · Haiti · Honduras · Jamaica · Mexico · Nicaragua · Netherlands (Bonaire · Saba · Saint Eustatius) · Panama · St. Kitts and Nevis · St. Lucia · St. Vincent and the Grenadines · Trinidad and Tobago · United States Dependencies Denmark Greenland France St. Barthélemy · St. Martin · St. Pierre and Miquelon · Clipperton Netherlands Aruba · Curaçao · Sint Maarten United Kingdom Anguilla · Bermuda · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Montserrat · Turks and Caicos Islands United States Bajo Nuevo Bank · Navassa Island · Puerto Rico · Serranilla Bank · U.S. Virgin Islands  International membership v · d · eCaribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat (Secretary-General) Nations Members Antigua and Barbuda · Bahamas1 · Barbados · Belize · Dominica · Grenada · Guyana · Haiti1 · Jamaica · Montserrat2 · St. Kitts and Nevis · St. Lucia · St. Vincent and the Grenadines · Suriname · Trinidad and Tobago Associate members Anguilla · Bermuda · Cayman Islands · British Virgin Islands · Turks and Caicos Islands Observers Aruba · Colombia · Curaçao · Dominican Republic · Mexico · Puerto Rico · Sint Maarten · Venezuela Institutions CSME · CDEMA · CMO · CMO · CXC · CCJ · CFC · CEHI · CARDI · REPAHA · ACCP · CARICAD · CFNI · CCC · CRITI · Related organizations Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States 1 Member of the Community but not of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).   2 British overseas territory awaiting entrustment to join the CSME. v · d · eMembers of the Commonwealth of Nations Sovereign states Antigua and Barbuda · Australia · Bahamas · Bangladesh · Barbados · Belize · Botswana · Brunei · Cameroon · Canada · Cyprus · Dominica · Fiji (suspended) · The Gambia · Ghana · Grenada · Guyana · India · Jamaica · Kenya · Kiribati · Lesotho · Malawi · Malaysia · Maldives · Malta · Mauritius · Mozambique · Namibia · Nauru · New Zealand · Nigeria · Pakistan · Papua New Guinea · Rwanda · St. Kitts and Nevis · St. Lucia · St. Vincent and the Grenadines · Samoa · Seychelles · Sierra Leone · Singapore · Solomon Islands · South Africa · Sri Lanka · Swaziland · Tanzania · Tonga · Trinidad and Tobago · Tuvalu · Uganda · United Kingdom · Vanuatu · Zambia Dependencies Australia Ashmore and Cartier Islands · Australian Antarctic Territory · Christmas Island · Cocos (Keeling) Islands · Coral Sea Islands · Heard Island and McDonald Islands · Norfolk Island New Zealand Cook Islands · Niue · Ross Dependency · Tokelau United Kingdom Akrotiri and Dhekelia · Anguilla · Bermuda · British Antarctic Territory · British Indian Ocean Territory · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Falkland Islands · Gibraltar · Guernsey · Isle of Man · Jersey · Montserrat · Pitcairn Islands · St. Helena (including Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha) · South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands · Turks and Caicos Islands v · d · e  Commonwealth realms   Current Antigua and Barbuda · Australia · Bahamas · Barbados · Belize · Canada · Grenada · Jamaica · New Zealand · Papua New Guinea · St Kitts and Nevis · St Lucia · St Vincent and the Grenadines · Solomon Islands · Tuvalu · United Kingdom   Former Ceylon · Fiji · Gambia · Ghana · Guyana · India1 · Ireland1 · Kenya · Malawi · Malta · Mauritius · Newfoundland2 · Nigeria · Pakistan · Rhodesia3 · Sierra Leone · South Africa · Tanganyika · Trinidad and Tobago · Uganda   1 Dominion, became republic before adoption of the term "realm"   2 Dominion, never ratified Statute of Westminster 1931, London-based external government 1934–1949, annexed by Canada in 1949 3 Southern Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence as Rhodesia in 1965, claiming to be a Commonwealth realm, but this was unrecognised by the United Kingdom. Rhodesia then declared itself a republic in 1970. v · d · eMonarchies List of current sovereign monarchs · List of current constituent monarchs By continent Africa · Americas · Asia · Europe · Oceania By country Antigua and Barbuda · Australia · Andorra · The Bahamas · Bahrain · Barbados · Belize · Belgium · Bhutan · Brunei · Cambodia · Canada · Denmark · Grenada · Jamaica · Japan · Jordan · Kuwait · Liechtenstein · Lesotho · Luxembourg · Malaysia · Monaco · Morocco · Netherlands · New Zealand · Norway · Oman · Papua New Guinea · Qatar · Spain · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Saudi Arabia · Solomon Islands · Swaziland · Sweden · Thailand · Tonga · Tuvalu · United Arab Emirates · United Kingdom · Vatican City By type Absolute · Constitutional · Elective · Hereditary · Diarchy · Federal Italics indicate Commonwealth realms, which each share the same person as head of state. v · d · eNations in the Group of 15 (G-15)    

 Algeria  Argentina  Brazil  Chile  Egypt  India  Indonesia  Iran  Jamaica  Kenya  Malaysia  Mexico  Nigeria  Peru  Senegal  Sri Lanka  Venezuela  Zimbabwe v · d · eEnglish-speaking world Anglosphere Dark blue: Countries and territories where English is an official language and spoken natively by a significant population. Light blue: Countries where English is an official language but less widely spoken. Click on the coloured regions to view the related article.     Regions where English is an official language and spoken by a significant population Africa Nigeria · Mauritius · Saint Helena · South Africa  Americas (Anglo-America) Anguilla · Antigua and Barbuda · The Bahamas · Barbados · Belize · Bermuda · British Virgin Islands · Canada · Cayman Islands · Dominica · Falkland Islands · Grenada · Guyana · Jamaica · Montserrat · Saba · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Saint Eustatius · Sint Maarten · Trinidad and Tobago · Turks and Caicos Islands · United States · United States Virgin Islands Asia Hong Kong · Philippines · Singapore Europe Gibraltar · Guernsey · Isle of Man · Jersey · Malta · Republic of Ireland · United Kingdom (England · Northern Ireland · Scotland · Wales) Oceania American Samoa · Australia · Christmas Island · Guam · Marshall Islands · Federated States of Micronesia · Nauru · New Zealand · Norfolk Island · Northern Mariana Islands · Palau · Vanuatu   Regions where English is an official language but not as widely spoken Africa Botswana · Cameroon · Gambia · Ghana · Kenya · Lesotho · Liberia · Malawi · Namibia · Rwanda · Sierra Leone · Somaliland · Sudan · Swaziland · Tanzania · Uganda · Zambia · Zimbabwe Americas Puerto Rico Asia India · Pakistan    Oceania Cook Islands · Fiji · Niue · Papua New Guinea · Pitcairn Islands · Solomon Islands · Tokelau · Tuvalu English Wiktionary

 Algeria  Argentina  Brazil  Chile  Egypt  India  Indonesia  Iran  Jamaica  Kenya  Malaysia  Mexico  Nigeria  Peru  Senegal  Sri Lanka  Venezuela  Zimbabwe v · d · eEnglish-speaking world Anglosphere Dark blue: Countries and territories where English is an official language and spoken natively by a significant population. Light blue: Countries where English is an official language but less widely spoken. Click on the coloured regions to view the related article.     Regions where English is an official language and spoken by a significant population Africa Nigeria · Mauritius · Saint Helena · South Africa  Americas (Anglo-America) Anguilla · Antigua and Barbuda · The Bahamas · Barbados · Belize · Bermuda · British Virgin Islands · Canada · Cayman Islands · Dominica · Falkland Islands · Grenada · Guyana · Jamaica · Montserrat · Saba · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Saint Eustatius · Sint Maarten · Trinidad and Tobago · Turks and Caicos Islands · United States · United States Virgin Islands Asia Hong Kong · Philippines · Singapore Europe Gibraltar · Guernsey · Isle of Man · Jersey · Malta · Republic of Ireland · United Kingdom (England · Northern Ireland · Scotland · Wales) Oceania American Samoa · Australia · Christmas Island · Guam · Marshall Islands · Federated States of Micronesia · Nauru · New Zealand · Norfolk Island · Northern Mariana Islands · Palau · Vanuatu   Regions where English is an official language but not as widely spoken Africa Botswana · Cameroon · Gambia · Ghana · Kenya · Lesotho · Liberia · Malawi · Namibia · Rwanda · Sierra Leone · Somaliland · Sudan · Swaziland · Tanzania · Uganda · Zambia · Zimbabwe Americas Puerto Rico Asia India · Pakistan    Oceania Cook Islands · Fiji · Niue · Papua New Guinea · Pitcairn Islands · Solomon Islands · Tokelau · Tuvalu English Wiktionary

 Algeria  Argentina  Brazil  Chile  Egypt  India  Indonesia  Iran  Jamaica  Kenya  Malaysia  Mexico  Nigeria  Peru  Senegal  Sri Lanka  Venezuela  Zimbabwe v · d · eEnglish-speaking world Anglosphere Dark blue: Countries and territories where English is an official language and spoken natively by a significant population. Light blue: Countries where English is an official language but less widely spoken. Click on the coloured regions to view the related article.     Regions where English is an official language and spoken by a significant population Africa Nigeria · Mauritius · Saint Helena · South Africa  Americas (Anglo-America) Anguilla · Antigua and Barbuda · The Bahamas · Barbados · Belize · Bermuda · British Virgin Islands · Canada · Cayman Islands · Dominica · Falkland Islands · Grenada · Guyana · Jamaica · Montserrat · Saba · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Saint Eustatius · Sint Maarten · Trinidad and Tobago · Turks and Caicos Islands · United States · United States Virgin Islands Asia Hong Kong · Philippines · Singapore Europe Gibraltar · Guernsey · Isle of Man · Jersey · Malta · Republic of Ireland · United Kingdom (England · Northern Ireland · Scotland · Wales) Oceania American Samoa · Australia · Christmas Island · Guam · Marshall Islands · Federated States of Micronesia · Nauru · New Zealand · Norfolk Island · Northern Mariana Islands · Palau · Vanuatu   Regions where English is an official language but not as widely spoken Africa Botswana · Cameroon · Gambia · Ghana · Kenya · Lesotho · Liberia · Malawi · Namibia · Rwanda · Sierra Leone · Somaliland · Sudan · Swaziland · Tanzania · Uganda · Zambia · Zimbabwe Americas Puerto Rico Asia India · Pakistan    Oceania Cook Islands · Fiji · Niue · Papua New Guinea · Pitcairn Islands · Solomon Islands · Tokelau · Tuvalu English Wiktionary