| Jamaica is an island nation in Central America (Caribbean region) and a Member of the British Commonwealth.
Geography:
Jamaica is the third largest island (10 991 km ²) of the Greater Antilles according to land mass and is located South of Cuba and to the West of Haiti. From West to East the island stretches for 225 km, from North to South - from 35 to 82 km and the length of coast line is 1022 km.
The climate of Jamaica is trade-wind tropical. The average temperature in January is 24-25 °C, July 26 - 27 °C.
The fauna of Jamaica include birds, rodents (rats, mice), rabbits, mongooses, reptiles (turtles, snakes, crocodiles and iguana) and bats. Neighboring waters are rich with fish.
Hurricanes are the main cause of damage to population and economy.
History:
In ancient times, Jamaica was inhabited by American Indians. The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1494. Columbus called it the Island of Ferdinand and Isabella. This name has not become popular and the island retained its local name - Jamaica. Spaniards founded pioneer settlements on the island in 1509.
It was occupied by the English in 1655 (officially, Jamaica was declared an English colony in 1670).
Englishmen erected a fort on the banks of vast natural harbor, not far away from present-day Kingston. The city Port-Royal began to grow near the fort. Soon, it acquired fame as the "guiltiest city in the entire Christian world" as sea pirates moved from Tortuga Island Jamaica. At the end of the 17th century, the population of Port-Royal was 8000 of which 1500 were pirates.
Pirates robbed Spanish ships, brought the entire loot to Port-Royal and the city grew rich. However, on June 7, 1692, a huge portion of this "Dissolute Babylon" disappeared into a sea abyss as a result of an earthquake.
Government system:
Till 1962 Jamaica was part of Great Britain and became an independent state on August 6, 1962. The constitution, formed in 1962 is still effective. The Head of the state the British Monarch (Queen of Great Britain, Elizabeth II) is represented by the Governor General, who is appointed according to the recommendations of Prime Minister of Jamaica. The Governor General is authorized to use royal powers in the country on behalf of the Queen, and can use the powers, given to the Queen by the Constitution during her absence in Jamaica.
The main political parties (according to the results of elections in September, 2007):
The Jamaica Labor Party (Liberal-conservative trend) - 33 seats in parliament;
The People's National Party (social- democratic trend) - 27 seats in parliament
Small parties such as the National Democratic Movement (B.Golding) and United People's Party, which do not have representation in parliament, also exist.
Population:
Census - 2.8 million (as on July , 2010);
Ethnic race composition: Blacks - 91.2 %, Mulattos - 6.2 %, others (American Indians, Whites, Chinese, Arabs) - 2.6 % (according to 2001 census).
Languages:
The main spoken language is Jamaican Creole ("Patua") and standard English.
Religions:
Protestants of various bodies - 62.5 %, Catholics - 2.6 %, others and undefined - 14.2 %, atheists - 20.9 %, (according to 2001 census).
Largest cities: Kingston (660 000 people), Montego Bay (83 000).
Agriculture - sugar cane, bananas, coffee, citron, yam, vegetables; chicken and goat breeding; catching mollusks.
Industry - extraction of bauxites, processing of agricultural products, manufacture of rum and clothes.
Foreign trade:
Export in 2008 - 2.6 billion dollars. Main goods for export are: alumina, bauxites, sugar, rum, coffee, yam and beverages.
Main traders - USA - 40.6 %, Canada - 10.7 %, Great Britain - 9.3 %, Netherlands - 7.9 %, France -5.4 %, Russia - 5.3 %.
Culture:
Music:
In music world, Jamaica is known for its styles of Ska, Ragga, Dancehall, Soul, Calipso and first of all, Reggae. Bob Marley, members of the group Boney M (Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett) and member of the group Bad Boys Blue Trevor Taylor were known for their Reggae style.
Sport:
Three time Olympic champion at Track and field athletics, Usain Bolt I from Jamaica.
The national bobsledding team of Jamaica participated in four winter Olympic Games and occupied 14th place in the four-crew category during the 1994 winter Olympics.
Holidays:
Junkonoo - the traditional celebration devoted to Christmas, during which people take part in processions on the streets in fancy dress. This holiday originated from the traditions of the secret societies of Western Africa and was a main holiday in the slave's lives. Maroons Day was celebrated on January 6. This holiday is celebrated on the birthday of Captain Cudjoe Maroon. He won a battle over the British army. On January 6, festivals are held in honor of this feat. Traditional dances, singing and ceremonies are integral attributes of this festival.
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