Difference between revisions of "Jamaica" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
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==Geography==
 
==Geography==
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Although most of Jamaica's native vegetation has been stripped in order to make room for cultivation, some areas have been left virtually undisturbed since the time of [[Christopher Columbus|Columbus]]. Indigenous vegetation can be found along the northern coast from Rio Bueno to Discovery Bay, in the highest parts of the Blue Mountains, and in the heart of the Cockpit Country.
+
In the 15th century Jamaica was almost completely [[forest]]ed. This soon changed as settlers from [[Europe]] removed the timber for building purposes. They cleared the mountain slopes, savannas and plains to make way for cultivation, where they in turn planted sugarcane, bananas, and citrus trees.  
  
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=== Geology and landforms ===
+
Even with such extensive clearing, the island today is known for its diverse [[ecosystem]]s, including stunted, elfin forests on the highest peaks, rainforests in the valleys, savannas, and dry, sandy areas supporting only [[cacti]] and other xerophytic plants. <ref> Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-54493 Jamaica], ''Encyclopædia Britannica Online''. Retrieved June 23, 2007. </ref>
  
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Jamaica and the other islands of the Antilles evolved from an arc of ancient volcanoes that rose from the sea millions of years ago. During periods of submersion, thick layers of limestone were laid down over the old igneous and metamorphic rock. In many places, the limestone is thousands of feet thick. The country can be divided into three landform regions: the eastern mountains, the central valleys and plateaus, and the coastal plains.
+
Some areas of the island have been left virtually undisturbed since the time of [[Christopher Columbus|Columbus]] and indigenous vegetation can be found along the northern coast from Rio Bueno to Discovery Bay, in the highest parts of the Blue Mountains, and in the heart of the Cockpit Country.
  
−
The highest area is that of the Blue Mountains. These eastern mountains are formed by a central ridge of metamorphic rock running northwest to southeast from which many long spurs jut to the north and south. For a distance of over 3 kilometers, the crest of the ridge exceeds 1,800 meters. The highest point lies at the Blue Mountain Peak at 2,256 meters. The Blue Mountains rise to these elevations from the coastal plain in the space of about sixteen kilometers, thus producing one of the steepest general gradients in the world. In this part of the country, the old metamorphic rock reveals itself through the surrounding limestone.  
+
=== Coasts ===
 +
The coastline of Jamaica is one of many contrasts. The northeast shore is severely eroded by the ocean. There are many small inlets in the rugged coastline, but no coastal plain of any extent. A narrow strip of plains along the northern coast offers calm seas and white sand beaches. Behind the beaches is a flat raised plain of uplifted [[coral]] reef.
 +
 
 +
The southern coast has small stretches of plains lined by black sand beaches. These are backed by cliffs of [[limestone]] where the plateaus end. In many stretches with no coastal plain, the cliffs drop 300 meters straight to the sea. In the southwest, broad plains stretch inland for a number of kilometers. The Black River courses seventy kilometers through the largest of these plains. The swamplands of the Great Morass and the Upper Morass fill much of the plains. The western coastline contains the island's finest beaches, stretching for more than six-hundred kilometers along a sandbar at Negril.
  
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To the north of the Blue Mountains lies the strongly tilted limestone plateau forming the John Crow Mountains. This range rises to elevations of over 1,000 meters. To the west, in the central part of the country, are two high rolling plateaus, the Dry Harbour Mountains to the north and the Manchester Plateau to the south. Between the two, the land is rugged and here, the limestone layers are broken by the older rocks. Streams that rise in the region flow outward and sink soon after reaching the limestone layers.
+
=== Climate ===
 +
Two types of climates are found on Jamaica. An upland tropical climate prevails on the windward side of the mountains, whereas a semiarid climate predominates on the leeward side. Warm trade winds from the east and northeast bring rainfall throughout the year. The rainfall is heaviest from May to October, with peaks in those two months. The average annual rainfall is 196 centimeters. Rainfall is much greater in the mountain areas facing the north and east. However, where the higher elevations of the John Crow Mountains and the Blue Mountains catch the rain from the moisture-laden winds, rainfall exceeds 508 centimeters per year. Since the southwestern half of the island lies in the rain shadow of the mountains, it has a semiarid climate and receives fewer than 762 millimeters of rainfall annually.
  
−
The limestone plateau covers two-thirds of the country, so that karst formations dominate the island. Karst is formed by the erosion of the limestone in solution. Sinkholes, caves and caverns, disappearing streams, hummocky hills, and terra rosa (residual red) soils in the valleys are distinguishing features of a karst landscape, all these are present in Jamaica. To the west of the mountains is the rugged terrain of the Cockpit Country, one of the world's most dramatic examples of karst topography.
+
Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year, averaging 25°C to 30°C in the lowlands and 15°C to 22°C at higher elevations. Temperatures may dip to below 10°C at the peaks of the Blue Mountains. The island receives, in addition to the northeast trade winds, refreshing onshore breezes during the day and cooling offshore breezes at night. These are known on Jamaica as the "Doctor Breeze" and the "Undertaker's Breeze," respectively.
  
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The Cockpit Country is pockmarked with steep-sided hollows, as much as 120 meters deep in places, which are separated by conical hills and ridges. On the north, the main defining feature is the fault-based "Escarpment", a long ridge that extends from Flagstaff in the west, through Windsor in the center, to Campbells and the start of the Barbecue Bottom Road. The Barbecue Bottom Road, which runs north-south, high along the side of a deep, fault-based valley in the east, is the only drivable route across the Cockpit Country. However, there are two old, historical trails that cross further west, the Troy Trail, and the Quick Step Trail, both of which are seldom used as of 2006 and difficult to find. In the southwest, near Quick Step, is the district known as the "Land of Look Behind," so named because Spanish horsemen venturing into this region of hostile runaway slaves were said to have ridden two to a mount, one rider facing to the rear to keep a precautionary watch. Where the ridges between sinkholes in the plateau area have dissolved, flat-bottomed basins or valleys have been formed that are filled with terra rosa soils, some of the most productive on the island. The largest basin is the Vale of Clarendon, eighty kilometers long and thirty-two kilometers wide. Queen of Spain's Valley, Nassau Valley, and Cave Valley were formed by the same process.
+
Jamaica lies in the Atlantic [[hurricane]] belt, as a result, the island sometimes experiences significant storm damage. Powerful hurricanes which have hit the island directly causing death and destruction include Hurricane Charlie in 1951 and Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. Several other powerful hurricanes have passed near to the island with damaging effects. In 1980, for example, Hurricane Allen destroyed nearly all Jamaica's banana crop. In recent years, Hurricane Ivan, in 2004, swept past the island causing heavy damage and a number of deaths. In 2005, Hurricanes Dennis and Emily brought heavy rains to the island.
  
−
=== Coasts ===
+
== Geology and landforms ==
  
−
The coastline of Jamaica is one of many contrasts. The northeast shore is severely eroded by the ocean. There are many small inlets in the rugged coastline, but no coastal plain of any extent. A narrow strip of plains along the northern coast offers calm seas and white sand beaches. Behind the beaches is a flat raised plain of uplifted coral reef.
+
Jamaica and the other islands of the [[Antilles]] evolved from an arc of ancient [[volcano]]es that rose from the sea millions of years ago. During periods of submersion, thick layers of [[limestone]] were laid down over the old [[igneous]] and [[metamorphic]] rock. In many places, the limestone is thousands of feet thick. The country can be divided into three landform regions: the eastern mountains, the central valleys and plateaus, and the coastal plains.
  
−
The southern coast has small stretches of plains lined by black sand beaches. These are backed by cliffs of limestone where the plateaus end. In many stretches with no coastal plain, the cliffs drop 300 meters straight to the sea. In the southwest, broad plains stretch inland for a number of kilometers. The Black River courses seventy kilometers through the largest of these plains. The swamplands of the Great Morass and the Upper Morass fill much of the plains. The western coastline contains the island's finest beaches, stretching for more than six-hundred kilometers along a sandbar at Negril.
+
The highest area is that of the [[Blue Mountains]]. These eastern mountains are formed by a central ridge of metamorphic rock running northwest to southeast from which many long spurs jut to the north and south. For a distance of over 3 kilometers, the crest of the ridge exceeds 1,800 meters. The highest point lies at the Blue Mountain Peak at 2,256 meters. The Blue Mountains rise to these elevations from the coastal plain in the space of about sixteen kilometers, thus producing one of the steepest general gradients in the world. In this part of the country, the old metamorphic rock reveals itself through the surrounding limestone.  
  
−
=== Climate ===
+
To the north of the Blue Mountains lies the strongly tilted limestone plateau forming the [[John Crow Mountains]]. This range rises to elevations of over 1,000 meters. To the west, in the central part of the country, are two high rolling plateaus, the Dry Harbour Mountains to the north and the Manchester Plateau to the south. Between the two, the land is rugged and the limestone layers are broken by the older rocks. Streams that rise in the region flow outward and sink soon after reaching the limestone layers.
  
−
Two types of climates are found on Jamaica. An upland tropical climate prevails on the windward side of the mountains, whereas a semiarid climate predominates on the leeward side. Warm trade winds from the east and northeast bring rainfall throughout the year. The rainfall is heaviest from May to October, with peaks in those two months. The average rainfall is 196 centimeters per year. Rainfall is much greater in the mountain areas facing the north and east. However, where the higher elevations of the John Crow Mountains and the Blue Mountains catch the rain from the moisture-laden winds, rainfall exceeds 508 centimeters per year. Since the southwestern half of the island lies in the rain shadow of the mountains, it has a semiarid climate and receives fewer than 762 millimeters of rainfall annually.
+
The limestone plateau covers two-thirds of the country, so that karst formations dominate the island. [[Karst]] is formed by the erosion of the limestone in solution. Sinkholes, caves and caverns, disappearing streams, hummocky hills, and terra rosa (residual red) soils in the valleys are distinguishing features of a karst landscape, all of which are present in Jamaica. To the west of the mountains is the rugged terrain of the Cockpit Country, one of the world's most dramatic examples of karst topography.
  
−
Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year, averaging 25°C to 30°C in the lowlands and 15°C to 22°C at higher elevations. Temperatures may dip to below 10°C at the peaks of the Blue Mountains. The island receives, in addition to the northeast trade winds, refreshing onshore breezes during the day and cooling offshore breezes at night. These are known on Jamaica as the "Doctor Breeze" and the "Undertaker's Breeze," respectively.
+
The Cockpit Country is pockmarked with steep-sided hollows, as much as 120 meters deep in places, which are separated by conical hills and ridges. On the north, the main defining feature is the fault-based "Escarpment", a long ridge that extends west to east. The Barbecue Bottom Road, which runs north-south, high along the side of a deep, fault-based valley in the east, is the only drivable route across the Cockpit Country. However, there are two old, historical trails that cross further west, the Troy Trail, and the Quick Step Trail, both of which are seldom used and difficult to find.  
  
−
Jamaica lies in the Atlantic hurricane belt, as a result, the island sometimes experiences significant storm damage. Powerful hurricanes which have hit the island directly causing death and destruction include Hurricane Charlie in 1951 and Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. Several other powerful hurricanes have passed near to the island with damaging effects. In 1980, for example, Hurricane Allen destroyed nearly all Jamaica's banana crop. In recent years, Hurricane Ivan, in 2004, swept past the island causing heavy damage and a number of deaths. In 2005, Hurricanes Dennis and Emily brought heavy rains to the island.
+
Where the ridges between sinkholes in the plateau area have dissolved, flat-bottomed basins or valleys have been formed that are filled with terra rosa soils, some of the most productive on the island. The largest basin is the Vale of Clarendon, eighty kilometers long and thirty-two kilometers wide. Queen of Spain's Valley, Nassau Valley, and Cave Valley were formed by the same process.
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
  
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The original Arawak or [[Taino]] people from [[South America]] first settled on the island between 1,000 and 4,000 B.C.E. Although some claim they became virtually extinct following contact with Europeans, others claim that some survived for a while longer.  There is very little trace of the Arawak culture, and the Jamaican National Heritage Trust is attempting to locate and document any evidence of the Arawaks [http://www.jnht.com/archaeology/barbican_rescue.php].
+
The original Arawak or [[Taino]] people from [[South America]] first settled the island between 1,000 and 4,000 B.C.E.E.  Although some claim they became virtually extinct following contact with [[Europe]]ans, others claim that some survived for a while longer.  There is very little trace of the Arawak culture, and the Jamaican National Heritage Trust is attempting to locate and document or evidence of the Arawaks. <ref> ''Jamaica National Heritage Trust''. [http://www.jnht.com/archaeology/barbican_rescue.php Digs - Barbican Rescue Excavation]. Retrieved June 23, 2007. </ref>
 
   
 
   
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Jamaica was claimed for [[Spain]] after [[Christopher Columbus]] first landed there on May 3, 1494. Columbus used it as his family's private estate. The British Admiral William Penn, father of [[William Penn]] of Pennsylvania, and General Venables seized the island in 1655. During its first 200 years of British rule, post Spanish rule, Jamaica became one of the world's leading [[sugar]] exporting nations and produced over 77,000 tons of sugar annually between 1820 and 1824, which was achieved through the massive use of imported African [[slavery|slave]] labor.  When this was not enough the British imported Indian and Chinese indentured servants in the early 1800s that remained in Jamaica from then until present day.
+
Jamaica was claimed for [[Spain]] after [[Christopher Columbus]] first landed there on May 3, 1494 and adopted the island as his family's private estate. The British Admiral William Penn, father of [[William Penn]] of [[Pennsylvania]], and General Venables seized the island for Endland nearly two hundred years later,in 1655.
  
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By the beginning of the 19th century, the [[United Kingdom]]'s heavy reliance on slavery resulted in Africans outnumbering Caucasians by a ratio of almost 20 to one, leading to constant threat of revolt. Following a series of rebellions, slavery was formally abolished in 1834, with full [[abolitionism|emancipation]] from chattel slavery declared in 1838.
+
===British Rule===
 +
During its first 200 years under British rule, post Spanish rule, Jamaica became one of the world's leading [[sugar]] exporting nations and produced over 77,000 tons of sugar annually between 1820 and 1824, which was achieved through the massive use of imported [[Africa]]n [[slavery|slave]] labor.  The British also brought in Indian and Chinese indentured servants in the early 1800s whose descendents remain today.
  
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In 1945, Sir Horace Hector Hearne became Chief Justice and Keeper of the Records in Jamaica and sat in the Supreme Court of Kingston between 1945 and 1950/1951 before going on to become Chief Justice in Kenya.
+
By the beginning of the 19th century, the [[United Kingdom]]'s heavy reliance on slavery resulted in Africans outnumbering Caucasians by a ratio of almost 20 to one, leading to constant threat of revolt. Following a series of rebellions, slavery was formally abolished in 1834, with full [[abolitionism|emancipation]] declared in 1838.
  
−
Jamaica slowly gained increasing independence from the [[United Kingdom]]. In 1958, it became a province in the Federation of the West Indies, a federation among all of the British West Indies. Jamaica attained full independence by leaving the federation in 1962.
+
===Independence===
 +
Jamaica slowly gained increasing independence from the [[United Kingdom]]. In 1958, it became a province in the Federation of the West Indies. Upon leaving the Federation in 1962, Jamaica gained full independence.  
  
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Strong economic growth averaging about six percent per year marked its first ten years of independence under conservative governments led successively by Prime Ministers Alexander Bustamante, Donald Sangster and Hugh Shearer. The growth was fueled by strong investments in bauxite and alumina, tourism, manufacturing industry and to a lesser extent the agricultural sector. However, the initial optimism of the first decade vanished following a change in Government to the People's National Party (PNP), in 1972.  Jamaica lagged economically with its gross national product falling in 1980 to some 25 percent below the level previously obtained in 1972. Rising foreign and local debt accompanied by large fiscal deficits resulted in the invitation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) financing from the [[USA]] and other countries, and the imposition of IMF austerity measures (with a greater than 25% interest rate per year).
+
Strong economic growth averaging about six percent per year marked its first ten years of independence under conservative governments led successively by Prime Ministers Alexander Bustamante, Donald Sangster and Hugh Shearer. The growth was fueled by strong investments in [[bauxite]] and [[alumina]], [[tourism]], manufacturing industry and to a lesser extent the [[agriculture|agricultural]] sector. However, the initial optimism of the first decade vanished following a change in Government to the People's National Party (PNP), in 1972.   
  
−
Economic deterioration continued into the mid 1980s, exacerbated by the closure of the first (Alpart) and third (Alcoa) largest alumina producers, significant reduction in production by the second largest (Alcan), the exit of Reynolds Jamaica Mines Ltd from the Jamaican industry and reduced flows from tourism. During the 1980s Jamaica was still a prosperous country though increases in crimes and petty theft began to weigh on the island.
+
Jamaica began to lag economically with its gross national product falling in 1980 to some 25 percent below the level previously obtained in 1972. Rising foreign and local debt accompanied by large fiscal deficits resulted in the invitation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), financing from the [[US]] and other countries, 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 the closure of the first (Alpart) and third (Alcoa) largest alumina producers, significant reduction in production by the second largest (Alcan), the exit of Reynolds Jamaica Mines Ltd from the Jamaican industry and reduced flows from tourism. During the 1980s the island saw an increases in crime and petty theft began to weigh on the island.
 +
 +
===Capital City===
 
The former capital of Jamaica was Spanish Town in the parish of St. Catherine, the site of the old Spanish colonial capital. The Spanish named the town Santiago de la Vega. In 1655 when the British captured the island, much of the old Spanish capital was burned by the invading British troops. The town was rebuilt by the British and renamed Spanish Town. It remained the capital until 1872, when the city of Kingston was named the capital under questionable circumstances.  
 
The former capital of Jamaica was Spanish Town in the parish of St. Catherine, the site of the old Spanish colonial capital. The Spanish named the town Santiago de la Vega. In 1655 when the British captured the island, much of the old Spanish capital was burned by the invading British troops. The town was rebuilt by the British and renamed Spanish Town. It remained the capital until 1872, when the city of Kingston was named the capital under questionable circumstances.  
 
[[Image:jamaica.png|thumb|right|199px|Map of Jamaica]]
 
[[Image:jamaica.png|thumb|right|199px|Map of Jamaica]]
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Jamaica's current Constitution was drafted in 1962 by a bipartisan joint committee of the Jamaica legislature. It came into force with the Jamaica Independence Act in 1962, of the [[United Kingdom]] Parliament, which gave Jamaica political independence. This was followed by a reformation to the Island's Flag.
 
Jamaica's current Constitution was drafted in 1962 by a bipartisan joint committee of the Jamaica legislature. It came into force with the Jamaica Independence Act in 1962, of the [[United Kingdom]] Parliament, which gave Jamaica political independence. This was followed by a reformation to the Island's Flag.
  
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The Jamaican head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who officially uses the title "Queen of Jamaica" when she periodically visits the country or performs duties overseas on Jamaica's behalf. The Queen is represented by a Governor General, nominated by the Prime Minister and the entire cabinet. All the members of the cabinet are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Queen and her Governor General serve largely ceremonial roles, apart from their potent reserve power to dismiss the Prime Minister or Parliament.
+
The Jamaican head of state is [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]], who officially uses the title "Queen of Jamaica" when she periodically visits the country or performs duties overseas on Jamaica's behalf. The Queen is represented by a Governor General, nominated by the Prime Minister and the entire cabinet. All the members of the cabinet are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Queen and her Governor General serve largely ceremonial roles, apart from their potent reserve power to dismiss the Prime Minister or Parliament.
 
[[Image:parliament.jm.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Inside the [[Parliament of Jamaica|Jamaican Parliament]]]]
 
[[Image:parliament.jm.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Inside the [[Parliament of Jamaica|Jamaican Parliament]]]]
  
 
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 judgment, 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 appointed by the Prime Minister, and the parliamentary Leader of the Opposition.
 
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 judgment, 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 appointed by the Prime Minister, and the parliamentary Leader of the Opposition.
−
 
−
In February 2006, Prime Minister 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 Mr. P.J. Patterson demitted office, Mrs. Simpson-Miller became the first female Prime Minister of Jamaica. Former Prime Minister Patterson had held office since the 1992 resignation of Michael Manley. Mr. P.J. Patterson was re-elected three times, the last being in 2002. The current leader of the opposition is Bruce Golding.
 
  
 
Jamaica has traditionally had a two party system, with power often alternating between the People's National Party and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Jamaica is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community, or CARICOM.
 
Jamaica has traditionally had a two party system, with power often alternating between the People's National Party and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Jamaica is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community, or CARICOM.
  
 
=== Military ===
 
=== Military ===
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The Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) is Jamaica's small but professional military force. The JDF is based on the British military position with organization, 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 form of military service they are enlisted in. Enlisted soldiers are given basic training at JDF Training Depot in Newcastle or Uppark Camp, Kingston . As on the British model, NCOs (noncommissioned officers) are given several levels of professional training as they rise up the ranks. Additional military schools are available for specialty training in [[Canada]], the [[United States]], and the [[United Kingdom]].
+
The Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) is Jamaica's small but professional military force. It is based on the British military position with organization, training, weapons and traditions closely aligned with Commonwealth Realms. Once chosen, officer candidates are sent to one of several British or [[Canada|Canadian]] basic officer courses depending on which form of military service they are enlisted in. Enlisted soldiers are given basic training at JDF Training Depot in Newcastle or Uppark Camp, Kingston . As with the British model, NCOs (noncommissioned officers) are given several levels of professional training as they rise up the ranks. Additional military schools are available for specialty training in [[Canada]], the [[United States]], and the [[United Kingdom]].
  
−
The Jamaica Defence Force comprises an Infantry Regiment and Reserve Corps, an Air Wing, a Coast Guard fleet and a supporting Engineering Unit. 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 element is divided between sea going crews and support crews. It conducts maritime safety and maritime law enforcement as well as defense related operations. The support battalion contains a Military Police platoon as well as vehicle, armorers and supply units. The 1st Engineer Regiment provides military engineering support to the JDF. The Headquarters of JDF contains the JDF commander, command staff as well as intelligence, the judge advocate office, administrative and procurement sections.
+
The Jamaica Defence Force comprises an Infantry Regiment and Reserve Corps, an Air Wing, a Coast Guard fleet and a supporting Engineering Unit. The Headquarters of JDF contains the JDF commander, the command staff, as well as intelligence, the judge advocate office, administrative and procurement sections.
  
−
In recent years the JDF has been called upon 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 neighborhoods. 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 organization nor among the majority of citizens.
+
In recent years the JDF has been called upon 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]] neighborhoods. 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 organization nor among the majority of citizens.
  
 
==Economy==
 
==Economy==
−
Jamaica is a mixed, free-market economy with state enterprises as well as 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 foreign exchange earners.
+
Jamaica is a mixed, free-market economy with state enterprises as well as 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 foreign exchange earners.
  
 
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 program of economic liberalization and stabilization by removing exchange controls, floating the exchange rate, cutting tariffs, stabilizing 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 liberalization 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 privatization programs.
 
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 program of economic liberalization and stabilization by removing exchange controls, floating the exchange rate, cutting tariffs, stabilizing 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 liberalization 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 privatization programs.
  
−
The macroeconomic stabilization program 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 Fiscal Year1998/99 was 6.2% compared to 7.2% in the corresponding period in CUU1997/98. The Government 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 Gross Domestic Product (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).
 
 
[[Image:alligator_pond_Jamaica_fishing_boats_gm.jpg|thumb|Fishing boats and bauxite cargo ships share the waterways near Alligator Pond, Jamaica]]
 
[[Image:alligator_pond_Jamaica_fishing_boats_gm.jpg|thumb|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.
+
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. <ref> Tortello, Rebecca. December 5, 2005. [http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0070.htm Take to the skies], ''Jamaica Gleaner''. Retrieved June 23, 2007. </ref> Jamaica also has a considerable amount of light manufacturing, including metal fabrication, metal roofing, and furniture manufacturing. Food and alcohol 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.
−
 
 
−
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]], an ore of aluminum, 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 [http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Business/html/20070428T200000-0500_122373_OBS_NO_GAS_FROM_TRINIDAD__VENEZUELA_BY_____.asp]. 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 has a wide variety of industrial and commercial activities. The aviation industry[http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0070.htm] is able to perform most routine aircraft maintenance, except for heavy structural repairs.  Jamaica has a considerable amount of light manufacturing, including metal fabrication, metal roofing, and furniture manufacturing.  Food and alcohol 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.
+
In 2006, Jamaica became part of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) as one of the pioneering members.
  
−
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%[http://www.statinja.com/]. An investment program 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 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy [CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME)] as one of the pioneering members.
 
  
 
=== Exports and Imports ===
 
=== Exports and Imports ===
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Jamaicans, in general, have a large interest in sports. Cricket, football, athletics, dominoes and horse racing are several popular sports. The Jamaican National Cricket team competes regionally, and provides for players in the West Indies. The Jamaican National Football (soccer) Team qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The Jamaican Athletics Team has been well represented at the Olympics over the years with leading athletes obtaining gold medals. The Jamaican Bobsled Team has been a serious contender in the Winter Olympics not only by beating many well-established teams, but also by having a movie made in the honor of the original Jamaican Bobsled team. Dominoes is popular all over the island and is played by young and old alike.
 
Jamaicans, in general, have a large interest in sports. Cricket, football, athletics, dominoes and horse racing are several popular sports. The Jamaican National Cricket team competes regionally, and provides for players in the West Indies. The Jamaican National Football (soccer) Team qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The Jamaican Athletics Team has been well represented at the Olympics over the years with leading athletes obtaining gold medals. The Jamaican Bobsled Team has been a serious contender in the Winter Olympics not only by beating many well-established teams, but also by having a movie made in the honor of the original Jamaican Bobsled team. Dominoes is popular all over the island and is played by young and old alike.
  
−
==References==
+
==Notes==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
−
 
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==

Revision as of 19:58, 23 June 2007

Jamaica
Flag of Jamaica Coat of arms of Jamaica
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Out of many, one people"
Anthem: Jamaica, Land We Love
Royal anthem: God Save the Queen
Location of Jamaica
Capital Kingston
17°59′N 76°48′W
Largest city capital
Official languages English
Government Parliamentary democracy
 - Monarch Elizabeth II
 - Governor-General Kenneth Hall
 - Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller
Independence  
 - from the United Kingdom August 6 1962 
Area
 - Total 10,991 km² (166th)
4,244 sq mi 
 - Water (%) 1.5
Population
 - July 2005 estimate 2,651,000
 - Density 252/km²
653/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2005 estimate
 - Total $11.69 billion
 - Per capita $4,300
GDP (nominal) 2005 estimate
 - Total $9.730 billion
 - Per capita $3,658
HDI  (2004) Red Arrow Down.svg 0.724 (medium)
Currency Jamaican dollar (JMD)
Internet TLD .jm
Calling code +1-876

Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles. It lies 240 kilometers (150 mi) in length and as far as 85 kilometers (50 mi) in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. It is 635 kilometers (391 mi) east of the Central American mainland, 150 kilometers (93 mi) south of Cuba, and 180 kilometers (112 mi) west of the island of Hispaniola, on which Haiti and the Dominican Republic are situated. Its indigenous Arawakan-speaking Taino inhabitants named the island Xaymaca, meaning either the "Land of Springs," or the "Land of Wood and Water." It was formerly ruled by the Spanish when Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1494. Later, in 1655, it became the British West Indies Crown colony of Jamaica. The country is an expressive and lively place and the root for many different forms of music as well as musicians. Covered in many varying types of land regions, from mountains, to plateaus, to plains, to even cockpit regions and of course the sandy beaches and shallow oceans. Jamaica is the third most populous anglophone (English speaking) country in the Americas, after Canada and the United States.


Geography

In the 15th century Jamaica was almost completely forested. This soon changed as settlers from Europe removed the timber for building purposes. They cleared the mountain slopes, savannas and plains to make way for cultivation, where they in turn planted sugarcane, bananas, and citrus trees.

Even with such extensive clearing, the island today is known for its diverse ecosystems, including stunted, elfin forests on the highest peaks, rainforests in the valleys, savannas, and dry, sandy areas supporting only cacti and other xerophytic plants. [1]

Some areas of the island have been left virtually undisturbed since the time of Columbus and indigenous vegetation can be found along the northern coast from Rio Bueno to Discovery Bay, in the highest parts of the Blue Mountains, and in the heart of the Cockpit Country.

Coasts

The coastline of Jamaica is one of many contrasts. The northeast shore is severely eroded by the ocean. There are many small inlets in the rugged coastline, but no coastal plain of any extent. A narrow strip of plains along the northern coast offers calm seas and white sand beaches. Behind the beaches is a flat raised plain of uplifted coral reef.

The southern coast has small stretches of plains lined by black sand beaches. These are backed by cliffs of limestone where the plateaus end. In many stretches with no coastal plain, the cliffs drop 300 meters straight to the sea. In the southwest, broad plains stretch inland for a number of kilometers. The Black River courses seventy kilometers through the largest of these plains. The swamplands of the Great Morass and the Upper Morass fill much of the plains. The western coastline contains the island's finest beaches, stretching for more than six-hundred kilometers along a sandbar at Negril.

Climate

Two types of climates are found on Jamaica. An upland tropical climate prevails on the windward side of the mountains, whereas a semiarid climate predominates on the leeward side. Warm trade winds from the east and northeast bring rainfall throughout the year. The rainfall is heaviest from May to October, with peaks in those two months. The average annual rainfall is 196 centimeters. Rainfall is much greater in the mountain areas facing the north and east. However, where the higher elevations of the John Crow Mountains and the Blue Mountains catch the rain from the moisture-laden winds, rainfall exceeds 508 centimeters per year. Since the southwestern half of the island lies in the rain shadow of the mountains, it has a semiarid climate and receives fewer than 762 millimeters of rainfall annually.

Temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year, averaging 25°C to 30°C in the lowlands and 15°C to 22°C at higher elevations. Temperatures may dip to below 10°C at the peaks of the Blue Mountains. The island receives, in addition to the northeast trade winds, refreshing onshore breezes during the day and cooling offshore breezes at night. These are known on Jamaica as the "Doctor Breeze" and the "Undertaker's Breeze," respectively.

Jamaica lies in the Atlantic hurricane belt, as a result, the island sometimes experiences significant storm damage. Powerful hurricanes which have hit the island directly causing death and destruction include Hurricane Charlie in 1951 and Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. Several other powerful hurricanes have passed near to the island with damaging effects. In 1980, for example, Hurricane Allen destroyed nearly all Jamaica's banana crop. In recent years, Hurricane Ivan, in 2004, swept past the island causing heavy damage and a number of deaths. In 2005, Hurricanes Dennis and Emily brought heavy rains to the island.

Geology and landforms

Jamaica and the other islands of the Antilles evolved from an arc of ancient volcanoes that rose from the sea millions of years ago. During periods of submersion, thick layers of limestone were laid down over the old igneous and metamorphic rock. In many places, the limestone is thousands of feet thick. The country can be divided into three landform regions: the eastern mountains, the central valleys and plateaus, and the coastal plains.

The highest area is that of the Blue Mountains. These eastern mountains are formed by a central ridge of metamorphic rock running northwest to southeast from which many long spurs jut to the north and south. For a distance of over 3 kilometers, the crest of the ridge exceeds 1,800 meters. The highest point lies at the Blue Mountain Peak at 2,256 meters. The Blue Mountains rise to these elevations from the coastal plain in the space of about sixteen kilometers, thus producing one of the steepest general gradients in the world. In this part of the country, the old metamorphic rock reveals itself through the surrounding limestone.

To the north of the Blue Mountains lies the strongly tilted limestone plateau forming the John Crow Mountains. This range rises to elevations of over 1,000 meters. To the west, in the central part of the country, are two high rolling plateaus, the Dry Harbour Mountains to the north and the Manchester Plateau to the south. Between the two, the land is rugged and the limestone layers are broken by the older rocks. Streams that rise in the region flow outward and sink soon after reaching the limestone layers.

The limestone plateau covers two-thirds of the country, so that karst formations dominate the island. Karst is formed by the erosion of the limestone in solution. Sinkholes, caves and caverns, disappearing streams, hummocky hills, and terra rosa (residual red) soils in the valleys are distinguishing features of a karst landscape, all of which are present in Jamaica. To the west of the mountains is the rugged terrain of the Cockpit Country, one of the world's most dramatic examples of karst topography.

The Cockpit Country is pockmarked with steep-sided hollows, as much as 120 meters deep in places, which are separated by conical hills and ridges. On the north, the main defining feature is the fault-based "Escarpment", a long ridge that extends west to east. The Barbecue Bottom Road, which runs north-south, high along the side of a deep, fault-based valley in the east, is the only drivable route across the Cockpit Country. However, there are two old, historical trails that cross further west, the Troy Trail, and the Quick Step Trail, both of which are seldom used and difficult to find.

Where the ridges between sinkholes in the plateau area have dissolved, flat-bottomed basins or valleys have been formed that are filled with terra rosa soils, some of the most productive on the island. The largest basin is the Vale of Clarendon, eighty kilometers long and thirty-two kilometers wide. Queen of Spain's Valley, Nassau Valley, and Cave Valley were formed by the same process.

History

The original Arawak or Taino people from South America first settled the island between 1,000 and 4,000 B.C.E. Although some claim they became virtually extinct following contact with Europeans, others claim that some survived for a while longer. There is very little trace of the Arawak culture, and the Jamaican National Heritage Trust is attempting to locate and document or evidence of the Arawaks. [2]

Jamaica was claimed for Spain after Christopher Columbus first landed there on May 3, 1494 and adopted the island as his family's private estate. The British Admiral William Penn, father of William Penn of Pennsylvania, and General Venables seized the island for Endland nearly two hundred years later,in 1655.

British Rule

During its first 200 years under British rule, post Spanish rule, Jamaica became one of the world's leading sugar exporting nations and produced over 77,000 tons of sugar annually between 1820 and 1824, which was achieved through the massive use of imported African slave labor. The British also brought in Indian and Chinese indentured servants in the early 1800s whose descendents remain today.

By the beginning of the 19th century, the United Kingdom's heavy reliance on slavery resulted in Africans outnumbering Caucasians by a ratio of almost 20 to one, leading to constant threat of revolt. Following a series of rebellions, slavery was formally abolished in 1834, with full emancipation declared in 1838.

Independence

Jamaica slowly gained increasing independence from the United Kingdom. In 1958, it became a province in the Federation of the West Indies. Upon leaving the Federation in 1962, Jamaica gained full independence.

Strong economic growth averaging about six percent per year marked its first ten years of independence under conservative governments led successively by Prime Ministers Alexander Bustamante, Donald Sangster and Hugh Shearer. The growth was fueled by strong investments in bauxite and alumina, tourism, manufacturing industry and to a lesser extent the agricultural sector. However, the initial optimism of the first decade vanished following a change in Government to the People's National Party (PNP), in 1972.

Jamaica began to lag economically with its gross national product falling in 1980 to some 25 percent below the level previously obtained in 1972. Rising foreign and local debt accompanied by large fiscal deficits resulted in the invitation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), financing from the US and other countries, 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 the closure of the first (Alpart) and third (Alcoa) largest alumina producers, significant reduction in production by the second largest (Alcan), the exit of Reynolds Jamaica Mines Ltd from the Jamaican industry and reduced flows from tourism. During the 1980s the island saw an increases in crime and petty theft began to weigh on the island.

Capital City

The former capital of Jamaica was Spanish Town in the parish of St. Catherine, the site of the old Spanish colonial capital. The Spanish named the town Santiago de la Vega. In 1655 when the British captured the island, much of the old Spanish capital was burned by the invading British troops. The town was rebuilt by the British and renamed Spanish Town. It remained the capital until 1872, when the city of Kingston was named the capital under questionable circumstances.

File:Jamaica.png
Map of Jamaica

Politics

Jamaica's current Constitution was drafted in 1962 by a bipartisan joint committee of the Jamaica legislature. It came into force with the Jamaica Independence Act in 1962, of the United Kingdom Parliament, which gave Jamaica political independence. This was followed by a reformation to the Island's Flag.

The Jamaican head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who officially uses the title "Queen of Jamaica" when she periodically visits the country or performs duties overseas on Jamaica's behalf. The Queen is represented by a Governor General, nominated by the Prime Minister and the entire cabinet. All the members of the cabinet are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Queen and her Governor General serve largely ceremonial roles, apart from their potent reserve power to dismiss the Prime Minister or Parliament.

Inside the Jamaican Parliament

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 judgment, 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 appointed by the Prime Minister, and the parliamentary Leader of the Opposition.

Jamaica has traditionally had a two party system, with power often alternating between the People's National Party and Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Jamaica is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community, or CARICOM.

Military

The Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) is Jamaica's small but professional military force. It is based on the British military position with organization, 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 form of military service they are enlisted in. Enlisted soldiers are given basic training at JDF Training Depot in Newcastle or Uppark Camp, Kingston . As with the British model, NCOs (noncommissioned officers) are given several levels of professional training as they rise up the ranks. Additional military schools are available for specialty training in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

The Jamaica Defence Force comprises an Infantry Regiment and Reserve Corps, an Air Wing, a Coast Guard fleet and a supporting Engineering Unit. The Headquarters of JDF contains the JDF commander, the command staff, as well as intelligence, the judge advocate office, administrative and procurement sections.

In recent years the JDF has been called upon 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 neighborhoods. 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 organization nor among the majority of citizens.

Economy

Jamaica is a mixed, free-market economy with state enterprises as well as 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 foreign exchange earners.

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 program of economic liberalization and stabilization by removing exchange controls, floating the exchange rate, cutting tariffs, stabilizing 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 liberalization 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 privatization programs.

Fishing boats and bauxite cargo ships share the waterways near Alligator Pond, Jamaica

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. [3] Jamaica also has a considerable amount of light manufacturing, including metal fabrication, metal roofing, and furniture manufacturing. Food and alcohol 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.

In 2006, Jamaica became part of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) as one of the pioneering members.


Exports and Imports

Exports: (1999) 1,238 billion $ (Natural resources: 55.7%, Food 19.1%, Bananas 4%, Chemical 3.6%, Machinery 2.2%). The main export countries: USA 33.4% , United Kingdom 13.4%, France 5%, Germany 4%, Canada 14.1%, Netherlands 10.2%, Norway 5.8%, Japan 2.3%.

Imports: (1999) 2,89 billion $ (Energy 50.5%, Machinery and Equipment 7.6%, Consumer goods 33.2%). The main import countries: USA 48.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 7.8%, Japan 6.9%, United Kingdom 3.7%, France 5%, Canada 3%.

Demographics

Jamaica's population is consisted mainly of African descent, compromising about 90.9 percent of the demographics, other populations on the Island are as follows, East Indian 1.3%, White 0.2%, Chinese 0.2%, Mixed 7.3%, other 0.1%. Immigrants from countries such as China, Colombia, St. Lucia and many more areas of the Caribbean and South Asian countries have seen a steady rise.

The language of government and education is English, although the patois form of Jamaican Creole is widely spoken. Most Jamaicans can use both Patois and English depending on the circumstances and often combine the two. British English is the most obvious influence on Patois, but it includes words and syntax from various African languages, Spanish, Arawak, French, Chinese, Portuguese, and East Indian languages which is evidence of the long standing mixing of the people. In general, Patois differs from English in both pronunciation and syntax, having many intonations to indicate meaning and mood. The language's characteristics include pronouncing /þ/ as [t] and /ð/ as [d], and omitting some initial consonant sounds, principally /h/. For example, the word "there" is pronounced [dɪɹ]. A number of linguists classify Patois as a separate language, while others consider it to be a dialect of English.

According to CIA research, 65.3% of Jamaica's population is Christian, the majority being Protestant, which is primarily due to the influence of British colonialism, and the later influence of denominations from the U.S. Today, the five largest denominations in Jamaica are: Church of God, Seventh-day Adventist, Baptist, Pentecostal and Anglican.

The largest non-Christian movement is the Rastafari, which was founded on the island and reveres the late Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. Other religions in Jamaica include: Bahai, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism. Practicers of Spiritism can also be found on the island.[1]

literacy rate: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 87.9% male: 84.1% female: 91.6% (2003 est.)

Emigration

Over the past several decades, close to a million Jamaicans have emigrated, especially to the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. This emigration appears to have been tapering off somewhat in recent years, however the great number of Jamaicans living abroad has become known as the "Jamaican diaspora". Due to Commonwealth law and Jamaica's history with Great Britain, most Jamaican emigrants have followed a path first to the UK, and then if they do not remain in the UK, on to other Commonwealth countries such as Canada. Today that trend has changed with more Jamaican emigrants going directly to the United States, Canada, other Caribbean nations, Central and South America, and even Africa, most notably Egypt and Ethiopia, without having to pass through the U.K. first.

Concentrations of expatriate Jamaicans are large in a number of cities in the United States, including New York City, the Miami metro area, Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa, Washington, D.C, Philadelphia, Hartford and Los Angeles. In Canada, the Jamaican population is centered in Toronto. In the United Kingdom, Jamaican communities exist in most large cities where they make up the larger part of the British African-Caribbean community.

New York City is home to the largest Jamaican diaspora community of all, with a large community along Flatbush, Nostrand and Utica Avenues in Brooklyn—centered around the neighborhoods of Prospect Heights, Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Crown Heights, Canarsie, and Flatlands. The Bronx, Queens and Westchester County also have significant Jamaican expatriate communities. Flatbush, Nostrand, and Utica Avenues feature miles of Jamaican cuisine, food markets & other businesses, nightlife and residential enclaves. Throughout the summer months of June, July, August and early September, there are a variety of plays, dance performances, concerts, festivals representing Jamaican & Caribbean culture and then culminates during the last week in August leading up to Labor Day Monday in September with the Parade/Carnival along Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. Events include a Children's Parade, Steel Pan competition, various concerts & parties, J'ouvert in the early morning hours on Labor Day; and later on Labor Day Monday the various mas camps 'bruk out & whine' for the Judges' panel in front of the Brooklyn Museum.

In Toronto, the Jamaican community is large. Caribbean areas of the city are located in parts of Rexdale, Scarborough, Jane and Finch, Lawrence Heights, Weston, sections of Downtown Toronto and York, which also includes a Little Jamaica neighborhood that is identifiable along Eglinton Avenue West. The Jamaican community has had influence on the culture of the city. Caribana, the celebration of Caribbean culture, is an annual event there. Jamaica Day is in July and the Jesus in the City Parade attracts many Jamaican Christians. This festival is held downtown every September, shutting down Yonge Street - the busiest main street in Downtown Toronto. Reggae and Dancehall are popular among Toronto's youth.

London has a strong Jamaican diaspora. Close to 4% of Londoners are of Jamaican heritage. Many are now at least second, if not third or fourth-generation Black British Caribbeans. Also a further 2% of people in London are of mixed Jamaican and British origin, the largest mixed-race group of the country and the fastest-growing.

One of the largest and most famous Jamaican expatriate communities is in Brixton, South London. More large Jamaican communities in London are Tottenham and Hackney in North London, Harlesden in Northwest London, and Lewisham in Southeast London. The highest concentration of Jamaicans are in the Inner-city South London boroughs. Other Jamaican communities include the areas of St. Pauls and Easton in Bristol, Chapeltown in Leeds, Moss Side in Manchester, Toxteth in Liverpool, Burngreave in Sheffield, Handsworth, Lozells, and Aston in Birmingham, and St. Anns, Radford and Hyson Green in Nottingham. More recently many resort and wild-life management skilled Jamaicans have been trending emigration toward such far-flung nations as Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. The nation continues to have a severe problem with barrel children, those left on their own by parents seeking a better life abroad.

Education

Education in Jamaica is based primarily on the British model.

Presently the following categories of schools exist:

Early childhood – Basic, Infant and privately operated pre-school. Accepting children between the ages of one and five years.

Primary – Publicly and privately owned, if it is privately owned then they are known as Preparatory Schools. Accepts children between the ages of five and 12 years.

Secondary – Publicly and privately owned. Accepts the ages 12 through 18 years. The secondary school in Jamaica may be either single-sex or co-educational institutions.

Tertiary - Community Colleges, Teachers’ Colleges, Vocational Training Centers, Colleges and Universities - Publicly and privately owned. There are five local universities, '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', 'The University College of the Caribbean' and 'The International University of the Caribbean'. Additionally there are many teacher training and community colleges including, Mico, Bethlehem and Shortwood Teacher training colleges and Exed, Portmore and Montego Bay Community Colleges.

There is no free education in Jamaica above the Primary Level. Although there isn't free education, there are opportunities for those who can't afford further education in the vocational area through the Human Employment And Resource Training-National Training Agency (HEART Trust-NTA) program and through an extensive scholarship network for the various universities.

Arts and culture

Though a small nation, Jamaica is rich in culture, and has a strong global presence. The musical genres reggae, ska, mento, rocksteady, dub and more recently dancehall and ragga, a style of music that combines raggae and rap influences with an electronic or repetitive track, all originated in the island's vibrant popular urban recording industry. Internationally known reggae musician Bob Marley was born in Jamaica and is very respected there. Many other internationally known artists who were born in Jamaica include Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Jimmy Cliff, Dennis Brown, Desmond Dekker, Beenie Man, Grace Jones, Shabba Ranks, Supercat, Buju Banton, Sean Paul, I Wayne, Capleton, Bounty Killer and many others. Famous bands that came from Jamaica includes the Black Uhuru, Third World, Inner Circle, Fab Five and others. The genre 'jungle' emerged from London's Jamaican immigrants. The birth of hip-hop in New York also owed much to the city's Jamaican community.

Christianity remains a strong influence on cultural life, particularly in music. Most people learn their music at church, and biblical references are often used in popular songs. It is not uncommon for musicians to be playing dancehall music on Saturday night, and church music on Sunday morning.

The Rastafari movement was founded in Jamaica. This 'Back to Africa' movement believes that Haile Selassie of Ethiopia is God incarnated, the returned black messiah, came to take the lost Twelve Tribes of Israel back to live with him in Holy Mount Zion in a world of perfect peace, love and harmony. Bob Marley, a convert to the faith, spread the message of Rastafari to the world. There are now estimated to be more than a million Rastafarians throughout the world.

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. In addition, James Bond uses a Jamaica based cover in Casino Royale. So far, the only Bond film to have been set in Jamaica is Doctor No.

The American film Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise, is one of the most popular films to depict Jamaica. Another movie that depicts Jamaica by giving you a fascinating look at delinquent youth in Jamaica is presented in the 1970s cops-and-robbers musical film The Harder They Come, starring Jimmy Cliff as a frustrated and psychopathic reggae-musician who descends into a murderous crime spree.

Actor of the 1930s-'50s, Errol Flynn, lived with his third wife Patrice Wymore in Port Antonio in the 1950s. He was responsible for developing tourism to this area, popularizing raft trips down rivers on bamboo rafts.[4]

  • National Bird — Doctor Bird (Green-and-black Streamertail, Trochilus polytmus)
  • National Flower — Lignum Vitae (Guaiacum officinale)
  • National Tree — Blue Mahoe (Hibiscus elatus)
  • National Dish — Ackee and Saltfish (dried salted Cod)
  • National Motto — "Out of Many, One People." (Unity among many cultures and races.)

Sports

Jamaicans, in general, have a large interest in sports. Cricket, football, athletics, dominoes and horse racing are several popular sports. The Jamaican National Cricket team competes regionally, and provides for players in the West Indies. The Jamaican National Football (soccer) Team qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The Jamaican Athletics Team has been well represented at the Olympics over the years with leading athletes obtaining gold medals. The Jamaican Bobsled Team has been a serious contender in the Winter Olympics not only by beating many well-established teams, but also by having a movie made in the honor of the original Jamaican Bobsled team. Dominoes is popular all over the island and is played by young and old alike.

Notes

  1. ↑ Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Jamaica, Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  2. ↑ Jamaica National Heritage Trust. Digs - Barbican Rescue Excavation. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  3. ↑ Tortello, Rebecca. December 5, 2005. Take to the skies, Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved June 23, 2007.
  4. ↑ Dr. Rebecca Tortello The History of Jamaica - Captivated by Jamaica

Sources

  • Chapman, V. J. 1961. The marine algae of Jamaica. Part 1. Bulletin of the Institute of Jamaica, no. 12. Kingston, Jamaica: Institute of Jamaica.
  • Chapman, V. J. 1961. The marine algae of Jamaica. Part 2. Bulletin of the Institute of Jamaica, no. 12. Kingston, Jamaica: Institute of Jamaica.

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