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Quick Facts - Jamaica

Jamaica was inhabited by Tainos when Columbus explored it in 1494 and named it St Jago de la Vega. It remained under Spanish rule until 1655, when it became a British possession. On May 5, 1953, Jamaica gained internal autonomy, and, in 1958, it led in organizing the West Indies Federation. Jamaica became independent on Aug. 6, 1962.

At 240 kilometres (150 mi) in length and as much as 85 kilometres (50 mi) in width this island nation is situated in the Greater Antilles east of the Central American mainland, south of Cuba, and west of the island of Hispaniola, on which Haiti and the Dominican Republic are situated. Jamaica's population of about 2,651,000 enjoy a rich heritage of inhabitants descended from Africa, China, India and Europe.

 

Language:
 English
Government:
 Independence from UK on August 6, 1962
Capital: Kingston
Size: 240 kilometres (150 mi) in length and as much as 85 kilometres (50 mi) in width
Location: Greater Antilles, east of the Central American mainland, south of Cuba, and west of the island of Hispaniola - 18 15 N, 77 30 W
Sovereign:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
Governor: His Excellency Kenneth Hall (2006)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Bruce Golding (since 11 September 2007)
Climate:

19 - 32 °C year round
Areas of high altitude have chilly times. For example, the Blue Mountain Peak has an average temperature of 13 degrees Celsius, and sometimes cooler, depending on the time of year or weather.

Electricity: 110 volts - 50 cycles
Currency: Jamaican dollars (US currency widely accepted). Exchange Rate: Jamaican dollars per US dollar - 62.51 (2005), 61.197 (2004), 57.741 (2003), 48.416 (2002), 45.996 (2001) - these rates are indicative.
Driving: On left, license required
Rentals: Car, jeeps, boats, bicycles, scooters
Airports/Seaports: Montego Bay - Sangster International Airport
Kingston - Norman Manley International Airport
Kingston Seaport - Port Bustamante, there are 13 other smaller seaports around the island
Entry: Passport and return or onward ticket required.
Online Newspaper(s): Jamaica Gleaner ?The Jamaica Observer