North & Central America and Caribbean

Jamaica
Last reviewed: 05 August 2009

Country information

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Map of Jamaica

JAMAICA TODAY

Country Facts

Area: 10,991 sq km
Population: 2.7 million (2007)
Capital City: Kingston (pop 652,000)
People: African 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%, Chinese 0.2%, White 0.2%, Mixed 7.3%, Other 0.1%
Languages: English, Patois
Education: Mandatory and free up to age 16
Religions: Christian including Anglican, Baptist and other Protestant; Roman Catholic; Rastafarian,;Jewish
Currency: Jamaican dollar (JMD) 150 JMD to the UK pound (August 2009)
Major Political Parties: Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), People's National Party (PNP)
Government: Constitutional parliamentary democracy. Independence: 6 August 1962
Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth, represented by the Governor-General, The Most Hon Dr Patrick Allen
Prime Minister: The Hon Bruce Golding MP (JLP)
Foreign Minister: The Hon Dr Kenneth Baugh MP (JLP)