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JAMAICA Jamaica is a country in the
Caribbean Sea, located south of Cuba and to the west of Hispaniola, on which
Haiti and the Dominican Republic are situated.
History
The name of the country derives from the name Xamayca, meaning land of wood
and water, given to it by the original Arawak people from South America, who
first settled there around the year 1000.
Jamaica was first claimed for Spain after
Christopher Columbus discovered it in 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. Under the
first 200 years of British rule, Jamaica became the world's largest sugar
exporting nation and produced over 77,000 tons of sugar annually between
1820 - 1824, which was achieved through the massive use of imported African
slave labor.
Britain's over-zealousness in using slavery soon backfired, and by the start
of the 19th century, blacks outnumbered whites to a rate of almost 20 to one.
A series of revolts followed, and in 1838 slavery was formally abolished.
Over the years Jamaica slowly gained independence from Britain, and in 1958
Jamaica became a province in an independent nation called the Federation of
the West Indies. Jamaica separated from the federation in 1962 and is now a
completely sovereign nation. They celebrated the tricenntenial in 1955.
Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence
and a drop-off in tourism.
Former capitals of Jamaica include Port Royale, where the pirate Governor
Morgan held sway, and which was destroyed by a storm and earthquake, and
Spanish Town, in St. Catherine parish, the site of the old Spanish colonial
capital and the English capital during the 18th and 19th century.
Politics
Jamaica is a constitutional monarchy, the head of state being the monarch,
currently Queen Elizabeth II. The monarch's representative in Jamaica is the
Governor-General, who is chosen by the prime minister and fills the role of
approving bills, and other state functions. For the most part, the monarch (through
her representative, the Governor-General) is a figurehead, and what little
real power she has reserved for times of crisis. The present government
favours turning Jamaica into a republic within the Commonwealth, in which
the Queen and Governor-General would be replaced by a President.
The Jamaican Parliament is bicameral, consisting of the House of
Representatives and the Senate. Members of the House (known as 'Members of
Parliament' or MPs) are directly elected, and the leader of the majority
party in the House becomes the Prime Minister. Senators are appointed by the
Prime Minister, and the parliamentary Leader of the Opposition.
The current Prime Minister of Jamaica is Percival Patterson who has held
office since the 1992 resignation of Michael Manley. He has been since re-elected
three times, the last being in 2002.
Jamaica has traditionally had a two party system, with power often
alternating the People's National Party and Jamaican Labour Party.
Parishes
Jamaica is divided into 14 parishes, viz.:
Clarendon
Hanover
Kingston
Manchester
Portland
Saint Andrew
Saint Ann
Saint Catherine
Saint Elizabeth
Saint James
Saint Mary
Saint Thomas
Trelawny
Westmoreland
Geography
The island of Jamaica has mountainous inlands surrounded by a narrow coastal
plain. For this reason, all major cities are located on the coast. Chief
towns include the capital Kingston and Montego Bay.
The climate in Jamaica is tropical, with hot and humid weather, although the
inlands have a more temperate climate...
Economy
Jamaica's economy is heavily based on bauxite exports and tourism.
Serious problems include high interest rates; increased foreign competition;
the weak financial condition of business in general resulting in
receiverships or closures and downsizings of companies; the shift in
investment portfolios to non-productive, short-term high yield instruments;
a pressured, sometimes sliding, exchange rate; a widening merchandise trade
deficit; and a growing internal debt for government bailouts to various
ailing sectors of the economy, particularly the financial sector.
Depressed economic conditions in 1999 led to increased civil unrest,
including a mounting crime rate.
Demographics
Jamaica is mainly a blend of African and British cultures, with influences
from the Spanish and Taino cultures, although the Tainos as a people were
completely wiped out by the Spanish soon after their arrival in 1494. These
Tainos (sub-Arawaks) were known for archery and have left many remnants of
their culture in artifacts and in at least one popular food (bammy- a small
flat cake made of grated cassava).The majority of the population is of
African descent, however there are smaller groups of persons of mixed race,
Indian, Chinese and European heritage. Caucasians compose a tiny minority,
less than 1% of the population, however, they have historically played a
large role in the nation's political and economic development.
The official language is English, although the patois form Jamaican English
is widely spoken. About two-thirds of the Jamaicans, through colonization,
have accepted Christianity, spread over a large number of denominations. The
remaining third adheres various other religions, including local faiths.
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