Jamaica

Quick Facts

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Capital

Kingston

Government

Constitutional Parliamentary Democracy

Nationality

Jamaican

Population

2,696,000

Languages

English, Jamaican Patois

Religions

Christianity (Protestant, Catholic)

Currency

Jamaican Dollar (JMD)

Calling Code

+1876

Time Zone

UTC-5

Introduction

under the palms in moBay

© All Rights Reserved natashaes

The birthplace of reggae and Bob Marley, Jamaica is as alive to the sound of music as it was in the days of the great Marley. A thriving music scene centred in Kingston is but an exterior revelation of the artistic heartbeat underpinning all of Jamaican society.

Even for those less musically inclined, Jamaica is a top contender for the all-time favourite Caribbean destination. Numerous coastal cities make up the bulk of the tourist attraction: travellers' endless fascination with the sparkling Caribbean waters does not seem to have diminished. But for those in search of a little more than the standard Caribbean fare, a trip inland should satisfy the senses: the island boasts the beautiful Blue Mountains (like the coffee), where hiking trails take the traveller along hundreds of rivers and gorgeous waterfalls.

Brief History

Geography

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean Sea, 234 kilometres in length and as much as 80 kilometres in width. A narrow coastal plain surrounds the Blue Mountains inland. It is roughly 620 kilometres northeast of the Central American mainland, 145 kilometres south of Cuba, and 190 kilometres west of the island of Hispaniola, on which Haiti and the Dominican Republic are situated.

Regions

Jamaica is divided into 14 parishes, which are grouped into 3 historic counties.

• Surrey is located in the east and contains the parishes of Kingston (Kingston), Portland (Port Antonio), Saint Thomas (Morant Bay), Saint Andrew (Half Way Tree)
• Middlesex is in the centre of the island and contains the parishes of Clarendon (May Pen), Manchester (Mandeville), Saint Ann (Saint Ann's Bay), Saint Catherine (Spanish Town), Saint Mary (Port Maria)
• Cornwall, in Jamaica's west contains the parishes of Hanover (Lucea), Saint Elizabeth (Black River), Trelawny (Falmouth), Saint James (Montego Bay), Westmoreland (Savanna-la-Mar)

Cities

• Kingston - The capital
• Montego Bay
• Negril
• Port Esquivel
• Black River
• Ocho Rios
• Savanna-la-Mar
• Spanish Town
• Rocky Point

Sights and Activities

• Blue Mountains - A hiker's and camper's paradise, with its peak at 2,256 metres high. Also famous for its famous coffee, which are cultivated on the lower slops of the mountains.

Events and Festivals

• Pineapple Cup - A yacht race in February that starts in Miami and finishes in Montego Bay.
• Carnival - the week after Easter in March/April
• Kingston Test Match - April sees the West Indies cricket team take on an international challenger.
• Ocho Rios Jazz Festival - June
• Reggae Sunsplash - August
• Reggae Sumfest - Held in July in Montego Bay
• Jonkanoo - A traditional Christmas celebration

Weather

Jamaica's climate is tropical, with hot and humid weather in summer months. Winter days are usually warm with mild nights. Higher inland regions have a more temperate climate. Some regions on the south coast, such as the Liguanea Plain and the Pedro Plains are relatively dry rain-shadow areas, while it can rain for days on end in the eastern parish of Portland. The rainy season is from May to November, peaking in May and June and in October and November. Rainfall is usually for short periods in the late afternoon and it is still quite possible to enjoy the sun on a visit during these months.

Fairly consistent temperatures are experienced throughout the year. In the lowlands, it averages at about 25 °C to 30 °C. However, temperature will drop below 20 °C at higher elevations.

Getting There

By Plane

There are two international airports in Jamaica, the Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston and the Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay.

Air Jamaica is based in Kingston and serves many destinations in the Caribbean and North America, among which Grenada, Havana and Miami.

MBJ is the busier of the two with many more connections from cities further away. Destinations include Amsterdam, Toronto, Frankfurt, London and Vienna. Many air charters fly in here for holidays on the northern coast of Jamaica.

By Boat

Currently there are no regular public ferry services for travellers. Only yatchs and cruiseships are available, or cargo ships for the more adventurous.

Getting Around

By Plane

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Red Tape

Money

The currency of Jamaica is the Jamaican Dollars (JMD) and the currency sign is $. Banknotes come in the denominations of $50, $100, $500 and $1000 while coins come in 1 cent, 10 cents, 25 cents, $1, $5, $10 and $20.

As of 12 April 2008, the exchange rates of JMD against major world currencies are approximately USD1 = JMD70, EUR1 = JMD112, GBP1 = JMD139, CAD1 = JMD39.

Work

Study

Language

English is the official language of Jamaica. Informally Jamaican Creole, or patois, is commonly spoken by a majority of the population.

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

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