Jamaican language. Official name: Jamaica
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brief information
Jamaica cannot be known in a couple of days. To enjoy it amazing island, tourists will need much more time than a few days. Holidays in Jamaica include horse riding, rafting, mountain biking, diving, rock climbing, snorkeling, or just relaxing in a hammock with a cocktail to reggae music on the beach on the shore. Caribbean Sea.
Geography of Jamaica
The island nation of Jamaica is located in the Caribbean Sea, 145 km south of Cuba and 191 km west of Haiti. The island of Jamaica is part of the Great Islands group Antilles. The total area of the country is 10,991 square meters. km.
The state of Jamaica includes the island of the same name, the Morant Keys archipelago and the Pedro Islands.
The central part of the island is dominated by mountains, while the coastal areas are dominated by plains. The most high peak– Blue Mountain, whose height reaches 2,256 meters.
Jamaica is located in the so-called "hurricane belt" Atlantic Ocean, and therefore the country is sometimes subject to devastating storms.
Capital
Kingston is the capital of the state of Jamaica. More than 600 thousand people now live in this city. Kingston was founded by the British in 1693.
Official language
The official language is English.
Religion
The majority of the population consider themselves Christians (they belong to various Protestant denominations of Christianity). Only 2% of them are Catholics, and 4% are Anglicans.
Government of Jamaica
Jamaica is a constitutional monarchy, headed by the British monarch. He appoints his representative to the island - the Governor General. In turn, the Governor General appoints the Prime Minister of Jamaica and other ministers.
The bicameral local parliament consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Basic political parties– People's National Party and Jamaica Labor Party (two-party political system).
Administratively, the country is divided into 14 parishes, which are historically grouped into three districts.
Climate and weather
The climate is tropical, the average annual air temperature in winter is +25.5C, and in summer - +28C. The climate is greatly influenced by the Atlantic. There are two rainy seasons - May-June and August-October. But even then it doesn't rain there every day. In general, the average annual precipitation is 1,288 mm (but the distribution of precipitation is uneven across the island).
The best time to holiday in Jamaica is from January to March (“high season”).
Jamaica Sea
The island of Jamaica is surrounded on all sides by the Caribbean Sea. There are numerous coral reefs around the island. The average sea temperature off the coast in January-March is +26C, and in June-October - +28C.
Rivers and lakes
There are over 100 rivers in Jamaica, but most of them are very small. The largest of them is the Chernaya River, whose length reaches 73 kilometers. Some Jamaican rivers are excellent for rafting and other water sports.
Culture
Jamaican culture was formed under the influence of the Taino Indians, Europeans, Africans, Indians and even the Chinese. The result is a unified modern Jamaican culture.
Jamaica is the birthplace of the reggae music style. The world's largest reggae festivals are held annually in this country. The most famous of them is the Reggae SumFest, which attracts musicians and tourists in July.
In general, various festivals and carnivals are very popular in this country. So, every January and February, Carnival, the most ambitious Jamaican show, takes place in Kingston.
Other popular local festivals include the Caribbean Rum Festival, the Wine and Food Festival, the Reggae Sunsplash Carnival, and the Jonkanoo Christmas festivities.
Jamaican cuisine
Jamaican cuisine is influenced by cultural traditions local Indians, Spaniards, English, Indians and Chinese. The main food products are corn, potatoes, rice, beans, seafood (lobster, shrimp), fish (perch, tuna, mackerel), vegetables, meat, peas, yucca. When preparing dishes, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice are often used.
Jamaica's national fruit is Ackee. Other popular local fruits are mango, pineapple, papaya, bananas, guava, coconuts.
Akki is most often prepared with salted fish (cod), vegetables and lard. This dish is served for breakfast along with flatbreads and bananas.
Chicken, pork, and fish are most often served with “Jerk” seasoning, which is made from cinnamon, allspice, thyme, onions, green onions and nutmeg.
Traditional non-alcoholic drinks - coffee, fruit juices, coconut water, Irish moss - a drink made from carrageenan seaweed with sweetened milk, cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg.
The traditional alcoholic drink is Jamaican rum, which is made from sugar cane.
Attractions
Don't forget to also visit Kingston museums - the Bob Marley Museum, the Museum National history, in the Zoological Museum and in the Military Museum.
In the south of the island, the Black River National Park is of great interest to tourists, where it grows a large number of a wide variety of exotic plants, as well as many rare and unique animals.
Cities and resorts
The most big cities– St. Andrew, Montego Bay, St. Catherine, St. James, Manchester, and also Kingston.
In the north-west of the country there is the famous popular beach area of Montego Bay, where, along with luxurious sandy beaches there are excellent opportunities for water sports, diving, active rest and golf.
In the west there is another popular resort area– Negril, which is decorated with the 11-kilometer Calico Jack Beach.
On the northern coast of the country, the resort of Ocho Rios, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, is popular among tourists. In the vicinity of this resort, tourists can see beautiful waterfalls and coffee plantations.
If you are interested in quiet, relaxing holiday, so then the best choice is the resort of Port Antonio, located in the northeast of the country. Movies are often filmed in the vicinity of Port Antonio, which means it is a very picturesque area.
Souvenirs/shopping
The most popular souvenirs from Jamaica are various handicrafts, jewelry (bracelets, necklaces), clothing, hot sauces, cigarettes and cigars, coffee, liqueurs (for example, Tia Maria) and Jamaican rum (for example, Appleton Rum).
Musical Jamaica rocks to the beats of reggae from dawn to dusk. Life here is more than leisurely, and the main activity is unity with nature. Great beaches and various hotels, cities and resorts, excursion programs and festivals - everything about Jamaica: tours, prices, photos.
- Last minute tours to Jamaica
- Tours for May Worldwide
Sunny and hospitable Jamaica receives more and more tourists from Russia every year. This is understandable: the island boasts beautiful exotic nature, beautiful beaches, untouched places, as well as good infrastructure - hotels and restaurants for every taste and budget. The main contingent are wealthy tourists who, as a rule, travel to Jamaica in pairs or small groups. Families with children are chosen less often - due to the duration of the flight. A separate important plus is that Russians do not need a visa to this country for a trip of up to 30 days.
This country attracts travelers not only with its nature, but also with its unique Jamaican culture. African, British and Caribbean influences are mixed here, and it is here that the reggae musical style - synonymous with harmony and peace - emerged.
Time difference from Moscow
− 8 hours
- with Kaliningrad
- with Samara
- with Yekaterinburg
- with Omsk
- with Krasnoyarsk
- with Irkutsk
- with Yakutsk
- with Vladivostok
- from Severo-Kurilsk
- with Kamchatka
Jamaica Climate
Visa and customs
Communications and Wi-Fi
Roaming in Jamaica is expensive, so it is recommended to purchase a local SIM card for calls and mobile data. There are two mobile operators on the island - Digicel and LIME, both have wide coverage (connection interruptions may occur only in remote mountainous areas), but Digicel is the leader in terms of communication quality. A SIM card can be purchased at any mini-market, and there is also a counter at the airports of Kingston and Montego Bay. Payment cards are also sold everywhere; a basic package costs about 10 USD. There will be approximately half of this amount in your account; you will need a passport to purchase. Keep in mind that it takes up to 72 hours for your card to activate, often faster, but if not, there is no way to speed up the process.
The cost of a conversation with Russia is about 140 JMD per minute, mobile Internet will cost 100 JMD for 500 MB per day or 600 JMD for 2 GB per week.
For calls, telephone booths are also used that accept telephone cards for 100, 200 and 500 JMD; you can buy them at post offices. Calling from the hotel is expensive, the rates are 3-4 times higher than usual.
Mobile Internet in Jamaica is poorly developed; the 4G network is just emerging and is available in Kingston and other major cities. You can count on free Wi-Fi in cafes and restaurants only in the capital; in other cities it is either not available or it is paid. Free Wi-Fi in hotels is also still rare.
Money
The country's currency is the Jamaican dollar (JMD), there are 100 cents in 1 dollar. Current rate: 1 JMD = 0.52 RUB (1 USD = 125.42 JMD, 1 EUR = 141.12 JMD).
Along with the local currency in Jamaica, the American dollar is used, but change is still given in Jamaican dollars. The most favorable exchange rate is in banks and exchange offices, you can also change money at most hotels. The exchange rate at the airport is very unfavorable. Reverse exchange of JMD to USD is possible only when leaving the country at the airport upon presentation of the original exchange receipt.
If possible, take more small bills - they are more convenient. There are coins with corners in Jamaica; tourists often bring them as gifts to fellow collectors.
Many tourist shops accept traveler's checks for payment (it is better to purchase them in USD) and bank cards Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
There are exchange offices (cambio) in Jamaica at airports, banks, hotels and on city streets. It is best to change money at city banks; most of them have 24-hour ATMs. ATMs dispense mostly Jamaican dollars, but some can also dispense US dollars.
Banks in Jamaica are open Monday to Thursday from 9:00 to 14:00 and on Fridays from 9:00 to 16:00. Main banks in the country: Bank of Jamaica, JMMB, Jamaica National, NCB, Scotiabank. The exchange rates are approximately the same everywhere.
Typically, gratuities are already included in the price of an all-inclusive hotel, so any cash gratuities are not accepted at resorts in Jamaica. Tips in restaurants make up 10-15% of the bill - if they are not included in it. Tipping is prohibited at Sandals and SuperClubs hotels.
Jamaica Hotels
Entertainment and attractions in Jamaica
Jamaica is considered one of the richest countries in the world for attractions Caribbean. However, they are all located at different ends of the island, so you’ll have to travel around to get the impressions.
Architecture
Not far from Montego Bay The 19th century Belvedere estate is located. It is a kind of museum of the era when the slave system reigned in Jamaica. Here you can see a dam built by slaves, sugar cane plantations where slaves worked, and the house itself is stylized as a 17th century building. You can explore the estate on your own or with a guided tour; in the second case, the price includes a traditional Jamaican lunch with live music.
In Montego Bay itself, it's worth visiting the Appleton Estate Rum Factory. There are tours around the factory where you can learn the history of Jamaican rum, see the process of its creation and taste several varieties.
City architecture" Spanish Town everything is designed in the spirit of the 17th century, even new houses here are built only in this style so that they fit into the city landscape. The main local attraction is the Rodney Memorial. It was built in honor of Admiral George Bridges Rodney, the commander-in-chief of the British army, who defended the city and prevented it from being captured by the French-Spanish army. On the sides of the memorial there are guns from which a salvo is fired annually in honor of this victory. There is a legend that these guns were taken from the French in that very battle.
St. Catherine's Cathedral in Spanish Town is one of the oldest architectural monuments Jamaica, it was built back in the 17th century, and it even preserves wooden carvings and clay stucco.
The Rose Hall mansion is one of the most mysterious attractions in Jamaica. It is located 20 minutes by car from Montego Bay and is famous as the home of the legendary Anya Palmer, sometimes called the White Witch of Jamaica (white solely because of the color of her skin). According to legend, Ani possessed voodoo magic and killed her husband in order to take over his estate, and then began to seduce slaves, who the next morning suffered the same fate as her husband. In 1965, the new owners of the house opened a museum here, but the legends about the ghost of a woman who walks up the stairs and sighs are still alive.
Adventure lovers will love the ancient town Port Royal, where pirates used to live. Today it houses the Maritime Museum, the defensive Fort Charles and a unique house on stilts at an angle of 45 degrees.
IN Kingston there is a Bob Marley Museum, it is located in the house where the musician lived since 1975. The house is very bright, painted with portraits of Marley and colorful graffiti. The layout remained untouched - as during the singer’s life, but several rooms were completed: a library, a recording studio for the musician’s children and a branded clothing store for his daughter.
On the walls of the museum you can see not only drawings, but also bullet holes left after the assassination attempt on the reggae legend.
The museum's rooms contain Bob Marley's favorite star-shaped guitar, his stage costumes, gold records and CDs, awards and magazine clippings.
4 things to do in Jamaica:
- Ride ostriches in famous park Cache on the south coast of the island.
- Admire the sunset from Blue Peak in eastern Jamaica, which reaches a height of 2220 m. And then stop by the estates of a coffee planter, where you can taste freshly brewed Blue Mountains coffee, considered one of the best in the world.
- Raft the Martha Brae, Black River and Mountain Valley area.
- Hand feed hummingbirds at Montego Bay Nature Reserve.
Nature
Dunn's River Falls are one of the most beautiful places on the entire island. They are located in the middle of a real jungle, their height is 55 m. Next to the waterfalls there is a beach where you can swim. The most adventurous can climb to the top on foot - the stones are very slippery, so it is recommended to be as careful as possible and not go there alone.
All tourists are greeted at the waterfalls by the donkey Bunny, with whom you can take a photo - this is a long-standing tradition and a local landmark.
You can get to the waterfalls by tourist buses, which depart from Ocho Rios every day at 10:00.
Another very picturesque place - Blue Lagoon. People come here not only for the spectacular views: it is believed that the local water has a very beneficial effect on the skin.
Near port city Falmouth is home to a luminous lagoon - microorganisms live there, whose chitinous cover glows bright turquoise in the dark.
The highest point of the island, Blue Peak, is located in the Blue Mountains. Its height is 2147 m, and from this peak the most beautiful views to the whole island. It is believed that it is best to watch the sunrise here, and to see the first rays of the sun, you need to start your ascent in the dark. For those interested, there are organized walking tours.
On the south coast, in Lacovia, there is an ostrich farm - Cashoo Ostrich Park, where you can feed the ostriches and ride them.
Leisure
Rafting is popular in Jamaica - a trip along the river on a bamboo raft, during which you can admire the rare beautiful plants on the banks, as well as catamaran trips and snorkeling in coral bays. The most popular places for this purpose - the reservoirs of the Great River near Montego Bay, the Black River in the vicinity of Ocho Rios and the Rio Grande near Port Antonio.
The best waves for surfing and windsurfing can be found in the northeast and southeast coasts, there are also equipment rental points and instructors on popular beaches. For regular diving, choose the coral reef and the surrounding area of the sunken Port Royal.
Events in Jamaica
Jamaica hosts many musical, cultural and sporting events throughout the year. The most notable and popular are the reggae festivals “Splashes of the Sun” in Ocho Rios and “Summer” in Montego Bay. In March-April, a week after Easter, many carnivals are held in Kingston and other places in the country, no worse than the Brazilian ones. And the celebration of Christmas (“Jonkanu”) on the island is a special holiday. It is celebrated with a colorful parade, all of whose participants are dressed in fancy dress.
One of the most famous yacht regattas, the Pineapple Cup, starts in Miami and finishes in Montego Bay in February. The Cable & Wireless Cup cricket match is held in Kingston in April.
Other interesting events on the island:
- May-June - tennis championship,
- July - reggae festival,
- September - Miss Jamaica beauty pageant,
- November - jazz and blues festival,
- December - regatta.
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| Jamaica | |||
| Jamaica | |||
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| Motto: “Out of Many, One People (Out of many people - one people)” | |||
| Hymn: "Jamaica, Land We Love" | |||
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| Independence date | August 6, 1962 (from) | ||
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| Official language | English | ||
| Capital | Kingston | ||
| The largest city | Kingston | ||
| Form of government | a constitutional monarchy | ||
| Queen | Elizabeth II | ||
| Governor General | Patrick Allen | ||
| Prime Minister | Andrew Holness | ||
| Territory | 160th in the world | ||
| Total | 10,991 km² | ||
| % water surface | 1,5 | ||
| Population | |||
| Score (2014) | 2,930,050 people (139th) | ||
| Density | 252 people/km² | ||
| HDI (2013) | ▲ 0.730 (high; 86th place) | ||
| Names of residents | Jamaican, Jamaican | ||
| Currency | Jamaican dollar (JMD, code 388) | ||
| Internet domain | .jm | ||
| ISO code | J.M. | ||
| IOC code | JAM | ||
| Telephone code | +1876 | ||
| Time Zones | UTC−5 | ||
Jamaica(eng. Jamaica) - an island state within the British Commonwealth in. Located in the Caribbean Sea, south of, west of.
The name comes from a corruption of the Indian word "haymaka" (Arawak. Xaymaca), which literally means "island of springs" or "land of springs."
On August 6, 1962, Jamaica declared independence within the Commonwealth of Nations. Capital and largest city country is Kingston.
Physiographic characteristics
NASA satellite photo. Jamaica Island south of Cuba
Geographical position
Jamaica is the third largest island in the Greater Antilles group. Main Island located between 17° and 19° north latitude and 76° and 79° west longitude, 145 km south of, 160-190 km west of Haiti, 290 km southeast of. The closest point of the continent is Cape Gracias a Dios () - located 630 km to the southwest. With a length of 225 km from west to east and from 35 to 82 km from north to south, the island has an area of 10,991 km². Length coastline is 1022 km.
Climate
Jamaica is located in a tropical climate zone with the dominance of northeastern trade winds, which significantly influence, along with the indicator absolute altitude terrain, the climate of the country.
In the metropolitan area average temperature throughout the year it varies from 24 to 27 °C, and in the town of Gordon Hill in the Blue Mountains - from 4 to 7 °C.
Temperatures vary slightly throughout the year, the average values in January are 24-25 °C, in July - 26-27 °C.
Precipitation is seasonal and is especially intense in May and October, although in summer months Thunderstorms with heavy rain also occur. The average annual precipitation is 2100 mm, but also depends on the area. South coast receives 635 mm of precipitation, and up to 7600 mm falls in the John Crow Mountains in the northeast of the island. The rainy season lasts from May to October, and during the winter months (December to March), the island is exposed to cold northerly winds from the North American continent.
Jamaica is located in the Atlantic hurricane belt, which causes great damage to the population and economy. Among the particularly powerful hurricanes that swept right through the island were Hurricanes Charlie (1951), Allen (1980) and Gilbert 1988. Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Dean (2007) caused widespread destruction and several deaths on the island.
Relief and geology
Relief of Jamaica
Most of the territory (about 2/3) of Jamaica is a limestone plateau with a height of 500m to 1km, in some places higher. In the eastern part of the island are the Blue Mountains, where highest point countries - Blue Mountain Mountain (height 2256 m). To the southwest is Mount Malvern (725m) and to the west is Dolphin Head (545m). In the western part of the island, karst landforms are common, represented in the John Crow Mountains, Dry Harbor Mountains and in the Cockpit Country karst basin with an area of about 1300 km². The basin is a complex of low hills separated by narrow valleys. This area is characterized by sinkholes and underground watercourses.
Along the southern and west coast Alluvial lowlands are located. South coast The islands are heavily dissected and have reef-fringed harbors, such as Kingston Harbor. On west bank near the city there is a coral sand beach stretching for 11 km. The northern coast is poorly dissected and has a rocky character. In its center is the popular Jamaican Riviera, a narrow strip of fine-grained white sand beaches.
Jamaica's position in the seismically active Antilles-Caribbean tectonic region was reflected in catastrophic earthquakes in 1692 and 1907. The most important mineral resource is bauxite, in terms of reserves of which Jamaica occupies a leading place in the world.
Water resources
Jamaica has many small rivers and streams that originate in the central highlands and often disappear into karst cavities. The total volume of renewable water resources- 9.4 km³ (2000). The longest river is the Miño (93 km) flowing from the Dry Harbor Mountains to Carlisle Bay. Two more rivers, the Black River in the western part and the Rio Cobre near Kingston, are more than 50 km long. Of all the island's rivers, the Black River is navigable for a considerable distance - small ships can rise 48 km from the mouth. The only river that does not flow in a north or south direction is Plantaine Garden in the east of the island.
Major cities
- Kingston
Flora and fauna
Halliwell National Park in the Blue Mountains
The island is known for its diverse ecosystems, including low-growing forests high in the mountains, jungles on the northeastern mountain slopes and valleys, savannas in the south and west, and sandy areas where only cacti and other xerophytic plants grow. Since the 15th century, when the island was completely forested except for small agricultural areas, the vegetation has changed greatly. Colonists cut down trees for construction purposes and cleared plains, savannas and mountain slopes for cultivation. Many species have been introduced, including sugarcane, bananas and citrus fruits.
The forest area on the island is about 194 thousand hectares (1/5 of the entire territory). Cottonwood is the most common tree; in hard-to-reach places, virgin stands of large-leaved tree, ebony and dalbergia have been preserved; in some places there are thickets of bamboo and logwood, as well as plantings of Caribbean pine and eucalyptus. The southern coast is overgrown with mangroves in many places. In the western and southwestern parts of the island, in places where the land is not used for plantations, savanna-type vegetation (cereals and free-standing trees) is common. In total, the island is home to more than 3,000 species of flowering plants, including 200 species of orchids and Hibiscus sabdariffa (from which hibiscus is made).
Bird Trochilus polytmus, a representative of the pennant-tailed hummingbird subfamily
Jamaica's fauna is relatively poor: birds, rodents (rats, mice), rabbits, mongooses, reptiles (turtles, snakes, crocodiles and iguanas) and 20 species of bats. There are few native animals in Jamaica; during human development, the fauna of the island suffered greatly. In pre-Columbian times, the island was home to numerous members of the Hutiidae family, but their numbers later declined due to hunting and habitat destruction. Native crocodiles may also be at risk of extinction. Mongooses, introduced in 1872 from India to combat poisonous snakes, became widespread.
The waters of the island and coastal areas are rich in fish. Freshwater fish are represented mainly by mullet, there are 4 species freshwater crayfish. Manatees live in coastal waters.
More than 250 species of birds have been recorded, including migratory ones, with 25 species and 21 subspecies being endemic, including national symbol- pennant-tailed hummingbirds. Among the introduced species are mynas.
The island's conservation areas include Cockpit Country, Hellshire Hills and Litchfield forest reserves. In 1992, the first marine park in Montego Bay and has an area of 15 km². In 1993 they were created national park in the Blue Mountains and John Crow Mountains.
Story
In ancient times, Jamaica was inhabited by Indians. The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1494. Columbus named it the island of Ferdinand and Isabella in honor of the royal couple. This name did not catch on; the island retained its local name - Jamaica. The Spaniards founded their first settlement on the island in 1509.
By the time the Spaniards arrived, Jamaica was inhabited by Arawak Indians, their number possibly reaching about 60 thousand people. During the period of Spanish rule, the Indians in Jamaica disappeared almost completely. By 1611, there were only 74 Indians on the island.
Already at the beginning of the 16th century, the Spaniards began to import black slaves from Jamaica as labor force. However, the Spaniards did not colonize the island very actively over a century and a half, and in 1655 it was captured by the British (Jamaica was officially declared an English colony in 1670).
The British erected a fort on the shore of a vast natural harbor, not far from what is now Kingston. A city began to grow near the fort. He soon gained fame "the most sinful city in all of Christendom", since the “capital” of sea robbers moved there from the island of Tortuga. At the end of the 17th century, the city of Port Royal had 8 thousand inhabitants, of which one and a half thousand were pirates.
Pirates robbed Spanish ships and took their loot to Port Royal, which led to the prosperity of the city. However, on June 7, 1692, most of this "depraved Babylon" As a result of the earthquake, she disappeared into the depths of the sea. The delighted Church of Catholic Spain hastened to announce that “God punished the wicked city for its sins.”
Kingston, 1820
However, by that time the British had already firmly established themselves in Jamaica, turning the island into a large “sugar” colony - sugar cane plantations were intensively developing in Jamaica. Most of the plantations were located on the plains of the south of the island. The interior of Jamaica was used for grazing. Jamaica's industry produced raw sugar, molasses-molasses and the famous Jamaican sugar.
The uprisings of black slaves caused considerable concern to the British. In about 150 years, before the beginning of the 19th century, there were at least 30 such uprisings. Already in the second half of the 17th century, the Maroons, runaway black slaves and their descendants, settled in the most remote mountainous and forested areas of Jamaica, who created something like their own state. They raided for livestock and other plunder, and eventually the British deported the Maroons to Africa (where they founded a city) at the end of the 18th century.
In 1831, a major uprising occurred in Jamaica, during which approximately 60,000 slaves went on strike, and which is believed to hastened the decision to abolish slavery in the British colonies. Thus, Henry Taylor, head of the West Indian Department of the British Colonial Administration, later commented: “Indirectly, this terrible event [the rebellion] ... dealt a mortal blow to slavery.” In the 19th century, after the abolition of slavery in 1833, “bad times” came for English planters in Jamaica. The emancipation of black slaves significantly undermined the plantation economy of Jamaica. The import of contract workers from China did not improve the situation. Sugar production in Jamaica has declined sharply. In addition, competition has increased due to the increase in beet sugar production in Europe and the increase in sugar production in Java.
In the 20th century, the economic situation in Jamaica changed significantly as a result of investments from. American companies established large-scale export production of bananas, as well as cocoa, coffee and coconuts in Jamaica. The Americans also began developing Jamaica's infrastructure (railway network, etc.).
Universal suffrage was introduced in Jamaica in 1943, and partial self-government in 1944. In 1959, Jamaica gained internal self-government, and in August 1962, Britain granted Jamaica independence.
State structure
Until 1962, Jamaica was a possession; on August 6, 1962 it became independent state. The constitution of 1962 is in force (taking into account the reforms of 1997 and subsequent amendments). The country is a kingdom, royal power is exercised in the form of a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the British monarch (Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain), represented by the Governor General, who is appointed by him on the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Jamaica. The Governor-General exercises royal authority in the country on behalf of the Queen, having all the powers granted to her by the Constitution during her absence from Jamaica.
In 2012, the 50th anniversary of independence from the United Kingdom, Jamaica expressed its desire to leave the Commonwealth and become a "full-fledged" republic. Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller announced this at her inauguration speech. Buckingham Palace responded that the decision to state system Jamaica - for the population of the state, and not for anyone else.
The Governor General signs all bills and appoints the Prime Minister (from the winning party). Under the Governor General there is an advisory body of 6 members - the Privy Council, which is formed by him on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. On his recommendation, the Governor-General appoints members of the government.
The legislative body is a bicameral parliament, consisting of two chambers: the Senate (21 members, appointed by the governor general, of which 13 are on the recommendation of the prime minister, 8 are from the opposition); House of Representatives - 63 deputies elected by the population for a 5-year term.
The main two political parties (based on the results of the elections in February 2016):
- Jamaica Labor Party (liberal-conservative) - 33 seats in parliament
- People's National Party (social democratic) - 30 seats in parliament
Administrative division
Jamaica is divided into fourteen parishes (districts), which are located in three historical counties.
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Clicking on the number or image of any district will take you to the corresponding article. |
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| County of Cornwall | Adm. center | km | Middlesex County | Adm. center | km | Surrey | Adm. center | km | |||
| 1 | Hanover | Lucea | 450 | 6 | Clarendon | May-Pen | 1196 | 11 | Kingston | Kingston | 25 |
| 2 | Saint Elizabeth | Black River | 1212 | 7 | Manchester | 830 | 12 | Portland | 814 | ||
| 3 | St. James | 595 | 8 | Sainte-Anne | Saint Anse Bay | 1213 | 13 | Saint Andrew | 453 | ||
| 4 | Trelawney | 875 | 9 | Saint Catherine | 1192 | 14 | St. Thomas | 743 | |||
| 5 | Westmoreland | Savanna-la-Mar | 807 | 10 | St. Mary's | 611 | |||||
Foreign policy
Jamaica is a member of the British Commonwealth, a member of the UN and its specialized organizations, the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Community, the Non-Aligned Movement, the ACP countries, etc.
The country's foreign policy fluctuated significantly depending on which party was in power. Thus, the PLJ government in 1962-1972 focused on and. The PNP cabinet in 1972-1980 emphasized the slogans of non-alignment and solidarity with the countries of the “third world”, strengthened relations with. The PLJ, having returned to power in 1980, broke off relations with and again reoriented towards. Since 1989, the Jamaican government has pursued a more balanced foreign policy.
The country has diplomatic relations with (established with the USSR in 1975).
Armed forces
The Jamaica Defense Force consists of:
- ground forces - 1 infantry regiment (three battalions, of which one is reserve); engineer regiment (actually a battalion consisting of 4 companies); support and service battalion (training center, supply, repair, transport, military police units);
- aviation wing - several light aircraft and helicopters;
- coast guard - 3 patrol ships, 2 patrol boats, as well as small boats.
Population
- Population - 2.8 million (estimate as of July 2010)
- Birth rate - 19.5 per 1000
- Mortality - 6.5 per 1000
- Emigration - 5.5 per 1000
- Annual population growth - 0.7%
- Fertility - 2.2 births per woman
- Average life expectancy - 71.8 years for men, 75.3 years for women
- Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection - 1.6% (2007 estimate)
- Literacy - 84% men, 92% women
- Urban population - 53%
Ethno-racial composition: Africans 91.2%, mulattoes 6.2%, others 2.6% (according to the 2001 census).
Languages: The main spoken language is Jamaican Creole ("Patois") based on English, the official language is Standard English.
Religions: Protestants of various persuasions 62.5%, Catholics 2.6%, Rastafari 10%, atheists 20.9%, other and undecided 4% (according to the 2001 census). Protestants are represented by Baptists, Anglicans, Methodists, Pentecostals from the Church of God and Assemblies of God, etc.
Largest cities: Kingston (660 thousand people), (83 thousand).
Economy
The main sector of the Jamaican economy is the service sector (more than 60% of GDP and employees). The main sources of income in convertible currency are tourist services (20% of GDP), cash receipts from workers abroad (20% of GDP) and the export of bauxite and aluminum.
GDP per capita (in 2009) - 8.2 thousand dollars (117th place in the world). The unemployment rate (in 2009) is 14.5%.
Agriculture (6% of GDP, 17% of workers) - sugar cane, bananas, coffee, citrus fruits, yams, vegetables; chickens and goats are raised; shellfish fishing.
Industry - bauxite mining, agricultural processing, rum and clothing production.
International trade
Exports in 2008 - $2.6 billion. Main export goods: alumina, bauxite, sugar, coffee, yams, drinks.
Imports in 2008 - $7.2 billion: food, consumer goods, fuel, vehicles, building materials.
Main suppliers - USA 39.7%, 17.6%, 11.7%.
Culture
Music
IN musical world Jamaica is known primarily for its reggae style, represented by hundreds of talented performers and groups such as Bob Marley, The Congos, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Max Romeo, The Abyssinians, The Heptones, Kiddus I, John Holt, Eek-A -Mouse and many others. etc. Since the 1970s, reggae and its derivative styles have spread across all continents. The styles of ska, dub, dancehall, soul, and calypso also owe their origin to Jamaica. The lead singers of the group Boney M (Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett), model, actress and singer Grace Jones, lead singer of Bad Boys Blue Trevor Taylor, Grammy winner Sean Paul, as well as the Jamaican reggae group Inner Circle, Andrew Donalds, famous thanks to hits such as “Mishale” (#38 on the Billboard Hot 100), “(I’m Not Your) One Night Lover” and collaborations with the famous ambient music group Enigma.
Sport
Usain Bolt with the prize for the best athlete in the world 2011
Among the sports in Jamaica, running is the most developed. short distances. Jamaican sprinters made their presence known back in 1948, when Jamaica first took part in the Summer Olympics. In total, between 1948 and 2012, Jamaican athletes won 67 Olympic medals (including 17 gold), of which 66 were won in athletics and another in cycling. In the 100 and 200 meters, Jamaican athletes are among the world leaders in the 21st century, along with US athletes.
Among female sprinters, Merlin Ottey, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Shelley-Ann Fraser-Pryce and others achieved success at the world level. At the end of the 2000s, the star of the most successful athlete in the history of the country rose: Usain Bolt managed to win three gold medals at three Olympics in a row (2008 and 2012, 2016), winning at distances of 100 meters, 200 meters and in the 4x100 meter relay. . Having set world records in the 100 and 200 meters, Bolt became a true symbol of Jamaica and one of the most recognizable athletes in the history of the sport.
The Jamaican bobsled team competed in four Winter Olympics, finishing 14th among four-man teams in 1994.
Holidays
Jonkanoo (English) Jonkonnu parades) is a traditional celebration dedicated to Christmas, during which celebrants parade through the streets in fancy dress. This holiday came out of the traditions of secret societies.
January 6th is celebrated Maroon Day. This holiday commemorates the birthday of Captain Cujo, a Maroon who defeated the English army in the 1730s. On January 6, festivals are held in honor of this day, the integral attributes of which are traditional dancing, singing and rituals.
Education
- University of the West Indies
In culture
- Pirates of the Caribbean (film series)
- "The Maroons" is a novel by Mine Reed.
- The Man with the Golden Gun - novel by Ian Fleming
- "Tight Turns" - the story of the Jamaican bobsled team
Natives of Jamaica are characters in the works of Charlotte Bronte "Jane Eyre" and Ethel Lilian Voynich's "Take Off Your Shoes"
The band "Comedoz" refers to Jamaica many times in their songs. They also have the song "Jamaica".
Tourist sites
- About 70 official beaches
- Bob Marley House Museum
Notes
- World Atlas: Maximum detailed information / Project leaders: A. N. Bushnev, A. P. Pritvorov. - Moscow: AST, 2017. - P. 84. - 96 p. - ISBN 978-5-17-10261-4.
- The CIA World Factbook - Jamaica.
- Human Development Report 2013 (English). United Nations Development Program (2013). Archived from the original on August 13, 2013.
- Blue Mountains Maroons.
- Geographical names world: Toponymic dictionary. - M: AST. Pospelov E. M. 2001.
- Encyclopedia Around the World: Jamaica.
- Encyclopedia Around the World: Jamaica.
- Jamaica- article from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia.
- Jamaica - Britannica Online Encyclopedia
- Jamaica // Encyclopedia "Around the World".
- Jamaica - CIA - The World Factbook
- America: a general overview of Latin America. Middle America. - Thought, 1981. - 344 p.
- E. V. Tarle. Essays on the history of colonial policy of Western European states: the end of the 15th - beginning of the 19th centuries. - Leningrad, 1965. - 450 p.
- From colonies to sovereignty: from the history of the liberation struggle of the Caribbean colonies of England. - Thought, 1985. - 186 p.
- N. A. Erofeev. Essays on the history of England 1815-1917. M. 1959 (ru-US). www.google.ru. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
- Zinkina Yu. V., Grinin L. E., Ilyin I. V., Andreev A. I., Aleshkovsky I. A. Historical global studies: Volume 2. XIX century. - Uchitel Publishing House LLC - 392 pp. - ISBN 9785705751808.
- B. F. Porshnev, V. V. Biryukovich, S. D. Skazkin. New story: 1789-1870. - Mr. political publishing house Literary, 1958. - 860 p.
- Will Britain come to terms with its crimes against humanity? (Russian) , InoSMI.Ru(April 20, 2018). Retrieved April 20, 2018.
- Key historical individuals Understanding slavery initiative. Retrieved June 30, 2013. Archived July 2, 2013.
- Holiday Calendar: Maroon Day in Jamaica
Links
- Jamaica in the Open Directory Project (dmoz) link directory
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Is island state in the Caribbean Sea, located south of Cuba and west of the Dominican Republic.
In the middle of the warm and gentle sea, behind the Atlantic Ocean, there lurks an emerald - green Island, where all year round, to the sounds of reggae, they feast on mangoes and eat shrimp, washed down with rum - Jamaica. There, under a flag very similar to a pirate’s, live residents who will never in their lives believe that Jesus Christ (aka Jah) was white, and New Year It doesn't feel like a holiday without snow.
Peculiarities
Jamaica is the third most populous English-speaking country in South America after the United States and Canada. Jamaica is an exporter of coffee, papaya, bauxite, gypsum, limestone and sugar cane. Also, the country annually receives a large number of tourists, which also replenishes the state treasury.
Relationships with Jamaica are the same as with reggae music: you either lose your head or begin to dislike this country, and the feeling is formed on the way from the airport. The reasons for your love or dislike are the same: incredible heat, miserable houses with cardboard walls located on the edges of the road, near which Jamaicans fry meat and breadfruit on a well-worn barbecue, dancing to the sounds of a local reggae radio station.
One of the main features of Jamaica is local residents who speak equally well in their native dialect and in English language. If a Jamaican has nothing to say, he will certainly sing to you in reggae style. I must say they sing brilliantly, no worse than Bob Marley, starting from the beach cleaner and ending with your guide. Almost the entire population of this island wears dreadlocks, as befits “black gentlemen.” Jamaicans are extremely unique people, living one day to the rhythm of the same reggae. If you go to soak up the sun, for example, in the area coral reef, then they will certainly ask you: “Is everything okay with you in Jamaica?”
general information
Jamaica covers an area of 10,991 square meters. km, according to this indicator the island ranks 160th in the world. The population is 2.715 million people. The official language is English, there are local dialects. Currency: Jamaican dollar JMD. 100 JMD = $EUR:USD:100:2. Time zone UTC-5, local time is 8 hours behind Moscow. Telephone code +1876.
A brief excursion into history
The indigenous Arawak and Taino people, who had origins from South America, settled on the island between 4000-1000 BC. Christopher Columbus discovered Jamaica in 1494 when he landed on the island in what is now Discovery Bay. The Spaniards were forcibly removed by the British to Ocho Rios, and in 1655 Britain took the last Spanish fortress on the island and finally took possession of it. The Spaniards fled the island, leaving behind a huge number of African slaves who preferred to take refuge in the mountains rather than fall back into slavery of the British. It was these runaway slaves who fought the British in the 18th century to fight for freedom and independence. Jamaica gradually gained independence from the United Kingdom, and in 1958 it became one of the provinces of the Federation of the West Indies, and in 1962 a completely independent state.
Climate
Jamaica is in a tropical climate area, all year round The island is hot and humid, but the interior has a more temperate climate. Jamaica is located in the Atlantic hurricane belt, and as a result, the island experiences significant damage from storms in the fall.
How to get there
Alas, there are no direct flights to Jamaica from Moscow, but you can very comfortably fly connecting flights through Europe: Lufthansa and Condor via Frankfurt, British Airways via London, Virgin Atlantic also via London. For flights via London with a long layover, you may need transit visa UK or, you can present a ticket to Jamaica to confirm transit in London on passport control. At the discretion of employees, they may be absent if the stay does not exceed 48 hours.
- Norman Manley International Airport (IATA: KIN) in Kingston.
- Donald Sangster International Airport (IATA: MBJ) in Montego Bay. Both airports receive a large number of international flights daily.
Transport
You can travel between various cities and resorts in Jamaica by train; there are about 250 routes on the island. One of the most interesting adventures Driving a rental car may be an option in Jamaica. Rural roads tend to be very narrow and dangerous in inclement weather, while urban roads are congested with traffic. Driving in Jamaica is on the right hand side. The cheapest and least convenient way to get around the island is by bus, however bus excursions They offer very comfortable trips for tourists. You can always take a taxi; private services are very cheap, unlike official taxis.
Cities and resorts
Information
A huge fence has been built between the Jamaica of the people and the Jamaica of rich tourism, both literally and figuratively. Outside - political passions, poor villages, cardboard houses and an average salary of thirty US dollars. Inside there is chic, flowering gardens, luxurious swimming pools and huge well-kept villas. You can stay in a fabulous secluded bungalow with a beautiful view of the turquoise sea and mountains, play golf or tennis, and also revive the beauty of your body in SPA centers or play huge chess on the Caribbean coast. Chess in Jamaica can replace fitness, because all the pieces are human-sized.
One of the attractions of the island is a tour that will take you to the places of spy glory of the famous agent 007. If you remember the cascading waterfalls from the first film, this is it. You'll have to climb over boulders and through the spray to see how Dunns River flows into the Caribbean Sea.
Publicly available in Jamaica Ganja(marijuana) is the “herb of wisdom”, the leaf of which is a favorite symbol of Rastafari.
Another symbol of Jamaica is reggae, with which you can meditate and comprehend the essence of existence. A legend of reggae, Jamaica and Rasfari is a musician, a singer of freedom and a true hero of this country - Bob Marley.
And already on departure from this amazing country You'll be sure to see a rich, orange sunset over the lush green, mountain-covered island, more like a hallucination or a beautiful dream that will disappear with the dawn.
Accommodation
Celebrities who flew to the resort chose the northern region of Jamaica -. For example, a secluded five-star hotel Sans-Souci, built on mineral spring, next to an idyllic bay, is a cozy micro-country. Water from this source and its mineral mud are the main “magic wands” of cosmetologists of the famous Charlie Spa. Cunning Jamaicans give a subscription for four procedures at the SPA to each hotel guest who, having already been carried away into the divine process of healing, cannot stop.
In this regard, there is a local legend that tells that fifty years ago a huge turtle sailed to the hotel by sea and settled in this mineral spring. She, like the hotel itself, was named Charlie. The turtle still splashes in the life-giving font, and guests return from Jamaica very rejuvenated.
In luxury Strawberry Hills Spa Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Moss often vacation. Celebrities, making various peelings from cane sugar, please their bodies, exhausted from filming, with a four-hand massage, and their souls with an unimaginable view of the Caribbean Sea and the stunning mountain jungle of the Blue Mountains with endless plantations of the popular coffee of the same name.
IN Half Moon The best golf courses are located, maybe that's why Queen Elizabeth loves to come here.
If you adore nightlife and discos, then visit the resort of Negril, located in the southeast of Jamaica.
The nudist hotel Hedonism-2 is surrounded by numerous rumors and legends telling about free love and sex tourism.
