Jamaica - Brief History

Discovered by Columbus in 1494 and first settled (1509) by Spaniards, Jamaica was captured by England in 1655; formal cession was in 1670. A large African slave population worked sugar plantations in the 18th century when Jamaica was a leading sugar producer. The decline of sugar after the abolition (1838) of slavery created economic hardship, civil unrest, and British suppression (1865-84) of local autonomy. Rioting, sparked by poverty and British racial policies, recurred periodically, reaching a peak in 1938. In 1944 universal adult suffrage was introduced. 

After a brief period (1958-62) as part of the West Indies Federation, in 1962 Jamaica became an independent member of the Commonwealth. After 1972 a move toward socialism under Prime Minister Michael Manley led to violence between extremist factions and produced an economic crisis. Edward Seaga, a moderate, took office in 1980 and restored some measure of economic stability. In 1989 Manley's party returned to power with a more conservative program. Manley resigned in 1992, due to ill health, and was succeeded by P.J. Patterson, who subsequently won his own electoral mandate in 1993.

Geography

Almost at the centre of the Caribbean Sea, Jamaica lies 150 kilometres (90 miles) south of Cuba and 160 kilometres (100 miles) west of Haiti, the two nearest countries. The closest point to Jamaica in South America is Cartagena in Colombia, a distance of 710 kilometres (445 miles) almost due south The latitude and longitude of the capital, Kingston, are about 18 degrees N and 78 degrees W.

Jamaica is the largest of the English Speaking West Indian islands. It has an area of 11,424 square kilometres (4,411 square miles), more than twice the area of Trinidad, which is next in size, and measures 243 kilometres (146 miles) from east to west. Its greatest width is 80 kilometres (51 miles), from St. Ann's Bay to Portland Point. The distance from Kingston to the nearest point on the north coast, Annotto Bay, is 36 kilometres (22 miles).

Jamaica is centrally situated in the Caribbean Zone. It lies on the direct sea routes from the United States of America and Europe to the Panama Canal.

Map of Jamaica (Provided by Magellan Geographix)

Jamaica National Symbols

The Jamaican National Flag came into use on Independence Day, August 6, 1962. The Flag has a diagonal cross or saltire with four triangles in juxtaposition. The diagonal cross is in gold and one-sixth of the length of the fly of the flag; the top and bottom triangles are in green; and the hoist and fly triangles are in black.The exact shade of green used in the flag is Emerald T8 17, British Admiralty Bunting Pattern.

"Hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth" is the symbolism of the Flag. The colours are Black stands for hardships overcome and to be faced; Gold for natural wealth and beauty of sunlight; and Green for hope and agricultural resources. 

The Jamaican Coat of Arms shows a male and female member of the Taino tribe standing on either side of a shield, which bears a red cross with five golden pineapples. On the crest is a Jamaican crocodile mounted on the Royal Helmet of the British Monarchy and mantling.

The Jamaican national motto is Out of Many One People, which is based on the population's multi-racial roots.

Doctor Bird (Trochilus polytmus) The "Doctor Bird" or Swallowtail Humming Bird lives only in Jamaica and is one of the most outstanding of the 320 species of Humming Birds. It is well to note that the beautiful feathers of these birds have no counterpart in the entire bird population and produce iridescent colours characteristic only of that family. The Doctor Bird has been immortalised for many decades in Jamaican folklore and song.

Ackee (Blighia sapinda)

Whilst not indigenous to Jamaica this fruit has remarkable historic associations. It was originally imported from West Africa, probably brought here in a slave ship and now grows luxuriously producing, each year, large quantities of edible fruit.

The tree was unknown to science until plants were taken from Jamaica to England in 1793 by none other than Captain William Bligh of "Mutiny on the Bounty" fame, hence the botanical name "Blighia Sapida" in honour of the notorious Sea-Captain. One of the earliest local propagators of the tree was Dr. Thomas Clarke who introduced it to the eastern parishes in 1778.

Jamaica is the only place where the fruit is general recognised as an edible crop, although the plant has been introduced into most of the other Caribbean islands, such as Trinidad, Grenada, Antigua, Barbados, Central America and even Florida where it is known by different names and does not thrive in economic quantities.

The National Tree is the Blue Mahoe (Hibiscus elatus), a valuable timber for export and used for wooden craft.  The Blue Mahoe wood does not float in the water.

The National Flower is that of the Lignum Vitae tree (Guiacum officinale), whose name, 'wood of life' is believed to reflect its medicinal properties.

Ethnic Composition African 76.3%; Afro-European 15.1%; East Indian and Afro-East Indian 3%; White 3.2%; Chinese and Afro-Chinese 1.2%; Other 1.2%

Language Spoken English and local dialect is Patois.

Jamaica's economy is based on bauxite, sugar and tourism. It is particularly vulnerable to world commodity price fluctuations and weather. The country has a high debt position and a shortage of investment capital. Although labor is generally available at a low cost, there is a shortage of skilled labor that requires firms to look abroad for technical and managerial personnel and makes it even harder to attract outside investment capital. Jamaica also suffers from occasional foreign exchange shortages, a poor internal transport infrastructure, and declining real income for the majority of the population, which limits the country's purchasing power.

Alumina, bauxite, sugar, bananas, rum, coffee.

The Jamaican Dollar comes in coin denominations of J$1, and 50, 25, 20, 10, 5, and 1 cents; and banknotes of J$1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 1000

Exchange Rates

Get current exchange rates for US, CND and Pound Sterling

Traveler's Checks

Traveler's checks in U.S. dollars only can be exchanged at banks, exchange shops, wire transfer outlets, hotels, and international airports at tourist exchange rates, which can differ from place to place. They place a charge in the exchange. Banks offer the best rate of exchange. Hotels will usually offer 2 to 5 percent below the bank rate. Avoid black marketers at all cost, i.e., changing money on the street. Consult with banks about exchange rates.

Monday to Friday 8A.M. to 5:00P.M.

Monday to Thursday 9A.M. to 4P.M., Friday 9a.m. to 5P.M. A few banks open on Saturdays. Many banks now cater to customers all day, everyday, through automated teller services.