General background: Jamaica gained full independence
within the British Commonwealth in 1962. Deteriorating
economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent
violence and a dropoff in tourism. Elections in 1980
saw the democratic socialists voted out of office. Subsequent
governments have been open market oriented. Political
violence marred elections during the 1990s.
Area comparative: Slightly smaller than Connecticut.
Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; temperate
interior
Terrain: Mostly mountains,
with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain
Population: 2,680,029 (July 2002 est.)
Ethnic groups: black 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%,
white 0.2%, Chinese 0.2%, mixed 7.3%, other 0.1%
Religions: Protestant 61.3% (Church of God
21.2%, Seventh-Day Adventist 9%, Baptist 8.8%, Anglican
5.5%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Methodist 2.7%, United Church
2.7%, Brethren 1.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.6%, Moravian
1.1%), Roman Catholic 4%, other, including some spiritual
cults 34.7%
Language: English, patois English
Government type: Constitutional parliamentary
democracy
Capital: Kingston
Legal system: Based on English common law;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Economic overview: The economy, which depends
heavily on tourism and bauxite, has been stagnant
since 1995. After five years of recession, the economy
grew 0.8% in 2000 and 1.1% in 2001, but the global
economic slowdown, particularly in the United States
after the 11 September terrorist attacks, has stunted
the economic recovery. Serious problems include: high
interest rates; increased foreign competition; a pressured,
sometimes sliding, exchange rate; a widening merchandise
trade deficit; and a growing internal debt, the result
of government bailouts to various ailing sectors of
the economy, particularly the financial sector. Depressed
economic conditions have led to increased civil unrest,
including a mounting crime rate. Jamaica's medium-term
prospects will depend upon encouraging investment,
maintaining a competitive exchange rate, selling off
reacquired firms, and implementing proper fiscal and
monetary policies.
Communication/Telephone system: Fully automatic
domestic telephone network
Places of interest: Beautiful sun drenched
beaches and palm trees.
Travel tips:
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