|RConstitution:|N Monarchy, independent country within the Commonwealth of Nations, recognizing the British Sovereign as head of state.
|RNational holiday:|N Independence Day, first Monday of August.
|RNature and climate:|N The country comprises the Jamaica Island located 150 km south of Cuba and 160 km southwest of of Hispaniola, and about ten minor islands south of the main island. Jamaica is the third largest island in the West Indies.
A mighty mountainchain in east-western direction dominates with a highest point, Blue Mountain, reaching 2256 m.a.s.l. South of these mountains are limestone plateaus cut by deep valleys.
Earthquakes are frequent.
Savannahvegetation dominates, with rainforests in the mountains and mangrove along the rivers.
Average temperature between 25 and 28°C throughout the year in lower areas.
Percipitation between 1500 and 3000 mm.
|RPeople:|N 76% African descendants, 15% Afro-European Mestizos, 3% East Indians and Afro-East Indians, 3% Europeans.
|REconomy:|N Agriculture occupies 32% of the labour force and is traditionally the most important sector. For export sugarcanes, bananas, fruits, pepper, coffee and cacao are grown and for domestic consumption sweet potatoes, breadfruits and cassava.
Stockraising and fishing are also important for foodproduction.
Jamaica have vast resources of bauxite and is the world's third producer. Bauxite accounts for about 75% of the export revenues.
In the last decades manufacturing have been developed and Jamaica now have a variety of factories producing food, textiles, cement, building materials, agricultural machinery and rubberwheels.
28% of the labour force is occupied in industry and trade and 27% in different services.
Tourism is the second biggest source of income, but has been negatively influenced by political unrest.
|RHistory:|N Columbus visited Jamaica in 1494 and it was ruled by Spain that exterminated the aboriginal Arawak Indians. Jamaica was conquered by Great Britain 1655. The British brought a number of slaves to the island.
In the 17th and 18th centuries Jamaica was a haven for buccaneers and in the 18th century it was the biggest slave market in the world.
Slavery was abolished in 1839 creating strong tensions between the former slaves and the white minority.
in 1944 a local parliament was established and full internal self-rule granted.
Full independence in 1962.
Rudimentary welfare state measures were passed in 1975, when Jamaica also acquired 50% ownership in the US and Canadian companies extracting bauxite on the island.
In 1907 capital Kingston was destroyed in an earthquake and in 1988 hurricane Gilbert killed 45 and caused extensive damage demolishing half of the houses in the country.
