Facts about Jamaica

Learn about the Capital City, Population Size, Country size, Flag, Language and much more. Here are some Facts about Jamaica

Official Name: Jamaica

Capital City:Kingston

Size:4,411 square miles. Slightly smaller than the state of Connecticut in the U.S.

Length:146 miles

Width: 22-51 miles

Population: 2,605,800 (July 2000 estimate).

Population of a few selected cities:Kingston, 800,000; Montego Bay, 82,000; Mandeville, 13,681; Port Antonio, 10,426; Ocho Rios, 5,851; Negril, 1,166

Annual population growth rate:0.46%

Average Temperature: 82° F

Climate: Tropical. Hot, Humid, temperate interior.

Average Rainfall:78 inches annually

Population: 2.6 million (July 2000 estimate).

Language:English

Ethnic Groups:Black (90.9%), mixed (7.3%), East Indian (1.3%), white (0.2%), Chinese (0.2%)

Natural Resources: Bauxite, gypsum and limestone.

Principal exports: Bauxite and alumnia, apparel, sugar, bananas, coffee, citrus and citrus products, rum, cocoa.

Major Trading partners: Consumer Goods, construction materials, electrical equipment, food, fuel, machinery and transportation equipment.

Exchange Rate: Approximately $101 Jamaican dollars is equal to $1 US dollar. See the latest exchange rate.

GDP per capitia: US3,350 (purchasing power parity)

Head of State: The head of state is the governor-general, who is appointed by the monarch of England.

Head of Government: The head of government in Jamaica is the Prime Minister who is elected by the Jamaican people. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives.

Language: The official language is English but Patois, a dialect, is widely spoken across the island

Flag: The Jamaican flag has 3 colors, green, black and gold. Black stands for hardships overcome and to be faced; Gold, for natural wealth and beauty of sunlight; and Green stands for hope and agricultural resources.

Money:The money in Jamaica is called Jamaican Dollars (JMD). Bank notes are issued for the following amounts $50, $100, $500, $1000. The heads of famous Jamaican people appear on the notes. One Jamaican dollar is equal to about $0.01 USD US dollars. The exchange rates change everyday. Click here for a Currency Converter.

There are 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents 1 dollar, 10 dollar and 20-dollar coins. The heads of famous Jamaican people also appear on the back of the coins.

Religion: The majority of Jamaicans are Christian. Children learn about God and the bible at public school. They also have public prayer in school.

Some things Jamaica is well known for:

More Information & Other Related Articles

• For information on the Jamaican National Symbols (Anthem, Pledge etc) see our Jamaica Overview.

• To see pictures of Jamaican Currency see our Jamaican Money Page.

• For Historical dates please see our Jamaica Overview Section – See Historical dates in our Jamaica Overview Section.