FAST FACTS

Location:
90 miles south of Cuba

Size:

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

Length:

146 miles

Width:

22-51 miles

Average Temp.

82° F

Climate:
Tropical. Hot, Humid, temperate interior.

Average Rainfall

78 inches annually

Population:
2.6 million (July 2000 estimate). Annual population growth rate is 0.46%
Kingston, 800,000; Montego Bay, 82,000; Mandeville, 13,681; Port Antonio, 10,426; Ocho Rios, 5,851; Negril, 1,166

Capital:
Kingston

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.

Getting there:
Air Jamaica and American Airlines.

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:
Click here for latest

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

Trade Balance:

minus $1.46 Billion (estimated 1997)