JAMAICAJAMAICANations ReportNations Report

Sarah WilliamsonSarah Williamson

GEOGRAPHYGEOGRAPHY

Jamacia is part of the Jamacia is part of the of greater Antilles of greater Antilles islands, in the islands, in the Caribbean; nearly 500 Caribbean; nearly 500 miles from the U.S. miles from the U.S. The countries The countries geography is a mix of geography is a mix of high mountain ranges high mountain ranges and low costal plains. and low costal plains. The Blue Mountain The Blue Mountain Peak is the highest Peak is the highest point in Jamaica at point in Jamaica at 7,388 ft.7,388 ft.

A limestone Plateau A limestone Plateau covers more than 75% of covers more than 75% of the island, creating the island, creating caves and caverns on caves and caverns on the coast. Jamaica has a the coast. Jamaica has a tropical climate, allowing tropical climate, allowing for unique weather. The for unique weather. The winter is just slightly winter is just slightly cooler than the summer cooler than the summer with 75with 75º being the º being the winter’s average winter’s average temperature.temperature.

PEOPLEPEOPLE

The first inhabitants in The first inhabitants in Jamaica were Jamaica were Arawak Indians, Arawak Indians, however they died however they died out following the out following the European European colonization in 1494. colonization in 1494. The first colonists The first colonists were the Spanish were the Spanish who brought along who brought along African slaves.African slaves.

Today Jamaica has a Today Jamaica has a population of over population of over 2,600,000 people, 90% of 2,600,000 people, 90% of whom are of African or whom are of African or African mixed ancestry. African mixed ancestry. The African culture The African culture inspired Jamaica's art inspired Jamaica's art dance and music genre dance and music genre and the Spanish brought and the Spanish brought over many new foods and over many new foods and farming techniques.farming techniques.

CULTURECULTURE

The culture on the The culture on the Jamaican island was Jamaican island was directly influenced directly influenced by its colonization in by its colonization in the late 1400’s. The the late 1400’s. The mix of ethnic groups mix of ethnic groups included African, included African, East Indian, East Indian, Caucasian, Chinese Caucasian, Chinese and Spanish. Each and Spanish. Each culture has culture has contributed to the contributed to the jamaican way of life.jamaican way of life.

The official language of The official language of the island is English, the island is English, although in many rural although in many rural areas a Creole dialect is areas a Creole dialect is spoken. Jamaican’s live spoken. Jamaican’s live simple lives, many simple lives, many people work in farming or people work in farming or the tourist industry to the tourist industry to support their families. support their families. Poverty is wide spread Poverty is wide spread and overpopulation is a and overpopulation is a growing problem.growing problem.

HISTORYHISTORY

Christopher Columbus landed Christopher Columbus landed in Jamaica in 1494, followed in Jamaica in 1494, followed by Spanish settlers in the by Spanish settlers in the early 1500’s. Native people early 1500’s. Native people were put to work as slaves were put to work as slaves and soon died out from and soon died out from exposure to diseases and exposure to diseases and cruel treatment. This then cruel treatment. This then lead to the importation of lead to the importation of thousands of African slaves. thousands of African slaves. Later, once slavery was Later, once slavery was abolished, most found the abolished, most found the farming industry as the most farming industry as the most lucrative job.lucrative job.

Jamaica is a Jamaica is a parlimentary parlimentary democracy and a democracy and a part of the British part of the British Monarchy.Monarchy.

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