Location
Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean and is located in the Greater Antilles lying 234 km (145 km) south of Cuba, and 145 km (90 mi) west of Hispaniola.

Size
Total area is 10,991 sq. km (4,244 sq. miles).

History
The Arawak and Taíno indigenous people from South America settled on the island between 4000 and 1000 BC. When Christopher Columbus arrived in 1494 there was already an established government with a Cacique or chief as the head who was supported by a group of nobles. The first Spanish settlement on the island, Sevilla was abandoned in 1554 due to numerous pirate raids. The capital was moved to Spanish Town in 1534. The Spanish were forcibly evicted by the English and by 1655 the English had taken over the last Spanish fort in Jamaica. During its first 200 years of British rule, Jamaica became one of the world's leading sugar-exporting nations. After the abolition of the slave trade, Indian and Chinese indentured servants were brought in to supplement the labour pool. In 1872, Kingston became the island's capital. Jamaica slowly gained increasing independence from the United Kingdom and in 1958, it became a province in the Federation of the West Indies, a federation among the British West Indies. Jamaica attained full independence by leaving the federation in 1962.

Population
2,804,332

Capital
Kingston located on the southeast coast of the island

Government
Jamaica is a constitutional monarch with the monarch being represented by a Governor-General. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who officially uses the title "Queen of Jamaica" when she visits the country or performs duties overseas on Jamaica's behalf. The Governor-General is nominated by the Prime Minister and the entire Cabinet and appointed by the monarch. All members of the Cabinet are appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The monarch and the Governor-General serve largely ceremonial roles, apart from their potent reserve power to dismiss the Prime Minister or Parliament.

Language
The official language spoken is English. Patois, a mix of English and African, is also spoken.

Climate
The climate in Jamaica is tropical, with hot and humid weather, although higher inland regions have a more temperate climate. Temperatures high/low-Summer 80/70-80 degrees F. Winter 80/70 degrees F. Annual average temperature is 82 degrees F. In the hills it's cooler with an average temperature around 70 degrees F. In Kingston, humidity ranges from 63% in February to 75% in October. In Montego Bay, humidity ranges from 71 to 77%. Average rainfall is 77" annually. For every 1000 feet in altitude the temperature drops 3.5 degrees F, so that the Blue Mountain Peak has an average annual temperature of 56 degrees F.

Tourism Activities & Sightseeing
Jamaica is rich in culture; reggae, ska mento, rocksteady, dub and dancehall music genres originated in Jamaica Film sites throughout the island include Dr. No and Live and Let Die (2 James Bond films), as well as Ian Fleming's home - Goldeneye, Cocktail, The Harder They Come, and Errol Flynn's home in Port Antonio. Jamaica boasts over 18 champion golf courses including the first one in the Western Hemisphere located in Mandeville. A sports focused island includes cricket, soccer, horse-racing, track and field; Kingston: Bob Marley Museum. Bank of Jamaica Money Museum. Caymanas Park. Devon House. Emancipation Park. Fort Charles & The Maritime Museum, Port Royal. Hollywell. Hope Botanical Gardens. Institute of Jamaica. Liberty Hall. National Gallery of Art. National Heroes Park. Putt n' Play. Rockfort Mineral Bat. Serenity Wildlife Park. Spanish Town's Historic District. Mandeville/South Coast: Appleton Rum Tour. Black River Safari Boat Tour. Cashoo Ostrich Park. Irie Safari. Lover's Leap. Milk River Mineral Spa. YS Falls. Montego Bay: Animal Farm. Aquasol Theme Park. Bob Marley Experience. Braco Stables. Chukka Blue Adventure Tours. Craydon In the Mountains. Doctor's Cave Bathing Club. John's Hall Adventure Tour. Half Moon Equestrian Centre. Hilton High Day Tour. Luminous Lagoon/Glistening Waters. MoBay Undersea Tours. Outameni Experience. Rafting on the Martha Brae. Jamaica White Water Expedition. Rose Hall Great House. Negril: Royal Palm Reserve. Mayfield Falls. Rick's Café. Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay: Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour. Chukka Cove Adventure Tours. Coyaba River Gardens. Cranbrook Flower Forest. Dolphin Cove. Dunn's River Falls. Firefly. Five Star Watersports. Green Grotto Caves. Harmony Hall. Heave-Ho Charters/Fun Cruises. Hooves Limited. Island Village. James Bond Beach. Ocho Rios Marine Park. Prospect Plantation. Reggae eXplosion. Shaw Park Gardens. Sting Ray City. Trails Plantation Rides. Walderswood Jerk Country Tour. White River Valley. Port Antonio: Blue Lagoon. Frenchman's Cove. Castleton Gardens. Nonsuch Caves. Rio Grande Tours. Sommerset Falls. Reich Falls.

Airports
Norman Manley International Airport (KIN), 13 miles from Kingston; airport to: Port Antonio 2 hours, South Coast 2.0 hrs.
Sangster International Airport (MBJ), 2 miles from downtown Montego Bay. Sangster to: Ocho Rios 1.5 hours, Negril 1.5 hours.

Currency
Jamaican dollar (JMD)

Electricity
Electricity in Jamaica is 110 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second

Time zone
GMT-5

Driving
On the left.

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The Official Website of the Jamaica Tourist Board
www.visitjamaica.com