Jamaica
By:
Jeffrey Morales
&
Esmeralda Gonzalez
Map of the Country
Climate Map
Jamaica’s Political Association
The Politics of Jamaica takes place in a framework of a
representative parliamentary democratic monarchy. The 1962
Constitution of Jamaica established a parliamentary system
based on the United Kingdom model. As chief of state, Queen
Elizabeth II appoints a governor general on the advice of the
prime minister as her representative in Jamaica.
Jamaica’s Time Zone
Jamaica’s time zone is exactly two
hours ahead from now.
Major Industries
tourism, bauxite/alumina, agro processing light
manufactures rum cement, metal, paper, chemical products,
telecommunications. Bauxite and alumina, raw materials used in the
production of aluminum are the country's main exports. During the
1960s Jamaica was the world's largest producer of bauxite a
position it held until the 1980s. Today Jamaica is the world's third
largest producer of bauxite after Australia and Guinea and has
estimated reserves of more than 1.9 billion metric tons. The
majority of the bauxite exported from Jamaica is first converted
into alumina though roughly 30 percent of bauxite is exported in its
raw form. Bauxite is taken from mines to processing plants by
truck and rail but because the island lacks sources of cheap
energy the final and most profitable conversion process that turns
bauxite/alumina into aluminum must take place overseas.
Jamaica’s Population Map
Jamaica’s Currency
Government
Jamaica is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster model,
with a functional two- party system. Under this system of government, the prime minister and his
cabinet are responsible to the legislature, and universal suffrage exists for citizens over the age of
eighteen. The clauses of the 1962 Constitution, which consists of 138 articles in 10 chapters, may be
amended by majorities of two-thirds in both houses of Parliament or, if the Senate does not concur, with
the approval of a special majority of the electorate voting in referendum.
Jamaica's Constitution entitles anyone born on the island to Jamaican citizenship, which
may be revoked if that person becomes a citizen of another country. Children and spouses of Jamaicans
also may claim citizenship even if born outside of Jamaica. Chapter 3 of the Constitution grants all
persons residing in Jamaica fundamental individual rights and freedoms, such as life, liberty, security of
person, property ownership, and protection from arbitrary arrest or detention. The Constitution also
guarantees freedom of conscience and expression, including freedom of speech and press; peaceful
assembly and association, including the right to join a trade union; freedom of movement and residence
within the country and of foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation; and due process of law, including
protection against double jeopardy or retroactive punishment.
The Constitution forbids inhumane treatment and racial, sexual, or political discrimination.
Jamaican women are accorded full equality, and the 1975 Employment Act guarantees them equal pay
for the same work. The legal status of women was reflected in the substantial number of women in
influential positions in the civil service and government in the 1980s. The Supreme Court is given original
jurisdiction over matters concerning civil rights, and cases arising from them are promised a fair hearing
within a reasonable time. Individual rights and freedoms are explicitly subject to respect for rights of
others and the public interest in matters of defense, order, health, and morality.
Vacation Places
Montego Bay
Negril
Montego Bay Hotel
Negril Hotel
Transportation
Jamaica's Religion
There is freedom and equality of religion in Jamaica. Protestant
churches are dominant, with various denominations comprising over
60% of the total population. The Church of God now claims the
largest number of adherents, with 21% of the populace.
Seventh-Day Adventists and Baptists are the next largest
denominations with about 9% each. About 8% of the population
are Pentecostal. The Church of England (Anglican), formerly
the dominant religion in Jamaica, claims about 6%. Other
denominations include Roman Catholics (4%), United Church
(3%), Methodists (3%), Jehovah's Witnesses (2%),
Moravians (1%), and Brethren (1%). Other religious groups,
including Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and Rastafarians, as well as
some spiritual cults, make up about 35% of the population. The
Rastafarian movement continues to grow and is culturally
influential in Jamaica and abroad. Rasta’s regard Africa
(specifically Ethiopia) as Zion and consider their life outside
Africa as an exile or captivity; use of marijuana, or ganja, plays
an important role in the movement.
Great War Involving Jamaica
In November 8, 1915 Section of a ship with
the khaki clad fighting sons of Jamaica on
board
Natural Hazard Map
The environmental and natural hazard portfolio at MGI has grown
tremendously over the past few years. In association with the
Unit for Disaster Studies (UDS) at UWI, Mona, we have continued
the promotion of natural hazards awareness in Jamaica through
various presentations to governments, conferences, insurance
firms, academic and educational institutions, the media, and the
general public. The recently revamped MGI/UDS database
contains numerous hazard-specific datasets including geophysical base data (soils, geology, faults etc.), modeled hazards
and derived data (inland flooding, landslide rating, windstorm
etc.) field-collected data and archived information (mapped
landslide and flood inventories). This data, in addition to data
originating from multiple sources (including Mines and Geology
Division, Water Resources Authority, National Environment and
Planning Agency) are showcased in our Natural Hazards Atlas for
Jamaica, which is currently being published by UWI Press. This
Atlas is meant to present existing research and information on
hazards in Jamaica, in a jargon-free, easy-to-use manner for the
general public. It is divided into three separate sections, with the
first looking at the physical geography of Jamaica – its landscape
and landforms, geology, and natural environment. The second
section illustrates the four different hazards that commonly affect
Jamaica – earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and landslides and
primarily draws from research undertaken by MGI and UDS. The
final section includes maps of each parish of Jamaica, showing
larger-scale maps and models of each hazard at a more local
scale, in addition to individual parish summaries. Photographs,
graphs or charts, as well as annotations and helpful statistics are
provided throughout the atlas where appropriate. It is hoped that
the Natural Hazards Atlas of Jamaica will be ready for sale at the
end of 2011
Jamaican Food