Jamaica - geography
Jamaica has a varied landscape. A lowland area surrounds the island's central
mountain range Blue Mountains, whose highest peak is 2256 m. The majority of the
surface is a rugged limestone plateau at 300-1000 m altitude. Erosion has in
several places formed karst landscapes with subsidence valleys, dolines. Fertile
red soils are often deposited in the valley floor, which contains bauxite.
Jamaica has a tropical climate, yet subtropical and temperate in the
mountains. In the spring, the passage gives large amounts of rain on the
northeast-facing mountain slopes, over 5000 mm per year, while the lowlands in
the south are partly in rain shelter (Kingston 810 mm). Thus, there is
rainforest in the north and savannah in the south. From August, the island is
often haunted by devastating hurricanes; in 1988 Hurricane Gilbert ravaged, and
it took three years before agriculture was again able to produce for export to
the same extent as before. Floods in 1993 has caused major problems for the
sugar and banana harvest.
The population
The population is ethnically fairly homogeneous. According to
AllCityPopulation.com, 75% are descendants of the
imported Africans from the colonial era. 17% are of mixed African-European
descent, and the rest are of European and Asian background. The settlement is
concentrated in the coastal plains and in the mountain valleys, while the inner,
barren parts of the island are almost uninhabited. In the 1960's, Jamaica had a
very large population growth of almost 3% per year. The supply of jobs could not
keep up and there has been high unemployment since the 1970's and 1980's. Many
have emigrated to Britain and the United States. Although population growth has
fallen below 2%, the situation has not improved. This is partly due to the fact
that the United States has introduced immigration restrictions, and partly
because migration from country to city has increased. Especially in and around
the capital Kingston housing shortages have created additional pressure on the
already densely populated slums.
- Countryaah:
Do you know how many people there are in Jamaica? Check this site to see
population pyramid and resident density about this country.
A special element of Jamaican culture is the Rastafarian movement. The
lack of a sense of nationality of the slave and colonial times led to the
formation of this afronationalist and religious movement, which has particular
support among the blacks and especially among the men in the slums. The
Rastafarians are easily recognizable with their African-inspired clothing and
long snake curls; hash and reggae are important ingredients in the culture that
cultivate the African roots. Thus, the now deceased Ethiopian emperor Haile
Selassie has been deified as a symbol of African self-esteem. The Rastafarian
culture can be found in several exiled Jamaican communities, including in
London, while reggae music has conquered a large part of the world.
Economy and business
Jamaica is the world's third largest producer of bauxite (after Australia and
Guinea). The extraction began in 1952 and is handled by American and a Canadian
company. As of 1978, Jamaica owns 51% of the shares in the
companies. Previously, the raw bauxite was exported, but the industry is now
aiming to produce the intermediate alumina in the country. Several refineries
have been expanded and modernized to increase yields, but low world market
prices have limited economic growth. The lack of cheap energy sources means that
it is not profitable to refine alumina into pure aluminum in Jamaica. Bauxite
and alumina accounted for half of the country's exports in 1993.
Agriculture plays a significant role and employs 20% of the population. Only
25% of the area is cultivated. As in the other countries of the region, the land
distribution is skewed; the large sugar and banana plantations make up the bulk
of the cultivated area. Sugarcane is also grown by small farmers and is by far
the most important crop. The majority is exported, either as raw sugar or as
rum. The other important export crop, bananas, is grown especially on the humid
northeast coast. Production is fluctuating, due to plant diseases and
recurrent floods. For the domestic market, maize, potatoes, citrus, tobacco and
coconuts are also grown. In total, production can far from cover the country's
food needs, and 20% of imports are food.
The industry is under construction and supported by the state, but is
characterized by foreign capital. Most important are the aluminum, sugar and
textile industries.
During the 1990's, tourism became the main source of foreign exchange earnings
with extensive hotel construction on the north coast. Here are Montego Bay
a famous tourist center with wide sandy beaches and all kinds of water
sports. Transfers from Jamaicans living in The United States also makes a
significant contribution to the balance of payments and helps alleviate poverty
for many families.
From the late 1990's, Jamaica has been in an economic crisis with political
tensions and a growing polarization between rich and poor. Attempts to attract
foreign investment have begun to privatize the public sector, including the
electricity supply, which in 2001 was taken over by the American company Mirant
Corporation.
- SONGAAH.COM:
Are you interested in song associated with Jamaica? Here is where you can
see song lyrics and singer about this country.
Jamaica - language
The official language is standard English, which is also used as a written
language. Most speak a Creole language of partial English origin, which in some
versions is so different from standard English that it can be considered an
independent language.
Jamaica - religion
The majority of the population is Christian; the largest groups of them are
Anglicans, Baptists and Pentecostals. African American religion, which is also
practiced by members of Christian churches, has a significant influence
(see African Americans). Jamaica is home to the Caribbean's oldest Jewish
congregation. The Rastafari movement has its origins here.
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