Jamaica is an island in the West Indies, 90 mi (145 km) south of Cuba and 100 mi (161 km) west of Haiti. It is a little smaller than Connecticut. The island is made up of coastal lowlands, a limestone plateau, and the Blue Mountains, a group of volcanic hills, in the east
Fast Facts about Jamaica
1. Jamaica is an island nation located in the Caribbean.
2. Kingston is the capital of Jamaica. Founded in July 1692, Kingston is the largest city of the island in terms of both size and population, covering an area of 480 square kilometers (190 square miles). The estimated population of the capital is 937,700 (2011).
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3. The longest mountain range in Jamaica is called the Blue Mountains. Blue Mountain Peak is the highest point on the island at 2256 metres (7402 feet).
4. Jamaica was the first country in the Western world to construct a railway, even before the United States !
5. Jamaicans are spiritual people and follow many religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, and Islam.
6. English is the official language of Jamaica. Creole is an English-African language spoken by a large number of Jamaicans and, is also known as Jamaican patois.
7. Jamaica is the birth place of Robert (“Bob”) Marley.
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8. The Jamaican dollar is the official currency of Jamaica and is abbreviated as “J$.” The Jamaican dollar has been the national currency since 1969.
9. Jamaica was known as ‘Xaymaca’ before Europeans landed on the island, a name meaning “Land of Wood and Water” or the “Land of Springs.” The name was given by the indigenous inhabitants of the island.
