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 ReligionThere 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 MapThe 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 geo-

physical 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