Learn About Jamaica

Jamaica is situated in the Caribbean Sea, comprising the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles.Jamaica is the fifth-largest island country in the Caribbean. The indigenous people the Taino called it Xaymaca meaning the

"Land of Wood and Water" or the "Land of Springs". In 1655 it came under the rule of England (later Great Britain), and was called Jamaica. It achieved full independence from the United Kingdom on 6 August 1962. With 2.8 million people, it is the third most populous Anglophone country in the Americas, after the United States and Canada. Kingston is the country's largest city and its capital, with a population of 937,700. Jamaica is a

Common wealth realm with Elizabeth 2nd as Queen of Jamaica and head of state. Her appointed representative in the country is the Governor-General of Jamaica, currently Sir Patrick Allen. The Head of Government and Prime

Minister of Jamaica is Portia Simpson-Miller. 

What is the official language of Jamaica?

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.

What currency is used in Jamaica?

The Jamaican dollar is the official currency of Jamaica and is abbreviated as "J$." The Jamaican dollar has been the national currency since 1969.

What is the main religion of Jamaica?

Christianity is the most practiced religion in Jamaica. The various denominations of Christianity practiced in Jamaica include Church of God of Prophecy, Seventh-day Adventist, Pentecostal, Baptist, and Roman Catholic.

Rastafarianism is another religion widely practiced in Jamaica, influenced by African spirituality. The Rastas believe in the teachings of the Christian Bible, and that they are the lost tribes of Israel and must return to Ethiopia,

which they consider heaven on Earth. They follow former Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie as their religious leader. Baha'i, Buddhism, Hinduism and Jehovah's Witnesses are some of the other religions practiced in Jamaica.

Why did Obama visit?

Obama arrived in Jamaica on April 9, 2015 to co-chair a meeting of CARICOM heads of states alongside Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie, who chairs the Caribbean trade bloc. The president came and held a bilateral discussions on a range of issues of mutual interest with the Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller and also with others at the University of the West Indies. Most Jamaicans are confident that this dialogue and exchanges during this visit will help to strengthen the close relations that exist at the bilateral level between Jamaica and the USA. Obama was the second American president to visit the country since it declared its independence from the U.K. in 1962.