Jamaica is an island country located in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba and west of Haiti. The country is known for its stunning beaches, reggae music, spicy cuisine, and vibrant culture.

The capital city of Jamaica is Kingston, which is also the largest city in the country. Jamaica has a population of approximately 2.9 million people and is the third-most populous English-speaking country in the Americas, after the United States and Canada.

Jamaica has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures year-round. The rainy season is from May to November, and hurricanes can occur during this time.

Tourism is a major industry in Jamaica, with visitors coming from all over the world to enjoy the country's beaches, water sports, and cultural attractions. Some of the most popular tourist destinations in Jamaica include Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, and Port Antonio.

In addition to tourism, Jamaica also has a significant agricultural sector, with the production of sugarcane, bananas, coffee, and other crops. Jamaica is also known for its rich musical heritage, with reggae music being the most famous export.

English is the official language of Jamaica, and Jamaican Patois is also widely spoken. The country has a diverse ethnic makeup, with people of African, European, Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern descent all making up a part of the population.

Jamaica has a rich history, with indigenous Taino people inhabiting the island before it was colonized by the Spanish in the 15th century. The island was later ruled by the British until it gained independence in 1962.

Overall, Jamaica is a vibrant and culturally rich country with much to offer visitors. Its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and lively culture make it a popular destination for travelers from around the world.

Telephone Code
876

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 110; Fire: 110; Police: 119

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior

Currency (Code)
Jamaican dollars (JMD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
110 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): A, B

Major Languages
English, English patois

Major Religions
Protestant 64.8%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Jehovah's Witness 1.9%, Rastafarian 1.1%

Potable Water
Yes, but some opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
If your driver's license doesn't have a stamped photograph, an IDP is required.

Road Driving Side
Left

Tourist Destinations
Negril Beach & Negril Cliffs; rafting the Martha Brae River; Dunn's River Falls; Blue & John Crow Mountains National Park; Port Antonio; Doctor's Cave Beach

Major Sports
Soccer, cricket, track and field, netball, rugby

Cultural Practices
Men often pat each other's shoulder or arm during greetings or conversation.

Tipping Guidelines
Tipping 10-20% is appropriate in nicer restaurants. Before tipping at a hotel, be sure to check if tips are even allowed. In some cases, employees can be fired if caught taking gifts or money.

Souvenirs
Hand-loomed, embroidered, and batik fabric; silkscreens and oil paintings, wood carvings; raffia, straw, and wicker items; rum, coffee, pottery and ceramics, bead and shell jewelry

Traditional Cuisine
Ackee and saltfish — boiled ackee (a pear-shaped fruit) and salted codfish sautéd with onions and tomatoes; sometimes served over bammy (deep-fried cassava cakes) with fried plantains

Geography
Area
total: 10,991 sq km
land: 10,831 sq km
water: 160 sq km

Climate
tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior

Natural resources
bauxite, alumina, gypsum, limestone

People and Society
Population
2,820,982 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Black 92.1%, mixed 6.1%, East Indian 0.8%, other 0.4%, unspecified 0.7% (2011 est.)

Languages
English, English patois

Religions
Protestant 64.8% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 12.0%, Pentecostal 11.0%, Other Church of God 9.2%, New Testament Church of God 7.2%, Baptist 6.7%, Church of God in Jamaica 4.8%, Church of God of Prophecy 4.5%, Anglican 2.8%, United Church 2.1%, Methodist 1.6%, Revived 1.4%, Brethren 0.9%, and Moravian 0.7%), Roman Catholic 2.2%, Jehovah's Witness 1.9%, Rastafarian 1.1%, other 6.5%, none 21.3%, unspecified 2.3% (2011 est.)

Population growth rate
0.09% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Capital
name: Kingston

Economy
Economic overview
upper middle-income Caribbean island economy; prior to COVID-19 disruption, declining public debt and unemployment; environmentally fragile economy due to hurricanes and rising sea levels; persistently high crime, youth unemployment, and poverty

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$27.136 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$9,600 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
sugar cane, goat milk, yams, poultry, coconuts, oranges, bananas, gourds, plantains, grapefruit

Industries
agriculture, mining, manufacture, construction, financial and insurance services, tourism, telecommunications

Exports
$4.385 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
United States 32%, Netherlands 11%, Germany 9%, Canada 7%, Iceland 7% (2019)

Exports - commodities
bauxite, refined petroleum, aluminum, rum, fruits, nuts (2019)

Imports
$7.414 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
United States 43%, China 11% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, natural gas, packaged medicines (2019)