Located 150 km south of Cuba and near the western tip of Haiti, first a Spanish possession, Jamaica was taken over by the English who retained colonial power for three centuries, from 1655 to 1962.

Geography
Jamaica is the third-largest English-speaking Caribbean island at 4,244 square miles (10,991 square kilometers); the island is 146 miles (235 kilometers) long, with widths varying between 22 miles (35 kilometers) and 51 miles (82 kilometers). Almost one half of this mountainous island is over 1,000 feet (305 meters) above sea level. Blue Mountain Peak is the highest point at 7,402 feet (2,256 meters). Mountain ranges are rich in limestone, marble, alabaster, shale and sandstone. Jamaica has a lush terrain and a dramatic coastline, with valleys, cliffs, caves, bays, coves, reefs, mineral springs, waterfalls and some 120 natural rivers.

Status
independent state since August 6, 1962; member of the British Commonwealth

Government
Independent since August 6,1962, Jamaica is governed by a constitutional parliamentary democracy. The People's National Party (PNP) currently holds the seat of government, with Prime Minister Percival James Patterson now in his third term of office.

The island is made up of 14 administrative divisions known as parishes: Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, St. Andrew, St. Ann, St. Catherine, St. Elizabeth, St. James, St. Mary, St. Thomas, Trelawny and Westmoreland. Kingston is the capital city.

Capital
Kingston

Currency
The official rate of exchange fluctuates daily, depending on the foreign exchange markets. The rate currently (March 2004) stands at approximately US$1.00 = JA$60.00. Foreign currency may be exchanged for Jamaican dollars at any bank during regular business hours (9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Fridays) or at licensed exchange bureaus in the airports and at hotels island-wide. Purchases of goods and services on-island, including accommodations, restaurant meals, car rentals and at duty free shops, may be made in U.S. currency. Jamaican dollars may be converted to foreign currency at any bank or licensed exchange bureau.

Languages spoken
English is spoken everywhere, and a local patois used by most of the population.

Religion
Protestant 61.3 percent; Roman Catholic 4 percent; other religions 34.7 percent.

Natural resources
Bauxite, gypsum and limestone.

Agricultural products
Sugarcane, bananas, coffee, cocoa, citrus fruits, pimento, vegetables, poultry, milk.

Export commodities
Alumina, bauxite, bananas, sugar, rum.