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Table of Contents
Jamaica is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea, comprising the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles.
See the fact file below for more information about Jamaica or download the comprehensive worksheet pack which contains over 11 worksheets and can be used in the classroom or homeschooling environment.
Capital: Kingston
Population: Nearly 3 million people
Currency: Jamaican Dollar (JMD)
Area: 10,991 sq. kilometres
Languages: English and Jamaican Patois
Jamaica is an island nation, with Queen Elizabeth II as the countryβs monarch. Jamaica is the fourth largest island country in the Caribbean by area.
Jamaica
- Jamaica is a large island in the Caribbean Sea. It is actually the third largest island in the Caribbean Sea after Cuba and Hispaniola.
- It lies between latitudes 17Β° and 19Β°N and longitudes 76Β° and 79Β°W.
- It is situated 90 miles south of Cuba, 100 miles southwest of Haiti, and 600 miles south of Florida.
- Jamaica is approximately 146 miles long (235 km) and 51 miles (82 km) wide. You can fit Jamaica into New York about 11 times.
- It has an area of 4,411 sq mi (10,991 sq. km).
- Jamaica only has two cities, Kingston, the capital city and center of business, is located on the south coast, and Montego Bay, one of the best-known cities in the Caribbean for tourism, is located on the north coast.
- Jamaica’s currency is the Jamaican Dollar (JMD)
- Languages spoken in Jamaica are Jamaican Patois and English.
- Jamaica’s population is just under 3 million.
History and Government of Jamaica
- Christopher Columbus discovered Jamaica in 1494. At the time, there were over 200 villages ruled by Indigenous communities.
- He claimed Jamaica for Spain, and the first Spanish settlement was established in 1509 and was named Sevilla.
- In 1655, the Spanish were driven out of Ocho Rios in St. Ann by the English, led by Sir William Penn.
- In the 1600s, there were more white people than black, but due to the size of the slave trade, black people formed the majority of the population.
- Two-thirds of the white population in Jamaica during that time were Irish. Many of these people were prisoners who were sent to Jamaica for committing crimes, or were indentured servants.
- By 1660, Jamaica became a refuge for Jewish people.
- The installment of pirates around the borders of Jamaica was meant to keep the Spanish from trying to recapture the country.
- While the United Kingdom had outlawed slavery by the 19th century, slaves were still smuggled in from Spanish colonies.
- In 1833, Great Britain formally abolished slavery in Jamaica.
- Jamaica gained full independence in 1962. The country flourished during its first few independent years but left many Afro-Jamaicans feeling discouraged because the wealth and prosperity were not distributed equally.
Geography & Climate Of Jamaica
- In the central part of the island lie the Blue Mountains.
- Although Jamaica only has two cities, there are many other tourist locations and resort towns on the island.
- Famous landmarks and tourist attractions include the famous Dunn’s River Falls, the Blue Lagoon, and Port Royal, along with beautiful beaches scattered around the coastal regions.
- Jamaica’s climate is tropical, humid, and hot.
- Due to its location, Jamaica is prone to being in the path of hurricanes from the Atlantic Ocean.
- Jamaica has many protected areas and a range of ecosystems, including wetlands, caves, rivers, coral reefs, and rainforests.
- Due to the tropical climate, Jamaica has diverse ecosystems and a wide range of plants and animals.
- Trees such as bamboo, ebony, ferns, and mahogany can be found in areas that receive a large amount of rainfall.
- Some animals found in Jamaica include bats, wild boars, crocodiles, iguanas, snakes, treefrogs, and various types of fish, both freshwater and saltwater fish.
- The national bird of Jamaica is the “doctor bird”.
Flora and Fauna
Flora
- Jamaica’s climate is tropical. It supports diverse ecosystems with a wealth of animals and plants, but its plant life has changed considerably over the centuries.
- When the Spanish arrived in 1494, the country was deeply forested except for small agricultural clearings.
- The European settlers cut down many of the great timber trees for building and ships’ supplies and cleared the plains, savannas, and mountain slopes for intense agricultural cultivation.
- They introduced many new plants, including sugarcane, bananas, and citrus trees.
- Jamaica is home to
- over 3,000 species of native flowering plants (of which over 1,000 are endemic)
- 200 species of orchids
- thousands of species of non-flowering flora
- about 20 botanical gardens, some of which are several hundred years old.
- Cactus and similar dry-area plants are found along the southern coastal area.
- Parts of the west and southwest of Jamaica consist of large grasslands.
Fauna
- Jamaica’s fauna includes highly diversified wildlife with many endemic species.
- Land mammals are mostly several species of bats, including the hairy-tailed bat.
- The only non-bat native mammal found in Jamaica is the rodent, the Jamaican hutia, locally known as the coney.
- Jamaica is also home to about 50 species of reptiles, including crocodiles, lizards, and snakes.
- Luckily, none of Jamaica’s eight species of native snakes is venomous.
- There are also many types of frogs, including tree frogs, one species of freshwater turtle, and many saltwater fish.
- Insects and other invertebrates are abundant in Jamaica, including the world’s largest centipede, which reaches lengths of 10 – 12 in (26 – 30 cm).
- Jamaica is home to about 150 species of butterflies, including the western hemisphere’s largest butterfly, the Homerus swallowtail or Jamaican swallowtail, which grows as big as three inches with a wingspan of 6 inches.
Culture & Athletics In Jamaica
- Christianity is the largest practiced religion in Jamaica, but the Rastafari movement is also strong.
- Jamaican culture has had a strong influence on the world.
- The music genres reggae, rocksteady, dancehall, and ska all originate from Jamaica. Reggae strongly influenced American rap music and still does to this day.
- Famous musicians that are (or were) of Jamaican descent include Bob Marley, Busta Rhymes, Sean Paul, Beenie Man, and Biggie.
- Ian Fleming, the writer of the James Bond novels, did a lot of his writing in Jamaica and gained a lot of inspiration from the island.
- The movie Cool Runnings was loosely based on the true story of the Jamaican bobsled team who tried to make it into the Winter Olympics. The sport of bobsledding is still popular in the country, and many tourists visit the Blue Mountains in order to bobsled down them.
- By far the most famous dish to eat in Jamaica is their world-famous jerk chicken, which is made with Jamaican jerk spice.
- Red Stripe beer and Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee are also integral to Jamaican cuisine.
- The most popular sport in Jamaica is cricket, but track and field athletics, boxing, and football are also popular.
- Famous athletes from Jamaica include Usain Bolt, Trevor Berbick, Justin Masterson, Donovan Bailey, and Elaine Thompson-Herah, footballer Raheem Sterling.
Did You Know?
- The Jamaican flag consists of a gold saltire (a diagonal cross) which divides the flag into four sections. The top and bottom triangles are green, and the two sides are black.
- Jamaicans have the reputation of being the fastest runners on earth, and most come from the area of Trelawny.
- Jamaicans drive on the left side of the road.
Jamaica Worksheets
This bundle contains 11 ready-to-use Jamaica Worksheets that are perfect for students who want to learn more about Jamaica which is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea, comprising the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles.
Download includes the following worksheets:
- Jamaica Facts.
- Jamaica Wordsearch.
- Bobsledding!
- Jerk Chicken Dinner.
- Jamaica Crossword.
- Bob Marley Biography.
- Postcard from Jamaica.
- Tourism on the Island.
- Fact or Myth?
- Letter from the Island.
- Life of a Pirate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jamaica well known for?
Jamaica is known to be the birthplace of pioneer reggae artist Bob Marley. It also has a tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and majestic waterfalls for tourists.
How do Jamaicans say hello?
Jamaicans’ greeting of hello is very similar to the English greeting, but they do not pronounce the ‘h’ at the start. They say βelloβ.
What fruit grows in Jamaica?
Jamaica’s national fruit is the ackee. It is a savory fruit with thick red skin and belongs to the same family as lychees. It is often cooked with saltfish and eaten by the locals.
Does Jamaica have a national animal?
Yes, it does. The Trochilus polytmus, the swallowtail hummingbird, is Jamaica’s national bird. It only lives in Jamaica, is also called the Doctor Bird, and is referred to as the most beautiful and amazing hummingbird.
What is the most popular Jamaican food?
Jerk Chicken is the most popular Jamaican dish, and it is known worldwide for its authentic Jamaican jerk flavor. It is made using spices such as scotch bonnet pepper, pimento, scallion, onions, and thyme and is slow-cooked over a fire or grill.
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Link will appear as Jamaica Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, November 5, 2017
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