| Capital: Kingston |
| Government: Parliamentary Democracy and Monarchy |
| Official Language: English |
| Local Language: Patois |
| Major Religion: Christianity |
| Independence: August 6 1962 |
| Area: 10, 992 sq km (4,243 sq miles) |
| Population: 2,804,332 (July 2008 est.) |
| Life Expectancy: 70 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN) |
| GDP: US $3,710 (World Bank, 2007) |
| Monetary unit: 1 Jamaican dollar = 100 cents |
| Unemployment rate: 11.3% |
| Main exports: Bauxite, alumina, garments, sugar, bananas, rum |
| Time Zone: (UTC-5) |
| Drives on the : Left |
| Internet Domain: .jm |
| International Dialing Code: +1876 |
| Time Zone: (UTC-5) |
Ackee - National FruitAckee is the national fruit of Jamaica as well as a component of the national dish – ackee and codfish. It was originally imported to the island from West Africa. Ackee is derived from the original name Ankye which comes from the Twi language of Ghana. The ackee tree grows up to 15.24m (50ft) under favourable conditions. It bears large red and yellow fruit 7.5 – 10 cm (3-4 in.) long. When ripe these fruits burst into sections revealing shiny black round seeds on top of a yellow aril which is partially edible. Ackee is a very delicious fruit and when boiled and cooked with seasoning and salt fish or salt pork, it is considered one of Jamaica’s greatest delicacies. |
Swallow-Tail Hummingbird (Doctor Bird)The doctor bird or swallow tail humming bird, is one of the most outstanding of the 320 species of hummingbirds. It lives only in Jamaica. The origin of the name ‘Docor-bird’ is somewhat unsettled. It has been said that the name was given because the erect black crest and tails resemble the top hat and long tail coats doctors used to wear in the old days. Other schools of thought believe that it refers to the way the birds lance the flowers with their bills to extract nectar. |
Blue MahoeThe Blue Mahoe is the national tree of Jamaica. It is indigenous to the island and grows quite rapidly, often attaining 20m (66ft) or more in height. In wetter districts it will grow in a wide range of elevations, up to 1200m (4000 ft.) and is often used in reforestation. The name mahoe is derived from a Carib Indian word. The ‘blue’refers to blue-green streaks in the polished wood, giving it a distinctive appearance. The Blue Mahoe is so beautiful and durable that it is widely used for cabinet making and also for making decorative objects such as picture frames, bowls and carving. The inner bark of the tree is often referred to as Cuba bark because it was formerly used for tying bundles of Havana cigars. Cuba is the only other place where the Blue Mahoe grows naturally. |
National Flower - Lignum Vitae (Guiacum Officinale)The Lignum Vitae was found here by Christopher Columbus. Its name, when translated from Latin, means “wood of life” – probably adopted because of its medicinal qualities. The short, compact tree is native to continental tropical American and the West Indies. In Jamaica it grows best in the dry woodland along the north and south coasts of the island. The plant is extremely ornamental, producing an attractive blue flower and orange-yellow fruit, while its crown has an attractive rounded shape. The tree is one of the most useful in the world. The body, gum, bark, fruit, leaves and blossom all serve some useful purpose. In fact, the tree has been regarded for its medicinal properties. A gum (gum guaiac) obtained from its resin was once regarded as a purgative. It was exported to Europe from the early sixteenth century as a remedy (combined with mercury) for syphillis and has also been used as a remedy for gout. Because of its toughness it is used for items such as mortars, mallets, pulleys and batons carried by policemen. Sometimes it is used for furniture. |
