Jamaica
America · Caribbean
Overview
Jamaica lies in the Greater Antilles island group of the Caribbean, not far from Cuba and Haiti. Britain administered the island as a colony until 1962, having taken it over from Spain, which knew the island by the name "Xaymaca," derived from the local Taíno people, the origin of the name Jamaica itself. The official language is English, though most of the population uses Jamaican Patois, a Creole language, in everyday communication. Jamaica is the birthplace of reggae music, which became one of the island's best-known cultural exports through the international fame of Bob Marley, alongside the Rastafari religious and cultural movement, which also originated on the island.
Kingston, the capital, home to the Bob Marley Museum, housed in the singer's former residence, is a center of reggae music and Jamaican cultural heritage. Dunn's River Falls, near Ocho Rios, a tiered waterfall that visitors can climb, is one of the island's most popular natural attractions. The Blue Mountains, in the eastern part of the island, home to the world-famous Blue Mountain coffee, have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2015, encompassing mountain rainforest along with historic refuge sites of Maroon communities, descendants of formerly enslaved people who escaped captivity. Negril, on the island's western coast, with its long seven-mile sandy beach, is a hub of coastal tourism.
The mountain rainforest of the Blue Mountains offers excellent hiking terrain, and Blue Mountain Peak, Jamaica's highest point at about 2,256 meters, can be reached via sunrise hiking tours. The coral reefs around the island, particularly near Montego Bay Marine Park, offer excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities. The wetlands of the Black River, on the southern coast, are home to crocodiles, observable on boat tours. Local cuisine is built around jerk seasoning, a spicy allspice-based marinade traditionally used for chicken or pork, along with ackee and saltfish, which holds the status of national dish.
Map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Blue and John Crow Mountains
The site encompasses a rugged and extensively forested mountainous region in the south-east of Jamaica, which provided refuge first for the indigenous Tainos fleeing slavery and then for Maroons (former enslaved peoples). They resisted the European colonial system in this isolated region by establishing a network of trails, hiding places and settlements, which form the Nanny Town Heritage Route. The forests offered the Maroons everything they needed for their survival. They developed strong spiritual connections with the mountains, still manifest through the intangible cultural legacy of, for example, religious rites, traditional medicine and dances. The site is also a biodiversity hotspot for the Caribbean Islands with a high proportion of endemic plant species, especially lichens, mosses and certain flowering plants.
The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal
The town of Port Royal is located at the mouth of Kingston Harbour in southeastern Jamaica. It was a major 17th-century English port city. A devastating earthquake in 1692 submerged much of the town under water and sand. Today, its terrestrial and underwater remains offer rare insights into urban colonial life. Once a key hub for transatlantic trade—including the trade of enslaved Africans—Port Royal featured a deep-water port and six defensive forts, some now submerged. Archaeological evidence reveals a well-preserved layout of residential, religious, and administrative buildings, serving as a distinctive marker of British colonial presence in the Caribbean.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Jamaica?
The capital of Jamaica is Kingston.
What is the area of Jamaica?
The area of Jamaica is 10,991 km².
What is the population of Jamaica?
The population of Jamaica is 2,839,175.
What is the currency of Jamaica?
The currency of Jamaica is Jamaican dollar (JMD).
What is the official language of Jamaica?
The official language of Jamaica: English, Jamaican Patois.
What side of the road does Jamaica drive on?
Jamaica: Left-hand traffic.
Is Jamaica a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Jamaica is a member of the United Nations.