North America: Jamaica
About Jamaica
Jamaica gained full independence within the British Commonwealth in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence and a dropoff in tourism. Elections in 1980 saw the democratic socialists voted out of office. Subsequent governments have been open market oriented. Political violence marred elections during the 1990s.
| Vital Statistics | |
| Capitol City: | Kingston |
| Population: | 2,665,636 (July 2001 est.) |
| Percent below poverty: | 34.2% (1992 est.) |
| Language: | English, Creole |
| Date of independence: | 6 August 1962 (from UK) |
| Form of government: | constitutional parliamentary democr |
| Title of Leader: | Queen, Prime Minister |
| Natural Resources: | bauxite, gypsum, limestone |
| Environmental Issues: | heavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted by industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air pollution in Kingston results from vehicle emissions |
| Agricultural Products: | sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, potatoes, vegetables; poultry, goats, milk |
| Imports: | machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, fuel, food, chemicals, fertilizers |
| Exports: | alumina, bauxite; sugar, bananas, rum |
| Trading Partners: | IMPORTS: US 47.8%, Caricom countries 12.4%, Latin America 7.2%, EU (excluding UK) 4.7% (1999) EXPORTS: US 35.7%, EU (excluding UK) 15.8%, UK 13%, Canada 10.5% (1999) |
Jamaica Headlines
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