1. Jamaica
Summer Clark

2. Geography
146 miles long
21-52 miles wide
Area= 10,911 square kilometers
Largest Island of the Caribbean
Highest Area is Blue Mountains
Limestone plateau covers two-thirds of the country

3. Geography
2 dominant climates
Tropical climate prvails windward of mountains
Semi-arid climate dominates on opposite side
Warm trade winds from the east bring rainfall throughout
the year
Heaviest from May to October
Temperatures average 25 to 30 degrees celcius
Lies in Atlantic Hurricane Belt
Experiences significant storm damage
Indigenous vegetation can be found along northern coast

4. People
Estimated that nearly 750,000
enslaved persons were brought to
Jamaica between 1655 and 1807.
92% of Jamaica's residents are
Black African descent
Official language is English
spoken with a Jamaican accent
Language off the street is patois
Combination of English,
Spanish, Portuguese, African
phrases, and Jamaican slang

5. People
Jamaicans are modest and conservative dressers
Display of skin is frowned upon in formal environments
They wear colorful robes which are draped over soft
linen underneath
Hats are also worn to match their robes
Their famed motto is "Out of many, One people"
Popular games are polo, cricket, soccer, golf, and bicycle
racing
Known for their passion in sports
Jamaica has maximum churches per square mile in the
world

6. Culture
Largest religion is christian faith
Estimated 80% of population of African traditional
religious healers when confronted with serious
problems
Jamaica's film industry is not widely known but is growing
Have long history of fine craftsmanship in wood and metal
Jamaican bobsled team has been a serious contender in
the Winter Olympics
Dominoes is played everywhere in Jamaica
World's fastest man has been hailed from Jamaica

7. Culture
More than 30 distinctive Jamaican dances have been
identified
3 categories:
African derived
Religious & social
European derived
Creole
Dance theater is also growing in importance began fusing
music, humor, and dance into public theatrical
performances
Pantomime is most popular theatrical form that began in
1940's
"Roots" theatre also evolved in the 1960's and 1970's

8. History
Many slaves arrived in Jamaica via the Atlantic slave trade
Jamaica had one of the highest instances of slave uprisings
of any Caribbean island
Land was originally called Xamayca, meaning "a land of
wood and water"
After Columbus' arrival in 1494, Spain claimed island and
called it Santiago
First slaves were brought in 1517

9. History
Spanish town became capital of Jamaica
Had reputation of stunning beauty, including island and
natives
In 1655, English forces seized island
Cultivation of sugar cane and coffee by African slaves made
Jamaica one of the most valuable possessions in the world
In 1831, a large scale slave revolt known as the Baptist War
broke
Gained local political control in mid-1940's
Power swapped between People's National Party and
Jamaican Labor Party regularly.
Jamaican emigration has been heavy
Particularly to New York, USA

10. Cited Sources
Geography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Jamaica
People
http://www.jamaicans.com/tourist/overview/people.shtml
Culture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Jamaica
History
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Jamaica

11. Jamaican Contemporary
Issues
Summer Clark

12. General Election 2007
Held September 3, 2007
Slim victory for opposition, Jamaican labor party
Led by Bruce Golding
JLP defeated People's National Party after 18 years of
unbroken rule

13. Current Parties
Jamaica Labor party
Ruling democratic party
National Democratic Movement
Minor conservative party
People's National Party
Main opposition party
United People's Party
Minor Party

14. National Export Stategy
Advance productivity and
competitiveness of forms and
industries, while enhancing
business and trade environments
Improve performance so
contribution will be 1/5 GDP in year
2012
Reduce balance of trade deficit
(imports vs. exports)
Reduce debt
Increase job creation

15. Relations with U.S.
U.S. maintains close and productive relations with
government of Jamaica
"Third Border Initiative" launched to deepen U.S.
cooperation with Caribbean nations
U.S. is Jamaica's most important trading partner
Major transit point of cocaine and marijuana en route to U.
S.

16. Sources
http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Jamaican_general_election,_2007
http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_Jamaica
http://www.jamaicatradeandinvest.org/nes/faqs.
php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica_%E2%80%
93_United_States_relations

17. Jamaican Culture
Summer Clark

18. Music
Mento, ska, rocksteady, reggae,
dub music, dancehall, reggae
fusion and related styles
Fusion of elements from United
States, Africa, and Soca
Bob Marley made reggae
famous
Rapping, lovers rock, and jungle
music are all influenced by
Jamaican music

19. Literature
Began with folktales told by
slaves during colonial period
European tales were brought
to island by immigrants
Thomas MacDermot is
credited for fostering the
creation for Jamaican
literature
Island's local dialect has
become an important
element to their literature and
other arts

20. Architecture
Reflects a synthesiso of African, Spanish, and baroque
British influences
Styles, materials, size and furnishings differ more by class
than by ethnicity
Traditional dwelling is two-room rectangular structure with a
pitched thatched roof and walls of braided twigs covered
with mud or wooden planks

21. Theatre
Earliest theater was built in 1682
Many performances took place in houses, stores, court
houses, and enclosed outdoor spaces
Fused music, humor, and dance into public theatrical
performances
Pantomime is most popular theatrical form

22. Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Jamaica
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_literature
http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Jamaica.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Jamaica