Jamaica

Summer Clark

Geography

146 miles long21-52 miles wide Area= 10,911 square kilometersLargest Island of the Caribbean Highest Area is Blue Mountains Limestone plateau covers two-thirds of the country

Geography

2 dominant climatesTropical climate prvails windward of mountainsSemi-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 celciusLies in Atlantic Hurricane Belt

Experiences significant storm damage Indigenous vegetation can be found along northern coast

PeopleEstimated that nearly 750,000 enslaved persons were brought to Jamaica between 1655 and 1807.92% of Jamaica's residents are Black African descentOfficial language is English spoken with a Jamaican accentLanguage off the street is patois

Combination of English, Spanish, Portuguese, African phrases, and Jamaican slang

People

Jamaicans are modest and conservative dressersDisplay of skin is frowned upon in formal environmentsThey wear colorful robes which are draped over soft linen underneathHats 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

Culture

Largest religion is christian faithEstimated 80% of population of African traditional religious healers when confronted with serious problems

Jamaica's film industry is not widely known but is growingHave long history of fine craftsmanship in wood and metal Jamaican bobsled team has been a serious contender in the Winter OlympicsDominoes is played everywhere in Jamaica World's fastest man has been hailed from Jamaica

Culture

More than 30 distinctive Jamaican dances have been identified

3 categories:African derived

Religious & social European derivedCreole

Dance theater is also growing in importance began fusing music, humor, and dance into public theatrical performancesPantomime is most popular theatrical form that began in 1940's"Roots" theatre also evolved in the 1960's and 1970's

History

Many slaves arrived in Jamaica via the Atlantic slave tradeJamaica had one of the highest instances of slave uprisings of any Caribbean islandLand 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

History

Spanish town became capital of JamaicaHad reputation of stunning beauty, including island and nativesIn 1655, English forces seized islandCultivation of sugar cane and coffee by African slaves made Jamaica one of the most valuable possessions in the worldIn 1831, a large scale slave revolt known as the Baptist War brokeGained local political control in mid-1940'sPower swapped between People's National Party and Jamaican Labor Party regularly.Jamaican emigration has been heavy

Particularly to New York, USA

Cited Sources

Geography http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Jamaica

People http://www.jamaicans.com/tourist/overview/people.shtml

Culturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Jamaica

History http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Jamaica

Jamaican Contemporary Issues

Summer Clark

General Election 2007

Held September 3, 2007Slim victory for opposition, Jamaican labor party

Led by Bruce GoldingJLP defeated People's National Party after 18 years of unbroken rule

Current Parties

Jamaica Labor partyRuling democratic party

National Democratic Movement Minor conservative party

People's National Party Main opposition party

United People's PartyMinor Party

National Export Stategy

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

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 nationsU.S. is Jamaica's most important trading partner Major transit point of cocaine and marijuana en route to U.S.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_general_election,_2007http://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

Jamaican Culture

Summer Clark

Music

Mento, ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub music, dancehall, reggae fusion and related stylesFusion 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

Literature

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

ArchitectureReflects a synthesiso of African, Spanish, and baroque British influencesStyles, materials, size and furnishings differ more by class than by ethnicityTraditional dwelling is two-room rectangular structure with a pitched thatched roof and walls of braided twigs covered with mud or wooden planks

Theatre

Earliest theater was built in 1682Many performances took place in houses, stores, court houses, and enclosed outdoor spacesFused music, humor, and dance into public theatrical performancesPantomime is most popular theatrical form

Sources

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