Located in the center of the Caribbean Sea, Jamaica (translated as “land of forests and rivers”) welcomes tourists from all over the world. There are no environmentally harmful industries on the island itself, with over 2 million inhabitants, and for thousands of miles around. The only predatory animal on the island is the good-natured affectionate mongoose, imported from India.
Jamaica is waterfalls and gorges, emerald meadows and mysterious forests, golden beaches and an abundance of various attractions. The gray stones of the old forts carry away bloodthirsty pirates and sugar planters, cruel sea battles and long wanderings of people in search of shelter to distant times.
Capital: Kingston.
Communication and communications:
International country code – +1-876. To call Jamaica, you need to dial 8 – dial tone – 10 – 1876 (country code) – area code – seven-digit number of the called subscriber. Cellular communication is represented by GSM-900 and TDMA formats and covers only the island itself. You can rent local telephones from Cable & Wireless offices.
Geography:
The island of Jamaica is located in the western part of the Caribbean Sea, 144 km. south of Cuba, bordering the Caribbean Sea. Together with Cuba, Haiti and Puerto Rico, Jamaica is part of the archipelago of the Greater Antilles of the West Indies.
Jamaica is the third largest and largest English-speaking island of all the Caribbean islands. The area of the island is about 11,424 sq. km (235 km long and 35 to 82 km wide). There are 120 rivers and many mountains on the island, the highest of which is the Blue Mountain Peak – 2256 m. There is fertile soil and picturesque landscapes, a delightful coastline with bays, bays, valleys and offshore reefs.
Climate:
The climate is tropical, humid. The air temperature in winter and summer is almost the same. The hottest months are July and August. The “coolest” (relatively) period is from January to March, at night the temperature can drop to +20..+22°C. Heat and humidity are easily tolerated here, as a breeze constantly blows from the sea, creating a pleasant coolness. The rainiest months are May and October. Between June and November, tropical hurricanes are possible, typical for the entire Caribbean region.
Average water temperature +24..+26°C, average air temperature by months,°C: January-February +25, March-April +26, May-June +27, July-October +28, November-December +26.
Language:
English, however, the local dialect, Patois, is also widely spoken.
Population:
Most of the island’s population of about 2.6 million people are Jamaicans of African descent, but a strong mixture of immigrants from the African continent with emigrants from Europe, China, India and the Middle East, who entered into mixed marriages, formed a fairly diverse ethnic group which is considered to be an independent nation.
Political system:
An independent republic within the British Commonwealth. According to a2zgov, the head of state is nominally the Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General. Administrative division – 14 districts.
Religion:
The majority of the population are Christians (about 60% are Protestants, 6% are Catholics, etc.). However, the influence of the traditional beliefs of the African continent, often mixed with Christian norms, is strong.
Money:
Jamaican dollar (international designation – JMD, domestic – JD or J$), consisting of 100 cents. In circulation, denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 100 dollars are used, as well as coins of 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 cents, 1 and 5 dollars. At the same time, there are coins of old issues and a large number of jubilee coins, often of a very unexpected form, in circulation.
Currency exchange:
Money can be changed at specialized currency exchange offices, banks, hotels and airports.
Almost everywhere you can pay with US dollars.
Estimated exchange rate
Jamaican dollar (JMD) / United States dollar (USD)
1 USD = 85.47 JMD
100 JMD = 1.17 USD
Jamaican dollar (JMD) / Euro (EUR)
1 EUR = 116.10 JMD
1000 JMD = 8.61 EUR
Time:
From October to April – 8 hours behind Moscow;
From April to October – 9 hours behind Moscow.
Official holidays and days off in Jamaica:
January 1 – New Year.
January 6 – Epiphany.
beginning of February – Wednesday of Great Lent.
February 13 – Day of repentance.
March-April – Easter and Good Friday.
May 23 – Labor Day.
end of May – beginning of June – Feast of the Body of the Lord.
August 1 – Emancipation Day.
August 6 – Independence Day (usually celebrated on the first Monday of August).
October 21 – National Heroes Day.
December 25-27 – Christmas.
On national holidays, all government offices and banks are closed.
Electricity:
Mains voltage is usually 110 V., 50 Hz. American style sockets with flat plug. In some large hotels – 220 V., 50 Hz.
Souvenirs from Jamaica:
Reggae CDs and Rastafarian souvenirs, Blue Mountain coffee, considered one of the best in the world, Appleton rum. In Jamaica, the sale, use and transportation of any kind of drugs is prohibited.
