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Jamaica
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Did You Know?
  • Jamaica is only 51 miles (82 kilometers) across at its widest point.
  • Nearly as many Jamaicans live outside of Jamaica as on the island.
  • People show respect or approval for shared ideas by touching fists.
  • Bauxite and tourism are key elements of Jamaica's economy.

  • Flag
    The flag of Jamaica, most recently adopted on 6 August 1962, features a gold cross through the center. The triangles created by the cross are green on the top and bottom and black on the sides. The color symbolism is understood in the phrase “Hardships there are, but the land is green and the sun shineth.” Black depicts hardships overcome and to be overcome, gold stands for the natural wealth and beauty of sunlight, and green represents hope and agricultural resources.

    Flag of Jamaica
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    Official Name Anthem
    Hear the name of the country Hear the name of the country. The offical name of the country is Jamaica. The original inhabitants of the island, the Arawak Indians, called the country Xaymaca, meaning “land of wood and water.”
    Hear the national anthem Hear the national anthem.  The national anthem of Jamaica is “Eternal Father, Bless Our Land.” Adopted in 1952. Lyrics by Reverend Hugh Braham Sherlock; music by Robert Charles Lightbourne.
    Country and Development Data
    Capital: Kingston
       Current Time: 11:52 AM
       Latitude: 18.00
       Longitude: -76.48
    Population: 2,804,332 (rank=139)
    Area, sq. mi.: 4,243 (rank=161)
    Area, sq. km.: 10,989
    Human Dev. Index rank: 101 of 177 countries
    Adjusted for women: 89 of 156 countries
    Real GDP per capita: $4,291
    Adult literacy rate: 84% (male); 86% (female)
    Infant mortality rate: 17 per 1,000 births
    Life expectancy: 70 (male); 75 (female)
    Currency: Jamaican dollar




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