| Motto:
|
Out
of Many One People |
|
|
|
Coat
of Arms |
National
Flower (Lignum Vitae - Guiacum officinale)
|
Flag |
|
| Location: |
In the Caribbean Sea, 145 km (90 miles) south
of Cuba and 160 km (100 miles) west of Haiti. |
| History: |
Jamaica was first settled by Amerindians. Columbus
visited the island in 1494, and it fell under
Spanish possession from 1509-1655, before becoming
a British sugar colony. During the social unrest
of the 1930s, two major political parties were
formed - the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) by Alexander
Bustamante, and the People's National Party (PNP)
by Norman Manley.
Jamaica joined the West Indies Federation in 1958,
but withdrew following a referendum in 1961. The
country gained independence in 1962. The PNP instituted
a democratic socialist government from 1974-80,
and the JLP established free-enterprise government
from 1980. |
| Elections: |
Last elections were held in 2002. Next elections
due 2007. |
| Ruling
Party: |
People's National Party |
| Major
Political Parties: |
People's
National Party (PNP). Jamaica Labour Party (JLP),
National Democratic Movement (NDM) |
| Head
of State: |
H.E.
Sir Howard Cooke, Governor-General |
| Head
of Government: |
|
| |
The
Most Hon. Percival J. Patterson
Prime Minister
DATE
OF BIRTH: 10 April 1935
MARITAL
STATUS: Single
EDUCATION:
- 1959
- B.A. (Hons.) - English, University of the
West Indies.
- 1963
- LL.B. London School of Economics (LSE).
PROFESSIONAL/POLITICAL
CAREER:
- 1958-present
- Member, People's National Party [PNP]
- 1967
- Nominated to the Senate
- 1969-1970
- Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate
- 1970-1980
- Elected to the House of Representatives
- 1989
- Re-elected to the House of Representatives
- 1972
- First appointment as Minister of Industry,
Foreign Trade and Tourism
- 1978
- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign
Affairs
- 1989
- Re-appointed Deputy P.M. and Minister of
Development, Planning and
Production
- 1992
- Prime Minister
- 1993
- Re-elected Prime Minister
- 1997
- Re-elected Prime Minister
- 2002
- Re-elected Prime Minister
|
| Economic
Summary: |
The
tourism industry is of vital importance to the
economy as it is the main source of foreign
exchange, contributing US$1.13 billion in earnings
in 1996.
The manufacturing sector is the second largest,
after distribution. Activities include the processing
of sugar, food, beverages and tobacco, as well
as production of chemicals, metals and construction
materials; and the assembly of electrical appliances
and apparel.
Bauxite
is the principal industry and merchandise export
earner. Reserves is estimated at 1.9 billion
tonnes. This country ranks as the world's third
largest producer of bauxite, after Australia
and Guinea.
Agriculture,
forestry and fishing accounted for 8.4% of GDP
in 1996, earning some US$225 million in foreign
exchange, and providing 23% of total employment.
Approximately 270,000 hectares of land are cultivated,
while nearly one-fifth of the total land area
is forested.
There
are considerable resources of both freshwater
and sea fish. Production of freshwater fish
has remained fairly constant throughout the
1990s while the marine catch recorded a small
growth level. |
| Airport: |
Norman Manley International; Donald Sangster International |
| Status: |
Independent - 6 August 1962 |
| Capital: |
Kingston |
| Area: |
10,991
km2 (4,243.6 miles2) |
| Population: |
2,605,787 (1999) |
| Currency: |
Jamaican Dollar |
| GDP
Per Capita (at current prices): |
EC$7,696.5
million (2000)
|
| Total
Exports: |
EC$3,530.5 million (2000) |
| Total
Imports: |
EC$8,617.9 million (2000) |
| Intra-Regional
Exports: |
EC$193.2
million (2000) |
| Intra-Regional
Imports: |
EC$1,085.1 million (2000) |
| Business
Hours: |
Commercial:
09:00-17:00hrs Monday to Friday
Government: 08:30-17:00 hrs Monday
to Thursday; 08:30-16:00 hrs Friday |
| National
Holidays: |
New
Year's Day (01 January); Ash Wednesday; Good Friday;
Easter Monday; Labour Day (22 May); Independence
Day (07 August); National Heroes Day (16 October);
Christmas Day (25 December); Boxing Day (26 December) |
| National
Anthem: |
Jamaica
Land We Love
Eternal Father bless our land,
Guard us with Thy Might Hand
Keep us free from evil powers,
Be our light through countless hours.
To our Leaders Great Defender,
Grant true wisdom from above.
Justice, Truth be ours forever,
Jamaica, Land we love.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica land we love.
Teach
us true respect for all,
Stir response to duty's call,
Strengthen us the weak to cherish,
Give us vision lest we perish.
Knowledge send us Heavenly Father,
Grant true wisdom from above.
Justice, Truth be ours forever,
Jamaica, Land we love.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica land we love
(Words
by Hugh Sherlock; music by Robert Lightbourne) |
| National
Pledge |
Before
God and all mankind, I pledge the love and loyalty
of my heart, the wisdom and courage of my mind,
the strength and vigour of my body in the service
of my fellow citizens; I promise to stand up for
Justice, Brotherhood and Peace, to work diligently
and creatively, to think generously and honestly,
so that Jamaica may, under God, increase in beauty,
fellowship and prosperity, and play her part in
advancing the welfare of the whole human race.
|
| Highest
National Award: |
Order of the National Hero |
| Favourite
Dish: |
Ackee
and Salt Fish |
| Date
of CARICOM Membership: |
1 August 1973 |
| Government
web page: |
http://www.cabinet.gov.jm
http://www.jis.gov.jm |
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