Jamaica

Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, 240 kilometers in length and as much as 80 kilometers in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. It is 630 kilometers from the Central American mainland, 150 kilometers from Cuba on the north, and 180 kilometers from the island of Hispaniola, on which Haiti and the Dominican Republic are situated, on the east. Its indigenous Arawakan-speaking Taíno inhabitants named the island Xaymaca, meaning either the "land of springs," or the "Land of wood and water." Formerly a Spanish posession known as Santiago, then the British West Indies Crown colony of Jamaica, the country's population is composed mainly of the descendants of former African slaves. It is the third most populous Anglophone country in the Americas, after the United States and Canada.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Jamaica

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Jamaica is mainly a blend of African and Anglo-Irish cultures, with influences from the Spanish and Taino cultures, although the Tainos as a people were completely wiped out by the Spanish soon after their arrival in 1494. These Tainos (sub-Arawaks) were known for archery and have left many remnants of their culture in artifacts and in at least one popular food (bammy- a small flat cake made of grated cassava).The majority of the population is of primarily African descent, with smaller mixed race, European, and Chinese groups. Although whites comprise less than 1% of the population, they have historically played a large role in the nation's political and economic development.

Related Topics:
African - Anglo-Irish - Spanish - Taino - Mixed race

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The official language is English, although the patois form Jamaican Creole is widely spoken. There are also small numbers of people that speak Hindi, Chinese, Hebrew, and Arabic. About three-quarters of the Jamaicans practice Christianity, spread over a large number of denominations. The remaining quarter adheres to various other religions, including local faiths such as the Rastafari movement. Other religions include Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.

Related Topics:
English - Jamaican Creole - Rastafari movement

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