1. Jamaica

2. Map of Jamaica

3. The island of Jamaica was discovered by Columbus in 1494 and described as "the fairest isle that eyes have beheld". Political: Government Type: Constitutional parliamentary democracy. Independence: August 6, 1962. Constitution: August 6, 1962. Branches: Executive--Governor General (representing Queen Elizabeth II, chief of state), prime minister, cabinet. Legislative-- bicameral Parliament (21 appointed senators, 60 elected representatives). Judicial--Court of Appeal and courts of original jurisdiction. Political parties: People's National Party (PNP), Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), National Democratic Movement (NDM), United Peoples Party (UPP). Economic: Jamaica operates as a mixed, free-market economy with state enterprises as well as private sector businesses. Sectors poised for rapid development include agriculture, mining, the creative industries, manufacturing, tourism and information communication technology (ICT). GDP (2008): $14.9 billion. Natural resources: Bauxite, gypsum, limestone, marble, sand, silica. Agriculture: Products--sugar cane, bananas, coffee, citrus fruits, condiments and spices. Industry: Types--tourism, bauxite and alumina, processed foods, sugar, rum, cement, metal, chemical products, ethanol. Trade (2008): Exports--$2.6 billion: alumina, bauxite, sugar, bananas, chemicals, citrus fruits and products, rum, coffee. Major markets (2005)-- U.S. 37%, U.K. 15.5%, and Canada. Imports (2008)- -$8.5 billion: fuels, machinery, transportation and electrical equipment, food, fertilizer. Major suppliers (2000)--U.S. 40%, Trinidad and Tobago 15.7%, Venezuela 9%, Japan 3%, China 3%, U.K. 2%, Canada 2%.

4. In 1655, Jamaica became a British Colony. In 1944, the first General Elections were held under Universal Adult Suffrage. In 1953, Sir Alexander Bustamante became Jamaica’s first Chief Minister. In April 1962, Sir Alexander Bustamante became the first Prime Minister of Jamaica. On August 6, 1962, Jamaica gained its Independence from the British. Since August 6, 1962 (Jamaica’s first Independence Day) Jamaica has been a member of the British Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth II is its reigning Monarch and the Governor General is her Representative. On August 7, 1962, Jamaica had its first Parliamentary Session. It was opened by Princess Margaret of England, who was representing her sister, the Queen of England. In 2002, Jamaica’s Parliament removed the requirement for anyone holding public office to take the Oath of Allegiance to the Queen.

5. Beginning with the first day of December. Houses are re-painted, new curtains are hung, Christmas decorations are placed in and outside of houses and Christmas shopping begins. Jamaicans prepare to make their Christmas cakes. The Jamaican Christmas Cake is a dark, rich spicy cake which includes fruits soaked in wine and white rum. The Jamaican Christmas dinner would not be complete without the Jamaican Christmas cake. The Jamaican Christmas also includes the singing of traditional Christmas Carols and there are now Reggae versions for some of these Carols. A Jamaican Christmas would not be complete without the John Canoe John Canoe is a celebration involving persons with various costumes including 'Horse Head', 'Queen', 'King' 'Policeman' and 'Belly Woman'. The John Canoe would go through the streets accompanied by music and people would give them money.

6. The Queen of England (Elizabeth II) is the head of the state and on the advice of the Prime Minister (Bruce Golding) appoints a Governor General (Kenneth Hall) to be her representative in Jamaica. Neither the queen nor the Governor General has the authority in conducting the administration of the country. The Privy Council of Jamaica consists of 6 members who are appointed by the Governor general after consulting to the Prime Minister. The form of government of Jamaica is a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral parliament consisting of House of the Representative (Lower house) and the Senate (Upper house).

7. The descendants of black slaves tend to be among the poorest classes in Jamaica, while white and mixed-race descendants of plantation owners and traders tend to be better off. These extremes are reflected in the nation's distribution of income: in 1996 the wealthiest 20 percent of Jamaicans controlled 43.9 percent of the wealth, while the poorest 20 percent controlled only 7 percent. In fact, the poorest 60 percent controlled just 34.3 percent of wealth. Jamaica's rural poor also face difficult circumstances, for many workers must try to grow their own crops or participate in the informal economy —in some cases, the drug trade—in order to survive. Both the rural and urban poor have suffered from the long decline in the quality of social services provided to Jamaicans.

8. Over the years, Jamaica has received considerable amounts of U.S. foreign assistance. Over $500 million was provided in the 1990s, making Jamaica the second largest recipient of assistance in the Caribbean. From FY2000-FY2006, U.S. foreign assistance to Jamaica has averaged almost $23 million annually. This included $18 million in supplemental funds for hurricane disaster assistance in FY2005. Jamaica was hard hit by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004, which killed 31 people and caused significant damage to housing and the agriculture sector. In addition to an immediate recovery program focusing on repairing community infrastructure (such as health clinics and water and sanitation systems), an expanded U.S. recovery program has targeted home construction, business recovery, and the rehabilitation of schools

9. http://jamaican-culture.blogspot.com/ http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RS22372.pdf http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Am ericas/Jamaica-POVERTY-AND-WEALTH.html http://www.spainexchange.com/guide/JM- government.htm http://jamaican-culture.blogspot.com/