Overview
Known for its strong sense of self identity expressed through its music, food and rich cultural mix, Jamaica's influence extends far beyond its shores. With luminaries such as the black nationalist Marcus Garvey and musician Bob Marley, Jamaicans are proud of their cultural and religious heritage. Jamaicans have migrated in significant numbers to the United States, Canada and Britain and their music stars are known around the globe.
Map
Facts
| Full name | Jamaica |
|---|---|
| Population: | 2.7 million (UN, 2008) |
| Area: | 10,991 sq km (4,243 sq miles) |
| Major language: | English (official), English patois |
| Major religion: | Christianity |
| Life expectancy: | 70 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN) |
| Monetary unit: | 1 Jamaican dollar = 100 cents |
| Main exports: | Bauxite, alumina, garments, sugar, bananas, rum |
| GNI per capita | US $3,710 (World Bank, 2007) |
| Internet domain: | .jm |
| International dialling code: | + 1876 |
BBC iPlayer
Radio
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Charlie Gillett's World Of Music - 11/07/200913 Jul 09Contemporary and classic tracks from around the world. Playlist at bbcworldservice.com
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Knowledge
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Regions, territories: Turks and Caicos IslandsCountry profiles
A profile of the British overseas territory in the West Indies. Once a dependency of Jamaica, the Turks and Caicos Islands became a crown colony upon Jamaican independence in 1962.
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Radio 4 Empire - The West Indies and SugarRadio 4 Empire
This became the most intensively worked crop for the islands, which is why the West Indies became a slave society. Five years later, Jamaica was seized taken from the Spanish.
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History - Slavery and Economy in BarbadosHistory
The Royal African Company then established offices in Jamaica and Barbados, from where slaves were re-exported, to Mexico in the case of the Jamaican office and to Venezuela from Barbados.
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Radio 4 Empire - 1649: Barbados and Civil War at HomeRadio 4 Empire
The British attack on Hispaniola in May 1655 was a fiasco. Jamaica therefore was the only Caribbean colony that was taken for military and political reasons and not for commercial profit.
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History - Mary Seacole (1805 - 1881)History
Seacole was an inveterate traveller, and before her marriage visited other parts of the Caribbean, including Cuba, Haiti and the Bahamas, as well as Central America and Britain.
Blogs
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The Skids From Fame29 Apr 09 | Stuart Bailie - Stuart Bailie
To celebrate the achievement in 1964, he arranged a motorcade ride back to her shack in Tivoli, Jamaica. There was definitely a degree of that at the old Island Records building in West London. ...
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Michael Vaughan on England cricket....30 Jan 09 | Victoria Derbyshire - Victoria Derbyshire's Blog
The former England captain is on the programme at 10am today. 2009 is still in its infancy but English cricket has had a difficult year so far: Pieterson walked as captain before he was pushed, the ... ...
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Top 10 worst Xmas songs15 Dec 08 | Ace - Ace and Vis Blog
10 - N'Sync "The First Noel" Justin and the crew doin their boyband xmas thing......Yuk!! 9 - Kermit the frog "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"Top 10 worst Xmas.... 10 - N'Sync "The First Noel" ... ...
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Around the Caribbean in 46 hours16 Mar 07 | Adam Mountford - Test Match Special
It turned out that after attending the opening ceremony in Jamaica it took him 46 hours to get to St Kitts, a journey which should take an hour and a half. ...
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St Kitts leaves a sweet taste in the mouth26 Mar 07 | Adam Mountford - Test Match Special
Although I'm in better shape than TMS commentator Neil Manthorp - you may have read in my blog last week about Neil's 46-hour trip from Montego Bay in Jamaica to here in St Kitts via nine islands. ...
Coming Up
TV
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Dragons' Den: Series 7BBC Two, 22 Jul 09 21:00
The range of businesses the Dragons have invested in throughout previous series of the business entertainment programme is extensive; everything from a pop band to multimedia teddies, Jamaican pepper ...
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London Grand PrixBBC Two, 24 Jul 09 18:00
Jamaican sprint sensation Bolt won the 200m at Crystal Palace in 2007 and 2008 but now switches to 100m for the first time.
Radio
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Mark LamarrBBC Radio 2, 24 Jul 09 24:00
Plus he's joined in session at Maida Vale by the Jamaican reggae artist Pat Kelly. ...
Sport
Sport Articles
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Superstar Bolt in dazzling form18 Jul 09Dancers dressed in the yellow and green of Jamaica swayed to the Caribbean rhythm and the atmosphere was more like a rock concert as Bolt was introduced to the crowd.
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Bolt cruises to emphatic 100m win17 Jul 09
Jamaica's Kerron Stewart took the 100m in 10.99 secs and United States star Sanya Richards clinched the women's 400m in 49.34 secs.
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Bolt to take on Powell in London15 Jul 09Elsewhere, Jamaica will be represented by Olympic 400m hurdles champion Melaine Walker and 400m Jamaican champion Novlene Williams-Mills.
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Tynesiders in chase for Benjamin14 Jul 09The Jamaica international has played for 21 clubs in his career, with 11 of those being on loan.
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Williamson storms to 100m crown11 Jul 09Usain's my next big opposition," the former World Under-23 champion added. If I compare my progression to last year it's pretty much the same," the 25-year-old Olympic champion said.
Sport Clips
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200m success for Bolt in Jamaica29 Jun 09200m Olympic champions Usain Bolt and Veronica Campbell-Brown book their places at the World Championships with wins at the Jamaican National Track Championships.
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Flintoff is ready for 'test of character'10 Feb 09England all rounder Andrew Flintoff admits the team are flat following their dismal defeat in Jamaica but is confident they can bounce back for the second Test in the West Indies.
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England team unity a concern - Gooch08 Feb 09Former England captain Graham Gooch voices anxieties about the organisation and management of the England team following their innings defeat by West Indies in the first Test in Jamaica.
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Gayle proud of himself and his team07 Feb 09West Indies captain Chris Gayle hails his team's efforts as they bowl out England for just 51 to win the first Test by an innings and 23 runs on day four in Jamaica.
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We were poor - Strauss07 Feb 09England captain Andrew Strauss admits his batting unit let the team down and the squad must learn quickly as he offers no excuses for the first Test capitulation to the West Indies in Jamaica.
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Around the web
News From Other Sources
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Bolt wins 100m in 9.79 at Areva Meeting19 Jul 09 | China Post
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Jamaican Usain Bolt records fast time as world...19 Jul 09 | TheStar.com.my
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Bolt clocks 9.79 secs19 Jul 09 | FoxSports.com.au
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Bolt shoots out worlds warning at Paris meet18 Jul 09 | The News International
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Gay outwits Powell18 Jul 09 | SABC
Weather
Weather for Kingston
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conditions |  light showers |  heavy showers | heavy showers |
| Max Temperature | Max:31°C/88°F | Max:31°C/88°F | Max:30°C/86°F |
| Min Temperature | Min:25°C/77°F | Min:24°C/75°F | Min:24°C/75°F |
News
News Articles
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Head denies holiday expense abuse14 Jul 09 | West MidlandsSusan Duncan has denied making false expenses claims toward trips to Antigua and Jamaica with another teacher at The Meadows School, Oldbury, West Midlands.
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How 'evil' pair pulled off rent scam14 Jul 09 | Beds/Bucks/HertsHuntingdon Crown Court sentenced Mr Jerome to a 15-month prison term after he admitted fraud and deception.
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Pair admit sham wedding offences13 Jul 09 | West MidlandsThe two will be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on 4 September. And Donna Williams, a 37-year-old Jamaican national from Handsworth, Birmingham, who married Daniel, was jailed for 15 months.
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Probe urged into ex-Turks leader02 Jul 09 | Politics
Once a dependency of Jamaica, the islands become a crown colony when Jamaica became independent in 1962.
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Ex-footballer tried to rape woman30 Jun 09 | Glasgow, Lanarkshire and WestA former footballer with Airdrie United and Clyde is convicted of attempting to rape a woman in Glasgow.. Her cries were heard by two men who raced to the scene from nearby Jamaica Street.
News Clips
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Jamaica plane hijacker surrenders20 Apr 09A gunman who hijacked a passenger plane in Montego Bay, Jamaica, has surrendered after police and soldiers boarded the jet, say officials.
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Gunman holds up Jamaica aircraft20 Apr 09A man is holding six crew members hostage on a CanJet aircraft in Montego Bay, reports say. ...
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Mother faces tough decision13 Feb 09Failed asylum seeker Tamica Wisdom who lives in Manchester has an agonising choice over her six-year-old son when she is deported back to Jamaica.
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Praise for Jamaica youth work21 Jan 09A County Durham youth group set up to boost the confidence of youngsters has won praise for its work in Jamaica.
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Hurricane lashes Cayman Islands08 Nov 08Hurricane Paloma has strengthened to a Category Three storm, with winds of up to 185km/h lashing the Cayman Islands.
Watch "Hurricane lashes Cayman Islands" now
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