Overview of Jamaica

Quick Overview

Located less than 200 kilometres south of the Cuban coast, "the island of Bob Marley and reggae" is the third-largest in the Caribbean, part of the Greater Antilles. This former British territory is part of what is known as the Commonwealth Realm.

Jamaica is made up of mountains, particularly in its eastern part with the Blue Mountains, surrounded by a narrow coastal plain where the cities are located. Kingston, the capital, is on the southern coast, and Montego Bay, the country’s renowned beach resort, is on the north.

The island is home to numerous plantations (coffee, sugarcane, bananas), tropical forests, and bauxite deposits that provide part of its resources. However, it is the tourism sector that contributes the most to the country, with a clientele predominantly from North America and England. Having long served as a transit zone for slaves, Jamaica’s population is nearly 80% of African descent. Around two million Jamaicans also live abroad, primarily in the United Kingdom and North America.

Key Facts

• Localisation: 150 km south of Cuba in the Caribbean Sea.

• Latitude/longitude: 18.15' N, 77.30' W.

• Heure locale: Heure : 2642

• Capitale: Kingston

• Nature de l'état: parliamentary democracy and member of the Commonwealth.

• Langue officielle: While English is the official language, Jamaican Creole is the most widely spoken by the population.

• Monnaie: Jamaican dollar.

• Population: 2,812,090 (2018)

• Superficie: 10,991 km².

• Densité: 255 inhabitants/km².

• Point le plus haut: Blue Mountain Peak (2,256 m).

• Point le plus bas: sea level.

• Littoral: 1,022 km.

• Conduite: on the left.

• Drapeau: [drapeau: Jamaïque]

Tourism

While it doesn’t reach the visitor numbers of Cuba or Dominican Republic, Jamaica is also a tourist destination. Or rather, it’s Montego Bay that should be mentioned. Indeed, it’s the famous beach resort on the north coast and its surroundings that attract the vast majority of visitors, who come to enjoy (including on cruises) the stunning beaches, duty-free shopping, and numerous all-inclusive resorts. Overall, Jamaican tourism is rather upscale.

Each year, excluding "day-cruise passengers," Jamaica welcomes between 2 and 2.5 million tourists (2.473 million in 2018). Though it’s a former British colony, its visitors are primarily from the USA and Canada (where part of the diaspora lives), as well as England. As for the French, only a few thousand visit each year; the destination is poorly served from mainland France and is also overshadowed by other nearby islands like Cuba, Santo Domingo, or the French Antilles.

Travel Essentials

• Destination: for beginner/somewhat experienced travellers.

• En avion: France-Kingston or Montego Bay for 700 to 950 € round trip.

• Formalités: passport.

• Devise à emporter: a mix of US dollars and euros (or Canadian dollars).

• Taux de change:

• Budget "routard" quotidien: from 50 to 70 € per person.

• Hébergement: all-inclusive for beach stays, small local hotels when travelling around.

• Pour se déplacer: buses and minibuses, occasionally car rental.

• Risques: low health risks and fairly low to fairly high security risks, depending on the area.

• Meilleure période climat/foule/prix: from mid-April to late June, plus November to early December.

• Intérêts (out of ★★★★): Nature ★★★; Adventure ★; Culture ★★; Relaxation-holidays ★★★★.

Addresses in France

Tourist Office: c/o Cergat, 32 rue de Ponthieu, 75008 Paris. Tel.: +33 1 45 63 42 01.

Addresses in Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec

Socio-Economic Statistics

• "Qualité de vie": 97/188 (rank in 2018)

• PIB/hab.: $9,200 (2017)

• Revenu moyen mensuel: $429 (2014)

• Inflation: +4.4% (2017)

• Chômage "officiel": 12.2% (2017)

• Population sous le seuil de pauvreté: 17.1% (2016)

• Espérance de vie: 74.5 years (2018)

• Taux de migration pour 1 000 hab.: -4.3 (2017)

• Croissance population: -0.05% (2018)

• Taux d'alphabétisation: 88.7% (2015)

• Population urbaine: 55.7% (2018)

• Liberté de la presse: 6/180 (rank in 2018)

• Régime politique: Flawed democracy (47/167 in 2018)

Sources: World Bank, Human Development Indicators, RSF, The Economist, The World Factbook