Jamaica: Background & Geography
| Introduction | Jamaica |
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Background:
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Jamaica gained full independence within the British Commonwealth in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence and a drop off in tourism. Elections in 1980 saw the democratic socialists voted out of office. Political violence marred elections during the 1990s. |
| Geography | Jamaica |
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Location:
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Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba |
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Geographic coordinates:
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18 15 N, 77 30 W |
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Map references:
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Central America and the Caribbean |
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Area:
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total: 10,991 sq km
land: 10,831 sq km water: 160 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than Connecticut |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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1,022 km |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to edge of the continental margin contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior |
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Terrain:
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mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m |
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Natural resources:
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bauxite, gypsum, limestone |
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Land use:
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arable land: 16.07%
permanent crops: 9.23% other: 74.7% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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250 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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hurricanes (especially July to November) |
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Environment - current issues:
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heavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted by industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air pollution in Kingston results from vehicle emissions |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
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Geography - note:
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strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for the Panama Canal |