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#CARD:Jamaica:Background Notes
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE BACKGROUND NOTES:  JAMAICA

February 1990
OFFICIAL NAME:  JAMAICA

PROFILE
Geography
Area: 10,991 sq. km. (4,244 sq. mi.). Cities: Capital-Kingston (pop.
566,200). Other cities-Montego Bay (75,870), Spanish Town (109,960).
Terrain: Mountainous. Climate: Tropical.
People Nationality: Noun and adjective-Jamaican(s). Population (1988
est.): 2.4 million. Annual growth rate (1975-85): 1.1%. Ethnic groups:
African 76.3%, Afro-European 15.1%, Chinese and Afro-Chinese 1.2%, East
Indian and Afro-East Indian 3.4%, European 3.2%, other 0.9%. Religions:
Anglican, Baptist and other Protestant, Roman Catholic. Languages:
English, Creole. Education: Years compulsory-to age 14. Literacy (age 15
and over)-82%. Health: Infant mortality rate-25.0/1,000. Life
expectancy-73 yrs. Work force (855,100, 1987): Industry-41%.
Agriculture-31%. Services-27%. Other-1%.

Government
Type: Constitutional monarchy. Independence: August 6, 1962.
Constitution: August 6, 1962.
Branches: Executive-governor general (chief of state, representing
British monarch), prime minister, cabinet. Legislative-bicameral
parliament (21 senators, 60 representatives). Judicial-Court of Appeal
and courts of original jurisdiction.
Subdivisions: 14 parishes.
Political parties: People's National Party (PNP), Jamaica Labor Party
(JLP). Suffrage: Universal over 18.
Central government revenue (1988-89 est.): $1.07 billion (J$5.9
billion).
Defense (FY 1988-89 est.): 0.8% of GDP.
Flag: Intersecting golden diagonal stripes form a saltire dividing the
flag into four triangles. The top and bottom triangles are green, and
the left and right are black.

Economy
GDP (1987): $2.86 billion (J$15.72 billion). Real growth rate (1987):
5.2%. Per capita income (1987): $1,018 (J$5,602). Avg. inflation rate
(1987): 6.7%.
Natural resources: Bauxite, gypsum, limestone.
Agriculture: Products-sugar, bananas, citrus fruits, coffee, pimiento,
allspice, coconuts.
Industry: Types-bauxite and alumina, garments, processed foods, sugar,
rum, molasses, cement, metal, paper, chemical products, tourism.
Trade (1987): Exports-$708.4 million: alumina, bauxite, sugar, bananas,
garments, citrus fruits and products, rum, cocoa. Major markets-U.S.
37%, U.K. 18%, Canada 14%, U.S.S.R. 4%, CARICOM 6%. Imports-$1.2
billion: machinery, transportation and electrical equipment, food,
fuels, fertilizer. Major suppliers-U.S. 48%, U.K. 7%, Canada 6%, CARICOM
5%, Japan 4%, Venezuela 4%.
Official exchange rate: The exchange rate is adjusted twice weekly based
on supply and demand of foreign exchange by the Bank of Jamaica.  Since
Nov. 1985, the exchange rate has stabilized at roughly J$5.50=U.S.$1.
Economic and development assistance received: U.S. aid-$74 million (FY
1988).  International Monetary Fund-SDR82 million (for 14-month period
beginning Sept. 1988).  Multilateral organizations (1987)-$127 million.
Bilateral countries (1987)-$129 million.

Membership in International Organizations
 UN and some of its specialized and related agencies, including the
World Bank, General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT);
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); Organization of American States
(OAS); Group of 77; Nonaligned Movement; Commonwealth; Caribbean
Development Bank (CDB); European Economic Community (EEC)-access under
the Lome Convention; Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM);
International Bauxite Association (IBA); INTELSAT; and CARIBCAN.

GEOGRAPHY
 Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean. Mountains cover
about 80% of its surface. The highest, Blue Mountain, is 2,221 meters
(7,402 ft.). The climate is humid and tropical most of the year, but
temperatures from November to March are cooler, particularly along the
north shore, where the range is 21 0C-270 C (70 0F-80 0F). Rainfall is
seasonal, with striking regional variations. Some northern regions
receive up to 506 centimeters (200 in.) a year; the southern and
southwestern plains receive much less. The annual average rainfall is
196 centimeters (77 in.). In September 1988, Hurricane Gilbert, one of
the century's most powerful Caribbean storms, hit Jamaica. The storm
affected the entire island and caused widespread damage to crops,
vegetation, coastal properties, utilities, and roofs.

PEOPLE
 Jamaica is a multiracial society made up of people who primarily are of
African origin, along with other diverse groups. Traditionally, Jamaica
has enjoyed harmonious racial and cultural relations. Its national
motto, "Out of many, one people," suggests this desire for harmony.
Class distinctions from the colonial period are being reduced as social
mobility increases through education and greater opportunities for
property ownership.
 Religion plays an important part in the life of most Jamaicans. The
Anglican Church is the largest of the established churches, followed by
many Baptist sects, the Roman Catholic, and the Methodist. Evangelical
and revivalist sects are popular. Jamaica has several Muslim and Hindu
groups, along with a small Jewish community. Rastafarians, who see
former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie as the embodiment of God
("Jah"), although small in number, have played a significant role in the
development of Jamaican culture.
 Education is free and compulsory to age 14. Schools are organized into
three categories-primary (ages 6-12), junior secondary (12-15), and
senior secondary (15-19).
 Historically, emigration by Jamaicans has been heavy. Since the United
Kingdom restricted emigration in 1967, the major flow has been to the
United States and Canada. About 18,000 Jamaicans enter the United States
and 3,000 enter Canada each year in immigrant status. In addition, about
100,000 visit the United States yearly. New York, Miami, Chicago, and
Hartford are among U.S. cities with significant Jamaican populations.
 A vigorous arts and cultural movement, which began in the 1930s and
1940s, has continued to develop in Jamaica under active governmental and
private sponsorship. Jamaican writers, artists, and performers are
engaged in a search through the nation's ethnic origins, especially
African, for a cultural identity and expression suitable for their
multiracial society.

HISTORY
 Jamaica was discovered in 1494 by Christopher Columbus and settled by
the Spanish during the early 16th century. In 1655, British forces
seized the island, and in 1670 Great Britain gained formal possession
through the Treaty of Madrid.
 Sugar and slavery, important elements in Jamaica's history and
development, made Jamaica one of the most valuable possessions in the
world for more than 150 years. Slavery was ended in 1838, some years
before emancipation in most other parts of the New World.
 After a long period of direct British colonial rule, Jamaica gained
some local political control in the late 1930s. During this period,
which was marked by social unrest and occasional violence, the
groundwork was laid for Jamaica's major political parties, led by Norman
Washington Manley (People's National Party-PNP) and his cousin, Sir
Alexander Bustamante (Jamaica Labor Party-JLP). Jamaica's first election
with adult suffrage was held in 1944, and the JLP formed the first
government. Since then, the two parties have alternated in power, with
each serving two terms at a time.
 In 1958, Jamaica joined nine other British territories in the West
Indies Federation but withdrew when, in a 1961 referendum, Jamaican
voters rejected membership. Jamaica gained independence from the United
Kingdom in 1962 but has remained a member of the Commonwealth.

GOVERNMENT
 The 1962 constitution established a parliamentary system based on the
British model. As chief of state, Queen Elizabeth II appoints a governor
general, on the advice of a prime minister, as her representative in
Jamaica. The governor general's role is largely ceremonial. Executive
power is vested in the cabinet, led by the prime minister.
 Parliament is composed of an appointed Senate and an elected House of
Representatives. Thirteen Senate members are nominated on the advice of
the prime minister and eight on the advice of the leader of the
opposition. House elections are held at the discretion of the governor
general on the advice of the prime minister, at 5-year intervals. The
Senate may submit bills, and it also reviews legislation submitted by
the House. It cannot delay money bills for more than 1 month or other
bills for more than 7 months.
 The prime minister and the cabinet are selected from the parliament.
Not less than two nor more than four members of the cabinet must be
selected from the Senate.
 The judiciary is modeled on the British system. The Court of Appeal is
the highest appellate court in Jamaica. Under certain circumstances,
cases may be appealed to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.
 Jamaica's parishes have elected councils that exercise limited powers
of local government.

Principal Government Officials
Governor General-Sir Florizel Glasspole
Prime Minister and Minister of Defense-Michael Manley
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development, Planning and
Production-P.J. Patterson

Ministers
Finance and the Public Service-Seymour Mullings
Justice-Carl Rattray
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade-David Coore
National Security-K.D. Knight
Labor, Welfare and Sport-Portia Simpson
Construction-O.D. Ramtallie
Agriculture-Horace Clarke
Public Utilities and Transport-Robert Pickersgill
Local Government-Ralph Brown
Mining and Energy-Hugh Small
Industry and Commerce-Claude Clarke
Education-Carlyle Dunkley
Tourism-Frank Pringle
Youth, Culture and Community Development-Douglas Manley
Health-Easton Douglas
Ministers without Portfolio-Paul Robertson, Kenneth McNeill
Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of  American States
(OAS)-Keith Johnson
Ambassador to the United Nations-Lloyd Barnett

 Jamaica maintains an embassy in the United States at Suite 355, 1850 K
Street NW., Washington, D.C. 20008 (tel. [phone]). It also has
consulates in New York, 866 2d Avenue, 2 Hammarskjold Plaza, New York,
NY 10017  (tel: [phone]); and in Miami at Ingraham Building, Suite
842, 25 S.E.  2d Avenue, Miami, FL. 33131  (tel. [phone]).

POLITICAL CONDITIONS
 The two major political parties are closely linked to the two major
trade unions-the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) with the Bustamante
Industrial Trade Union (BITU) and the People's National Party (PNP) with
the National Workers Union (NWU).
 The JLP emphasized the role of the private sector, restructuring of the
economy, reform of government, and the need for foreign private
investment during its most recent term in office (1980-89) under party
leader Edward Seaga. The JLP is affiliated with the International
Democrat Union.
 The PNP is a social democratic party. The party, now the government,
pledges to improve social and educational conditions and to expand the
private sector with the help of foreign investment. It is affiliated
with the Socialist International.
 Minor political movements do not play a significant role in Jamaican
politics, although the small Communist Workers Party of Jamaica is
affiliated with the expanding University and Allied Workers Union, now
the country's third largest.
 In the February 1989 general elections, the PNP won 45 seats, and the
JLP won 15 in the House of Representatives. Major issues in the campaign
included the state of social services, alleged centralization of
decisionmaking under the 1980-89 Seaga government, and the question of
whether change was needed after more than 8 years of JLP rule. The
election marked the return of a two-party parliament (the PNP boycotted
the 1983 general election because of a dispute over voter registration)
and continued the Jamaican tradition of alternating two-term
governments. A pre-election "peace accord" between the two parties
helped minimize political campaign violence that was significantly
reduced from the high level that characterized the 1980 general
election.
 Local elections were last held in 1986, when the PNP won a decisive
victory. Jamaican law requires that local elections be held every 3
years.
 Jamaica's political system is stable and backed by sound institutions.
However, the country's serious economic problems have exacerbated social
problems and have become the subject of political debate. Unemployment,
averaging 18.2% in 1988, and shortages of foreign exchange are the most
serious economic problems. Concentration of unemployed people in urban
areas has produced shantytowns, contributing to a high crime rate,
especially in Kingston.

ECONOMY
 Jamaica has natural resources, primarily bauxite, and an ideal climate
conducive to agriculture and tourism. Although faced with some serious
problems, the country has the economic base for growth and
modernization.
 The Jamaican economy traditionally was based on plantation agriculture,
particularly sugar and bananas. However, the discovery of bauxite in the
1940s and the ubsequent establishment of the bauxite-alumina industry
became the dominant factors in the island's economic growth. During the
1960s, the expansion of tourism and establishment of local manufacturing
industries were emphasized. Foreign investment in bauxite and alumina
production accelerated, and by the 1970s Jamaica had emerged as a world
leader in exports of these minerals. Bauxite revenues fueled an economic
expansion that began in 1965 but, in the 1970s, Jamaica's economic good
fortunes were hurt by high oil prices and recessions in the economies of
important trading partners. The Manley government's imposition of a levy
on bauxite production in 1974 was followed by a decline of more than 25%
in output. Foreign investment slowed in the mid- and late-1970s. By the
end of the 1970s, Jamaica's relations with the International Monetary
Fund had likewise deteriorated.
 The JLP, led by Edward Seaga, was elected in 1980 on a platform of
economic revitalization, using a private sector and export-oriented
strategy. The Seaga government sought foreign investment to help
diversify the economy and reduce dependence on traditional export
products.
 The economy enjoyed positive growth rates in 1987-88, spurred by
buoyancy in the tourist sector and recovery in the bauxite/alumina
industry. Unemployment declined to 18.2%,  and the inflation rate
stabilized at under 10%.
 In 1988, Hurricane Gilbert caused a temporary setback to a generally
favorable economic climate. Jamaica has made an impressive recovery, and
the economy appears to be back on a growth track. The major constraint
on Jamaica's economic prospects is a heavy foreign debt of more than $4
billion.
 Current economic policies encourage foreign investment in areas that
earn or save foreign exchange, generate employment, and use local raw
materials. The government provides a wide range of incentives to
investors, including remittance facilities, tax holidays, and duty-free
access for machinery and raw materials imported for approved

enterprises. Free trade zones have stimulated investment in garment
manufacturing, light manufacturing, and data entry by foreign firms. The
"807A" program, which guarantees access in the United States for
garments made in Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) countries from
textiles woven and cut in the United States, has opened new
opportunities for investment and expansion in Jamaica. More than 150
U.S. firms have operations in Jamaica, and total U.S. investment,
including that in bauxite/alumina, is estimated at more than $1 billion.
 The American Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1986 to enhance trade
opportunities between Jamaica and the United States, promote Jamaican
exports, attract new U.S. private investment to Jamaica, and provide
Jamaican and American businessmen with a forum through which to advocate
public policies enhancing the business climate.
 Although Jamaica faces a difficult short-term economic situation, the
long-term economic outlook is more promising. Increased tourism, a
revival in the bauxite industry, duty-free trade benefits under the CBI,
Canadian CARIBCAN, and access to the European Economic Community markets
under the Lome Convention are likely to sustain continued economic
progress.

DEFENSE
 The Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) was formed in 1962.  Its mission
includes defending the country against aggression and supporting, as
required, the Jamaica Constabulary Force in maintaining law and order
and essential services and protecting the civil population in the event
of a disaster. It also is responsible for coastal surveillance and
air-sea rescue operations. The JDF is a unified, composite military
organization, the major components of which are the 1st, 2d, and 3d
Battalions, the Support and Services Battalion, the Coast Guard, and the
Air Wing. The ground elements are called the Jamaica Regiment, even
though no regimental organization exists. The senior officer is the
chief of staff, a major general who directs operations and is
responsible to the prime minister/defense minister. JDF headquarters is
located at Up Park Camp near the center of Kingston.

FOREIGN RELATIONS
 Jamaica is a member of the Commonwealth. Historically, it has had close
ties with Britain, but trade, financial, and cultural relations with the
United States and Canada are ow predominant. Regionally, Jamaica is
linked with the other countries of the English-speaking Caribbean
through the Caribbean Common Market. As a member of the Nonaligned
Movement, Jamaica has been active in the councils of primary-product
countries, particularly with regard to their efforts to receive a better
price for their exports in comparison with the prices of manufactured
goods and over the question of Third World debt. Jamaica is active in
the United Nations and in other international organizations.
 Jamaica has diplomatic relations with most nations, and a wide range of
countries and international organizations maintain missions in Kingston.
Under the Seaga government, Jamaica severed diplomatic relations with
Cuba in 1981, charging Cuba with interference in its internal affairs.
The new Manley government has promised to restore diplomatic ties with
Cuba.

U.S.-JAMAICAN RELATIONS
 The United States maintains close and productive relations with the
Government of Jamaica. Prime Minister Manley visited Washington shortly
after his return to office in 1989, his first trip abroad as prime
minister. He met with President Bush and other senior U.S. Government
officials. The United States is been strongly supportive of the Jamaican
Government's efforts to revitalize the economy. The two governments are
cooperating closely on narcotics control measures. Principal U.S.
Officials Ambassador-Glen A. Holden Deputy Chief of Mission-Stephen
Gibson AID Mission Director-William Joslin Defense Attache-Ltc. Michael
Lowe Economic Counselor-Dorothy J. Black Labor Attache-William Schofield
Political Counselor-James P. Mach Consular Officer-Lois Matteson Public
Affairs Officer-Razvigor Bazala Peace Corps Director-Margaret Harvey
(acting)
 The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica is at 2 Oxford Road, Jamaica Mutual Life
Center, Kingston (tel. [phone]). The consular section is at 16 Oxford
Road, Kingston (tel. [phone]). The AID Mission is at 6B Oxford Road,
Kingston (tel. [phone]).  The Peace Corps is at 1A Holborn Road,
Kingston (tel. [phone]).

 Published by the United States Department of State --  Bureau of Public
Affairs -- Office of  Public Communication -- Washington, D.C.--
February 1990.  Editor:  Juanita Adams
 Department of State Publication 8080 -- Background Notes Series  --
This material is in the public domain and may  be reprinted without
permission; citation of this source is appreciated. For sale by the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C.  20402.(###)


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