Jamaica: Almanac

Official Names: Jamaica.
Capitals: Kingston.
Population: 2,800,000.
Languages: English,Jamaican Creole.
Ethnical Races: black 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%, white 0.2%, Chinese 0.2%, mixed 7.3%, other 0.1%.
Total Area: 4,181 sq mi / 10,829 sq km
Topography: Jamaica is an island in the West Indies, 90 mi (145 km) south of Cuba and 100 mi (161 km) west of Haiti. It is a little smaller than Connecticut. The island is made up of coastal lowlands, a limestone plateau, and the Blue Mountains, a group of volcanic hills, in the east.
Climate: Jamaica's weather is typically Caribbean with temperatures in the 80's and 90's during the day, 70's at night. This varies by about 10° in the winter months.
The mountainous areas can get very cool, year round. The ocean temperature averages a warm 68. Rainy seasons are May-June and September-October highlighted with brief heavy showers followed by glorious sunshine.
Economy: Tourism, mining (bauxite), agriculture, light manufacturing.
Government: Independent member of the Commonwealth.
Religions: Protestant 61.3%, (Church of God 21.2%, Baptist 8.8%, Anglican 5.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 9%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Methodist 2.7%, United Church 2.7%, Brethren 1.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.6%, Moravian 1.1%), Roman Catholic 4%, other including some spiritual cults 34.7%.
Currency: Jamaican dollar (JMD)=US $0.01389 (1 US Dollar = 72 Jamaican Dollar). Tthe exchange rate may vary. Traveler's checks and major credit cards are widely accepted. US money is also accepted but it's better to convert it upon arrival. When changing money at the airport, retain your receipt so you can convert back to dollars at the end of your stay. ATMs cards work at most of the major banks. Banks usually pay slightly better rates for traveler's cheques than for cash.
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard (EST + 1 hr).
Telecommunications: Country code is 876.
Electricity: Electricity in Jamaica is 110 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second.