Jamaica is the third-largest Caribbean island, the birthplace of reggae and Rastafari movement, with the lush Blue Mountains, world-record sprinters and an outsize cultural footprint for its size.
Geography & landscape
Jamaica sits in Caribbean, in the northern hemisphere of North America. With an area of approximately 10,991 km², it is a smaller nation, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Kingston, lies near coordinates 18°, -77.5°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of North America, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Caribbean region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Jamaica.
People & society
The population of Jamaica is around 2.8M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is English, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Jamaica is structured as a constitutional monarchy. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Kingston, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Jamaica is the Jamaican Dollar (JMD). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Kingston and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Jamaica shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Jamaica through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Kingston, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +1-876, and clocks are set to the EST (UTC-5) time zone. ISO standards identify Jamaica as JM (alpha-2) and JAM (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇯🇲, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Kingston | — |
| Continent | North America | — |
| Sub-region | Caribbean | — |
| Population | 2.8M | people |
| Area | 10,991 | km² |
| Currency | Jamaican Dollar (JMD) | — |
| Calling code | +1-876 | international dialling |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) | standard time |
| Government type | Constitutional monarchy | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | JM | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | JAM | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 18 | degrees |
| Longitude | -77.5 | degrees |
Did you know?
Reggae music and Rastafari originated in Jamaica in the 1960s — UNESCO inscribed reggae on its intangible cultural heritage list in 2018.
