Columbus landed in Jamaica on 4 May 1494 and found it occupied by Arawak Indians. He took possession in the name of Spain. The Arawaks had died out by the time an English expedition of 7,000 landed at Passage Fort on 10 May 1655. Most of the slaves the Spanish had imported from Africa remained in the interior using the opportunity to set up towns where they could live in freedom; they became known as the Maroons. In 1662 the people of Jamaica were given the rights of citizens of England and the right to make their own laws.

The People's National Party (PNP) was formed in 1938 under the leadership of Norman Manley, with the aim of establishing representative and responsible government for Jamaica within the Commonwealth. It is supported by the National Workers' Union to which it is affiliated. Alexander Bustamante formed the second major political party, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), in 1943. Like the PNP, the JLP derives support from Labour unions and affiliates to the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU). Jamaica became a member of the Federation of the West Indies in 1958 and self-governing in its internal affairs in 1959. As a result of a referendum in 1961, Jamaica withdrew from the Federation of the West Indies and became an independent sovereign country within the Commonwealth on 6 August 1962.

Flag

The Jamaica National Flag came into use on August 6,1962, jamaica’s Independence Day. It was designed by a bipartisan committee of the Jamaica House of representatives.

The Flag has a diagonal cross or saltire with four triangles in juxtaposition. The diagonal cross is in gold and one-sixth of the length of the fly of the flag; the top and bottom triangles are in green; and the hoist and fly triangles are in black. The exact shade of green used in the flag is Emerald T8 17, British Admiralty Bunting Pattern. The Flag follows the "Admiralty Pattern" and the proportion is 2 x 1.

New Symbolism as of 1996 - "Hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth is the symbolism of the Flag. Black symbolizes the strength and creativity of the Jamaican people ; Gold, for natural wealth and beauty of sunlight; and Green stands for hope and agricultural resources".

Original Symbolism - "Hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth" is the symbolism of the Flag. Black stands for hardships overcome and to be faced ; Gold, for natural wealth and beauty of sunlight; and Green stands for hope and agricultural resources".

Coat of Arms

Download Anthem

Eternal Father, Bless our Land,
Guard us with thy mighty hand,
Keep us free from evil powers,
Be our light through countless hours,
To our leaders, great defender,
Grant true wisdom from above,
Justice, truth be ours forever,
Jamaica, land we love,
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love

Teach us true respect for all,
Stir response to duty's call,
Strengthen us the weak to cherish,
Give us vision lest we perish,
Knowledge send us Heavenly Father,
Grant true wisdom from above,
Justice, truth be ours forever,
Jamaica, land we love,
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica, land we love

National Pledge

Before God and All mankind.
I pledge the love and loyalty of my heart
The wisdom and courage of my mind,
The strength and vigour of my body
in the service of my fellow citizens.

I promise to stand up for justice,
Brotherhood and Peace, to work diligently and creatively,
To think generously and honestly, so that,
Jamaica may, under God, increase in beauty, fellowship
and prosperity, and play her part in advancing the welfare
of the whole human race.

Let us give thanks for all God's goodness and the wonderful heritage into which we have entered:
Response to each petition: We give thee thanks, O God

For Jamaica, our island home, the land of our birth -

RESPONSE
For the majesty of our hills, the beauty of our valleys, and the flaming loveliness of our gardens –

RESPONSE
For the warmth and brightness of our days and the calm and peace of our countryside –

RESPONSE
For the rich heritage of our people coming for many races, and yet one in purpose, in achievement, and in destiny, and for the dignity of labour and the service given by every citizen of our land –

RESPONSE
For freedom, just laws and our democratic way of life –

RESPONSE
For the high privilege and responsibility of Independence and for bringing us to nationhood –

RESPONSE
For our parents, teachers, religious and other leaders and all those who in every walk of life are helping to prepare us for responsible citizenship, and for all those who are giving voluntary service in the public interest –

RESPONSE
For the poets, artists and thinkers and all who create in us the vision of a new and better society –

RESPONSE
For our godly heritage, the example of Jesus Christ and the sacrifices of our fathers in the faith –

RESPONSE

National Fruit

Ackee (Blighia sapida)

Ackee the Jamaican National Fruit . Whilst not indigenous to Jamaica, this fruit has remarkable historic associations. It was originally imported from West Africa, probably brought here in a slave ship, and now grows luxuriously producing each year large quantities of edible fruit.

The tree was unknown to science until plants were taken from Jamaica to England in 1973 by none other than Captain William Bligh of "Mutiny on the Bounty" fame, hence the botanical name "Blighia spadia" in honour of the notorious sea captain. One of the earliest local propagators of the tree was Dr. Thomas Clarke who introduced it to the eastern parishes in 1778.

Jamaica is the only place where the fruit is generally recognized as an edible crop, although the plant has been introduced into most of the other Caribbean islands.

National Bird

The "Doctor Bird" (Trochilus polytmus)

The "Doctor Bird" (Trochilus polytmus) lives only in Jamaica and is one of the most outstanding of all the species of Humming Birds. The feathers of the Doctor Bird are beautifully iridescent, a characteristic peculiar to this family. In addition to these beautiful feathers, the mature male has tow long tails which stream behind him when he flies. For years the doctor bird has been immortalized in Jamaican folklore and song.

The origin of the name ‘Docor-bird’ is somewhat unsettled. It has been said that the name was given because the erect black crest and tails resemble the top hat and long tail coats doctors used to wear in the old days. Other schools of thought believe that it refers to the way the birds lance the flowers with their bills to extract nectar.

National Flower

Lignum Vitae (Guiacum officinale)

Lignum Vitae (Guiacum officinale) is indigenous to Jamaica and was found here by Christopher Columbus. It is thought that the name "Wood of Life" was then adopted because of its medicinal qualities.

The tree grows best in the dry woodlands along both the North and South coasts of the island. In addition to shedding an attractive blue flower, the plant itself is extremely ornamental. The wood is widely used in the manufacture of propeller shaft bearings for ships, as well as in the creation of curios, sought after by visitors and nationals alike.

National Tree

Blue Mahoe(Hibiscus elatus)

This has been regarded as one of the primary economic timbers. It is currently much used for re-afforestation and is a valuable source of cabinet timber. Of an attractive blue-green colour with variegated yellowish intrusions, it is capable of showing to advantage the variety of grain and colour tones. The trade, local and foreign, consumes annually many thousands of feet of this beautiful timber.

National Costume

National Holidays

Visit Our Calendar

• January 1 New Year’s Day
• February-March Ash Wednesday
• March or April Good Friday and Easter Monday
• May 23 Labour Day
• August 1 Emancipation Day
• August 6 Independence Day
• October (3rd Mon.) National Heroes Day
• December 25 Christmas Day
• December 26 Boxing Day

Youth (15-24 years) literacy rate, 2000-2006*, male

-

Youth (15-24 years) literacy rate, 2000-2006*, female

-

Number per 100 population 2005: phones

118

Number per 100 population 2005: Internet users

46

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, male

95

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, female

94

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, male

90

Primary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, female

90

Primary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*) ratio, net, male

97

Primary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*) ratio, net, female

98

% of primary school entrants reaching grade 5 2000-2006*, adMinister data

90

% of primary school entrants reaching grade 5 2000-2006*, survey data

99

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, male

86

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, gross, female

89

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, male

77

Secondary school enrolment ratio 2000-2006*, net, female

80

Secondary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*), net, male

88

Secondary school attendance ratio (2000-2006*), net, female

92

On 3 September 2007 the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) won the General Election and its leader, Mr Bruce Golding, was sworn in as the country’s eighth Prime Minister on 11 September. He announced his new cabinet on 12 September. The JLP last held office from 1980 to 1989.

The main opposition party is the the People's National Party (PNP) The PNP held office from February 1989 to September 2007, under Prime Minister P J Patterson for an unprecedented 4 terms between 1992 and 2006. Subsequently, Mrs Portia Simpson Miller served as Prime Minister from March 2006 until September 2007.