Philadelphia

Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, 234 kilometers in length and as much as 80 kilometers in width, amounting to 11,100 square kilometers. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about 145 kilometers south of Cuba, and 191 kilometers west of Hispaniola, the island harboring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Once a Spanish possession known as Santiago, in 1655 it became an English, and later a British, colony, known as "Jamaica". It achieved full independence in 1962. With 2.8 million people, it is the third most populous Anglophone country in the Americas, after the United States and Canada. It remains a Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state and Kingston is the country's largest city and the capital.

The official language of Jamaica is English. Jamaicans primarily speak an English-African Creole language known as Jamaican Patois, which has become known widely through the spread of Reggae music. Jamaican Patois had formed from African and native American words mixed in with English, as well as other influences such as from the Irish.

According to the 2001 census, Jamaica's population consists mainly of people of African descent (referring to those who have origins mainly in Africa) and stands at about 2.5 million. The most common ethnic groups among all Africans taken to Jamaica were the Akan and the Igbo. There is also a sizeable population of multiracial Jamaicans. Jamaicans of Indian and Chinese ancestry, the largest minority groups, total 160,000. Lebanese, Syrian, English, Scottish, Irish, and German Jamaicans make up around 3,000–4,000 people. In recent years, immigration has increased, coming mainly from China, Haiti, Cuba, Colombia, and other Latin American countries; 20,000 Latin Americans currently reside in Jamaica. About 7,000 Americans also reside in Jamaica.

Though a small nation, Jamaican culture has a strong global presence. The musical genres reggae, ska, mento, rocksteady, dubs, and, more recently, dancehall and ragga all originated in the island's vibrant, popular urban recording industry. Jamaica also played an important role in the development of punk rock, through reggae and ska. Reggae has also influenced American rap music, as they both share their roots as rhythmic, African styles of music. Some rappers, such as The Notorious B.I.G. and Heavy D, are of Jamaican descent. Internationally known reggae musician Bob Marley was also Jamaican.

The Jamaica Diaspora Football team represents Jamaica in the Diaspora World Cup.

Last Update: December 2010