Jamaica with the capital city Kingston is located in North America (Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea). It covers some 10,991 square kilometres (slightly smaller than Connecticut) with 2,801,000 citizens.

About the flag and history of Jamaica

Diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side); green represents hope, vegetation, and agriculture, black reflects hardships overcome and to be faced, and yellow recalls golden sunshine and the island's natural resources.

The island - discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1494 - was settled by the Spanish early in the 16th century. The native Taino, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were gradually exterminated and replaced by African slaves. England seized the island in 1655 and established a plantation economy based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed a quarter million slaves, many of whom became small farmers. Jamaica gradually increased its independence from Britain. In 1958 it joined other British Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the West Indies. Jamaica gained full independence when it withdrew from the Federation in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence as rival gangs affiliated with the major political parties evolved into powerful organized crime networks involved in international drug smuggling and money laundering. Violent crime, drug trafficking, and poverty pose significant challenges to the government today. Nonetheless, many rural and resort areas remain relatively safe and contribute substantially to the economy.

National administrative regions of Jamaica

• Clarendon
• Hanover Parish
• Jamaica (general)
• Kingston
• Manchester
• Portland
• Saint Andrew
• Saint Ann
• Saint Catherine
• Saint James
• Saint Mary
• Saint Thomas
• St. Elizabeth
• Trelawny
• Westmoreland

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List of current world heritage sites