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Welcome to Jamaica on the Paradise
Islands website. Jamaica
is located just west of
the island of Hispaniola
(Republic
of Haiti and the
Dominican Republic) and
ninety miles south of
the
Republic of Cuba
within the Greater
Antilles archipelago.
Jamaica is a mountainous
island and the third
largest in the
Caribbean, 145 miles
long and 50 miles wide. |
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Jamaica is an English
speaking independent
territory and still
remains part of the
Commonwealth with the
British Monarch as Head
of State. The
"Commonwealth of
Jamaica" gained full
independence in 1962
after leaving the
Federation of the West
Indies.
The population is around
2.8 million, made up of
a rich mix of East
Indians, Whites, Chinese
and Arabs. Mixed race
Jamaicans are the second
largest racial group
after East Indians.
Christianity is the main
religion within a
parliamentary democracy
and a constitutional
monarchy. |
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Around 1.3 million
tourists visit Jamaica
every year making
tourism one of the most
important sectors of the
economy along with
agriculture, mining and
manufacturing. One of
the main tourist areas
are located in and
around Montego Bay in
the north west of the
island.
Montego Bay is the
second largest city in
Jamaica, after Kingston,
and it is served by the
Sir Donald Sangster
International Airport,
which is the busiest
commercial airport.
Montego Bay also has a
free port with a cruise
ship terminal. Cruise
ships visiting Jamaica
will stop here, not at
Kingston. It's not one
the most popular cruise
ports in the the
Caribbean, but an
increasing number of
ships are visiting
Montego Bay. |
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Other popular tourist
destinations include
Negril in the north
western tip of Jamaica;
Ocho Rios on the central
northern coast and Port
Antonio in the north
eastern part of the
island.
Jamaica's attractions include the
world famous Dunn's
River Falls near Ocho
Rios; the Bob Marley
museum in Kingston;
bamboo rafting on the
Martha Brae river near
Montego Bay and the Blue
Mountains. |
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Travel, holiday, vacation and cruise
guide to Jamaica and the Caribbean. All text and images are
Copyright
Paradise Islands
org. All photographs on this travel guide website are obtained with
the permission of the owners and come from various sources
including the island's tourist boards. |
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Quick Facts
Capital
Kingston
Main Airport
Norman Manley
International
Main Port
Kingston
Language
English
Currency
Jamaican Dollar
Government
Independent
Commonwealth
Island Size
4,200
Square Miles
Population
2.8 Million
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Cruise Port Guide |
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