Gap Year Destinations

Where to go

Jamaica

World famous for Rastafarians, reggae and jerk chicken – Jamaica is a little island with a huge personality...

Environment

Jamaica is located in the Caribbean, and is the third largest island there. Inland, the island rises to the Blue Mountains and in the west to the rugged Cockpit Country. Due to this, most of the towns and cities are located on the flatter coastal plains. Jamaica’s coastline is very varied though, with crags, inlets and little neighbouring islands, cays and reefs. The capital is Kingston.

Climate

Jamaica hosts two types of weather – on the windward side of the mountainous areas and uplands, a tropical climate exists, while on the leeward side the climate is semi-arid. Rain falls throughout the year.

Demographics and Language

Most Jamaicans (roughly 90%) are descended from West Africans, but there are also minority populations of East Indians, whites, Chinese, Lebanese and mixed race individuals. The official language of Jamaica is English, however Jamaican patois is more commonly spoken by the majority. Patois is a mixture of English, with the words and syntax of myriad African languages, such as Yoruba, other European languages, pre-colonisation languages, such as Arawak, and Asian languages, such as Hindi.

Cuisine

Jamaican food is popular and famous in many countries around the world. A staple of rice and peas is eaten regularly, with curried goat, salt fish (usually cod), fried plantain, ackee (a type of fruit related to lychees and longans) and dumplings universally enjoyed. Equally well known is Jamaican jerk spice, a centuries old method of preserving meat by adding pepper, allspice and sea salt. Jerk chicken is a much loved version of this dish.

Religion

The Rastafari movement began in Jamaica, with Bob Marley’s adherence to the faith spreading the word around the world. Today, there are over a million practising Rastafarians. Despite this, most Jamaicans are Protestant Christians, accounting for about 65% of the population. Other religions found on the island include Judaism, Bahá'í, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and Obeah, a folk religion of West African origin.

Economy and money

Jamaica’s economy is based on agriculture, mining, manufacturing, financial and insurance services and tourism which is one of the biggest earners. However, regular hurricanes cause millions of dollars of damage, and lack of infrastructure, gangs and poverty are big problems. The currency is the Jamaican dollar.

Culture and politics

The Jamaican political system is based on the UK’s, with the Queen as Head of State, and a cabinet and Prime Minister, although it has had total political independence since 1962. The current Prime Minister is Bruce Golding.

Jamaican culture is world famous, especially in musical terms. Reggae, ska, rocksteady and dub all originated in the clubs of Jamaica. Internationally, Bob Marley is Jamaica’s most famous musician, but more recently Shaggy, Shabba Ranks and Sean Paul have all made big impressions on the charts at home and abroad. The birth of hip-hop in New York and jungle in London also owe much to the Jamaican diasporas living there. Due to the beautiful scenery of the island, Ian Fleming set various James Bond novels there, including Live and Let Die and Octopussy.