Jamaica
Jamaica is an independent country. It's main cash crop is Ganja (marijuana)
and its major industry is bauxite mining. It is a generally poor country.
The people rely very much on tourism to bring in desirable U.S. dollars.
The Jamaicans are generally friendly people, who are willingly to have a
conversation with you, if you can stand their thick patois
(pronounced pa-twa) accents. However, Jamaica is an excellent place to relax.
It has many big resorts, fun activities, and beautiful Caribbean beaches.
The following are facts about Jamaica:
- Population standing at 2,509,800 at the end of 1994 is made
up of the following approximate ethnic groups: African 76.3%,
Afro-European 15. 1%, European 0.8%, Chinese and Afro-Chinese 1.2%,
East Indian and Afro-East Indian 3.4% and others 3.4%.
- Snakes are extremely rare. They were killed off by the mongoose,
imported to exterminate cane field rats.
- Jamaica's currency is the Jamaican dollar, not to be confused with the U.S. dollar.
The value of the Jamaican dollar fluctuates but in March 1999 it was
approximately JA$39 to US$1.
- Obeahism, the Jamaican form of Voodoo, exists but is seldom heard
of. The Obeah man is supposed to marshal evil spirits to bring good
or bad fortune. The practice of Obeahism is a still considered a
crime punishable by imprisonment here.
- Blue Moons happen in Jamaica. Sapphire-colored moons have been observed half a dozen times during the last 40 years.