Area
10,991 square kilometres (4244 square miles).
Population
2,624,700 people (the 2002 official estimate)
Population Density
238.8 people per square kilometre.
Capital
Kingston.
Population of Kingston
697,000 (the 1994 official estimate).
Geography:
Some key geographical facts:
 Jamaica is the 3rd largest island in the West Indies and is a narrow outcrop of a submerged mountain range.
The island is crossed by a range of mountains reaching 2,256 metres (7,402 feet) at the Blue Mountain Peak in the east, and descending towards the west with a series of spurs and forested gullies running north and south.
Most of the best beaches in Jamaica are on the north and west coasts.
Government
Jamaica has a Constitutional monarchy, and gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1962.
The Head of State is HM Queen Elizabeth II, and is represented locally by Governor General Howard Cooke since 1991.
The Head of Government has been Prime Minister Percival J Patterson since 1992.
Language
The official language in Jamaica is English. Local patois dialect is also spoken.
Religion
The religion in Jamaica is mainly Protestant (Anglican, Baptist, Church of God and Methodist) with Roman Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Bahai communities.
Rastafarianism, a religion based on belief in the divinity of the late Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie (Ras Tafari), is also largely practiced.
Time Zone
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) - 6.
Electricity
110 volts AC, 60 Hz, single phase. American 2 pin plugs are standard, but many hotels offer, in addition, 220 volts AC, 50Hz, single phase, from 3 pin sockets.
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