THE AGRICULTURAL BACKGROUND OF JAMAICA

Jamaicans Blue Mountains
http://www.splendidtable.org/story/rohan-marley-farming

LAND

The land of Jamaica is made up of mountains and plateaus that make up much of its length. 

Few rivers are navigable for long distances because of the rapid decent of the mountainous land. 

http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica

Agriculture

Agriculture continues to be one of the bases of the island’s economy. The main crop of the island is sugarcane. The second and third main crop is molasses and rum. Fruits like coconuts, bananas, and oranges are some important. The Jamaican government encourages afforestation. Fishing is a major enterprise, supporting thousands of people. Pedro Bank is a main fishing land in southwest Jamaica. 

Manufacturing 

The main products of manufacturing is processed foods such as sugar and rum, textiles, and metal. Printing, chemicals, and cement and clay products are also notable. For all of their energy, Jamaica imports petroleum. Hydroelectric resources and the burning of bagasse (sugarcane residue) generate smaller amounts of electricity. Generators, partly owned by the government, supply most of the electric power. 

Services

Finance, tourism, and other services are important components of the island’s economy. The largest source of foreign exchange is tourism, it accounts for 70% of GDP. Jamaica is famous for its pleasant climate, fine beaches, and superb scenery, including the majestic Blue Mountains. 

Some of the main companies operational in Jamaica include Jamaica Fibreglass, Millwood Industries Ltd, Caldoors, Jamaica Producers Group LTD and Red Stripe Beer. http://www.commonwealthofnations.org/sectors-jamaica/business/industry_and_manufacturing/ 

Economy 

 Jamaica relies heavily on tourism and remittances. Its economy slowed down after the September 11th terrorists attacks in the United States stunted its economic growth. in 2003, Jamaican economy picked up after one of the best tourism seasons on the record. Jamaica's long-term economic issues involve having high interests rates, increased foreign competition, merchandise trade deficit, large-scale un-employment, and continuously growing internal debt. All those are results from government bailouts. 

http://digjamaica.com/blog/2013/05/15/crime-in-jamaica-january-to-april-2013/

Depressed economic conditions have led to increased civil unrest, including gang violence fueled by the drug trade. The government faces problems maintaing debt payments and trying to attack a growing and serious crime problem that is tampering with the government. 

Ewin James writes, "For Jamaica to achieve economic growth, its leaders and people must understand what economic growth is, the obstacles to it, and must be prepared remove the obstacles. For, until the obstacles are identified and removed, Jamaica will continue to go around in circles." http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/Jamaica-and-economic-growth_15614613

What Makes Up Jamaica 

Ethnicity

Jamaicans are 90.9 percent black, 1.3 percent East Indian, 0.2 percent white, 0.2 percent Chinese, 7.3 percent mixed ethnicities, and 0.1 percent other ethnicities. According to Oxford AASC http://www.oxfordaasc.com/public/samples/sample_country.jsp. 

Nearly the whole population of Jamaica is native- born Jamaican. East Indians and Chinese were recruited between the 1850s and the 1880s to fill the labor gap left by ex-slaves and to keep plantation wages low. As soon as the Chinese finished their indentured contracts, they established small businesses. East Indians have been moving gradually from agricultural labor into mercantile and professional activities. The major ethnic division is that between whites and blacks. The achievement of black majority rule has led to an emphasis on class relations, shades of skin color, and cultural prejudices, rather than on racial divisions.
Jamaica has never experienced entrenched ethnic conflict between blacks and Indians or Chinese.

Ma/Jamaica.html#ixzz3rJgmMLhjhttp://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Jamaica.html#ixzz3rJgZdinJ 

Religion in Jamaica 

  Religion is a big part of every day Jamaican life. The most practiced religions are Anglicanism, Protestantism, and Roman Catholicism. More than 80% are Christian. 

Almost one hundred thousand Jamaicans are Rastafarian. According to Rastafarians, the only true god is the late Ethiopian emperor named Haile Selassie (know as Ras Tafari). Rastafarians give great emphasis to spirituality and mediation. They use marijuana in their religious rites. They traditionally grow beards as a sign of a pact with God, carry bibles, and wear their hair in dreadlocks. 

*Fun Fact*

"Jamaica holds the dubious record in the Guinness Book of Records with the most churches per capita mile."
(http://jamaicans.com/religion/) 

Death and the After Life

  Death in Jamaica is believed caused by the violation of a cultural norm, evil spirits, or envy. After the death of a loved one, the family gathers at the deceased house and assist in funeral preparations, which include washing and tying the body. A ritual called "setup" involves gathering at the deceased house every night until the burial. Funerals are extremely important to Jamaican culture. 

http://jamaicaelections.com/general/2007/blog/?cat=37

Jamaican Government and Politics 

 Jamaica is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. The prime minister is the most important member of the cabinet and the acknowledged leader of the majority party. He may be removed by resigning or otherwise ceasing to be a member of the House of Representatives. Another way is by being given a vote of no confidence by a majority of House members. Members of Parliament are immune from arrest and protected against lawsuits arising from their duties. Because wealthier individuals tended to monopolize parish council positions, relations of this local elite with the poorer masses were based more on authoritarian paternalism than cooperation.