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Jamaica
More Information
Fact File*
The national motto of Jamaica is "Out of many, one people" reflecting the multicultural blend of the local population, African, English, Spanish, Indian, Chinese, and more.
Location: Size: Topography:
Climate:
Jamaica is situated in the centre of the Caribbean,
between 17.5 degrees and 18.5 degrees north
latitude and 76.5 degrees and 78.5 degrees west
longitude. Cuba is 90 miles north.
Jamaica is the third largest of the Caribbean
Islands. Cuba is the largest with the second place
taken by Hispaniola which contains the countries of
Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Of the
English-speaking islands in the Caribbean, Jamaica
is the largest with about 4400 square miles of land
area. It is 146 miles long and 51 miles wide,
possessing about 550 miles of coastline.
It is said that Columbus described Jamaica as "a
land of hills and valleys" and crumpled a piece of
paper to demonstrate its topography. Almost half of
Jamaica is over 1000 feet above sea level and about
40 square miles is above 5000 feet.
The mountainous character of Jamaica creates a wide range of
micro-climates. The northeast winds blow regularly
throughout the year. During the day, the sea breeze blows
onshore and at night, the land breeze blows off- shore.
During the American winter season, cold fronts may affect
Jamaica, producing very strong cold winds, rain, and a
change in wind direction from the North.
Temperature:
There is little seasonal change in average daily
temperatures in the lower regions of Jamaica where the
majority of the population resides. Readings at St. George's
College Station, Kingston:
- July Average Low at 75.1 degrees F, Average High at 90.7 degrees F
- January Average Low at 69.1 degree F, Average High at 86.7 degrees F
Temperatures are 10 to 20 degrees F cooler in the highlands, but the summits of the Blue Mountains have seen light frosts on winter nights.
Rainfall:
Higher than average rainfall occurs during September to
October, followed by May to June. The major dry period is
from January to March. The average annual rainfall of 77.1
inches is strongly influenced by the terrain. The northeast
of the island receives the most rain. Areas of the Western
end also receive high rainfall.
Daily Winds:
Daily winds develop along the coasts with great
regularity and have greater climatic influence than seasonal
variations. Typically, the sea breeze commences in the
morning, reaches its maximum velocity of about 20 knots at
midday, and then gradually subsides in the afternoon, when
they often produce afternoon showers in the
interior.
Hurricanes:
The hurricane season runs from July to November with the
greatest possibility of a hit being August, September and
October. The most recent direct hits were-
September 12, 1988
August 1951
August 1944
More
Facts on Jamaica
* Source: The National Atlas of Jamaica, prepared by the
Town Planning Department of the Ministry of Finance and
Planning with the assistance of the United Nations
Development Programme Project "Assistance in Physical
Development Planning".
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