40 Interesting and Surprising Jamaica Facts
Known as the “birthplace of reggae,” Jamaica is home to golden beaches, lush green mountains, seas, rainforests, rivers and world’s fastest man but many people don’t know much about this incredible country. Learn more about Jamaica in this list of 40 interesting Jamaica Facts.
1. Jamaica is the 140th most populous country in the world.
2. Jamaica has an area of 10,991 sq km.
3. Jamaica is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea.
4. Jamaican Patois is the national language of Jamaica.
5. The official language of Jamaica is English.
6. The largest and the smallest butterflies in the New World are found in Jamaica: they are the Homerus (Giant) Swallowtail and the Pygmy Blue.
7. The official currency of Jamaica is the American dollar.
8. Jamaica is the third largest island of the Greater Antilles.
9. Jamaica is famous for cultivating, bananas, sugar cane, and mangoes.
10. Jamaica produces blue mountain coffee and it is one of the rarest coffees across the globe.
11. Jamaica was the first Caribbean country to launch a website.
12. Jamaica is home to over 200 species of orchid.
13. Kingston Harbor of Jamaica is the 7th largest natural harbor across the globe.
14. AT&T Corporation copied telephone system of Jamaica.
15. Manchester Club Golf Course – built in 1865, is believed to be the oldest surviving club in the western hemisphere.
16. Jamaica was the first commercial producer of bananas in the Western Hemisphere.
17. Usain Bolt is a Jamaican runner and Olympic legend who has been called “the fastest man alive”.
18. The island of Jamaica has one of the highest numbers of churches per capita.
19. The national dish of Jamaica is Ackee and Saltfish.
20. Jamaica is the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean.
21. The Jamaica Railway, constructed in 1845, was the first line opened to traffic outside Europe and North America.
22. Jamaican Rum Punch is a favorite among many Jamaicans and rum enthusiasts.
23. Spanish Town has the oldest cathedral of the British colonies in the Caribbean.
24. An airport departure tax of US$35 is payable when departing Jamaica.
25. The nominal total GDP of Jamaica is $14.8 billion.
26. “Jamaica, Land We Love” is the national anthem of Jamaica, officially adopted in July 1962.
27. Jamaicans drive on the left side of the road.
28. In Jamaica, Sir Horace Hector Hearne became Chief Justice and Keeper of the Records in 1945.
29. The writer of James Bond built his dream home in Jamaica known as Goldeneye.
30. Port Royal in Jamaica was once known as the “wickedest city on earth”.
31. Jamaica competed in the Winter Olympic Games for the first time at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
32. The capital and largest city of Jamaica is Kingston.
33. Sprinting is the most popular sport in Jamaica.
34. The current Queen of Jamaica is Elizabeth II.
35. The current constitution of Jamaica was drafted in 1962.
36. The Jamaica national cricket team has won seven WICB Cups.
37. Jamaica is divided into fourteen parishes. They are grouped into three historic counties, which have no administrative relevance.
38. One of the famous cricketers George Headley is from Jamaica.
39. Jamaica is home to about 289 species of birds.
40. There are three international airports in Jamaica.
