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Jamaica
Though a small nation, Jamaica is rich in culture, and has a strong global presence. The musical genres reggae, ska, mento, rocksteady, dub, and, more recently, dancehall and ragga all originated in the island's vibrant popular urban recording industry. Internationally known reggae musician Bob Marley was born in Jamaica and is very respected there. Many other internationally known artists who were born in Jamaica includes; Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Jimmy Cliff, Dennis Brown, Desmond Dekker, Beres Hammond, Beenie Man, Shaggy, Grace Jones, Shabba Ranks, Supercat, Buju Banton, Sean Paul, I Wayne, Capleton, Bounty Killer and many others. Famous band artist groups that came from Jamaica includes Black Uhuru, Third World Band, Inner Circle, Chalice Reggae Band, Fab Five, Morgan Heritage and more. The genre jungle emerged from London's Jamaican diaspora. The birth of hip-hop in New York also owed much to the city's Jamaican community.
Christianity remains a strong influence on cultural life, particularly in music. Most people learn their music at church, and biblical references are often used in popular songs. It is not uncommon for musicians to be playing dancehall music on Saturday night, and church music on Sunday morning.
The Rastafari movement was founded in Jamaica. This Back to Africa movement believes that Haile Selassie of Ethiopia is God incarnate, the returned black messiah, came to take the lost Twelve Tribes of Israel back to live with him in Holy Mount Zion in a world of perfect peace, love and harmony. Bob Marley, a convert to the faith, spread the message of Rastafari to the world. There are now estimated to be more than a million Rastafarians throughout the world.
Ian Fleming, who lived in Jamaica, repeatedly used the island as a setting in the James Bond novels, including Live and Let Die, Doctor No, For Your Eyes Only, The Man with the Golden Gun and Octopussy. In addition, James Bond uses a Jamaica based cover in Casino Royale. So far, the only Bond film to have been set in Jamaica is Doctor No. However, filming for the fictional island of San Monique in Live and Let Die was shot in Jamaica.
The American film Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise, is one of the most popular films to depict Jamaica. A look at delinquent youth in Jamaica is presented in the 1970s cops-and-robbers musical film The Harder They Come, starring Jimmy Cliff as a frustrated (and psychopathic) reggae-musician who descends into a murderous crime spree.
Errol Flynn lived with his third wife Patrice Wymore in Port Antonio in the 1950s. He was responsible for developing tourism to this area, popularising raft trips down rivers on bamboo rafts.[5]
National Bird — Doctor Bird (Green-and-black Streamertail, Trochilus polytmus)
National Flower — Lignum Vitae (Guaiacum officinale)
National Tree — Blue Mahoe (Hibiscus elatus)
National Dish — Ackee and Saltfish (dried salted Cod)
National Motto — "Out of Many, One People." (Unity among many cultures and races.)
Full name: Jamaica
Population: 2.7 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Kingston
Area: 10,991 sq km (4,243 sq miles)
Major language: English
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 69 years (men), 72 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Jamaican dollar = 100 cents
Main exports: Bauxite, alumina, garments, sugar, bananas, rum
GNI per capita: US $3,400 (World Bank, 2006)
Internet domain: .jm
International dialling code: + 1876
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