Jamaica

About Country

Jamaica is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea, comprising the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles. The island, 10,990 square kilometres in area, lies about 145 kilometres south of Cuba, and 191 kilometres west of Hispaniola, the island containing the nation-states of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Jamaica is the fifth-largest island country in the Caribbean. The indigenous people, the Taíno, called it Xaymaca in Arawakan, meaning the "Land of Wood and Water" or the "Land of Springs".

Once a Spanish possession known as Santiago, in 1655 it came under the rule of England, and was called Jamaica. It achieved full independence from the United Kingdom on 6 August 1962. With 2.8 million people, it is the third most populous Anglophone country in the Americas, after the United States and Canada. Kingston is the country's largest city and its capital, with a population of 937,700. Jamaica has a large diaspora around the world, due to emigration from the country.

Jamaica is a Commonwealth realm, with Queen Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. Her appointed representative in the country is the Governor-General of Jamaica, currently Patrick Allen. The head of government and Prime Minister of Jamaica is Portia Simpson-Miller. Jamaica is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with legislative power vested in the bicameral Parliament of Jamaica, consisting of an appointed Senate and a directly elected House of Representatives.

Why Study in Jamaica

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean and holds the enviable position of being one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. The tropical island, a mere 4,411 sq. miles in size, is well-known for its infectious reggae music, terrific white-sand beaches, picturesque waterfalls and diverse topography. In recent years, the country has become even more popular as the world's top track and field's nation with celebrated sprinters like Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser and Veronica Campbell-Brown. Much more than these, however, Jamaica is known for its warm, friendly people.

• Our people are warm and friendly.
• We have year-round music and food festivals.
• There are numerous cultural attractions - great houses, Bob Marley Museum and Port Royal.
• We are a mecca for water sports lovers, mountain climbers and nature lovers.
• We have high fashion shopping areas and state-of-the-art fitness centres.
• We have exciting night life with clubs, live music, theatres and restaurants.

We invite you to come and explore this beautiful isle, mingle with our people and find out what it is like to learn with a diverse group of Jamaicans and visitors alike who've made their home here.

Universities and college

• The University of the West Indies, Mona
• University of Technology, Jamaica
• University College of the Caribbean