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media type="custom" key="333953" =Country Name: Jamaica=

__Social Groups__
black 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%, white 0.2%, Chinese 0.2%, mixed 7.3%, other 0.1%

__Language .__
English is the official language of Jamaica. some Jamaicans cannot speak or understand English due to there education. many Jamaicans speak patois which is an English based language. patois came from an influence from West Africa. = = = Art Art: Jamaicans are especially fond of reggae. Bob Marley is a famous Jamaican reggae singer. Also Jamaicans practice basketry, pottery,and textile.

Religion: Jamaicans are 61 percent Protestants,21 percent are church of god, 9 percent are baptists, 9 percent are seventh day adventists 7.6 are, and 4 percent are roman catholic.

The other Religion is Rastafarian's. It is the Religion of the Jamaican natives. only 5 percent or Jamaica practice it. Marijuana is a main part of the practice.

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__Daily Life__
food: Jamaicans generally enjoy spicy food. The national dish is salt fish which is dried cod with lots of salt. Jamaicans also enjoy pineapples and ackee, which is a red fruit. Then another great food is Jerk. It is spicy pork or chicken. Also Jamaicans enjoy Indian and Chinese food. The top drinks in Jamaica are white rum and beer.

Family: many women in a low come society in Jamaica reproduce with many men so they can help support her family. Also many childen live with with their relatives because their parents are away working. so outside family is important. 00.3 Sports: Jamaicans enjoy cricket and soccer. Women play netball which is similar to basketball. Also Jamaicans love the game of dominoes. Jamaicans are also very athletic. People also enjoy dancing at discos to reggae.

Housing poor Jamaicans usually live in a shack. the shacks were made to offer protection against severe weather and natural disasters. the rich people usually live in luxurious mansions. the middle class families usually live in two – four floor houses or condos. some people live in apartments. many people grow fruit trees.

Holidays Jamaican holidays include new years day, ash Wednesday, easter(Friday – Monday), labor day(May 23), independence day(first Monday in august), national heroes day(third Monday in October), Christmas, boxing day(December 26). boxing day is a day to visit family and friends.

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Physical Features (Sean)
===Land Forms: Jamaica covers 4,244 sq. miles. 80% of the island is Mountainous. The Blue Mountains covers most of the island. It is divided up into two ranges. The first one is the Central Range, in which lies the highest peak in Jamaica Blue Mountain Peak, and the other range is the Port Royal Mountains, which rise just above Linguanea Plains.===

The Blue Mountains.

There are many bays in Jamaica. The largest of all of the bays is Montego Bay. The Jamaica Channel surrounds the eastern side of the island.
===__Climate:__ Jamaica has a tropical marine climate. The temperature in Jamaica usually is around 80-90° F. Due to this climate the only vegetation that grows in Jamaica are Mahogany trees, cedar, and coconut palm trees all grow in Jamaica.=== Coconut Palm Trees

===Animals: Cuckoos, Parrots, and Humming birds live in the jungles of Jamaica. Frogs, crocodiles, and many species of lizards can be found throughout the island of Jamaica. Turtles, rays, and all sorts of colorful fish swim along the shores of Jamaica.===

Sea turtle Map of Jamaica

Current Issues
On August 20, hurricane Dean ripped the Caribbean, totaling buildings on islands along its edges, and taking at least eight lives. Jamaican Authorities are blaming the increasing crime rate on American deportees.The criminals are exported for being illegal immigrants, and even coccain possesion. The United States, Canada, and Britian have exprted 33,268 Jamaicans, and the number per yaer has only increased since the hardend immmigration laws. Authorities know for certain that som deportees are the haed of crime organizations in Jamaica.

__Government__
Jamaica's government is based on the British's, making it a parliamentary democracy. Unlike the U.S, elections are held every five years. The voting age however, is the Same as America, at 18. Parliament consists of an elected House of Representatives with 60 members and an appointed Senate with 21 members. The cabinet, led by the prime minister, holds executive power. Although Jamaica is independent, it is part of the British Commowealth, and recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state. She is represented by a governor-general named Kenneth Hall.

__[[image:file:Jamaica_flag_lg.gif]]Economy__
key elements to the economy are tourism and Bauxite (an aluminum ore). Exports are Bananas, rum coffee, sugar, and Bauxite. More than 20% of the population are employed in agriculture. The currency is the Jamaica dollar

__History__
Jamaica was claimed for Spain by Christopher Columbus in 1494. In 1655, it was seized by England. The Jamaicans however, were tired of being ruled. So in 1962, Jamaica got their independence. They are now an independent country in the British commonwealth, with full dominion status.

__Six (6) Photos__
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