Jamaica, an interesting investing opportunity?

1. Jamaica, an interesting investing opportunity? Jamaica 1494-2006

2. Content • Geography • History • Politics • Economic Condition • Demographics

3. Geography • Location:Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba • Climate:tropical; hot, humid; 27°C • Terrain:mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain • Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m Highest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 m • Natural hazards: hurricanes (especially July to November)

4. History • Pre-Colombian Jamaica - Arawaks • The Spanish Occupation, 1494-1655 • The Slave Economy, 1655-1838 - British occupation • The Development of the Peasantry. 1838-1938 -Coffee, bananas • The National Movement and Decolonization, 1938-1962 VI. Political Independence, 1962-1972

5. Christopher Columbus visited the island in 1494 and this began Spain rule. • It became a Spanish colony in 1509 • British captured the island in 1655 • Jamaica gained full independence within the British Commonwealth in 1962. • Jamaica is the largest English speaking Caribbean island. It is the third largest island in the West Indies. It is 90 miles south of Cuba.

6. Politics • Parliamentary Representative Democracy • Executive branch of government • Popular sovereignty • 1962 Constitution established a parliamentary system (UK) with Senate and House of Representatives • Queen Elizabeth II: Chief of State, elects a Governor General (ceremonial role), on the advise of the Prime Minister as her representative in Jamaica • Independent and Commonwealth Realm (August 6, 1962) • Constitutional safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association

7. Politics • Stable, however economical problems have exacerbated social problems • Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP) • The National Democratic Movement (NDM), was created in October 1995 • 1993 victory of Percival James Patterson (after Michael Manely stepped down in 1992 for health reasons), was the first time Jamaican political party won 3 consecutive general elections since the introduction of universal suffrage to Jamaica in 1944. • In March, 2006, Portia Simpson-Miller was appointed Jamaica's seventh Prime Minister. She is the first woman in the country's history to hold the position of Prime Minister of Jamaica.

8. Quick Facts: GDP per capita: $4100 Population below poverty line: 19.7% Unemployment Rate: 15% Exchange Rate: US$1= J$62.5 Major economic activities: Tourism– English speaking and good weather Mining– Bauxite and Aluminum Agriculture– Food and banana Music and Film– Bob Marley, Shaggy, Sean Paul Economic condition

9. Economic conditions Economic history of Jamaica 1655 Slave Economy 1820-1824 World’s leading sugar exporting nation 1830-1838 Slavery was formally abolished 1962-1972 Strong economic growth-- Independent 1972-1980 Setback-25% decrease in GDP 1980-1985 Closure of 1st and 3rd largest Aluminum producers 1980-1990 Rose in Tourism and garment sectors 1991 Economic liberalization and stabilization Reduced inflation from 80.2% to 7.2%

10. Demographics • Official Name: Jamaica • Capital City: Kingston • Population: 2,605,800 • Climate: Tropical. Hot, Humid • Language: The official language is English but Patois, a dialect, is widely spoken across the island • Ethnic Groups: Black (90.9%), mixed (7.3%), East Indian (1.3%), white (0.2%), Chinese (0.2%) • Religion: The majority of Jamaicans are Christian. But also exist churches like Methodist, Catholic, Seventh-day Adventist, Anglican, to Mormon and Rastafarian • Jamaica is known primarily for its Rastafarian religion, which has several unique practices. They believe that Haile Salassie, the former leader of Ethiopia, is their leader. They believe in the spiritual use of Ganja. • Flag: The Jamaican flag has 3 colors, green, black and gold.

11. Source • Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia, Politics of Jamaica, 2006 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Jamaica , World Wide Web • www.investjamaica.com