Jamaica Facts

Interesting Facts about Jamaica for Kids

Here are some interesting Jamaica Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Jamaica for Kids

• Population: 2.8 million people live in Jamaica (2020)
• Capital: Kingston with 591,000 inhabitants 
• Government: Parliamentary democracy
• Motto: “Out of Many, One People”
• Language: English, English Patois
• Literacy: More than 89% of the people can read and write.
• Religion: mainly Christians (67%)
• Currency: 1 Jamaican dollar = 100 cents

• National Symbols: green-and-black streamertail (national bird) Guaiacum (national flower), green, yellow and black (national colours)
• National Anthem: “Jamaica, Land We Love”
• National Day: 6 August (Independence Day)

• History: Jamaica’s first people are the Taíno and Arawak people. The Spanish colonised the country after Christopher Columbus arrived on the island in 1494. Jamaica belonged to Spain until 1655 when the British conquered Jamaica. The British established many plantations for sugar, cocoa and coffee in the 17th century. Slavery was abolished in Jamaica in 1838. On 6 August 1962, Jamaica gained independence from the UK.