Jamaica

Jamaica is country in the Caribbean, just south of Cuba, with a population of 2.7 million and capital city of Kingston. Columbus landed on the island in 1494 and the Spanish brought slaves soon after, the population now being 90% African descent.

In 1655, the country was captured by the British and in 1962, it got its independence. Since independence, power has shifted back and forth between the social-democratic People's National Party and the conservative Jamaica Labour Party. The country is known for its political stability over the decades. BBC writes, "But political stability has not turned into social and economic harmony. Contrasting with the luxury tourist resorts are densely-populated and impoverished ghettos."

Media
The BBC says of the country's media:


 * Jamaica enjoys a free press and its newspapers frequently criticise the establishment. The broadcast media are predominantly commercial and are open to diverse news and comment.

Leaders

 * Bruce Golding, Prime minister, since September 2007 - the conservative Jamaica Labour Party.
 * Queen Elizabeth II, Head of state, represented by Governor-General Kenneth Hall.

External articles

 * Clive Myrie, "Jamaican anger over slave trade", BBC, March 26, 2007.
 * Soutik Biswas, "Jamaica struggles to fight crime", BBC, May 16, 2007.