Jamaica: flag, capital, currency and history

Jamaica is a country in Caribbean, the Americas. Its capital is Kingston. The currency is the Jamaican dollar. Languages spoken include English and Jamaican Patois.

Quick facts about Jamaica

Official name: Jamaica
Capital: Kingston
Region: Americas, Caribbean
Currency: Jamaican dollar (JMD, $)
Languages: English, Jamaican Patois
Calling code: +1876
Internet domain: .jm
Area: 10,991 km² (4,244 sq mi)
Land borders: None (island or surrounded by water)
Demonym: Jamaican
National day: Independence Day, August 6

Flag of Jamaica

Download the flag of Jamaica as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇯🇲.

SVG (vector)

History of Jamaica

Jamaica was inhabited by the Taino people when Christopher Columbus reached the island in 1494. Spain colonised it in the early 16th century, and England took control in 1655. Under British rule the island became a major sugar producer built on the labour of enslaved Africans, and slavery was abolished in the 1830s. Jamaica became a Crown colony in 1866 and later gained internal self-government. After a brief membership in the West Indies Federation, it became independent in 1962 as a Commonwealth realm. Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy.

Key dates

1494Christopher Columbus reaches Jamaica on his second voyage.
1655An English expedition captures Jamaica from Spain.
1834Slavery is abolished in the British Empire, with an apprenticeship period following.
1865The Morant Bay rebellion takes place.
1866Jamaica becomes a Crown colony.
1958Jamaica joins the West Indies Federation, which dissolves in 1962.
1962Jamaica becomes independent on 6 August.