World Factbook
Jamaica
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles, two green (top and bottom) and two black (left and right) meaning: green stands for hope, vegetation, and agriculture; black for hardships overcome and to be faced; and yellow for sunshine and natural resources
Capital
name
Kingston
etymology
the name is a blend of the words "king's" and "town;" named after the English king at the time of the city's founding in 1692, WILLIAM III
time difference
UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
18 00 N, 76 48 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
4 out of the previous 5 years
Constitution
history
several previous (pre-independence); latest drafted 1961-62, submitted to British Parliament 24 July 1962, entered into force 6 August 1962 (at independence)
amendment process
proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments to "non-entrenched" constitutional sections, such as lowering the voting age, requires majority vote by the Parliament membership; passage of amendments to "entrenched" sections, such as fundamental rights and freedoms, requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament; passage of amendments to "specially entrenched" sections such as the dissolution of Parliament or the executive authority of the monarch requires two-thirds approval by Parliament and approval in a referendum
Country name
etymology
from the Arawak word xaymaca , meaning "Land of Wood and Water" or possibly "Land of Springs"
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Jamaica
Independence
6 August 1962 (from the UK)
Legal system
common law system based on the English model
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Judicial branch
note
note: appeals beyond Jamaica's highest courts are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) rather than to the Caribbean Court of Justice (the appellate court for member states of the Caribbean Community)
highest court(s)
Court of Appeal (consists of president of the court and a minimum of 4 judges); Supreme Court (40 judges organized in specialized divisions)
subordinate courts
resident magistrate courts, district courts, and petty sessions courts
judge selection and term of office
chief justice of the Supreme Court and president of the Court of Appeal appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister; other judges of both courts appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; judges of both courts serve till age 70
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Sir Patrick L. ALLEN (since 26 February 2009)
head of government
Prime Minister Andrew HOLNESS (since 3 March 2016)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the governor general appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Representatives as prime minister
National holiday
Independence Day, 6 August (1962)
National color(s)
green, yellow, black
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
2 ( 1mixed,1 cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Blue and John Crow Mountains (m); The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal (c)
Political parties
Jamaica Labor Party or JLP Jamaica Progressive Party or JPP People's National Party or PNP United Independents' Congress or UIC
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Jamaica, Land We Love"
history
adopted 1962
lyrics/music
Hugh Braham SHERLOCK/Robert Charles LIGHTBOURNE
National symbol(s)
green-and-black streamertail (bird), guaiacwood ( Guiacum officinale )
Administrative divisions
14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland
note: for local government purposes, Kingston and Saint Andrew were amalgamated in 1923 into the present single corporate body known as the Kingston and Saint Andrew Corporation
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives
term in office
5 years
number of seats
63 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
9/3/2025
expected date of next election
August 2030
percentage of women in chamber
30.2%
parties elected and seats per party
Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) (35); People's National Party (PNP) (28)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate
term in office
5 years
number of seats
21 (all appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
9/18/2025
expected date of next election
September 2030
percentage of women in chamber
33.3%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 452-0036
chancery
1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 452-0660
chief of mission
Ambassador Antony B. ANDERSON (since 24 July 2025)
consulate(s) general
Miami, New York
email address and website
contactus@jamaicaembassy.org Jamaican Embassy (embassyofjamaica.org)
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
(876) 702-6348
embassy
142 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6
telephone
(876) 702-6000
mailing address
3210 Kingston Place, Washington DC 20521-3210
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Scott RENNER (since 13 August 2025)
email address and website
KingstonACS@state.gov https://jm.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, ACS, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt