Jamaica

 


Dip into the history and geography of Jamaica, and get a flavour for the Caribbean! We also have a full set of colouring flag, bookmarks and notebooking pages to print and use in your projects.

Ocho Rios, resort town in Jamaica
Ocho Rios, resort town in Jamaica

Learn About Jamaica

Geography of Jamaica

  • Jamaica is a large mountainous island in the Caribbean.
  • The island is the third largest in the Caribbean sea, after Cuba and Hispaniola.
  • The national motto, 'Out of Many, One People", is unsurprising, given the large population of 2,880,000.
  • Over half a million Jamaicans alone live in Kingston, the capital, founded after an earthquake destroyed much of the original capital, Port Royal, which was a notorious home to pirates.
  • Kingston is the largest English speaking city in the Caribbean.
  • The island’s highest point is Blue Mountain Peak at 7,402 feet, which is also one of the highest mountains in the Caribbean.

History of Jamaica

  • The original inhabitants of Jamaica are believed to be the Arawaks, also known as Tainos. They arrived from South America 2,500 years ago and named the island Xaymaca, which meant “land of wood and water". The Arawaks led peaceful lives until the arrival of the Spanish, settling around the coast and rivers. They grew corn, cotton, vegetables and tobacco.
  • Christopher Columbus landed in Jamaica in 1494 to claim the island for Spain. Under Spanish control, Jamaica was known as Santiago.
  • The Spanish arrival was a disaster to the indigenous peoples, with many killed by the invaders and others dying from European diseases which they had no natural resistance to. There were no Arawaks left on the island by 1665.
  • In 1655 the English, led by Admiral William Penn and General Robert Venables, led a successful attack and replaced the Spanish, and grew sugar cane for export. African slaves were made to work on the plantations in harsh conditions.
  • By the time of the Napoleonic wars (1792–1814), Jamaica was prosperous, exporting sugar and coffee, but after the wars, sugar prices dropped, and the slave trade was abolished in 1807.
  • Jamaica became independent in 1962. Tourism started to flourish on the island around this time, and Jamaica also became the first commercial producer of bananas in the Western world.

Fun Facts about Jamaica

  • Whilst English is the official language, most islanders speak Jamaican Patois.
  • The coney or guitar is the only native land mammal. It looks like a guinea pig.
  • There are over 100 types butterfly including the Swallowtail.
  • The national bird is called the hummingbird doctor bird because its tail looks like a doctor's coat.
  • Ackee is the national fruit and is served in a dish with salt fish (usually a white fish like cod).
  • Pimento trees, which grow in Jamaica, produce allspice which is used to flavour food such as jerk chicken.
  • Jamaica is home to over 200 species of exotic orchid.
  • The national flag is one of only two in the world that have no colours in common with the U.S. flag (the other is the flag of Mauritania).

Famous Jamaicans

  • Jamaica is famous for Reggae music. Musician Bob Marley came from Kingston where a museum celebrating his life is a popular tourist attraction.
  • Many successful sports people hail from the island, such as Olympic Gold medal winner Usain Bolt.

About the Jamaica Flag

Jamaica flag

The flag of Jamaica was adopted on Jamaican Independence day, August 6th 1962, when Jamaica gained independence from the British ‘Federation of the West Indies’. The design is a gold satire (diagonal cross) which splits the flag into four sections: the top and bottom sections are green representing vegetation, the right and left sections are black representing strength, and the gold represents the shining sun.


Our Jamaica Printables

A Day In Jamaica Diary

A Day In Jamaica Diary

Use this diary prompt to write about a day living in Jamaica - you might need to do a little research first!

Climate Of Jamaica Worksheet

Climate Of Jamaica Worksheet

Find out about the climate in Jamaica, and the weather conditions there today, then fill in this fun worksheet...

Culture In Jamaica

Culture In Jamaica Worksheet

Jamaica is famous for reggae music and of course the legendary Bob Marley! Can you find out more about culture in Jamaica and write your research in the boxes provided, or draw/stick some pictures? We have both lined and blank versions of this worksheet below.

Design A Tourism Poster For Jamaica

Design A Tourism Poster For Jamaica

Jamaica is a vibrant, colourful country, but can the kids design a tourism poster that's bright, colourful and eye-catching too that will encourage tourists to visit there?

Food From Jamaica Worksheet

Food From Jamaica Worksheet

Find out about the kind of food that Jamaica is known for, then draw a typical meal on the plate. Perhaps you'd like to try eating this meal yourself one day?

Introduction To Jamaica

Introduction To Jamaica

This 2-page Introduction to Jamaica factsheet will soon get your Jamaican studies started...

Jamaica Coat Of Arms Worksheet

Jamaica Coat Of Arms Worksheet

Find out about the Jamaica coat of arms, then write about the significance of the different parts. You can then try designing your own coat of arms on our second worksheet!

Jamaica Fact Worksheet

Jamaica Fact Worksheet

It's always useful to know some interesting facts about a country, and this worksheet encourages the kids to do their research on Jamaica.

Jamaica Facts Poster

Jamaica Facts Poster

You can't miss the distinctive colours of the Jamaican flag on this facts poster - perfect for displays!

Jamaica Factsheet

Jamaica Factsheet

Learn the key facts about Jamaica with this useful factsheet, or print to use in displays or lapbooks...

Jamaica Flag Printable

Jamaica Flag Printable

Whether you want a poster or a flag for bunting you will find one on our Jamaica flag printable.

Jamaica Location Worksheet

Jamaica Location Worksheet

These two location worksheets test children's knowledge of where Jamaica is located on a map of North America.

Jamaica Picture Gallery

Jamaica Picture Gallery

Do some research about 5 things you'd see or do in Jamaica, then draw them in the frames on this picture gallery!

Jamaica Postcard 1

Jamaica Postcard 1

Jamaica looks like a lovely place to visit! Can the children imagine they are staying there and write a postcard for someone back home?

Jamaica Postcard 2

Jamaica Postcard 2

Have a go at designing your own postcard from Jamaica with this fun printable. What will you draw on the front?

Jamaica Poster 1

Jamaica Poster 1

This poster features the stunning coastline of Jamaica, with a beautiful blue sky and sea. Perfect to brighten up any display!

Jamaica Poster 2

Jamaica Poster 2

You might recognise the striking flag of Jamaica on this simple but effective poster. Print and use for displays and projects.

Jamaica Story Paper

Jamaica Story Paper

If you've been lucky enough to visit Jamaica on holiday, you can write about your trip here. Or use this story paper for some creative writing set in Jamaica!

Jamaica Study Pack

Jamaica Study Pack

This 25-page bumper study pack is full of fun activities all about Jamaica. Just pick and choose your favourite printables and activities, or use them all!

Jamaica Tourist Leaflet

Jamaica Tourist Leaflet

You could fill this tourist leaflet for Jamaica with things like maps, facts, and travel ideas! When you've finished, simply fold along the dotted lines to make the 3-fold leaflet. 

Jamaica Travel Brochure Worksheet

Jamaica Travel Brochure Worksheet

Fill this Jamaica travel brochure worksheet with useful tips and information about the country, draw an interesting picture and try to write an eye-catching headline too!

Jamaica Word Search

Jamaica Word Search

Can you find the man who ran at 27.8 mph in this work search (Usain Bolt)? There are 14 other Jamaican-themed words to find on this word search too...

Jamaica Worksheet

Jamaica Worksheet

Find out some simple facts about Jamaica and use them to fill in this worksheet, which also asks children to pinpoint the country's location.

Packing For Jamaica Worksheet

Packing For Jamaica Worksheet

What would you need to pack for a trip to Jamaica? Find out about the climate, activities and any potential dangers of a holiday there, then write or draw a list of everything you'd need...

Wildlife Of Jamaica Worksheet

Wildlife Of Jamaica Worksheet

Write about the wildlife found on Jamaica on this fun worksheet, and draw/cut and paste some pictures too if you prefer - you'll need to do a little research first!

Become a Member to access 39,201 printables!