Jamaica

Jamaica is an island country in the Caribbean, covering 10,990 square kilometres. It is the third-largest island in the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean, after Cuba and the island of Hispaniola. Jamaica lies about 145 km south of Cuba, 191 km west of Hispaniola (the island containing Haiti and the Dominican Republic), and 215 km southeast of the Cayman Islands. With 2.8 million people, Jamaica is the third most populous Anglophone country in the Americas.

The Indigenous Ciboney people of the island gradually came under Spanish rule after the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1494. Many of the Indigenous people either were killed or died of diseases, after which the Spanish brought large numbers of Africans to Jamaica as slaves. The island remained a possession of Spain, under the name Santiago, until 1655, when England conquered it and named it Jamaica. Jamaicans achieved independence from the United Kingdom on 6 August 1962.

Today, Jamaica is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with Kingston as its capital and largest city. The country has a large Jamaican diaspora, particularly in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Most Jamaicans are of Sub-Saharan African ancestry, with significant European, East Asian (primarily Chinese), Indian, Lebanese, and mixed-race minorities.

Jamaica is known worldwide for its music and culture. It is the birthplace of the Rastafari religion and reggae music, along with genres like dub, ska, and dancehall. The country is also famous for its success in sports, especially cricket, sprinting, and athletics. Jamaica's economy depends heavily on tourism, with millions of visitors enjoying its beautiful beaches and resorts each year.

Etymology

The Indigenous peoples, the Ciboney, called the island Xaymaca in their language, which means "Land of Wood and Water" or "Land of Springs." Early explorers like Christopher Columbus may have called it Yamaye.

Today, Jamaicans often call their home "yaad," a word in Jamaican Patois meaning home. Other fun names people use include "Jamrock," "Jamdown" (or "Jamdung" in Jamaican Patois), and even just "Ja."

History

Main article: History of Jamaica

Prehistory

Main article: Pre-Columbian Jamaica

There is no evidence of people living on Jamaica until around 500 CE. A group called the "Redware people," named after their pottery, arrived around 600 CE. They were followed by the Taíno people around 800 CE, who most likely came from South America. They lived by farming and fishing, and at their peak, they may have had around 60,000 people living in about 200 villages led by leaders known as caciques. The south coast of Jamaica, especially near Old Harbour, was the most crowded area.

Spanish rule (1509–1655)

Main article: Colony of Santiago

Christopher Columbus was the first European to see Jamaica, claiming it for Spain after landing there in 1494 on his second trip to the Americas. He likely landed at Discovery Bay, and named St. Ann's Bay “Saint Gloria.” He returned in 1503 but was shipwrecked and had to stay on the island for a year.

The first Spanish settlement was at Sevilla, built in 1509 by Juan de Esquivel but abandoned around 1524 because it was too unhealthy. The capital moved to Spanish Town, called St. Jago de la Vega, around 1534. Many Taíno people died from diseases brought by the Spanish and from being forced to work. To replace them, the Spanish brought slaves from Africa to the island.

Some slaves escaped and formed communities in remote areas, mixing with the remaining Taíno people. These groups were known as Maroons. Many Jews also fled to Jamaica from Spain to escape persecution.

Early British period

Main article: Colony of Jamaica

The English started showing interest in Jamaica and invaded the island in 1655, led by Admiral William Penn and General Robert Venables. Battles in 1657 and 1658 led to Spanish losses, and the English took control. The English government formed in 1661.

When the English took over, most Spanish colonists left, but some Spanish Jews stayed. The Spanish freed their slaves before leaving, and many slaves ran away to join the Maroon communities. Over time, these Maroons kept their freedom in the mountains.

The Spanish tried to take Jamaica back several times, so the British supported pirates who attacked Spanish ships. This made piracy common in places like Port Royal. Spain finally recognized British control in 1670.

In 1660, Jamaica had about 4,500 white people and 1,500 black people. As sugar plantations grew, the number of enslaved Africans increased, and they became the majority of the population. The Irish in Jamaica also became a big part of the population, working as laborers and soldiers.

18th–19th centuries

Main article: Slavery in colonial British America

During the 1700s, Jamaica’s economy grew, especially from sugar, coffee, cotton, and indigo, all worked by enslaved people. Many slaves escaped and joined the Maroons, leading to conflicts known as The First Maroon War (1728 – 1739/40). The British made peace with the Maroons in treaties in 1739 and 1740.

A big slave rebellion called Tacky's War happened in 1760 but was stopped by the British and their Maroon allies. After another conflict in 1795–96, many Maroons were sent away to Nova Scotia and later Sierra Leone.

By the early 1800s, black people greatly outnumbered white people in Jamaica. Although the British banned the slave trade in 1807, slavery itself continued. In 1831, a large rebellion called the Baptist War broke out, led by a Baptist preacher named Samuel Sharpe. It caused many deaths and destruction.

Because of such rebellions and efforts by people who opposed slavery, Britain ended slavery in its empire in 1834, with full freedom declared in 1838. The population in 1834 included 15,000 white people, 5,000 free black people, 40,000 free people of mixed race, and 311,070 enslaved people.

After slavery ended, Britain brought in workers from India and China to work on plantations. Jamaica’s population grew, but many people lived in poverty. In 1865, a rebellion led by Paul Bogle was harshly put down. New leaders worked to improve life for Jamaicans.

Early 20th century

In 1907, a big earthquake and fire caused damage in Kingston and led to many deaths.

Unemployment and poverty were problems, leading to movements for change. Marcus Garvey started the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League in 1917, seeking better rights for people and inspiring the Rastafari religion in the 1930s.

The Great Depression of the 1930s hurt Jamaica badly, leading to strikes and riots. This led to reports suggesting reforms. A new House of Representatives was created in 1944, and Jamaica’s two-party system began, with the Jamaican Labour Party and the People's National Party forming.

Jamaica gained more independence from Britain. In 1958, it joined the Federation of the West Indies but left in 1962 to become fully independent on August 6, 1962. It stayed part of the Commonwealth of Nations and kept a system of government similar to Britain’s. Alexander Bustamante became the first prime minister.

Post-independence era

Main article: Independence of Jamaica

In the years after independence, Jamaica grew quickly, especially in mining, tourism, manufacturing, and farming. The first ten years were led by conservative governments.

Jamaica joined the Non-Aligned Movement, keeping strong ties with Britain and the United States while also building relationships with other countries.

Different parties took power over the years. Social reforms were made, and ties with other nations were strengthened. Economic challenges came, especially in the 1970s and 1980s, but reforms were made to improve the country.

Elections continued, with changes in leadership between the two main parties. Economic reforms and infrastructure improvements were made, along with support for people in need.

In recent years, Jamaica has continued to hold elections, with changes in leadership between the two main parties. Economic challenges have persisted, and voter turnout has sometimes been low.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Jamaica

Further information: Foreign relations of Jamaica and Republicanism in Jamaica

Jamaica is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the King of Jamaica (currently King Charles III), represented locally by the Governor-General of Jamaica. The governor-general is chosen by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, then appointed by the king. The monarch and governor-general mainly have ceremonial roles. Jamaica’s current constitution was created in 1962 when the country became independent.

Jamaica’s Parliament has two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Members of the House are elected, and the governor-general chooses one to be Prime Minister. Senators are chosen by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, then appointed by the governor-general.

The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) is Jamaica’s small but professional military. It is organized similarly to the British military. Officer candidates go to training courses in Britain or Canada. Soldiers train at camps in St. Andrew. The JDF includes an infantry regiment, an Air Wing, a Coast Guard, and an Engineering Unit. It has sometimes helped the police with safety in areas with high crime.

Main article: Parishes of Jamaica

Jamaica is divided into 14 parishes, grouped into three historic counties that no longer have administrative roles. These parishes are called “Local Authorities.” Some are city municipalities, like Kingston & St. Andrew, and others are town municipalities. The newest city municipality is Portmore, created in 2003.

Geography and environment

Main articles: Geography of Jamaica and Geology of Jamaica

Jamaica is the third-largest island in the Caribbean. It is located between 17° and 19°N latitude and 76° and 79°W longitude. The island's interior is dominated by mountains, such as the Dry Harbour Mountains and the Blue Mountains, which include Blue Mountain Peak, the highest point at 2,256 meters. These mountains are surrounded by a narrow coastal plain.

Jamaica has two main cities. Kingston, the capital, is a busy center on the south coast. Montego Bay is a popular tourist spot on the north coast. Other notable towns include Portmore, Spanish Town, Savanna la Mar, Mandeville, and resort towns like Ocho Ríos, Port Antonio, and Negril.

The island's climate is tropical, with hot and humid weather, though higher areas are cooler. Jamaica is located in a region where hurricanes sometimes occur. Notable storms include Charlie in 1951, Gilbert in 1988, and Hurricane Melissa in 2025, which was the strongest storm to hit Jamaica.

Jamaica is home to many types of plants and animals. When Europeans first arrived, the island was mostly covered in forests. Today, it has many native plants, including over 1,000 types that are found only there. The island also has unique animals, such as bats, the Jamaican hutia, and many bird species, including the national symbol, the red-billed streamertail.

Jamaica's waters support a variety of fish and marine life, but pollution and development pose challenges. Efforts are being made to protect these important natural resources.

Demographics

Jamaica's population is mostly of African descent, with many tracing their roots to West African countries like Ghana and Nigeria. Other groups include people of European, South Asian, and East Asian backgrounds. Most Jamaicans see themselves as part of a shared national identity, rather than focusing on their specific ethnic background.

Jamaica uses two main languages: (Jamaican) English, which is used in schools, government, and official settings, and Jamaican Patois, a local creole language spoken in everyday life. Many Jamaicans can understand and speak both languages. Some also use Jamaican Sign Language or American Sign Language.

Many Jamaicans live outside of Jamaica, especially in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. Large communities can be found in cities like New York City, London, and Toronto. These communities help keep Jamaican culture alive around the world.

Breakdown of responses to the 2011 census by the University of the West Indies.

Jamaica's diverse ethnic roots are reflected in the national motto "Out of Many One People". Some dispute the appropriateness of the motto because Jamaicans are overwhelmingly of a single race. The Jamaican founding fathers were mostly White or brown men and unrepresentative of the views of the country's majority Black population.

Most of the population of 2,812,000 (July 2018 est.) are of African or partially African descent, with many being able to trace their origins to the West African countries of present-day Ghana and Nigeria. Other major ancestral areas are Europe, South Asia, and East Asia.^{[citation needed]} It is uncommon for Jamaicans to identify themselves by race as is prominent in other countries such as the United States, with most Jamaicans seeing Jamaican nationality as an identity in and of itself, identifying as simply being "Jamaican" regardless of ethnicity. A study found that the average admixture on the island was 78.3% Sub-Saharan African, 16.0% European, and 5.7% East Asian.

A more precise study was conducted by the local University of the West Indies – Jamaica's population is more accurately 76.3% African descent or Black, 15.1% Afro-European (or locally called the Brown Man or Browning Class), 3.4% East Indian and Afro-East Indian, 3.2% White, 1.2% Chinese and 0.8% Other. The Jamaican Maroons of Accompong and other settlements are the descendants of African slaves who fled the plantations for the interior, where they set up their own autonomous communities. Many Maroons continue to have their own traditions and speak their own language, known locally as Kromanti.

Asians form the third-largest group (after the Browning Class – i.e. descendants of the mulattos during slavery and other interracial mixtures subsequent to emancipation) and include Indo-Jamaicans and Chinese Jamaicans. Most are descended from indentured workers brought by the British colonial government to fill labour shortages following the abolition of slavery in 1838. Along with their Indian counterparts, Chinese Jamaicans have also played an integral part in Jamaica's community and history.^{[citation needed]} There are about 20,000 Jamaicans who have Lebanese and Syrian ancestry. Most were Christian immigrants who fled the Ottoman occupation of Lebanon in the early 19th century. Eventually, their descendants became very successful politicians and businessmen.^{[citation needed]}

The first wave of English immigrants arrived on the island in 1655 after conquering the Spanish, and they have historically been the dominant group. The first Irish immigrants came to Jamaica in the 1600s as war prisoners and, later, as indentured labourers. In the 1650s, Oliver Cromwell exiled Scots prisoners of war to Jamaica, and as a result, Scots and Scottish Jamaicans have made a significant impact on the island, including many Jamaicans having common Scottish surnames, place names across the island of Scottish origins, the establishments of Presbyterian churches by Scots across the island in the 17th century, as well as the national flag of Jamaica taking inspiration from the national flag of Scotland.

There is also a significant Jamaican population of Portuguese descent that is predominantly of Sephardic Jewish heritage. The first Jews arrived as explorers from Spain in the 15th century after being forced to choose between expulsion or conversion to Christianity. A small number of them became slave owners or pirates. Judaism eventually became very influential in Jamaica and can be seen today with many Jewish cemeteries around the country. During the Holocaust, Jamaica became a refuge for Jews fleeing persecution in Europe.

Languages

Jamaica is regarded as a bilingual country, with two major languages used by the population. The official language is (Jamaican) English, which is "used in all domains of public life", including the government, the legal system, the media, and education. However, the primary spoken language is an English-based creole language called Jamaican Patois (or Patwa). The two exist in a dialect continuum, with speakers using a different speech register depending on the context and to whom they speak. "Pure" Patois, though sometimes perceived as merely a particularly aberrant dialect of English, is essentially mutually unintelligible with standard English and linguists consider it a distinct language, though most of its vocabulary originally derives from English. A 2007 survey by the Jamaican Language Unit found that 17.1 percent of the population were monolingual in Jamaican Standard English (JSE), 36.5 percent were monolingual in Patois, and 46.4 percent were bilingual, although earlier surveys had pointed to a greater degree of bilingualism (up to 90 percent). The Jamaican education system had only in about 2015 begun to offer formal instruction in Patois while retaining JSE as the "official language of instruction".

Additionally, some Jamaicans use one or more of Jamaican Sign Language (JSL), American Sign Language (ASL) or the declining indigenous Jamaican Country Sign Language (Konchri Sain). Both JSL and ASL are rapidly replacing Konchri Sain for a variety of reasons.

Emigration

Many Jamaicans have emigrated to other countries, especially the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. In the case of the United States, about 20,000 Jamaicans per year are granted permanent residence. There has also been emigration of Jamaicans to other Caribbeans countries such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guyana, and The Bahamas. It was estimated in 2004 that up to 2.5 million Jamaicans and Jamaican descendants lived abroad.

About 800,000 Jamaicans live in the United Kingdom, making them by far the country's largest African-Caribbean group. Large-scale migration from Jamaica to the UK occurred primarily in the 1950s and 1960s when the country was still under British rule. There are Jamaican communities in most large UK cities. Concentrations of expatriate Jamaicans are quite considerable in numerous cities in the United States, including New York City, Buffalo, the Miami metro area, Atlanta, Chicago, Orlando, Tampa, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Hartford, Providence and Los Angeles. In Canada, the Jamaican population is centred in Toronto, with smaller communities in cities such as Hamilton, Montreal, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Ottawa. Jamaican Canadians comprise about 30% of the entire Black Canadian population. A notable though much smaller group of emigrants are Jamaicans in Ethiopia. These are mostly Rastafarians, in whose theological worldview Africa is the promised land, or "Zion", or more specifically Ethiopia, due to reverence in which former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie is held. Most live in the small town of Shashamane about 150 miles (240 km) south of the capital Addis Ababa.

Major cities

See also: List of cities and towns in Jamaica

Religion

Main article: Religion in Jamaica

Most people in Jamaica practice Christianity. Many belong to different Christian groups such as the Church of God, Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Baptist.

Another important faith in Jamaica is the Rastafari movement, which began in the 1930s. It honors leaders like Marcus Garvey and Haile Selassie.

Other beliefs practiced in Jamaica include Kumina, Jehovah's Witnesses, Bahá'í faith, Mormonism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. The Indo-Jamaican community celebrates Diwali each year.

There is also a small group of Jews in Jamaica, with a historic synagogue in Kingston.

Education

Main article: Education in Jamaica

After slaves were freed, Jamaica began building schools for everyone. Before that, most families sent their children to schools in England. After freedom, new schools called All Age Schools were created, mostly by churches. This started Jamaica's school system.

Today, Jamaica has different types of schools. Young children go to early childhood schools from ages 2 to 5. Children aged 3 to 12 attend primary schools, which can be public or private. Secondary schools are for ages 10 to 19 and can be public or private, and some follow old school styles from England.

There are also colleges and universities, including the University of the West Indies, University of Technology, Jamaica, Northern Caribbean University, University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, and International University of the Caribbean. Education is free from early childhood through secondary school. There are also training programs and scholarships for those who want to study more.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Jamaica

Jamaica has a mixed economy with both government and private businesses. Key parts of the economy include agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, petroleum refining, and services like financial and insurance work. Tourism and mining bring in the most money from other countries. About half of Jamaica's economy comes from services, especially tourism. Around 4.3 million visitors come to Jamaica each year. Jamaica is considered an upper-middle income country, but it can be affected by things like climate change, flooding, and hurricanes.

Since the early 1980s, Jamaica has worked on changes to help private businesses grow and let market forces guide the economy more. This has included removing controls on money exchange, lowering taxes, and making it easier for foreign investment. The government has focused on keeping spending under control, opening up trade, and letting markets work more freely. Many parts of the economy have been sold back to private ownership.

After gaining independence, Jamaica's economy grew quickly but slowed down in the 1980s because of falling prices for important products like bauxite and changes in farm product prices. The financial sector had problems in 1994, with many banks losing money. In 1997, the government created a company to help these banks, but this led to more debt. From 2001, these banks were sold back once they were stable again.

Recently, Jamaica's economy has been improving. Farm production has grown, with increases in crops like corn, plantains, and bananas. Jamaica is also a big producer and exporter of bauxite, and it has large amounts of limestone. The tourism industry has grown a lot since 2017, with millions more visitors each year. Jamaica's top visitors come from North America, South America, and Europe. The country has won several awards for its tourism.

Jamaica exports products like sugar, bananas, cocoa, and rum. The country has many industries, including aviation, engineering, light manufacturing, food processing, and more. Jamaica's science and technology sector is guided by government groups, and Jamaicans have made important discoveries in health and space technology.

Post–independence

Recent advancements

Tourism industry

Industries

Science and technology

Main articles: Science and technology in Jamaica and List of Jamaican inventions and discoveries

Infrastructure

Transport

Further information: Transport in Jamaica

The transport system in Jamaica includes roads, railways, and air travel. Roads are the main way people and goods move around the island.

Roadways

Main article: Roads in Jamaica

Jamaica has almost 21,000 kilometres of roads, and more than 15,000 kilometres are paved. The government has been improving roads, including building freeways connecting major towns. So far, 33 kilometres of freeway have been built.

Railways

Main article: Railways of Jamaica

Railways are not as important as they used to be, with only 57 kilometres still in use for moving materials. In 2011, a small passenger service started again between May Pen, Spanish Town, and Linstead.

Air transport

Jamaica has three big international airports: Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston; Ian Fleming International Airport in Boscobel, Saint Mary Parish; and the busiest one, Sir Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. There are also smaller airports for local flights at Tinson Pen (Kingston), Port Antonio, and Negril.

Ports, shipping and lighthouses

See also: Lighthouses in Jamaica

Because Jamaica is close to major shipping routes, many ships stop there. The Port of Kingston and Montego Freeport handle lots of cargo, especially agricultural products. There are ports all around the island, such as in St. Catherine, Clarendon, St. Elizabeth, Ocho Rios, and Port Antonio. Jamaica also has nine lighthouses to help ships navigate.

Energy

See also: Solar power in Jamaica

Jamaica gets most of its energy from imported oil. Power plants mostly use diesel to make electricity. There are also smaller power stations and some wind farms. Jamaica has a small nuclear reactor and plans to add more modern nuclear power in the future.

Communication

Main article: Telecommunications in Jamaica

Jamaica has modern mobile phone networks with almost everyone having a phone. The main companies are FLOW Jamaica and Digicel Jamaica. Both offer mobile internet, with Digicel also providing faster broadband services in some areas. A new company, Caricel, started in 2016 to offer mobile internet services.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Jamaica

Music

Main article: Music of Jamaica

Jamaican culture is famous around the world for its music. The island is where many popular music styles began, such as reggae, ska, mento, rocksteady, dub, dancehall, and ragga. These styles have inspired many other types of music around the globe, including punk rock, dub poetry, new wave, two-tone, lovers rock, reggaeton, jungle, drum and bass, dubstep, grime, and American rap.

One of the most famous Jamaican musicians is Bob Marley, who with his band the Wailers helped make reggae popular all over the world. Many other well-known musicians were born in Jamaica, including Toots Hibbert, Millie Small, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Gregory Isaacs, Half Pint, Protoje, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Big Youth, Jimmy Cliff, Dennis Brown, Desmond Dekker, Beres Hammond, Beenie Man, Shaggy, Grace Jones, Shabba Ranks, Super Cat, Buju Banton, Sean Paul, I Wayne, Bounty Killer, and many more. Jamaican bands include Black Uhuru, Third World Band, Inner Circle, Chalice Reggae Band, Culture, Fab Five, and Morgan Heritage.

Literature

Jamaican writers have created many interesting stories and books. H. G. de Lisser, a journalist and author, wrote many novels set in Jamaica. He worked for the Jamaica Times and later started a magazine called Planters' Punch. One of his famous books is The White Witch of Rosehall. Another writer, Roger Mais, wrote short stories, plays, and novels such as The Hills Were Joyful Together, Brother Man, and Black Lightning.

Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond books, often used Jamaica as a setting in his stories. He owned a home there and spent a lot of time on the island. Marlon James, a modern Jamaican writer, has written novels like John Crow's Devil, The Book of Night Women, and A Brief History of Seven Killings, which won the Man Booker Prize in 2015.

Film

See also: List of Jamaican films

Jamaica has been part of the film industry since the early 1960s. One famous Jamaican film is The Harder They Come, a musical crime movie from the 1970s starring Jimmy Cliff. Other well-known Jamaican films include Countryman, Rockers, Dancehall Queen, One Love, Shottas, Out the Gate, Third World Cop, and Kingston Paradise. Jamaica has also been a popular place to film movies, such as the James Bond film Dr. No, Papillon starring Steve McQueen, Cocktail with Tom Cruise, and the Disney comedy Cool Runnings, which is based on Jamaica's first bobsled team trying to compete in the Winter Olympics.

Cuisine

Jamaican food is well-known for its tasty flavors. The island is famous for Jamaican jerk spice, curries, and rice and peas. Jamaica is also home to Red Stripe beer and Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee.

Sport

Main article: Sport in Jamaica

Sports are very important in Jamaica. While cricket is the most popular sport locally, Jamaicans have become famous around the world for their success in track and field athletics.

Jamaica hosted some matches during the 2007 Cricket World Cup, and the West Indies cricket team is one of the top teams in international Test cricket. The Jamaica national cricket team competes in regional matches and supplies players to the West Indies team. Sabina Park is the main cricket stadium on the island, though Greenfield Stadium is also used.

Since gaining independence, Jamaica has produced many world-class track and field athletes. The country has had dozens of top sprinters, including Olympic and world champion Usain Bolt, who holds world records in the 100-meter and 200-meter races. Other famous Jamaican sprinters include Arthur Wint, Donald Quarrie, Elaine Thompson, Roy Anthony Bridge, Merlene Ottey, Delloreen Ennis-London, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Kerron Stewart, Aleen Bailey, Juliet Cuthbert, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Sherone Simpson, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Yohan Blake, Herb McKenley, George Rhoden, Deon Hemmings, and Asafa Powell. American Olympic champion Sanya Richards-Ross was also born in Jamaica.

Football (soccer) and horse racing are also popular in Jamaica. The national football team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup. Horse racing has been an important sport in Jamaica for a long time, providing jobs for many people, including horse breeders, groomers, and trainers. Several Jamaicans have become famous in international horse racing.

Race car driving is enjoyed by many Jamaicans, with several racing tracks and clubs across the island.

The Jamaica national bobsled team was once a strong competitor in the Winter Olympics, surprising many established teams. Chess and basketball are also widely played in Jamaica, supported by the Jamaica Chess Federation and the Jamaica Basketball Federation. Netball is very popular on the island, with the Jamaica national netball team, called The Sunshine Girls, consistently ranking among the top teams in the world.

Rugby league has been played in Jamaica since 2006. The Jamaica national rugby league team is made up of players from both Jamaica and the UK. In November 2018, the team qualified for the Rugby League World Cup for the first time ever, defeating the USA and Canada. Jamaica will play in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England.

According to ESPN, the highest-paid Jamaican professional athlete in 2011 was Justin Masterson, a baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Indians in the United States.