A
colony of Great Britain since 1670, Jamaica became an
independent nation in 1962. Its 2.5 million people
live on 11,425 square miles in the center of the Greater
Antilles chain of islands. Jamaica produces bauxite, sugar
cane, coffee, and bananas. It has a large tourist industry
and is well known as the birthplace of reggae music. The
capital and largest city is Kingston.
