Jamaica

JAMAICA
1. General Information
Climate:
Jamaica enjoys a tropical climate moderated by
north or northeast trade winds and land-sea
breezes. Rainfall and temperatures vary with
location and altitude. Average annual rainfall
for the entire island is 195.8 cm.,
with the Blue Mountains and northeast coast
receiving the most rain - over 508 cm., while
Kingston receives less than 75 cm. Coastal
temperatures are fairly uniform, averaging
27" C (25-26' C in January-February, and
28-29" C in July and August), but there is a
one to two degree (C) drop in temperature per
300 m. increase in elevation. Blue Mountain
peak registers an annual average of 13" C.
1.15 Population Approximately one-third of Jamaica's estimated
.2.2 million people live in the capital city,
Kingston. The national population growth rate
has decreased in recent years to 1.2 percent,
however, high internal migration to urban
centers continues to expand these populations.
Other population concentrations are in Montego
Bay, Spanish Town, May Pen, and Savanna-la-
Mar, while rural populations are dispersed
along the coasts and in upland areas.
Population by Parish, 1970 & 1980
1970 1980
Total 1,890,703 2,223,400
Kingston & St. Andrew 562,416 677,600
St. Thomas 72,051 50,300
Portland 69,038 76,500
St. Mary 100,966 111,800
St. Ann 123,006 139,100
Trelawny 61,917 69,600
St. James 106,942 129,400
Hanover 59,799 65,300
Westmoreland 114,205 124,400
St. Elizabeth 127,911 143,300
Manchester 125,748 150,600
Clarendon 178,474 201,700
St. Catherine 188,500 234,000
Source:
Jamaica Department of Statistics,
Demographic Statistics 1981.
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