JAMAIKAJamaicais anisland countrysituated in theCaribbean Sea, comprising the third-largest island of theGreater Antilles. The island, 10,990 square kilometres (4,240sqmi) in area, lies about 145 kilometres (90mi) south ofCuba, and 191 kilometres (119mi) west ofHispaniola, the island containing the nation-states ofHaitiand theDominican Republic. Jamaica is the fifth-largest island country in theCaribbean Once aSpanishpossession known asSantiago, in 1655 it came under the rule of England (later Great Britain), and was called Jamaica. It achieved full independence from the United Kingdom on 6 August 1962.With 2.8 million people, it is the third most populousAnglophonecountry in theAmericas, after the United States and Canada.Kingstonis the country's largest city and its capital, with a population of 937,700. Jamaica has alarge diasporaaround the world, due to emigration from the country. Jamaica is aCommonwealth realm, withQueen Elizabeth IIasits monarchandhead of state. Her appointed representative in the country is theGovernor-General of Jamaica, currentlyPatrick Allen. Thehead of governmentandPrime Minister of JamaicaisPortia Simpson-Miller. Jamaica is a parliamentaryconstitutional monarchywith legislative power vested in the bicameralParliament of Jamaica, consisting of an appointed Senate and a directly elected House of Representatives. Geography and environmentJamaica is the third largest island in theCaribbean. It lies between latitudes17and19N, and longitudes76and79W. Mountains, including theBlue Mountains, dominate the inland. They are surrounded by a narrow coastal plain.]Chief towns and cities include the capitalKingstonon the south shore,Portmore,Spanish Town,Mandeville,Ocho Ros,Port Antonio,Negril, andMontego Bayon the north shore. Kingston Harbouris the seventh-largest natural harbour in the worldwhich contributed to the city being designated as the capital in 1872.

Among the variety of terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems are dry and wet limestone forests, rainforest, riparian woodland, wetlands, caves, rivers, seagrass beds and coral reefs. The authorities have recognized the tremendous significance and potential of the environment and have designated some of the more 'fertile' areas as 'protected'. Among the island's protected areas are theCockpit Country, Hellshire Hills, and Litchfield forest reserves. In 1992, Jamaica's first marine park, covering nearly 6 square miles (about 15km2), was established inMontego Bay.Portland Bight Protected Areawas designated in 1999. The following yearBlue and John Crow Mountains National Parkwas created on roughly 300 square miles (780km2) of wilderness, which supports thousands of tree and fern species and rare animals.