Country profile: Jamaica

A lush and beautiful island, Jamaica is struggling to overcome growing lawlessness which has given it one of the world's highest murder rates and threatens to jeopardise its tourism industry, the source of nearly half of its foreign exchange earnings. Jamaica's political stability, plentiful bauxite deposits, attractive scenery and rich culture - best known for its reggae music - contrasts with abject poverty, decaying infrastructure and increasing crime.   OVERVIEW   OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA Since independence in 1962, power in Jamaica has alternated between the social-democratic People's National Party and the conservative Jamaica Labour Party. While elections have often been marred by violence, their results have always been accepted and, on the whole, political institutions have managed to retain their legitimacy. But political stability has not turned into social and economic harmony. Beyond the walls of the luxury tourist resorts lie densely-populated and impoverished ghettos. And side by side with the tourist paradise sits violent crime fuelled by drugs. This impelled many businesses to close in 1999 and a number of residents of the capital, Kingston, to flee their homes. It also forced the government to bring the army onto the streets. Adding to Jamaica's woes have been plummeting commodity prices, which have hit its bauxite industry and forced the government to raise fuel prices, sparking widespread riots in the spring of 1999.   FACTS   OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA   JAMAICA FACTS Population: 2.6 million (UN, 2003) Capital: Kingston Major language: English Major religion: Christianity Life expectancy: 74 years (men), 78 years (women) (UN) Monetary unit: 1 Jamaican dollar = 100 cents Main exports: Bauxite, aluminium, sugar, bananas, rum Average annual income: US $2,800 (World Bank, 2001) Internet domain: .jm International dialling code: + 1876   LEADERS   OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor-General Sir Howard Felix Cooke Prime minister: Percival James Patterson P.J. Patterson was re-elected to a fourth consecutive term in October 2002. His People's National Party won 35 seats to the rival Edward Seaga's Jamaica Labour Party's 25 seats. Prime Minister Patterson: privatised state enterprises Born in 1935, P.J. Patterson became an active member of the People's National Party in the 1950s, serving during 1972-80 in a number of portfolios, including minister of finance and deputy prime minister. A lawyer by training, Patterson became prime minister and party leader in 1992 after Michael Manley resigned, proceeding to win elections in 1993 and 1997. He has successfully tackled Jamaica's rampant inflation through tight monetary and fiscal policies, and has sought to reduce the state's debt by privatising state enterprises.     MEDIA   OVERVIEW | FACTS | LEADERS | MEDIA Jamaica enjoys a free and independent press, and newspapers frequently criticise the establishment. Nonetheless, journalists are occasionally intimidated during election campaigns. The broadcast media are predominantly commercial and are open to diverse news and comment. Foreign broadcasts are unregulated and available by satellite. The press   Jamaica Gleaner - daily Daily Star - evening newspaper Jamaica Herald Jamaica Observer - daily Television   Television Jamaica Limited (TVJ) - formerly the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation, it became TVJ when it was privatised in 1997 Radio   Radio Jamaica Ltd (RJR) - operates three commercial networks: RJR 94 FM; entertainment station FAME-FM; music and sports station Radio 2 FM Irie FM - reggae music Hot 102 - Montego Bay, music and talk KLAS FM - religious News Agency   Jampress Ltd - government news agency

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