Jamaica - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Jamaica, it was from the native Taino word "haymaca" meaning "Land of Wood and Water" or possibly "Land of Springs". The Government system in this country is the parliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland
National symbols
Green-and-black streamertail (bird), Guiacum officinale (Lignum Vitae); national colors: green, yellow, black.
The flag
The National flag of Jamaica has diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and fly side); green represents hope, vegetation, and agriculture, black reflects hardships overcome and to be faced, and yellow recalls golden sunshine and the island's natural resources.
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The National Anthem
| Title | "Jamaica, Land We Love" |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | Hugh Braham SHERLOCK/Robert Charles LIGHTBOURNE |
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note: adopted 1962
More about the government of Jamaica
| Date of Independence | 6 August 1962 (from the UK) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Independence Day, 6 August (1962) |
| Legal system | common law system based on the English model |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt |
| Constitution | |
| History | Several previous (pre-independence); latest drafted 1961-62, submitted to British Parliament 24 July 1962, entered into force 6 August 1962 (at independence) |
| Amendment process | Proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments to "non-entrenched" constitutional sections, such as lowering the voting age, requires majority vote by the Parliament membership; passage of amendments to "entrenched" sections, such as fundamental rights and freedoms, requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament; passage of amendments to "specially entrenched" sections such as the dissolution of Parliament or the executive authority of the monarch requires two-thirds approval by Parliament and approval in a referendum |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | yes |
| Citizenship by descent only | yes |
| Dual citizenship recognized | yes |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 4 out of the previous 5 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Sir Patrick L. ALLEN (since 26 February 2009) |
| Head of government | Prime Minister Andrew HOLNESS (since 3 March 2016) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister |
| Elections/appointments | the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Representatives is appointed prime minister by the governor general |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | Parliament |
| Legislative structure | Bicameral |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Court of Appeal (consists of president of the court and a minimum of 4 judges); Supreme Court (40 judges organized in specialized divisions) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Chief justice of the Supreme Court and president of the Court of Appeal appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister; other judges of both courts appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; judges of both courts serve till age 70 |
| Subordinate courts | Resident magistrate courts, district courts, and petty sessions courts |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Audrey Patrice MARKS (since 18 January 2017) |
| Chancery | 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 452-0660 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 452-0036 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] Jamaican Embassy (embassyofjamaica.org) |
| Consulate(s) general | Miami, New York |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Amy TACHCO (since January 2025) |
| Embassy | 142 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6 |
| Mailing address | 3210 Kingston Place, Washington DC 20521-3210 |
| Telephone | (876) 702-6000 |
| FAX | (876) 702-6348 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] https://jm.usembassy.gov/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 1 (mixed) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Blue and John Crow Mountains |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Jamaica
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Jamaica
Want to know more about Jamaica? Check all different factbooks for Jamaica below.
