Ja·mai·ca (j -m  k) An island country in the Caribbean Sea south of Cuba. Originally inhabited by Arawaks, it was discovered by Columbus in 1494 and settled by the Spanish in 1509. The British captured the island in 1655, and it was formally ceded to Great Britain in 1670, becoming a crown colony in 1865. Jamaica became independent in 1962. Kingston is the capital and the largest city. Population: 2,780,000. Ja·mai can adj. & n. |   |
Jamaica [dʒəˈmeɪkə]
n
(Placename) an island and state in the Caribbean: colonized by the Spanish from 1494 onwards, large numbers of Black slaves being imported; captured by the British in 1655 and established as a colony in 1866; gained full independence in 1962; a member of the Commonwealth. Exports: chiefly bauxite and alumina, sugar, and bananas. Official language: English. Religion: Protestant majority. Currency: Jamaican dollar. Capital: Kingston. Pop.: 2 624 000 (2001 est.). Area: 10 992 sq. km (4244 sq. miles)
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  Jamaica - a country on the island of Jamaica; became independent of England in 1962; much poverty; the major industry is tourismOAS, Organization of American States - an association including most countries in the western hemisphere; created in 1948 to promote military and economic and social and cultural cooperation Rastafari, Rastas - (Jamaica) a Black youth subculture and religious movement that arose in the ghettos of Kingston, Jamaica, in the 1950s; males grow hair in long dreadlocks and wear woolen caps; use marijuana and listen to reggae music Caribbean - region including the Caribbean Islands Jamaica - an island in the West Indies to the south of Cuba and to the west of Haiti Montego Bay - port and resort city in northwestern Jamaica |
| 2. | Jamaica - an island in the West Indies to the south of Cuba and to the west of Haiti Greater Antilles - a group of islands in the western West Indies Jamaica - a country on the island of Jamaica; became independent of England in 1962; much poverty; the major industry is tourism Jamaican - a native or inhabitant of Jamaica |
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