Editing Jamaica (section)

==Geography and environment==
{{Main|Geography of Jamaica|Geology of Jamaica}}
[[File:Doctors-Cave-Beach.jpg|thumb|[[Doctor's Cave Beach Club]] is a popular destination in [[Montego Bay]].]]
[[File:Start of the Blue Mountains just north of Kingston, Jamaica.jpg|thumb|[[Blue Mountains (Jamaica)|Blue Mountains]]]]

Jamaica is the third-largest island in the Caribbean.<ref name="jamaica background">{{cite web|title=County Background – Jamaica|url=http://www.bvsde.paho.org/bvsana/e/fulltext/perfiles/jamaica.pdf|publisher=Pan American Health Organization|access-date=11 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130153040/http://www.bvsde.paho.org/bvsana/e/fulltext/perfiles/jamaica.pdf|archive-date=30 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> It lies between latitudes [[17th parallel north|17°]] and [[19th parallel north|19°N]], and longitudes [[76th meridian west|76°]] and [[79th meridian west|79°W]]. Mountains dominate the interior: the Don Figuerero, Santa Cruz, and May Day mountains in the west, the [[Dry Harbour Mountains]] in the centre, and the [[John Crow Mountains]] and [[Blue Mountains (Jamaica)|Blue Mountains]] in the east, the latter containing [[Blue Mountain Peak]], Jamaica's tallest mountain at 2,256 m.<ref name="CIA World Factbook – Jamaica"/><ref name="EBJ"/> They are surrounded by a narrow coastal plain.<ref name="Geogofjam">{{cite web|title=Geography of Jamaica|url=http://www.discoverjamaica.com/gleaner/discover/geography/geography.htm|publisher=Jamaica Gleaner|access-date=11 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518020038/http://www.discoverjamaica.com/gleaner/discover/geography/geography.htm|archive-date=18 May 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="CIA World Factbook – Jamaica"/> Jamaica has two cities, the first being [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]], the capital city and centre of business, located on the south coast and the second being [[Montego Bay]], one of the best known cities in the Caribbean for tourism, located on the north coast. [[Kingston Harbour]] is the seventh-largest natural harbour in the world,<ref name="portauthority">{{cite web|title=Port Authority History|url=http://www.portjam.com/nmCMS.php?p=history|publisher=Port Authority of Jamaica|access-date=11 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509235846/http://www.portjam.com/nmCMS.php?p=history|archive-date=9 May 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> which contributed to the city being designated as the capital in 1872. Other towns of note include [[Portmore, Jamaica|Portmore]], [[Spanish Town]], [[Savanna la Mar]], [[Mandeville, Jamaica|Mandeville]] and the resort towns of [[Ocho Ríos]], [[Port Antonio]] and [[Negril]].<ref name="majortownsandcities">{{cite web|title=Jamaican Cities|url=http://www.my-island-jamaica.com/jamaican_cities.html|publisher=My Island Jamaica|access-date=11 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917103147/http://www.my-island-jamaica.com/jamaican_cities.html|archive-date=17 September 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Tourist attractions include [[Dunn's River Falls]] in St. Ann, YS Falls in St. Elizabeth, the Blue Lagoon in [[Portland Parish|Portland]], a dormant volcano's crater,<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 13, 2023 |title=Blue Lagoon |url=https://portlandmc.gov.jm/attractions/blue-lagoon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617151241/https://portlandmc.gov.jm/attractions/blue-lagoon |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |access-date=January 13, 2023 |website=[[Portland Parish|Portland]] Municipal Corporation}}</ref> and [[Port Royal]], site of a major earthquake in 1692 that helped form the island's [[Palisadoes]] tombolo.<ref name="kingston">{{cite web|title=Kingston tourist destinations|date=23 March 2023|url=https://cheapholidayhacks.com/holidaydestinations/a-journey-through-the-caribbean-a-guide-to-its-culture-and-history/|access-date=12 April 2023|archive-date=6 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206213505/https://cheapholidayhacks.com/holidaydestinations/a-journey-through-the-caribbean-a-guide-to-its-culture-and-history/|url-status=live}}</ref>

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 recognised 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 the [[Cockpit Country]], [[Jamaican dry forests|Hellshire Hills]], and Litchfield forest reserves. In 1992, Jamaica's first marine park, covering nearly {{convert|15|km2|sqmi}}, was established in [[Montego Bay]]. [[Portland Bight Protected Area]] was designated in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unesco.org/csi/act/jamaica/jamai2.htm |title=CSI Activities (Portland Bight, Jamaica) |publisher=Unesco.org |access-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309111105/http://www.unesco.org/csi/act/jamaica/jamai2.htm |archive-date=9 March 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The following year [[Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park]] was created, covering roughly {{convert|300|mi2|km2}} of a wilderness area which supports thousands of tree and fern species and rare animals.

There are several small islands off Jamaica's coast, most notably those in [[Portland Bight]] such as [[Pigeon Island (Jamaica)|Pigeon Island]], [[Salt Island (Jamaica)|Salt Island]], [[Dolphin Island (Jamaica)|Dolphin Island]], [[Long Island (Jamaica)|Long Island]], [[Great Goat Island]] and [[Little Goat Island]], and also [[Lime Cay]] located further east. Much further out – some 50–80&nbsp;km off the south coast – lie the very small [[Morant Cays]] and [[Pedro Cays]].

===Climate===
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map JAM present.svg|thumb|Köppen climate classification of Jamaica]]
The climate in Jamaica is tropical, with hot and humid weather, although higher inland regions are more temperate.<ref name="climate">{{cite web|title=Jamaica Climate and Weather|url=http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Jamaica/Climate|publisher=Word Travels|access-date=11 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627015148/http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Jamaica/Climate/|archive-date=27 June 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="EBJ"/> Some regions on the south coast, such as the Liguanea Plain and the Pedro Plains, are relatively dry [[rain shadow|rain-shadow]] areas.<ref name="Gleaner Climate">{{cite web |title=Climate of Jamaica |url=http://www.discoverjamaica.com/gleaner/discover/geography/climate.htm |publisher=Jamaica Gleaner |access-date=11 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429091454/http://www.discoverjamaica.com/gleaner/discover/geography/climate.htm |archive-date=29 April 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Jamaica lies within the [[Main Development Region]] for Atlantic [[tropical cyclone]] activity, and because of this, the island sometimes suffers significant storm damage.<ref name="jamhurricanes">{{cite web |title=Construction and Building in Jamaica |url=http://www.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-in-latin-america/building/jamaica/ |publisher=Projects Abroad |access-date=11 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205171026/http://www.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-in-latin-america/building/jamaica/ |archive-date=5 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="EBJ"/> Hurricanes [[Hurricane Charlie (1951)|Charlie]] and [[Hurricane Gilbert|Gilbert]] hit Jamaica directly in 1951 and 1988, respectively, causing major damage and many deaths. In the 2000s (decade), hurricanes [[Hurricane Ivan|Ivan]], [[Hurricane Dean (2007)|Dean]], and [[Hurricane Gustav|Gustav]] also brought severe weather to the island.

===Flora and fauna===
{{see also|Jamaican moist forests|Jamaican dry forests}}
[[File:Red-billed_streamertail(_Trochilus_polytmus)_adult_male_2.jpg|thumb|Jamaica's national bird, a [[red-billed streamertail]]]]
[[File:Epicrates subflavus.jpg|thumb|[[Jamaican boa]]]]
[[File:Stoplight-parrotfish.jpg|thumb|[[parrotfish|Jamaican parrotfish]]]]

Jamaica's climate is tropical, supporting diverse ecosystems with a wealth of plants and animals. Its plant life has changed considerably over the centuries; when the Spanish arrived in 1494, except for small agricultural clearings, the country was deeply forested. The European settlers cut down the great timber trees for building and ships' supplies, and cleared the plains, savannas, and mountain slopes for intense agricultural cultivation.<ref name="EBJ"/> Many new plants were introduced including sugarcane, bananas, and citrus trees.<ref name="EBJ"/>

Jamaica is home to about 3,000 species of [[flowering plant|native flowering plants]] (of which over 1,000 are [[endemic]] and 200 are species of [[Orchidaceae|orchid]]), thousands of species of non-flowering flora, and about 20 [[botanical garden]]s, some of which are several hundred years old.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://old.jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0021.html |title=Jamaica's Botantical{{sic|hide=y}} Gardens Worth More Than Gold |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=Jamaica Gleaner |publisher=Jamaica Gleaner Newspaper |access-date=23 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130103325/http://old.jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0021.html |archive-date=30 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Aiken, Wilson, Vogel, Garraway PhD |first=Karl, Byron, Peter, Eric |date=21 January 2007 |title=LETTER OF THE DAY: Biologists speak on Cockpit mining |url=https://www.mona.uwi.edu/lifesciences/cockpit.htm |work=University of the West Indies |location=University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica |access-date=23 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712155740/http://www.mona.uwi.edu/lifesciences/cockpit.htm |archive-date=12 July 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> Areas of heavy rainfall also contain stands of bamboo, ferns, ebony, mahogany, and rosewood. Cactus and similar dry-area plants are found along the south and southwest coastal area. Parts of the west and southwest consist of large grasslands, with scattered stands of trees. Jamaica is home to three terrestrial [[ecoregion]]s, the [[Jamaican moist forests]], [[Jamaican dry forests]], and [[Greater Antilles mangroves]].

Jamaica's fauna, typical of the Caribbean, includes highly diversified wildlife with many endemic species. As with other oceanic islands, land mammals are mostly several species of [[bat]]s of which at least three endemic species are found only in Cockpit Country, one of which is at-risk. Other species of bat include the [[Jamaican fig-eating bat|fig-eating]] and [[lasiurus|hairy-tailed bats]]. The only non-bat native mammal extant in Jamaica is the [[Jamaican hutia]], locally known as the coney.<ref name="EBJ"/> Introduced mammals such as [[wild boar]] and the [[small Asian mongoose]] are also common. Jamaica is also home to about 50 species of reptiles,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reptile-database.org|title=THE REPTILE DATABASE|work=reptile-database.org|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102083427/http://reptile-database.org/|archive-date=2 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> the largest of which is the [[American crocodile]]; however, it is only present within the Black River and a few other areas. Lizards such as [[anole]]s, [[iguana]]s and snakes such as racers and the [[Jamaican boa]] (the largest snake on the island), are common in areas such as the Cockpit Country. None of Jamaica's eight species of native snakes is venomous.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cockpitcountry.com/Amphibians%20%26%20Reptiles.html |title=Amphibians and reptiles found in Cockpit Country jamaica |publisher=Cockpitcountry.com |access-date=31 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110142008/http://www.cockpitcountry.com/Amphibians%20%26%20Reptiles.html |archive-date=10 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Jamaica is home to about 289 species of birds of which 27 are endemic including the endangered [[black-billed amazon|black-Billed parrots]] and the [[Jamaican blackbird]], both of which are only found in Cockpit Country. It is also the indigenous home to four species of [[hummingbird]]s (three of which are found nowhere else in the world): the [[black-billed streamertail]], the [[Jamaican mango]], the [[Vervain hummingbird]], and [[red-billed streamertail]]s. The red-billed streamertail, known locally as the "doctor bird", is Jamaica's National Symbol.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jis.gov.jm/symbols/jamaican-national-bird-the-doctor-bird/|title=The Doctor Bird – Jamaica Information Service|work=jis.gov.jm|access-date=8 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321065148/http://jis.gov.jm/symbols/jamaican-national-bird-the-doctor-bird/|archive-date=21 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="EBJ"/> Other notable species include the [[Jamaican tody]] and the [[Greater flamingo]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cms.int/flamingos/en/country/jamaica |title=High Andean Flamingos (Jamaica) |publisher=Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Germany) |access-date=2 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203085427/https://www.cms.int/flamingos/en/country/jamaica |archive-date=3 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

One species of freshwater turtle is native to Jamaica, the [[Jamaican slider]]. It is found only on Jamaica and on a few islands in [[the Bahamas]]. In addition, many types of frogs are common on the island, especially [[treefrog]]s.

Jamaican waters contain considerable resources of fresh and saltwater fish.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountryChecklist.php?c_code=388&vhabitat=all2&csub_code= |title=All fishes reported from Jamaica |work=fishbase.org |access-date=14 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909194629/http://www.fishbase.org/Country/CountryChecklist.php?c_code=388&vhabitat=all2&csub_code= |archive-date=9 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The chief varieties of saltwater fish are [[King mackerel|kingfish]], [[Carangidae|jack]], [[mackerel]], [[Whiting (fish)|whiting]], [[bonito]], and [[tuna]]. Fish that occasionally enter freshwater and estuarine environments include [[Centropomidae|snook]], [[Epinephelus itajara|jewfish]], [[mangrove snapper]], and [[Mullet (fish)|mullets]]. Fish that spend the majority of their lives in Jamaica's fresh waters include many species of [[livebearer]]s, [[killifish]], freshwater [[Goby|gobies]], the mountain mullet, and the [[American eel]]. [[Tilapia]] have been introduced from Africa for aquaculture, and are very common. Also visible in the waters surrounding Jamaica are dolphins, [[parrotfish]], and the endangered [[West Indian manatee|manatee]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/sea-cows-used-to-walk-on-land-in-africa-and-jamaica-2742073/|title=Sea Cows Used To Walk on Land in Africa And Jamaica|first=Rachel|last=Nuwer|author-link=Rachel Nuwer|website=Smithsonian Magazine|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402204116/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/sea-cows-used-to-walk-on-land-in-africa-and-jamaica-2742073/|archive-date=2 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Insects and other invertebrates are abundant, including the world's largest centipede, the [[Amazonian giant centipede]]. Jamaica is the home to about 150 species of butterflies and moths, including 35 indigenous species and 22 subspecies. It is also the native home to the [[Homerus swallowtail|Jamaican swallowtail]], the western hemisphere's largest butterfly.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140629/arts/arts1.html |title=Beautiful Butterflies – Jamaican Swallowtails Among Those on Display at IOJ |date=29 June 2014 |website=Jamaica Gleaner |publisher=Jamaica Gleaner Newspaper |access-date=23 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190124041455/http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140629/arts/arts1.html |archive-date=24 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Aquatic life ===
Coral reef ecosystems are important because they provide people with a source of livelihood, food, recreation, and medicinal compounds and protect the land on which they live.<ref name=":03">{{cite journal |last=Edwards |first=Peter E.T. |date=March 2009 |title=Sustainable financing for ocean and coastal management in Jamaica: The potential for revenues from tourist user fees |journal=Marine Policy |volume=33 |issue=2 |pages=376–385 |doi=10.1016/j.marpol.2008.08.005 |bibcode=2009MarPo..33..376E |s2cid=14123041 |url=https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/14769/1/MPRA_paper_14769.pdf |access-date=24 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922024647/https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/14769/1/MPRA_paper_14769.pdf |archive-date=22 September 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Jamaica relies on the ocean and its ecosystem for its development. However, the marine life in Jamaica is also being affected. There could be many factors that contribute to marine life not having the best health. Jamaica's geological origin, topographical features and seasonal high rainfall make it susceptible to a range of natural hazards that can affect the coastal and oceanic environments. These include storm surge, slope failures (landslides), earthquakes, floods and hurricanes.<ref name=":22">{{cite web |url=http://nepa.gov.jm/symposia_03/Policies/OceanandCoastalZoneManagementPolicy.pdf |title=Toward Developing a National Policy on Ocean and Coastal Zone Management |date=June 2000 |website=nepa.gov.jm |access-date=2018-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225031022/http://nepa.gov.jm/symposia_03/Policies/OceanandCoastalZoneManagementPolicy.pdf |archive-date=25 December 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Coral reefs in the Negril Marine Park (NMP), Jamaica, have been increasingly impacted by [[nutrient pollution]] and macroalgal blooms following decades of intensive development as a major tourist destination.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225357464 |title=Sewage pollution in Negril, Jamaica: Effects on nutrition and ecology of coral reef macroalgae |date=July 2011 |journal=Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology |volume=29 |issue=4 |page=775 |access-date=2018-12-16 |bibcode=2011ChJOL..29..775L |last1=Lapointe |first1=B. E. |last2=Thacker |first2=K. |last3=Hanson |first3=C. |last4=Getten |first4=L. |doi=10.1007/s00343-011-0506-8 |s2cid=84875443 |archive-date=20 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520042531/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225357464_Sewage_pollution_in_Negril_Jamaica_Effects_on_nutrition_and_ecology_of_coral_reef_macroalgae |url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:RaftShilouette20221019 134124.jpg|thumb|left|White River Rafting]]

Another one of those factors could include tourism: being that Jamaica is a very touristy place, the island draws numerous people travelling here from all over the world. The Jamaican tourism industry accounts for 32% of total employment and 36% of the country's GDP and is largely based on the sun, sea and sand, the last two of these attributes being dependent on healthy coral reef ecosystems.<ref name=":03" /> Because of Jamaica's tourism, they have developed a study to see if the tourist would be willing to help financially to manage their marine ecosystem because Jamaica alone is unable to. The ocean connects all the countries all over the world, however, everyone and everything is affecting the flow and life in the ocean. Jamaica is a very touristy place specifically because of their beaches. If their oceans are not functioning at their best then the well-being of Jamaica and the people who live there will start to deteriorate. According to the OECD, oceans contribute $1.5 trillion annually in value-added to the overall economy.<ref name=":12">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/environment/brief/oceans|title=Oceans, Fisheries and Coastal Economies|website=World Bank|access-date=2018-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225030929/http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/environment/brief/oceans|archive-date=25 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> A developing country on an island will get the majority of their revenue from their ocean.

=== Pollution ===
Pollution comes from run-off, sewage systems, and garbage. However, this typically all ends up in the ocean after there is rain or floods. Everything that ends up in the water changes the quality and balance of the ocean. Poor coastal water quality has adversely affected fisheries, tourism and mariculture, as well as undermining biological sustainability of the living resources of ocean and coastal habitats.<ref name=":22" /> Jamaica imports and exports many goods through their waters. Some of the imports that go into Jamaica include petroleum and petroleum products. Issues include accidents at sea; risk of spills through local and international transport of petroleum and petroleum products.<ref name=":22" /> Oil spills can disrupt the marine life with chemicals that are not normally found in the ocean. Other forms of pollution also occur in Jamaica. Solid waste disposal mechanisms in Jamaica are currently inadequate.<ref name=":22" /> The solid waste gets into the water through rainfall forces. Solid waste is also harmful to wildlife, particularly birds, fish and turtles that feed at the surface of the water and mistake floating debris for food.<ref name=":22" /> For example, plastic can be caught around birds' and turtles' necks, making it difficult to eat and breath as they begin to grow, causing the plastic to get tighter around their necks. Pieces of plastic, metal, and glass can be mistaken for the food fish eat. Each Jamaican generates 1&nbsp;kg (2&nbsp;lbs) of waste per day; only 70% of this is collected by National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA)—the remaining 30% is either burnt or disposed of in gullies/waterways.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/Depts/los/consultative_process/documents/6_davis.pdf |title=MARINE DEBRIS: JAMAICA'S RESPONSE |date=6–10 June 2005 |website=www.un.org |access-date=2018-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107223159/https://www.un.org/Depts/los/consultative_process/documents/6_davis.pdf |archive-date=7 January 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Environmental policies ===
There are policies that are being put into place to help preserve the ocean and the life below water. The goal of integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) is to improve the quality of life of human communities who depend on coastal resources while maintaining the biological diversity and productivity of coastal ecosystems.<ref name=":22" /> Developing an underdeveloped country can impact the oceans ecosystem because of all the construction that would be done to develop the country. Over-building, driven by powerful market forces as well as poverty among some sectors of the population, and destructive exploitation contribute to the decline of ocean and coastal resources.<ref name=":22" /> Developing practices that will contribute to the lives of the people but also to the life of the ocean and its ecosystem. Some of these practices include: Develop sustainable fisheries practices, ensure sustainable mariculture techniques and practices, sustainable management of shipping, and promote [[sustainable tourism]] practices.<ref name=":22" />