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Jamaica

Quick Facts: The Geography of Jamaica

Location: island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba Area: (slightly smaller than Connecticut) total: 4,243 square miles (10,990 sq km) land: 4,181 square miles (10,830 sq km) water : 62 square miles (160 sq km) Climate: tropical; hot, humid; temper- ate interior

Terrain: mostly mountains, with nar- row, discontinuous coastal plain Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea—0 feet highest point: Blue Mountain Peak— 7,401 feet (2,256 meters) Natural hazards: hurricanes (especially July to November)

Source: CIA World Factbook 2015.

is limited to foot traffic, as cars cannot cross the rocky landscape. The Cockpit Country is also home to Jamaica’s Windsor Caves. The Windsor Caves are the birthplace of the Martha Brae River, which rushes along loudly deep inside the caves, particularly during the rainy season. Rivers and Springs Many of Jamaica’s rivers originate in the country’s mountains and hills. This makes most of them very difficult to sail down, or navigate, because they are prone to waterfalls. The Rio Grande, Martha Brae, and White are among the few rivers that run along level ground. The longest of Jamaica’s 120 rivers is the Black River, which flows for 44 miles (71 km) from northern Manchester Parish through the Cockpit Country and the parish of St. Elizabeth. It finally empties into Black River Bay. Besides rivers, Jamaica has many thermal springs. One of the more