Jamaica: Geography and Environment

Jamaica is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea, located south of Cuba and west of Hispaniola. Its interior is shaped by the Blue Mountains in the east, rising to the island's highest peaks, while limestone plateaus known as cockpit country dominate much of the northwest. A narrow coastal plain rings the island, supporting most of its population centers and agriculture.

The island has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year round, moderated by northeast trade winds. A wet season runs from May through November, coinciding with the Atlantic hurricane season, while the cooler and drier months fall between December and March. Rainfall varies significantly across the island, with the northeastern slopes receiving far more precipitation than the southern coastal areas.

Environmental priorities in Jamaica include protecting coral reefs and coastal mangroves from pollution and coastal development, managing bauxite mining's impact on land and water resources, and preserving the biodiversity of the Cockpit Country and Blue and John Crow Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Watershed protection and hurricane resilience also remain central concerns given the island's exposure to seasonal storms.