Geography Quiz Arcade

Capital of Jamaica: Kingston — Facts & 5-Question Quiz

The capital of Jamaica is Kingston. Jamaica sits in North America, has a population of 2,827,377, and uses the JMD. Official languages include English.

Quick facts

  • Capital: Kingston
  • Continent: North America
  • Population: ~2,827,377
  • Area: 10,991 km²
  • Population density: 257 people per km²
  • Official language: English
  • Currency: JMD
  • ISO code: JM

How big is Jamaica?

By population, Jamaica ranks 137th in the world, holding roughly 0.04% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 161st.

Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Jamaica has 257 people per square kilometre, which is about 4.3 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.

Within North America, Jamaica is the 13th most populous country of 23.

Countries of a similar size

The two countries closest to Jamaica in population are Albania (2,842,321) and Armenia (2,780,469).

By land area, its closest counterparts are Kosovo (10,887 km²) and Gambia (11,295 km²).

Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.

Language and currency

English is spoken officially in 58 countries in this dataset, including Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados and Belize, and 52 others.

Jamaica uses the JMD, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.

How to remember Jamaica

Kingston, the capital and largest city, is on the southeast coast, facing a natural harbour. Don't confuse it with Kingstown in Saint Vincent. For the flag, picture a gold X with no red, white or blue anywhere.

The flag of Jamaica: green, gold and black

🇯🇲 The flag is a gold diagonal cross dividing the flag into four triangles, green at the top and bottom and black at the sides. Green stands for hope, plants and farming, black for hardships overcome and still to face, and gold for sunshine and natural resources. Jamaica's is the only flag of a sovereign country with no white, red or blue in it.

Region and neighbours

Jamaica is an island country in the Caribbean, the third-largest island in the Greater Antilles after Cuba and Hispaniola. As an island country it has no land neighbours.

Three facts about Jamaica

  1. Jamaica is the birthplace of reggae music and the Rastafari religion.
  2. The island's name comes from Xaymaca, the name the Indigenous people gave it.
  3. Jamaica became independent from the United Kingdom on 6 August 1962.

Sources: Wikipedia: Jamaica, Wikipedia: Flag of Jamaica, Wikipedia: Kingston, Jamaica, CIA World Factbook.

Quiz yourself on Jamaica

Jamaica capital quiz

  1. What is the capital of Jamaica 🇯🇲?

    • Port-au-Prince
    • Mexico City
    • Ottawa
    • Kingston
    Show answer

    Kingston

  2. What is the capital of Panama 🇵🇦?

    • Santo Domingo
    • Panama City
    • Nassau
    • Havana
    Show answer

    Panama City

  3. What is the capital of Costa Rica 🇨🇷?

    • Tegucigalpa
    • Mexico City
    • Santo Domingo
    • San José
    Show answer

    San José

  4. What is the capital of Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹?

    • Castries
    • Port of Spain
    • Santo Domingo
    • Tegucigalpa
    Show answer

    Port of Spain

  5. What is the capital of El Salvador 🇸🇻?

    • Kingstown
    • Santo Domingo
    • San Salvador
    • San José
    Show answer

    San Salvador

Jamaica is also in the Caribbean capitals quiz.

Jamaica in North America

The largest countries by population sharing this continent are United States, Mexico, Canada and Guatemala.

If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — North America is the block Jamaica belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.

Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Jamaica.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Jamaica?

The capital of Jamaica is Kingston.

What is the population of Jamaica?

About 2,827,377, making it the 137th most populous country in the world.

How big is Jamaica?

10,991 square kilometres, ranking 161st by land area, at a density of 257 people per square kilometre.

What currency does Jamaica use?

The JMD, which no other country uses.

What are the colours of the Jamaica flag?

The flag of Jamaica is a gold diagonal cross dividing the flag into four triangles, green at the top and bottom and black at the sides. Green stands for hope, plants and farming, black for hardships overcome and still to face, and gold for sunshine and natural resources. Jamaica's is the only flag of a sovereign country with no white, red or blue in it.

Which countries border Jamaica?

None. Jamaica is an island country in the Caribbean, the third-largest island in the Greater Antilles after Cuba and Hispaniola, so it has no land borders with other countries.

How can I remember the capital of Jamaica?

Kingston, the capital and largest city, is on the southeast coast, facing a natural harbour. Don't confuse it with Kingstown in Saint Vincent. For the flag, picture a gold X with no red, white or blue anywhere.

More capitals to learn

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