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The largest island of the former British West Indies, Jamaica is 234 km (145 mi) long and 80 km (50 mi) wide. After being a British colony since 1655, the island has been an independent nation since 1962. Kingston, on the south coast, is the capital, largest city, and most important port of the country. The Prime Minister of Jamaica (also, Jamaica's head of government) is currently Portia Simpson Miller, Jamaican politician who served as the country's first female prime minister (2006–07) and was elected to a second term in 2012. Jamaica is one of the few global communities that still embrace the Westminster System of government. She has contributed to the infrastructure of this beautiful and mesmerizing island. Transport Roadways: The Jamaican road network stretches to almost 21,000 kilometers of roads, out of which over 15,000 kilometers is paved. The Highway 2000 project, which seeks ultimately to link Kingston with Montego Bay and the north coast, is currently undergoing a series of phases/legs. Railways: Railways in Jamaica no longer enjoy the prominent position they once did, having been largely replaced by roadways as the primary means of transport. Of the 169 miles (272 kms) of railway found in Jamaica, only 35 miles (57 kms) remain in operation, currently used to transport bauxite. Jamaica is one of the leading producers of bauxite and about one third of Jamaica's bauxite is shipped unprocessed. Air transport: There are 3 airports in Jamaica. The Norman Manley International Airport formerly known as Palisadoes Airport serves Kingston in Jamaica. There are over 130 international flights a week that depart from Norman Manley International Airport. This airport is located on the Palisadoes tombolo in outer Kingston Harbor and it fronts the city on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other. The airport was named in honor of Norman Washington Manley. The Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, is one of the largest, busiest and most ultra-modern airports in the Caribbean capable of handling nine million passengers per year. Sangster is often referred to as the gateway to the Caribbean, and is the Caribbean hub for many airlines. It serves as the most popular airport for tourists visiting the north coast of Jamaica. The airport was named after Jamaican Prime Minister Sir Donald Sangster. There are more than 1.7 million visitors in Jamaica out of which more than 70% use SIA as their primary airport. Approximately 95% of total passengers at SIA are passengers travelling internationally. Ian Fleming International Airport previously Boscobel Aerodrome is an airport located in Boscobel, Saint Mary Parish, Jamaica, The airport provides service to the United States and to other Caribbean islands. It was named in honor of Ian Fleming, the creator of the James Bond novels, whose Goldeneye estate is located in St Mary parish. The airport is designed to handle private and commercial aircraft as large as the Cessna Citation Excel. Sea Ports, shipping and lighthouses Jamaica has a total of 15 ports. The ports of Kingston and Montego Bay are world-class sea ports. In fact, the port of Kingston was estimated to be the seventh largest transshipment port (a port in which goods arrive to be distributed by other means) in the world, according to the EIU Country Profile for 1997-98. However, Jamaica has lost some international shipping business due to the high cost of shipping operations in the country. Jamaica has seven historic lighthouses. Energy Jamaica depends on petroleum imports to satisfy its national energy needs. Many test sites have been explored for oil, but no commercially viable quantities have been found. The most convenient sources of imported oil and motor fuels (diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel) are from Mexico and Venezuela. Communication Jamaica has a fully digital telephone communication system with a mobile penetration. The country’s has three mobile operators – Cable and Wireless, Digicel, and Oceanic Digital. Flow Jamaica is the new entrant to the Jamaican communications which has laid a new submarine cable connecting Jamaica to the United States. This new cable increases the total number of submarine cables connecting this place to the rest of the world to four. If you are looking forward to a trip to this place book a ticket and get a complimentary Jamaica Transfer. Enjoy a trip to this mesmerizing Island and feel yourself glued with all the Jamaica activities. Author Info Rayan Scott is a freelance writer. His articles on topics like Jamaica transfer and Jamaica activities guide are published on various online platforms.
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