Trivia in Jamaica

National symbols

Flag: Green and gold cross flag divided into four by black diagonals. Black represents national strength and creativity, gold the sun and prosperous future, green hope and agricultural land.

Emblem: Shield-shaped coat of arms topped with helmet bearing crocodile. Shield depicts red cross and five pineapples, supported by Taino man and woman on sides.

Trivia & facts

• Jamaican flag only one worldwide excluding "blue, red, white."
• One of world's shortest national anthems, playing time about 1 minute.
• Bob Marley's former residence now open as museum.
• Blue Mountain Coffee grading determined by elevation; highest grade above 1,670m.
• Appleton Estate Rum among world's oldest rum distilleries (founded 1749).
• Banana export to USA began 1870s, pioneering "Banana Empire."
• Kingston harbor is natural excellent port, Caribbean's largest container hub.
• Rastafari movement symbols red-gold-green differ from flag arrangement.
• National motto: "Out of Many, One People."
• Jamaica sent bobsled team to Winter Olympics, model for film "Cool Runnings."
• Patois word "irie" means "feeling good," representative slang.
• Over 30 mango varieties; peak season June-August.
• Nationwide left-side traffic adoption.
• Hummingbird (Doctor Bird) is national bird, abundant in Blue Mountains.