131 
XIII.—JAMAICA. 5 
382. Jamaica is one of the Greater Antilles lying in the 
Caribbean Sea, 90 miles south of Cub ba, and about 1,000 miles 
a 
o 
the main ridge, others hiai pam: out in a north- south-east 
direction, form a surface of considerable Wakea ksrdi i 
383. All parts of AGTA are picturesque and interesting. 
here are numerous rivers and streams, with, for the most part, 
a rapid fall. The Black River in the south-west i is the only one 
that is navigable. There is, as might be expected, a great variety 
of climate, the te rature ranging from the tropical heat o the 
plains (80° to 86°) to the comparatively cool, and s es ev 
cold, ames (45° t ei of the highest mountains mean 
falling to 70° at night. p7 ð 000 feet the mean annual temperature 
s 65°. The mean annual rainfall is 67 inches. In the north- 
Satins districts it is as high as 85 inches; in éther rs, south and 
west, it falls as low as 50 inches. For the most part the rainfall 
is well-distributed throughout the year. The heaviest rains are in 
ctober, hat are termed the May rains are often partial, and 
even fail altogether. In consequence, some parts of the island 
suffer from dr rought, and irrigation is necessary. As in most 
Ily 
om 
of the -a in the Caribbean Sea, hurricanes are occasionally 
destructiv 
384. Jamaica possesses a large extent of land at various altitudes 
Suited for the cultivation of nearly all tropical and su -tropical 
lants. The soil is usually very productive, and even where it has 
been cropped hn years z aran can be restored by careful paren 
tion and manuring ca eee ses possibly the most varied 
and valuable e ae ig oe economic or industrial plants of any 
tropical country. These have perce all been introduced from 
other countries by the Botanic Gardens, and their distribution 
throughout every part of the island, begun in 1777, has been 
aaa uninterruptedly to the pios day. It t is this varied 
Hasnedinte advanite any may aris 
products, while the diversified character of its climate and soil 
and its abundant po STi afford me e developing almost 
385. Of the total area of 2,692,480 acres, about be sca te acres, 
re to 2°97 e cent., are estimated to be occupied by swamps 
nd ky, or other bria ira lands. Of the estimated area of 
cultivable Maa 2,340,412 acres are in private hands, while in _ 
_ of the Crown there are ‘approximately 272,068 acres. Nearly 
half of the estimated area of the cultivable land in the ads is pA 
15045 I2 
