Jamaica’s Physical Features
Geography
Jamaica’s physical features is mostly mountainous. A limestone plateau covers two-thirds of the island and karst formations with caverns and caves dominate the island. Additionally, it has narrow coastal plains, green dense rainforests and sandy bays and beaches.
Generally, the island’s physical feature can be divided into three main types of landforms: the central mountain chain formed by igneous and metamorphic rocks; the karst limestone hills in the Cockpit area; the low-lying coastal plains and interior valleys. Limestone formation occurs all over the island, but especially in the western areas.
Mountains
The mountain system may be divided into three parts: • The eastern section composed of the Blue Mountains and the John Crow Mountains.
• The central region, formed chiefly of limestone, extending from Stony Hill to the Cockpit country.
• The western section with Dolphin Head as its centre.
Reference: Carlong Primary Social Studies – David Brian-Campbell et. al. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Jamaica’s Physical Features
Mountain Peaks in Jamaica ** This list is not exhaustive
Reference: Carlong Primary Social Studies – David Brian-Campbell et. al. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Jamaica’s Physical Features
Rivers
A river is a natural flowing watercourse that flows towards an ocean, sea, lake or another river. As the main range of mountains in Jamaica run from west to east, the rivers, which start on their slopes, generally flow north or south.
Most of the rivers in Jamaica are not navigable. The height of the mountains causes them to run swiftly in deep beds. Additionally, their routes are occassionally broken by waterfalls. The exception to this is Black River. Located in St. Elizabeth, the largest river in Jamaica is 73 kilometres (44 miles) long. It is navigable by a small vessel for 28 kilometres (17 miles) from its mouth.
Major Rivers in Jamaica ** This list is not exhaustive.
Reference: Carlong Primary Social Studies – David Brian-Campbell et. al. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Jamaica’s Physical Features
Plains
A plain is a large piece of land with few trees. In Jamaica, the plains lie chiefly on the southern side of the island and are all of the alluvial (loose soil or sediment that has been eroded, reshaped by water in some form, and redeposited in a non- marine setting) formation.
Some of the principal plains are in Jamaica are: • Liguanea Plains in Kingston and St. Andrew • Rio Cobre and St. Dorothy Plains in St. Catherine • Plain of Vere in Clarendon • Pedro Plain in St. Elizabeth • George’s Plain in Westmoreland
Reference: Carlong Primary Social Studies – David Brian-Campbell et. al. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Jamaica’s Physical Features
Mineral Springs
Mineral springs are naturally occurring springs that produce water containing minerals and other dissolved substances, such as, salt and sulphur. Mineral springs are used for their therapeutic values and are hot spots for tourists.
The most popular mineral springs in Jamaica are: • The warm, saline and radioactive spring at Milk River in Clarendon • The hot, sulphurous spring at Bath in St. Thomas • The Black River Spa in St. Elizabeth • The Moffat Spring on the White River
There are also mineral baths fed by cold springs at Rockfort, near Kingston, and at Port Henderson in St. Catherine.
Reference: Carlong Primary Social Studies – David Brian-Campbell et. al. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Jamaica’s Physical Features
Harbours and Bays
A harbour is a place on the coast protected from the sea by a thick wall where ships and boats can shelter. Meanwhile, a bay is a broad inlet of the sea where the land curves inward.
The Kingston Harbour, located in the capital of Jamaica, is the seventh-largest natural harbour in the world. It contains about 13 kilometres (8 miles) of navigable water. It is almost completely landlocked by the Palisadoes, the narrow strip of land which ends at Port Royal. As such, it leaves a deep channel through which even the largest ships can sail.
On the north coast of the island, Ocho Rios and Port Rhoades and Port Kaiser and Port Esquivel on the south are the important ports from which bauxite and alumina are exported.
Reference: Carlong Primary Social Studies – David Brian-Campbell et. al. Caribbean Youth Development Institute Jamaica’s Physical Features
Cays
A cay is a low bank, or reef of coral, rock, or sand.
Off the coast of Jamaica, there are several Cays. The most important of these are the Morant Cays and the Pedro Cays.
The Morant Cays, a cluster of four, lie on a crescent-shaped shoal 55 kilometres (33 miles) south-east of Morant Point.
The Pedro Cays, also a cluster of four in number, are situated on the Pedro Bank about 66 kilometres (40 miles) south of Portland Point.
Reference: Carlong Primary Social Studies – David Brian-Campbell et. al. Caribbean Youth Development Institute