An island country in the Caribbean Sea south of Cuba. Originally inhabited by Arawaks, it was discovered by Columbus in 1494 and settled by the Spanish in 1509. The British captured the island in 1655, and it was formally ceded to Great Britain in 1670, becoming a crown colony in 1865. Jamaica became independent in 1962. Kingston is the capital and the largest city. Population: 2,780,000.
Ja·mai'can adj. & n.
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