Everybody knows Jamaica as the home of Bob Marley, but there is more to it than just reggae and Rastafarians. The third-largest island in the Caribbean offers excellent tourist facilities. It has wonderful white sand beaches, mountains, waterfalls, wildlife and the best coffee in the world.

The island’s luxuriant tropical and subtropical vegetation is probably unsurpassed anywhere in the Caribbean. Kingston is its lively capital, surprising visitors with elegant, old colonial houses against the stunning backdrop of the Blue Mountains.

Jamaica has gained a reputation for violence, and there certainly are no-go areas in Kingston, but most Jamaicans are overwhelmingly friendly and fun-loving.

The two main tourist resorts are Negril and Montego Bay, Jamaica’s second city - known to one and all as Mo’ Bay. Negril boasts one of the longest beaches in the country, some 11km (7 miles) of it, with all the watersports one would expect in a lively resort. But just a little way along the coast, you can find ‘the real Jamaica’ with fishing villages like Treasure Beach, Port Antonio and Oracabessa providing quieter retreats.

Tourism grows, encouraged by the governing People’s National Party. Many visitors return as they succumb to Jamaica’s charms, the beautiful scenery, the warmth of the people; and of course, wherever you go, there is always music, music, music.

Mike Gerrard

10,991 sq km (4,244 sq miles).

2.7 million (UN estimate 2005).

245.7 sq km.

Kingston. Population: 660,000.

Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1962.

The official language is English. Local patois is also spoken.

Protestant majority (Anglican, Baptist, Church of God and Methodist) with Roman Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Bahai communities. Rastafarianism, a religion based on belief in the divinity of the late Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie (Ras Tafari), is also widely practised.

GMT - 5.

Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. As tourism is a major industry in Jamaica, the visitor is well catered for, and hotel and restaurant staff are generally friendly and efficient. Outside Kingston, the pace of life is relaxed and people are welcoming and hospitable. Normal codes of practice should be observed when visiting someone’s home. It may be common to see signs on the island referring to ‘Jah lives’, Jah being the name given to God by the Rastafarians. Casual wear is suitable during the day, but shorts and swimsuits must be confined to beaches and poolsides. Evening dress varies from very casual in Negril to quite formal during the season in other resorts, where some hotels and restaurants require men to wear jackets and ties at dinner. Possession of marijuana may lead to imprisonment and deportation.

110 volts AC, 60Hz, single phase. American two-pin plugs are standard, but many hotels offer, in addition, 220 volts AC, 50Hz, single phase, from three-pin sockets.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller since 2006.

HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor-General Kenneth Hall.