50 Trivia Questions about Jamaica (+ Answers)

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From the pristine beaches of Montego Bay to the misty peaks of the Blue Mountains, Jamaica holds countless fascinating stories waiting to be discovered.

This Caribbean paradise has given the world reggae music, world-class athletes, unique cuisine, and cultural traditions that continue to influence people across the globe.

Ready to test your knowledge about this remarkable island nation? These questions will take you through Jamaica’s rich history, vibrant culture, natural wonders, and modern achievements.

Some might seem easy, while others could make you scratch your head – but each one reveals something captivating about Jamaica. Check your answers at the end to see how well you know this extraordinary country.

trivia questions about jamaica

Trivia Questions about Jamaica

The answers to all questions can be found in the section that follows. Good luck!

  1. Which of these Jamaican fruits is also known as “poor man’s butter”? A) Mango B) Breadfruit C) Ackee D) Soursop
  2. What percentage of Jamaica’s population has African ancestry? A) 92.1% B) 76.3% C) 88.7% D) 82.4%
  3. In which year did Jamaica gain independence from British rule? A) 1958 B) 1962 C) 1965 D) 1970
  4. What is Jamaica’s national bird? A) Jamaican Tody B) Red-billed Streamertail C) Yellow-billed Parrot D) Caribbean Dove
  5. Which famous pirate made Port Royal his base of operations in the 1660s? A) Blackbeard B) Henry Morgan C) Anne Bonny D) Calico Jack
  6. What is the meaning of Jamaica’s national motto “Out of Many, One People”? A) Unity despite racial diversity B) Strength through agriculture C) Freedom through cooperation D) Progress through education
  7. Which Jamaican parish is famous for its jerk seasoning? A) Portland B) St. Elizabeth C) Trelawny D) Manchester
  8. What is the highest point in Jamaica? A) Mount Denham B) Blue Mountain Peak C) Catherine’s Peak D) Sir John’s Peak
  9. Which Jamaican sprinter holds the world record for both 100m and 200m? A) Asafa Powell B) Yohan Blake C) Usain Bolt D) Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
  10. What is Jamaica’s national fruit? A) Mango B) Pineapple C) Ackee D) Banana
  11. Which indigenous people were the first inhabitants of Jamaica? A) Arawaks B) Caribs C) Tainos D) Ciboney
  12. What percentage of Jamaica is covered by forest? A) 26% B) 31% C) 44% D) 55%
  13. How many parishes does Jamaica have? A) 12 B) 14 C) 16 D) 18
  14. Which famous author wrote about Jamaica in works like “Dr. No” and “Live and Let Die”? A) Ernest Hemingway B) Graham Greene C) Ian Fleming D) Joseph Conrad
  15. What is Jamaica’s national dish? A) Jerk Chicken B) Curry Goat C) Rice and Peas D) Ackee and Saltfish
  16. Which musical genre originated in Jamaica during the late 1960s? A) Calypso B) Reggae C) Soca D) Merengue
  17. What color is NOT present in the Jamaican flag? A) Green B) Yellow C) Red D) Black
  18. Which famous resort town is known as the “Hip Strip”? A) Negril B) Ocho Rios C) Montego Bay D) Port Antonio
  19. What is the name of Jamaica’s oldest rum? A) Appleton Estate B) Myers’s C) Wray & Nephew D) Mount Gay
  20. Which crop was Jamaica’s main export during British colonial rule? A) Coffee B) Sugar C) Bananas D) Cotton
  21. What famous American civil rights leader’s mother was born in Jamaica? A) Malcolm X B) Martin Luther King Jr. C) Marcus Garvey D) W.E.B. Du Bois
  22. Which traditional Jamaican folk music style features ring games and dance? A) Ska B) Mento C) Kumina D) Nyabinghi
  23. What is the capital of Jamaica? A) Montego Bay B) Spanish Town C) Kingston D) Port Royal
  24. Which Jamaican scientist developed treatments for leukemia? A) Dr. Louis Grant B) Dr. Thomas Lecky C) Dr. Lawrence Williams D) Dr. Henry Lowe
  25. What is the name of Jamaica’s oldest coffee plantation? A) Craighton Estate B) Wallenford Estate C) Clifton Mount Estate D) Old Tavern Estate
  26. Which Jamaican parish produces the most agricultural products? A) St. Elizabeth B) Manchester C) Clarendon D) St. Ann
  27. What percentage of Jamaica’s electricity comes from renewable sources? A) 11% B) 17% C) 23% D) 29%
  28. Which Caribbean island is closest to Jamaica? A) Cuba B) Haiti C) Cayman Islands D) Dominican Republic
  29. What is the traditional Jamaican healing practice called? A) Obeah B) Vodou C) Santeria D) Quimbois
  30. Which famous hotel chain started in Jamaica? A) Sandals B) Hilton C) Marriott D) Four Seasons
  31. What is Jamaica’s primary source of foreign exchange? A) Agriculture B) Mining C) Tourism D) Manufacturing
  32. Which Jamaican athlete won Olympic gold medals in both 1988 and 1992? A) Merlene Ottey B) Veronica Campbell-Brown C) Grace Jackson D) Juliet Cuthbert
  33. What is the name of Jamaica’s largest nature reserve? A) Cockpit Country B) Black River Morass C) Blue Mountains D) Mason River Reserve
  34. Which Jamaican patty company became an international franchise? A) Tastee B) Juici C) Mother’s D) Island Grill
  35. What is the primary language spoken in Jamaica? A) Standard English B) Jamaican Patois C) Spanish D) French Creole
  36. Which British monarch was the first to visit Jamaica while it was still a colony? A) Queen Victoria B) King George VI C) Queen Elizabeth II D) King Edward VIII
  37. What percentage of Jamaica’s GDP comes from tourism? A) 20% B) 25% C) 32% D) 34%
  38. Which Jamaican parish has the largest population outside of Kingston? A) St. Catherine B) St. James C) Westmoreland D) St. Ann
  39. What is Jamaica’s most valuable mineral export? A) Gold B) Copper C) Bauxite D) Silver
  40. Which famous band recorded their album “Goats Head Soup” in Jamaica? A) The Beatles B) The Rolling Stones C) Led Zeppelin D) The Who
  41. What is the name of Jamaica’s oldest newspaper? A) The Daily Observer B) The Jamaica Herald C) The Gleaner D) The Star
  42. Which Jamaican politician served the longest consecutive term as Prime Minister? A) Michael Manley B) Edward Seaga C) P.J. Patterson D) Portia Simpson-Miller
  43. What percentage of Jamaica’s roads are paved? A) 73% B) 81% C) 87% D) 92%
  44. Which endemic Jamaican plant is used in traditional medicine? A) Bitter Wood B) Marijuana C) Aloe Vera D) Castor Bean
  45. What is the name of Jamaica’s largest freshwater lake? A) Great Salt Pond B) Black River Lower Morass C) Great Morass D) Lake Moneague
  46. Which Jamaican parish has the smallest population? A) Hanover B) St. Thomas C) Portland D) Trelawny
  47. What year was The University of the West Indies established in Jamaica? A) 1938 B) 1948 C) 1958 D) 1968
  48. Which Jamaican music pioneer is credited with creating ska? A) Prince Buster B) Don Drummond C) Clement Dodd D) Duke Reid
  49. What is the average annual rainfall in Jamaica? A) 1,960mm B) 2,100mm C) 2,480mm D) 2,890mm
  50. Which Jamaican herbalist wrote “The Common Medicinal Plants of Jamaica”? A) Mary Seacole B) Albert Huie C) Mavis Bankcroft D) Leonard Barrett

Answers

  1. C) Ackee
  2. A) 92.1%
  3. B) 1962
  4. B) Red-billed Streamertail
  5. B) Henry Morgan
  6. A) Unity despite racial diversity
  7. A) Portland
  8. B) Blue Mountain Peak
  9. C) Usain Bolt
  10. C) Ackee
  11. C) Tainos
  12. B) 31%
  13. B) 14
  14. C) Ian Fleming
  15. D) Ackee and Saltfish
  16. B) Reggae
  17. C) Red
  18. C) Montego Bay
  19. A) Appleton Estate
  20. B) Sugar
  21. A) Malcolm X
  22. C) Kumina
  23. C) Kingston
  24. D) Dr. Henry Lowe
  25. C) Clifton Mount Estate
  26. A) St. Elizabeth
  27. B) 17%
  28. A) Cuba
  29. A) Obeah
  30. A) Sandals
  31. C) Tourism
  32. A) Merlene Ottey
  33. A) Cockpit Country
  34. A) Tastee
  35. B) Jamaican Patois
  36. C) Queen Elizabeth II
  37. C) 32%
  38. A) St. Catherine
  39. C) Bauxite
  40. B) The Rolling Stones
  41. C) The Gleaner
  42. C) P.J. Patterson
  43. A) 73%
  44. A) Bitter Wood
  45. B) Black River Lower Morass
  46. A) Hanover
  47. B) 1948
  48. C) Clement Dodd
  49. A) 1,960mm
  50. C) Mavis Bankcroft

Each of these answers offers a glimpse into Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage, natural resources, historical achievements, and modern developments. From its ancient Taino inhabitants to its current status as a leader in tourism and athletics, Jamaica continues to make significant contributions to global culture while maintaining its unique identity.

The questions cover various aspects: geography, sports, music, cuisine, politics, economy, and natural resources. They highlight how Jamaica has influenced many areas of life both within its borders and internationally. Through these facts, the depth and breadth of Jamaican culture and its impact on the world become clear.

Many of these elements connect with each other – from the agricultural practices that shaped the nation’s economy to the cultural traditions that spawned new forms of music and dance. Together, they paint a picture of a nation that has maintained strong ties to its heritage while embracing progress and change.

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