Jamaica civics quiz: questions and answers
All 15 general civics quiz questions about Jamaica with answers and explanations, grouped by topic. This is a learning quiz, not an official exam. Select a question to see the answer.
Government and law 5 questions
Jamaica's parliamentary democracy, its two-chamber Parliament and the role of the Prime Minister.
Practise only: Government and law →
What is the capital of Jamaica?
Kingston
Kingston, on the south-east coast, is the capital and largest city.
What are the two houses of the Jamaican Parliament?
The Senate and the House of Representatives
Parliament has an appointed Senate and an elected House of Representatives.
In Jamaica’s parliamentary system, who is the head of government?
The Prime Minister
The Prime Minister leads the government and is normally the leader of the party with a majority in the House of Representatives.
What is the official language of Jamaica?
English
English is the official language, although Jamaican Patois is widely spoken.
Which agency handles citizenship applications in Jamaica?
The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency
PICA processes applications for naturalisation, registration and citizenship by descent.
History 5 questions
The Taíno, Spanish and British rule, emancipation, the Morant Bay Rebellion and independence in 1962.
In which year did Jamaica become independent?
1962
Jamaica became independent from Britain on 6 August 1962.
Who were the original inhabitants of Jamaica when Columbus arrived?
The Taíno
The Taíno people, who called the island Xaymaca, lived in Jamaica when Columbus arrived in 1494.
Which country captured Jamaica from Spain in 1655?
England
English forces captured Jamaica from Spain in 1655, and it remained under British rule until 1962.
Who led the Morant Bay Rebellion of 1865?
Paul Bogle
Paul Bogle, a Baptist deacon, led the Morant Bay Rebellion and is one of Jamaica's National Heroes.
Who was named Jamaica’s first National Hero?
Marcus Garvey
Marcus Garvey, founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, was proclaimed Jamaica's first National Hero.
Geography, culture and symbols 5 questions
The Blue Mountains, the black, green and gold flag, national symbols and reggae.
Practise only: Geography, culture and symbols →
What are the colours of the Jamaican flag?
Black, green and gold
The flag has a gold diagonal cross with green and black triangles.
What is Jamaica’s national motto?
Out of Many, One People
The motto reflects the many peoples and cultures that make up the Jamaican nation.
What is the highest point in Jamaica?
Blue Mountain Peak
Blue Mountain Peak, in the Blue Mountains of eastern Jamaica, is the island's highest point.
What is Jamaica’s national bird?
The doctor bird
The doctor bird, or red-billed streamertail, is a hummingbird found only in Jamaica.
Which Jamaican music was added to UNESCO’s intangible heritage list in 2018?
Reggae
UNESCO inscribed reggae music of Jamaica on its intangible cultural heritage list in 2018.
Think you know them?
Take a timed mock exam in the real Jamaica Civics format.