The soaring mountains, deep valleys, flat plateaus and rolling waters on Jamaica's coast definitely make this island a sight to behold. The word "Jamaica" comes from the word "Xaymaca", meaning "land of wood and water" (Witherbee). But this island is not limited to its beautiful landscapes. It is a country full of life and happiness. Although Jamaica is a small island, its fascinating culture thrives through storytelling, music, cuisine and so much more. Geography Located approximately 90 miles south of Cuba, Jamaica and its beautiful geography are one of the main reasons why people love to visit this amazing island, (Witherbee). Jamaica is completely surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and located in both the Northern and Western Hemispheres (“Jamaica”). Even though it is a small country, it is still the third largest island in the Caribbean (Witherbee). However, it can be divided geographically into three sections: the eastern mountains, the central valleys and plateaus, and the coastal plains; overall, most of the country is mountainous. The limestone plateau covers two thirds of the territory. In addition to Jamaica's very diverse geography, its climate is a major attraction for many tourists. Jamaica has a warm climate all year round, which allows many tourists to choose it as a holiday destination, regardless of the time of year. The constant temperatures, which vary annually between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, are caused by Jamaica's close location to the equator (“Jamaica”).CultureThe people of Jamaica are not as diverse as the people of the United States. The first settlers probably came from the Andes of South America around 700. Today, Jamaica is one of the most densely populated countries... middle of paper... Dependence Day. Network. May 19, 2014."JAMAICA." Map of Jamaica / Geography of Jamaica / Map of Jamaica. World Atlas, ndWeb. May 12, 2014.Kenner, Rob. "Bob's Business." Student Research Center. EBSCOhost, February 12, 2011. Network. 2014."Literature." Caribbean. Network. May 19, 2014.Morier, Robert. "THE EARTH LIBRARY." Children's literature in Jamaica. The DreadLibrary and Web. May 12, 2014.Morris, Mervyn. "Chapter 2: Louise Bennett The Poet." We speak English and other essays. 17-24. np: Ian Randle Publishers, 1999. Plus.Web Literary Reference Center. May 23, 2014.Morris, Mervyn. "Chapter 4: Mikey Smith." We speak English and other essays. 30-35. np: Ian Randle Publishers, 1999. Literary Reference Center Plus. Network. May 12, 2014. Witherbee, Amy. Jamaica. Rep. Np: Great Neck, 2011. Our World. Student Research Center. Network. May 9 2014.