What Are Jamaica’s Natural Resources?
The official natural resources of Jamaica are bauxite, gypsum and limestone, according to Travels.com. Wikipedia points out that aluminum oxide is another vital resource of Jamaica.
Travels.com notes that Jamaica is one of the largest producers of bauxite in the world. Bauxite is a rock that contains aluminum oxide that can be made into aluminum. Even though bauxite contains aluminum oxide, alumina and bauxite are produced separately, according to Wikipedia.
Gypsum is a mineral that is found near limestone. It is used in making Plaster of Paris, sheet rock and cement. Gypsum is mined in the eastern portion of the country. Limestone covers most of the island and is used in a majority of construction materials. Limestone is comprised of compressed shells and animal bones that have formed for thousands of years. It is an element that produces such items as paint, cement and pipes.
Jamaica Farms also notes that the country’s sand, beaches and water are natural resources as well, since all of these elements are used by man, and these resources attract tourism. Trees can also fall under the natural resources category in Jamaica, along with rivers, most notably the Black River. In regards to marine life, Jamaica’s waters hold a variety of saltwater and freshwater fish, including kingfish, tuna, jack and mackerel. Wikipedia states that Jamaica is also a large exporter of rum, sugar, yams and bananas.
