Jamaca

Individual Assignment Due Week Two

Target Country Jamaica

The assignment for week two is to select one country that will be the focus of several assignments. The country selected for this paper is Jamaica. Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean Sea south of Cuba. An island that when mentioned suggests a vacation paradise with hot temperatures, Reggae, and Rum. However, the area that we think of as a vacation paradise is a small part of the island. Beyond the hotels and beaches, Jamaica is the third largest source of Bauxite and Alumina in the world ("The Economy", 2003). These are the two base ingredients for aluminum production. Aluminum is, of course a metal that Americans have grown increasingly dependent on for the production of products from beverage cans to components in Automobiles and Airplanes.

A major influence on the selection of Jamaica is my personal and business interest in the production of Aluminum and a desire to have a better understanding of sources of supply. During 2004Ð'ÐŽÐ'¦s hurricane season it was surprising to find out that having the ports of Jamaica shut down ("2004/05 Among", 2005) caused a several cent increase in the cost of aluminum ingot worldwide. The economic and political status of this Small Island as well as environmental considerations could very well affect our lives in increased costs and even aluminum shortages, as other countries would not be able on the short-term to increase mining and smelting capacities to compensate for an interruption in the processing of Bauxite and Alumina from Jamaica.

Sources of information on this and future assignments will include however not be limited to the following.

Ð'„Ð'« The Jamaica Information Service http://www.jis.gov.jm/default.asp

Ð'„Ð'« CIA The World Factbook Jamaica http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/jm.html

Ð'„Ð'« Infoplease http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/a0107662.html

Ð'„Ð'« The Jamaica Observer http://www.jamaicaobserver.com