the Americas. It is found mainly in the
Amazon rain forest of South America.
The scientific name of the jaguar is Panthera
onca.
The jaguar looks much like the leopard.
But the jaguar is larger and has bigger
black spots. The average jaguar is
between 5 and 6 feet (1.5 and 1.8
meters) long, not including the tail.
Males weigh between 220 and 350
pounds (100 and 160 kilograms).
Females are usually smaller. The jaguar
has a large head and big legs. Its coat
ranges from deep yellow to golden
brown.
The jaguar hunts alone at night. It is a
swift animal that climbs and swims well.
The jaguar preys on piglike animals
called peccaries. It also eats rodents,
deer, birds, crocodiles, and fish.
The jaguar once lived in forests ranging
from the southern United States to
Argentina. Today there are far fewer
jaguars scattered over a much smaller
area. Some of the forests have been
destroyed. The animals therefore have
fewer places to live. People hunt jaguars
for sport and for their fur. People also
kill jaguars because the animals sometimes
eat cattle.
#More to explore
Cat • Leopard
Jail
#see Prison.
Jainism
Along with Hinduism and Buddhism,
Jainism is one of the three major religions
that started in ancient India. Its
followers are called Jains. In the early
21st century there were more than 4
million Jains, most of them in India.
Jains believe that after people die, they
are reborn as other beings. By purifying
their souls, they believe, they can eventually
free themselves from repeated
rebirth. Jains believe that 24 men, the
Tirthankaras (saviors), have escaped
rebirth.
For Jains, purifying the soul involves
practicing ahimsa, or nonviolence. This
means that they should not harm any
living thing, including humans, animals,
and insects. Also, Jains believe that no
group of people is above or below any
other group.
The jaguar gets its name from the American
Indian word yaguar, meaning “he who kills
with one leap.”
8 Jaguar BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
To avoid harming living things, Jains do
not eat any meat. In temples and at
shrines they pay respect to the 24
Tirthankaras. At certain times they fast,
or refuse to eat, to help purify the soul.
Jain monks and nuns follow Jainism
more strictly. They dedicate their lives to
purifying their souls.
Jainism began during the 600s–400s BC
in eastern India. Hinduism was the
main religion there. But some people
rejected certain Hindu beliefs, including
the idea that only the highest group of
people could perform religious ceremonies.
Some of these opponents of Hinduism
founded Jainism.
Jains believe their religion started with
the 24 Tirthankaras. Mahavira, who
probably lived in the 500s or 400s BC,
was the last savior. Mahavira taught
people how to purify their souls. He
converted many Hindus to his ideas,
later called Jainism.
..More to explore
Buddhism • Hinduism • Monk
Jakarta
Population
(2005 estimate)
8,603,349
Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia, a
country of Southeast Asia. It is one of
the largest cities in the world. Jakarta is
located on the coast of the island of Java.
Jakarta is a major center of education,
industry, banking, and trade. It is the
country’s largest port. Its factories make
soap, cloth, food, and machines.
Jakarta was founded in 1527 after a local
ruler defeated Portuguese troops there.
He called the city Jayakerta, meaning
“glorious fortress.”
Dutch traders captured and destroyed
the city in 1619. They then built their
own town, named Batavia, there. It
became the capital of the Dutch government
in Indonesia.
Indonesia became an independent country
in 1949. The city was renamed
Djakarta, and it became the capital. In
1972 the city was renamed Jakarta.
..More to explore
Indonesia
Jain people in India celebrate a
festival by pouring holy water
over a statue.
Jakarta has
many citizens
of Chinese,
Indian, and
Arab ancestry.
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Jakarta 9
Jamaica
Jamaica is part of theWest Indies in the
Caribbean Sea. Jamaica is known for
reggae, a type of music. The capital is
Kingston.
Geography
Jamaica lies south of Cuba and west of
Haiti. The island is mountainous with
plains along the coast. Jamaica has warm
weather year-round. Hurricanes sometimes
cause severe destruction.
Plants and Animals
Ebony, mahogany, and rosewood trees
grow in some valleys. Other plants
include bamboo, orchids, and ferns.
Jamaica is home to birds, bats, frogs,
and crocodiles.
People
Most of Jamaica’s people are of African
origin. A smaller group has mixed African
and European roots. There are also
small numbers of East Indians, Chinese,
and whites. Most people speak English
or Jamaican Creole. More than half of
Jamaicans live in cities.
Economy
Jamaica’s economy is based mainly on
services, especially tourism. Mines provide
the mineral bauxite, from which
aluminum is made. Factories make
cement, processed foods, and clothing.
Farmers grow sugarcane to make raw
sugar, molasses, and rum. Other crops
are citrus fruits, bananas, and coffee.
History
The Arawak people lived on the island
when Christopher Columbus sighted it
in 1494. The Spanish took control in
the early 1500s and enslaved many
