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Bob Marley and Blue Mountains, reggae and Rastafarian, soft sands and strong sun – this is what the paradise island called Jamaica is all about. But the real charm of Jamaica lies in its people: warm and friendly. Vibrant and vivacious with ready smiles, the Jamaicans will welcome you with the warm hospitality that is characteristic of the Caribbean islands.

Relax on deserted sun kissed beaches or jam the night away to the beat of calypso. Come to Jamaica and let your hair down…

Jamaica was the first country in the Western Region to build a railway system, even before the United States!

Jamaican art is regarded as one of the best as it originates from the Caribbean. Moreover, works of well known artists like Edna Manley and Ronald Moody are exhibited and collected all over the world.

Historically Speaking

The Arawak population that Christopher Columbus discovered when he landed on the island in 1494 AD was completely wiped out within a century of the Spaniards making Jamaica their home. The Spaniards brought African slavers in large numbers as labour force to work on sugar plantations. In 1655 the British landed in Jamaica and took possession of the Island. This ‘take over’ was followed by a series of rebellions by the Spanish loyalists and slaves who came to be referred as Maroons. The slaves were finally freed in 1739 though slavery continued with the importation of more slaves who were tortured into submission. Slavery was officially abolished in 1834, three years after the Christmas Rebellion, the largest slave revolution inspired by ‘Daddy’ Sam Sharpe, an advocate of passive resistance.

Following the brutal suppression of Jamaicans during the Morant Bay Rebellion, successive Governors to Jamaica became more lenient and in 1930’s the framework for modern Jamaican government was laid down. Universal Adult Franchise was introduced in 1944 and in 1947 Jamaica was granted independence. After a short spell of joining the West Indies Federation, Jamaica joined the Commonwealth as an independent nation in 1962.

Habitat

The alluring scenery of Jamaica makes is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. The white sand beaches dotted with swaying palms, magnificent mountains, waterfalls weaving their way through tropical trees – Jamaica has a diversity of terrain and vegetation.

The tip of a submerged mountain range, the topography of Jamaica is very uneven Mountains traverse the breadth of the island being highest in east, the Blue Mountain Peak (7402 ft). The interior is pockmarked with sinkholes and deep ridges as well as valleys and caves. A narrow coastline dotted with bays runs all the way around the island giving Jamaica some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean.

The varied landscape houses many creatures – the endangered Jamaica hutia, mongooses, frogs, iguanas, crocodiles, lizards as well as snakes. You’ll also see the usual cattle and goat sharing the road with you. Scouring the sky are egrets, yellow-breasted bananaquits, owls, kling-klings, woodpeckers, John Crows, pelicans, doves and hummingbirds.