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General Information

Jamaica is the largest of the English speaking West Indian Islands and is a year round destination due to it’s tropical maritime climate with a sea breeze by day and gentle breeze from the mountains at night. From the sun drenched beaches to the Blue Mountains, visitors return again and again to explore the land, the people, and culture.

On the island you will find the local cuisine consists of a wide variety of tropical foods and spicy cuisine ,the result of a blend of the melting pot of the island people. The national dish is Ackee, an indigenous fruit, and Saltfish, and is usually eaten for breakfast. Jerked pork and chicken are also island favorites while Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is renowned as some as the world’s best coffee.

Reggae is world-renowned popular music that emerged from traditional indigenous Jamaican music influenced by African and Black American people. Bob Marley is one of many artists who have achieved international fame for reggae music and received Jamaica’s national honor the Order of Merit. This music is heard in many venues on the island and adds to the charm of the island.

History

Jamaica has an area of 4,411 square miles and measures 146 miles across at its widest point with an average annual temperature of 80 degrees F.

The majority of people are of African descent but Tainos originally settled the island, an Arawak speaking people from South America. Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1494 and named the island Jamaica because he heard the natives call it Xaymaca meaning “land of wood and springs”. The Spanish settlers arrived in 1510 and settled in New Seville but due to the area’s climate and swampy conditions moved to the present day Spanish Town.

In 1654, the English captured the island from the Spanish despite the efforts from the Spanish loyalists and their freed and armed slaves called Maroons or” wild ones”. The English began to grow cocoa, coffee, and sugarcane with the introduction of slaves from Africa. Eventually after many insurrections, the last slave revolt was in 1831 culminating in the Emancipation Act of 1834 with full emancipation granted in 1838.

To replace the laborers that left after emancipation the planters brought in indentured labor from India and China. After completing their period of indenture many of the workers stayed on the island adding to the mix of cultures.

After a long period of British rule, Jamaicans eventually began to achieve local political control and implemented the crown colony system of government. Two leading political parties were formed the Jamaica Labor Party and the People’s National Party. Universal adult suffrage was achieved in 1944 and complete independence from Britain in 1962. Jamaica does remain a member of the British Commonwealth today.

	Featured Accommodations in Jamaica
	Half Moon Club
	http://www.halfmoon.com
	Email:
	Resort has suites and private villas in a beautiful landscape. Offers golfing, horseback riding, tennis, beautiful beach, pools, more...

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