Jamaica, an island nation of the Greater Antilles, and popular for Jamaica holidays and Jamaica package deals. It is 234 km in length and 80 km at its widest point. Situated in the Caribbean sea it is 145km south of Cuba.
Jamaica is still a part of the British Commonwealth and third largest anglophone country in the Americas after the USA and Canada. It was named Xaymaca by the Islands indigenous Taino inhabitants which means the ‘The land of springs’. The Spanish ruled the Island and named the island Santiago. It later became a British colony.
The Arawak and Taino who originated from South America settled on the island between 4000 and 10000 BC. When Columbus arrived in 1494 there were 200 villages ruled by chiefs or caciques.
In 1655 the English admiral William Penn seized the Island for Britain from the Spanish. During 200 years of British rule Jamaica became one of the worlds leading exporters of Sugar. Producing 77,000 tonnes of sugar annually between 1820 and 1824. This massive production of sugar was labour intensive and the nation was dependent on slaves. The British imported indentured servants from Asia and China to do some of the work. By the nineteenth century Black people outnumbered whites by a ratio of 20 to 1. Growing uprising against slavery, led to the British government drawing up laws which would ultimely abolish the slave trade.
Gradually Jamaica became more independent and in 1958 it became a province in the Federation Of The West Indies. Under this independence economic growth of 6% per annum ensued. The growth was attributible to investments in Bauxite/Alumina, tourism and manufacturing. Indeed, Jamaica holidays are perennial favourites with holiday makers the world over, with Jamaica package deals being particularly popular.
Jamaica is divided into 14 parishes. The largest being Saint Elizabeth with an area of 1,200 km and a population of 146,000.
Jamaica is the fourth most populous Island in the Caribbean and is the third largest geographically. The Blue Mountains dominated much of inland Jamaica. The islands highest point, Blue Mountain Peak is twice as high as Snowdon in Wales at 2256m. The mountains form a cooling relief from the sweltering heat of Kingston, the islands capital. The mountain range rises and falls for 24 miles in length and for 14 miles at its widest point. The temperature decreases from 27 degrees C at sea level to only 5 degrees C at Blue Mountain Peak. This climactic diversity has enabled the high rainfall to feed some unique flora including 500 flowering plants; it’s this uniqueness that attracts holidays makers on Jamaica holidays and Jamaica package deals. Half of this flora and fuana are unique to Jamaica and are not found anyhere else on earth. The mountains are home to the largest butterfly in the Americas, the Homerus Swallowtail (Papillio homerus) the Jamaican Coney and the Jamaican Boa. Coffee is cultivated on the lower slopes.
The official language of the island is English but Jamaican Patois is more commonly spoken while Christian make up the majority of the population. Rastafarianism is an important religion on the Island as well.
The capital Kingston has a famous beach at Lime cay which attracts people on Jamaica holidays and Jamaica package deals. While Turtle Beach and mallard beach in Ocho Rios offer beaches with facilities nearby. The beach at Negril was a hotspot of the hippie movement in the 1960’s while Montego Bay has fletcher beach which is ideal for surfers who enjoy Jamaica holidays. Frenchmans bay is regarded by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and is also enjoyed by many on Jamaican holidays. The beaches and other attractions will bring good value for money for holidaymakers, especially those seeking Jamaican package deals.
Whilst Jamaica is popular for its favourable climate and stunning beaches and for Jamaican holidays, it’s rich history, culture and biodiversity is sure to please those seeking Jamaica package deals.