Part of the "Cultures of the World" series aimed at student research and social studies reference. Chapters on history, geography, religion, economy, language foods, etc. and lots of facts, plus a detailed map and good-quality color photographs on every page make this book on Jamaica an excellent choice.
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles,
234 kilometres (145 mi) in length and as much as 80 kilometres (50
mi) in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. It is about 145
kilometres (90 mi) south of Cuba, and 190 kilometres (120 mi) west
of the island of Hispaniola, on which Haiti and the Dominican
Republic are situated. Its indigenous Arawakan-speaking Ta?o
inhabitants named the island Xaymaca, meaning the "Land of Wood and
Water", or the "Land of Springs". Formerly a Spanish possession
known as Santiago, it later became the British Crown colony of
Jamaica. It is the third most populous anglophone country in North
America, after the United States and Canada. It remains a
Commonwealth realm.
Bob Marley, one of the most famous people from Jamaica.
The Rastafari movement was founded in Jamaica. This Back to Africa
movement believes that Haile Selassie of Ethiopia was God incarnate,
the returned black messiah, come to take the lost Twelve Tribes of
Israel back to live with him in Holy Mount Zion in a world of
perfect peace, love and harmony. Bob Marley, a convert to the faith,
spread the message of Rastafari to the world. There are now
estimated to be more than a million Rastafarians throughout the
world. Though a small nation, Jamaica is rich in culture, and has a
strong global presence. The musical genres reggae, ska, mento,
rocksteady, dub, and, more recently, dancehall and ragga all
originated in the island's vibrant, popular urban recording
industry. Jamaica also played an important role in the development
of punk rock, through reggae and ska. Reggae has also influenced
American rap music, as they both share their roots as rhythmic,
African styles of music. Some rappers, such as The Notorious B.I.G.
and Heavy D, are of Jamaican descent. Internationally known reggae
musician Bob Marley was born in Jamaica and is very respected there.
Many other internationally known artists were born in Jamaica
including Lee "Scratch" Perry, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Big Youth,
Jimmy Cliff, Dennis Brown, Desmond Dekker, Beres Hammond, Beenie
Man, Shaggy, Tami Chynn, Tessanne Chin, Grace Jones, Shabba Ranks,
Supercat, Buju Banton, Sean Paul, I Wayne, Bounty Killer and many
others. Famous band artist groups that came from Jamaica include
Black Uhuru, Third World Band, Inner Circle, Chalice Reggae Band,
Culture, Fab Five, Morgan Heritage and Hype Revolution. The genre
jungle emerged from London's Jamaican diaspora. The birth of hip-hop
in New York also owed much to the city's Jamaican community.
Ian Fleming, who lived in Jamaica, repeatedly used the island as a
setting in the James Bond novels, including Live and Let Die, Doctor
No, For Your Eyes Only, The Man with the Golden Gun and Octopussy.
In addition, James Bond uses a Jamaica-based cover in Casino Royale.
So far, the only Bond film to have been set in Jamaica is Doctor No.
However, filming for the fictional island of San Monique in Live and
Let Die took place in Jamaica.
The American film Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise, is one of the most
popular films to depict Jamaica. A look at delinquent youth in
Jamaica is presented in the 1970s musical crime film The Harder They
Come, starring Jimmy Cliff as a frustrated (and psychopathic) reggae
musician who descends into a murderous crime spree. Another popular
Jamaican-based film is the 1993 comedy Cool Runnings which is
loosely based on the true story of Jamaica's first bobsled team
trying to make it in the Winter Olympics.
Errol Flynn lived with his third wife Patrice Wymore in Port Antonio
in the 1950s. He was responsible for developing tourism to this
area, popularizing raft trips down rivers on bamboo rafts
Jamaica is divided into 14 parishes, which are grouped into three
historic counties that have no administrative relevance.
Cornwall County
Middlesex County
Surrey County
1
Hanover
6
Clarendon
11
Kingston
2
Saint Elizabeth
7
Manchester
12
Portland
3
Saint James
8
Saint Ann
13
Saint Andrew
4
Trelawny
9
Saint Catherine
14
Saint Thomas
5
Westmoreland
10
Saint Mary
Geography
Doctor's Cave Beach Club is a popular destination in
Montego Bay
Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean, and the
fourth most populous island in that region. The island of Jamaica is
home to the Blue Mountains inland, and is surrounded by a narrow
coastal plain. Most major towns and cities are located on the coast.
Chief towns and cities include the capital Kingston, Portmore,
Spanish Town, Mandeville, Ocho R?s, Port Antonio, and Montego Bay.
The climate in Jamaica is tropical, with hot and humid weather,
although higher inland regions have a more temperate climate. Some
regions on the south coast, such as the Liguanea Plain and the Pedro
Plains are relatively dry rain-shadow areas. Jamaica lies in the
hurricane belt of the Atlantic Ocean; as a result, the island
sometimes experiences significant storm damage. Hurricanes Charlie
and Gilbert hit Jamaica directly in 1951 and 1988, respectively,
causing major damage, destruction, and many deaths. In the 2000s,
hurricanes Ivan, Dean, and Gustav also brought severe weather to the
island.
National symbols
National Bird — Doctor Bird (Green-and-black Streamertail,
Trochilus polytmus)
National Flower — Blue Mahoe (Hibiscus elatus)
National Tree — Lignum Vitae (Guaiacum officinale)
National Dish — Ackee and Saltfish (dried salted
Cod)
National Motto — "Out of Many, One People." (Unity among
many cultures and races.)
