Jamaican facts and history
There are a lot of things
that people should know about
Jamaica that are very
interesting and will satisfy
person who seek fascinating
facts about Jamaica. The first
inhabitants of Jamaica were the
Arawaks, also known as Tainos.
It is believed that they came to
the island from South America at
about 650 AD and were a peaceful
set of people. Jamaica was
derived from the Taino word,
Xaymaca. Xaymaca also means land
of wood and water and that is
why when some hear about Jamaica
the meaning is mentioned.
The Tainos were the ones who
welcomed Christopher Columbus
when he visited in 1494. From
then the history of Jamaica was
filled with a wide variety of
events and characters which
includes pirates, slavery, rum,
devastating earthquakes and
hurricanes, etc.
Some other interesting facts
include Sir Henry Morgan, who
was a pirate who became a
Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica
and also the Maroon who were
escaped slaves who armed
themselves and settled in the
mountains where they fought the
British.
It is said by many that Jamaica
against the attractive valleys
and mountains is filled with a
variety of traditions,
religions, cultures and races
and from that the motto ‘Out of
many, One people’ was formed.
From this we see that every
racial or ethnic group that came
to the island not only carried
their own cultures and customs
but have also integrated it in
the country making all of them
one.
Due to all of that, Jamaica has
a rich and exceptional culture
and makes the Jamaican people
stand out.
Now please read below as I list
some more of the stimulating
realities about Jamaica.
1. Christopher Columbus named
Jamaica, St. Iago, upon his
coming as he said it was the
fairest island he had ever seen.
500 years of European living and
control by the European followed
(initially by the Spanish) his
appearance.
2. The British gained control of
Jamaica in 1655.
3. In the 18th century Jamaica
was referred to as the jewel of
the British crown due to the
fact that Jamaica was producing
22% of the world’s sugar. This
was made possible by the African
slaves.
4. Jamaica had more revolts
during its entire history than
the neighboring islands in the
Caribbean. This was mainly due
to the harsh and domineering
slavery system that was used.
Two important changes came to
Jamaica in the 20th century and
they are the universal adult
suffrage and independence from
Britain which occurred 1944 and
1962 respectfully. To close
however I must say that the most
impressive fact about Jamaica is
that the people who suffered
showed great resilience and will
never be forgotten.
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