The Island

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Jamaica is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about 145 kilometres (90 miles) south of Cuba and 190 kilometres (120 miles) west of Hispaniola.

The Island was named "Xaymaca" meaning the "Land of Wood and Water", or the "Land of Springs by the original inhabitants the Arawakan-speaking Taino Indians.

Jamaica was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1494 and was settled by the Spanish in the early 16th century. The native Taino Indians, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries were gradually exterminated and replaced by African slaves. England captured the island in 1655 and created a plantation economy with sugar, cocoa, and coffee as the main crops. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed about a quarter of a million slaves, and many of them became small farmers.

In 1958 Jamaica joined other British Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the West Indies. Jamaica gained full independence and withdrew from the Federation of the West Indies in 1962.

Jamaica has 6 national heroes and 1 heroin. They are Sir Alexander Bustamante, Norman Washington Manley, Paul Bogle, George William Gordon, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Sam Sharp, and (Heroin) Nanny of the Maroons.

Jamaica is divided into 14 parishes which are grouped into three counties Cornwall, Middlesex, and Surrey.

The Parishes in Cornwall are Hanover, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Trelawny, and Westmoreland.

Parishes in Middlesex are Clarendon, Manchester, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, and Saint Mary. The parishes in Surrey are Kingston, Portland, Saint Andrew, and Saint Thomas.

There are several National Symbols as listed below.

National Flower - Hibiscus elatum

National Bird - Red billed Streamertail called the “Doctor Bird” Trochilus polytmus)

National Tree - Blue Mahoe

National Dish - Ackee and Saltfish

National Motto - "Out of Many, One People."

The Coat of Arms