History Of Jamaica

Jamaica and Reggae music go hand in hand! While on tour to this fantastic destination, do not miss the waterfalls, beautiful coasts, and natural treasures found on the island of Jamaica. "Mon" is the word, and you'll hear it frequently while visiting here. Don't miss Dunn's River Falls on a rafting adventure, and sample some rum from the Appleton Estate. If you just want to enjoy the crystal clear waters and white sands, add a day trip to Negril to laze the day away with a nice rum punch, and soak up some Jamaican sun. Jeep safaris are available to let you explore the heart of Jamaica.

Jamaica's early inhabitants came from Venezuela as did most of the early Caribbean population. The Arawaks greeted Christopher Columbus in 1494, and during Spain's occupation beginning around 1510, they were annihilated by disease, slavery, and war. It is during this time that slaves were brought in from Africa to perform the labor intensive tasks required. Jamaica was given to the British from Spain in the Treaty of Madrid in 1670. Kingston was named the capital of Jamaica after an earthquake wiped out the former capital of Port Royal in 1692. Slavery was abolished on the island in 1834 after much turmoil and destruction by a small group of slaves who destroyed over 3,500,000 worth of property. Jamaica suffered through poverty, uprisings, and political diversity to finally emerge as the country it is today. Jamaica gained its full independence in 1962 and is a member of the Commonwealth.

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