Jamaica: Land of Inspiration

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Jamaica: Land of Inspiration

Jamaica is full of diversity. From religion, to ancestry, and even geography, Jamaica is always evolving. From the towering mountains all the way to the warm and sandy beaches, Jamaica is a sight to see. However, Jamaica was not always a happy and carefree place. The Jamaican people have suffered from war, disease, and slavery. Jamaica is a small and beautiful country that thrives with culture and should be studied by everyone around the world.

Geography and Climate

Jamaica has a wide range of geography. The geography varies from mountains, to forests, to coastal plains, to scattered hills, and also plateaus (“History”). Although Jamaica is a small country, it is the largest island of the Commonwealth Caribbean. Along the south coast of Jamaica, there are many small islands. Jamaica lies 118 miles west of Haiti, and 90 miles south of Cuba (“Geography”). The climate varies as much as the geography. The climate at the beaches of Jamaica is going to be different than that of the mountains. At sea level, the climate is tropical. In the mountainous areas, the climate is temperate. May and October are the two wettest months of the year (“History”).

History

Jamaica’s history is one of war and slavery. Due to these things, it made it harder for the Jamaican people to prosper. Arawaks from South America were the first to settle in Jamaica. In 1517, the Spanish brought the first African slaves to Jamaica. When the Spanish invaded, they began to exterminate the Arawaks, but they were also wiped out by years of disease and slavery. 138 years after the first slaves were brought to Jamaica, the British seized the island and gained full control. By 1834, slavery was abolished by the British Parliament (“Ja...

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... play a role in making Jamaica what it is today.

Works Cited

“Geography of Jamaica.” Princeton University. Web. 19 May 2014.

“History Notes: Information on Jamaica’s Culture & Heritage.” History Notes. National

Library of Jamaica, n.d. Web. 15 May 2014.

“Jamaica Background Notes on Countries of the World.” Student Research Center. N.p.,

17 Feb. 2012. Web. 12 May 2014.

“Jamaican Cuisine a ‘Carnival of Tastes, Flavours’” Student Research Center. N.p., 12

Sept. 2012. Web. 15 May 2014.

“Jamaican Food; the Allspice of Life.” Student Research Center. N.p., 25 Feb. 2007.

Web. 15 May 2014.

Ruhlmann, William. “What is World Music?” Student Research Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 9

May 2014.

“The Dread Library.” Robert Morier. The Dread Library, n.d. Web. 14 May 2014.

Witherbee Amy. “Jamaica.” Student Research Center. N.p., 2011. Web. 9 May 2014.

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