| Today, Jamaica is one of most favorite vacation | | | | exports of logwood, coffee, and bananas. |
| destinations for many travelers. Visitors are | | | | The Independence and Decolonization |
| fascinated by the rich history, unique culture and | | | | The movement for independence was the reaction |
| comfortable climate. A brief visit to the history of | | | | to the economic crisis spawned by the Great |
| Jamaica is educational whether you plan to visit the | | | | Depression. In 1938, two major political parties, and |
| Island this year or in the future. | | | | the labor unions affiliated to them combined efforts |
| Arawaks Before the Arrival of Columbus | | | | in fighting for political independence from England. By |
| The history of Jamaica started long before the arrival | | | | 1962, Jamaica was granted political independence. |
| of Columbus in 1494. Jamaica island was inhabited by | | | | Political Independence |
| Arawaks for hundreds of years or even more. They | | | | After the political independence, Jamaica was |
| lived a simple life in small community based on fishing, | | | | governed by a prime minister, who is required to |
| hunting, and small scale cultivation. The arrival of | | | | consult with the Governor General who was the |
| Spanish led by Columbus opened the door of the | | | | representative of England. PNP and JLP are two |
| island to the world, but the economic activities also | | | | major political parties in Jamaica today. The PNP, the |
| brought new diseases that destroyed native | | | | held political office and initiated a shift in major |
| Arawaks small communities in a few decades. The | | | | economic policies between 1972 and 1980. From 1980 |
| trace of early Arawaks life, today, can only be seen | | | | to 1989, the JLP held political office. With a special |
| in a few artifacts-facts displayed at the small | | | | political relationship with the Reagan administration, |
| museum at White Marl. | | | | Jamaica benefited from generous USA assistance in |
| The Spanish Occupation | | | | the first half of the decade. The prosperity of |
| Between 1494 and1655, the Spanish used Jamaica as | | | | Jamaica was further fueled by the large volumes of |
| a springboard for the conquest of the Americas. The | | | | emigrants started in the eighties also saw , primarily |
| island was occupied by of the Spanish settlement and | | | | to the USA. |
| their slaves. In 1655, it was captured by the British | | | | Jamaica Today |
| expedition led by Admirals Penn and Venables. The | | | | The size of 4,000 sq miles makes Jamaica the third |
| influence of the Spanish settlement on the | | | | largest island in the Caribbean. The capital of Jamaica |
| development of social, economic and political life of | | | | Kingston is where most activities are centered. |
| the island was insignificant apart from remnants of | | | | Jamaica, today, is one of most popular travel |
| buildings on the Island - Spanish colonial architectural | | | | destinations for vacationers. People around the world |
| styles, and names of places etc.. The island was not | | | | flock to Jamaica for its weather, culture and |
| of significance for Spanish at the time. | | | | entertainment, or just to spend a weekend in luxury |
| The Slave Economy | | | | Jamaica Hotels. Jamaica is where you can enjoy the |
| A few years after capturing the island, the British | | | | different styles of home life and you can help |
| imported African slaves on large scale for sugar | | | | yourself to fruits from the trees in the countryside |
| plantations. Unlike the occupation by the Spanish, | | | | though the most important dinners are jerk chicken, |
| Jamaica brought prosperity to the English plantation | | | | and fish with coconut milk and spices. Almost |
| owners and many English cities. The plantation | | | | everybody in Jamaica speaks English . Driving in |
| dominated economic, political and religious life on the | | | | Kingston is a challenge for new visitors because there |
| Island. The laws supported the slave system as well. | | | | are no signs. With the popularity of the Internet, a |
| In 1838, the slaves were freed and the plantations | | | | typical vacation plan to the Island of 2.7 million |
| started paying wages to its workers. After | | | | population starts with the search on the Web to look |
| Emancipation, many of the ex-slaves settled down | | | | for perfect Jamaica Hotels and Resorts. When you |
| and cultivated as small farmers in the mountains. As | | | | know the history of Jamaica, your visit to the Island |
| the decline of sugar exportation, they began the | | | | will never be the same. |