About Jamaica
geography: At 4,411 square miles, Jamaica is roughly
200x60 km.Mountains that soar 7,402ft/2,250m runs all
through the island’s center, with a narrow coastal plain on
either side. Some 150 rivers, numerous waterfalls and an
abudance of trees and flowering plants are
found across the island. Jamaica has more flowering
species than any other country in the Western
Hemisphere. Jamaica has a variety of underground caves
and offshore reefs, and safe, naturally filtered drinking water.
climate: Average annual temperature is 82F/28C degrees.
Northeast trade winds and mountain breezes
keep the temperature pleasant along the coast. It’s always a
good time to go to Jamaica, depending on what your
interests are. There is little temperature variation on the
island throughout the year, so weather is not a big factor.
Hurricanes in Jamaica are actually rare, the last one before
2004 being in 1988. The hurricane season runs from
July to October.
history: Christopher Columbus discovered Jamaica on his
second voyage to the Americas in 1492. In Jamaica, the
Spanish mariners found a gentle American Indian people, the
Tainos. Sadly, under the Spanish settlement, the entire
Indian population, perhaps a hundred thousand, died from a
combination of forced labor and European infections like
common cold, to which they had no immunity.
First Spanish capital was New Seville, near today’s Ocho
Rios. The site is now being excavated, and search continues
for the two ships that Columbus beached nearby.
The English captured Jamaica in 1655 and turned the island
to one vast sugar plantation, and subsequently brought
many more slaves from Africa. Legendary buccaneer Henry
Morgan operated from Port Royal on Jamaica. An
earthquake 1692 destroyed the rich town and pushed it below
the sea.
When the English arrived, Spaniards fled to the neighboring
island, leaving slaves who escaped into the mountains
where they formed independent groups, Maroons. The
runaways periodically staged rebellions until the treaty in
1739 that gave them a measure of local autonomy that they
still retain today. Slavery was abolished in 1834.
Migrants from India and China came as indentured workers
for sugar estates and rapidly moved to other occupations.
Soon, Jewish settlers came to Jamaica, followed by migrant
Arab traders from Palestine.
Mixed marriages create today’s unique racially mixed
Jamaican people: “Out of Many, One People”.
Jamaicans continue to prosper and to give the world men an
women of distinction: American civil rights activist Marcus
Garvey, legendary entertainer Harry Belafonte, numbers of
sportsmen and athletes, reggae superstar Bob Marley,
among others.
In August 1962 the black, gold and green Jamaican flag was
raised, and Jamaica become an independent nation.
Today, tourism is the economy’s cornerstone.
Language: The official language is English with a mix of
Jamaica’s own dialect known as `Patois,` a blend of
English, French, Spanish and African.
Local time: Jamaica is located in Eastern Standard Time
(EST) and does not observe daylight savings time.
Immigration:US Citizens need a valid passport (no visa
required) or an original birth certificate with raised seal or
naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship AND a
state-issued photo I.D. Canadian Citizens need a valid
passport (no visa required) or a "Statement of Live Birth"
certificate AND a valid government issued photo I.D.
(All documents must bear the same name) Australian, New
Zealand or British travelers – and Most Other Citizens must
have a valid passport. To be sure on this matters, please
consult your local travel consulate.
Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay is the
desired and most efficient point of entry for travelers
heading to Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Runaway Bay or Negril.
Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport is best for
travelers to Kingston or Point Antonio.
Money: Jamaican dollars are the official currency, but US
dollars are widely accepted. The exchange rate is in January
2005 approximately $60 Jamaican to $1 US. ATMs are to be
found in all tourist areas. Credit Cards are widely accepted.
Electricity:The electrical outlets run 110 volts and take two flat
prongs. Adapters will be needed for three
pronged appliances.
Jamaica is the birthplace of Red Stripe beer. Bring home
some of Jamaica’s other specialties duty-free, including Blue
Mountain coffee, premium Jamaican rums and Tia Maria
liquor.
Jamaica is home to many music festivals including the
celebrated Reggae Sunfest, the Jazz and Blues Festival and
the
Ocho Rios Jazz Festival. From music and dance to theatre,
film and the fine arts; whether you’re looking to retrace roots
or just take in something new and different, you’ll find more to
learn about and lots more to love in Jamaica, long
considered the cultural capital of the Caribbean.
geography: At 4,411 square miles, Jamaica is roughly
200x60 km.Mountains that soar 7,402ft/2,250m runs all
through the island’s center, with a narrow coastal plain on
either side. Some 150 rivers, numerous waterfalls and an
abudance of trees and flowering plants are
found across the island. Jamaica has more flowering
species than any other country in the Western
Hemisphere. Jamaica has a variety of underground caves
and offshore reefs, and safe, naturally filtered drinking water.
climate: Average annual temperature is 82F/28C degrees.
Northeast trade winds and mountain breezes
keep the temperature pleasant along the coast. It’s always a
good time to go to Jamaica, depending on what your
interests are. There is little temperature variation on the
island throughout the year, so weather is not a big factor.
Hurricanes in Jamaica are actually rare, the last one before
2004 being in 1988. The hurricane season runs from
July to October.
history: Christopher Columbus discovered Jamaica on his
second voyage to the Americas in 1492. In Jamaica, the
Spanish mariners found a gentle American Indian people, the
Tainos. Sadly, under the Spanish settlement, the entire
Indian population, perhaps a hundred thousand, died from a
combination of forced labor and European infections like
common cold, to which they had no immunity.
First Spanish capital was New Seville, near today’s Ocho
Rios. The site is now being excavated, and search continues
for the two ships that Columbus beached nearby.
The English captured Jamaica in 1655 and turned the island
to one vast sugar plantation, and subsequently brought
many more slaves from Africa. Legendary buccaneer Henry
Morgan operated from Port Royal on Jamaica. An
earthquake 1692 destroyed the rich town and pushed it below
the sea.
When the English arrived, Spaniards fled to the neighboring
island, leaving slaves who escaped into the mountains
where they formed independent groups, Maroons. The
runaways periodically staged rebellions until the treaty in
1739 that gave them a measure of local autonomy that they
still retain today. Slavery was abolished in 1834.
Migrants from India and China came as indentured workers
for sugar estates and rapidly moved to other occupations.
Soon, Jewish settlers came to Jamaica, followed by migrant
Arab traders from Palestine.
Mixed marriages create today’s unique racially mixed
Jamaican people: “Out of Many, One People”.
Jamaicans continue to prosper and to give the world men an
women of distinction: American civil rights activist Marcus
Garvey, legendary entertainer Harry Belafonte, numbers of
sportsmen and athletes, reggae superstar Bob Marley,
among others.
In August 1962 the black, gold and green Jamaican flag was
raised, and Jamaica become an independent nation.
Today, tourism is the economy’s cornerstone.
Language: The official language is English with a mix of
Jamaica’s own dialect known as `Patois,` a blend of
English, French, Spanish and African.
Local time: Jamaica is located in Eastern Standard Time
(EST) and does not observe daylight savings time.
Immigration:US Citizens need a valid passport (no visa
required) or an original birth certificate with raised seal or
naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship AND a
state-issued photo I.D. Canadian Citizens need a valid
passport (no visa required) or a "Statement of Live Birth"
certificate AND a valid government issued photo I.D.
(All documents must bear the same name) Australian, New
Zealand or British travelers – and Most Other Citizens must
have a valid passport. To be sure on this matters, please
consult your local travel consulate.
Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay is the
desired and most efficient point of entry for travelers
heading to Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Runaway Bay or Negril.
Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport is best for
travelers to Kingston or Point Antonio.
Money: Jamaican dollars are the official currency, but US
dollars are widely accepted. The exchange rate is in January
2005 approximately $60 Jamaican to $1 US. ATMs are to be
found in all tourist areas. Credit Cards are widely accepted.
Electricity:The electrical outlets run 110 volts and take two flat
prongs. Adapters will be needed for three
pronged appliances.
Jamaica is the birthplace of Red Stripe beer. Bring home
some of Jamaica’s other specialties duty-free, including Blue
Mountain coffee, premium Jamaican rums and Tia Maria
liquor.
Jamaica is home to many music festivals including the
celebrated Reggae Sunfest, the Jazz and Blues Festival and
the
Ocho Rios Jazz Festival. From music and dance to theatre,
film and the fine arts; whether you’re looking to retrace roots
or just take in something new and different, you’ll find more to
learn about and lots more to love in Jamaica, long
considered the cultural capital of the Caribbean.
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“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list” SUSAN SONTAG
© Tord Elfwendahl
Jamaica
Jake´s
Strawberry Hill Resort
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