Overview of Jamaica

Full Jamaica Travel Guide »    Jamaica Interactive Map »    Print This Article »

Jamaica, which was originally claimed for Spain in 1494, has a history that has been greatly affected by slavery and the slave trade. The island was taken from Spain in 1655 when British Admiral William Penn and General Venables seized the island. Jamaica for almost two centuries was the world's largest sugar exporter, which was achieved through the use of imported slave labour, resulting in the island's large Black population. Jamaica also has a sizeable minority of East Indians, and varying numbers of Whites, Afro-Chinese, and persons of Syrian/Lebanese decent, many of which have intermixed throughout the generations. Individuals on the island seldom belong to one racial group; the genetic roots of many people can be traced to origins that are not necessarily physically apparent. Christianity is the major religion in the island (It is estimated that about 80% of the island's 2.5 million inhabitants are Christians).

Jamaica's resources include coffee, papaya, bauxite, gypsum, limestone and sugar cane.

Jamaica Photos