11 Interesting Facts About Jamaica
To fully experience the experience of discovering the country of reggae, it is essential to know a little about Jamaica’s curiosities before embarking. Discover now the main interesting facts about Jamaica that involve history, laws, economy, habits, customs, famous places and fall in love with this paradisiacal destination once and for all!
This tropical island with a privileged location, in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, has a rich history, which should also be explored by travelers.
Homeland of many celebrities such as Bob Marley and Usain Bolt, Jamaica is a country marked by traditions, with unique habits and customs.
All about Jamaican culture and customs
1. Land of woods and water
When Christopher Columbus arrived in Jamaica, the country had already been inhabited since the 7th century AD by the indigenous Arawak people. In their native language, this population called the land where they lived Xaymaca or Yamaca.
With the adaptation of the original terms into Spanish, the Caribbean island came to be called Jamaica. The meaning of the name relates very well to the natural beauty of the country and means “land of forests and water”.
2. Spanish and British colonization
Jamaica’s history is marked by double colonization. The first to land on the island were the Spanish under the command of Christopher Columbus in 1494.
During Spanish colonization, the island’s native people were decimated due to a combination of forced labor and European diseases transmitted by the colonists.
Therefore, it was necessary to bring slaves from Africa to work in Jamaica. As there was no gold in the country, the Spanish ended up not giving much importance to the island.
Soon, in 1655, the British, interested in the strategic position of the island, conquered Jamaica. However, the English faced strong opposition from fugitive slaves the Maroons , and the Spanish.
It was only with the signing of the Treaty of Madrid in 1670 that English sovereignty over Jamaica was recognized.
The country only achieved independence in 1962. Therefore, British influences are clearly visible on the island, especially in the official language adopted in Jamaica: English.
However, there are also strong traces of African, Spanish and Arawak cultures, people who were also part of the country’s history.
3. Jamaica is a monarchy
One of Jamaica’s most unknown curiosities is that despite its independence from Great Britain, even having its own prime minister, the country is still a monarchy, serving Queen Elizabeth II.
This is because Jamaica is part of the Commonwealth, an intergovernmental organization that has 53 independent countries.
They seek common values such as democracy, human rights, freedom, free trade and world peace. This community is led by the English Queen.
4. Jamaica Economy
Jamaica’s economy is based on several activities, notably agriculture, mining and tourism . The country’s main agricultural products are sugar, bananas, coffee and rum.
In mining, bauxite exports stand out. Tourism has a strong influence on Jamaica’s economy, as the country attracts a huge number of tourists, especially North Americans and Europeans.
Therefore, the country has an enormous tourist infrastructure, including luxurious resorts, welcoming cruises that sail throughout the Caribbean Sea.
5. Rum is the official drink
Jamaica is one of the world’s largest rum producers. This drink is made from sugar cane, one of the island’s main agricultural products.
Rum has a very strong alcohol content, between 40 and 55° GL, and has been used, in the past, as a medicine. It was known as the medicine capable of “exorcising all demons”.
The great popularity of rum was due, in part, to pirates who sailed the Caribbean Sea. Rum would have the ability to encourage fighters.
One of the interesting things about Jamaica is that the country’s typical rum is fuller and stronger than that of other Caribbean countries.
Drink lovers can even take a guided tour of the Appleton Estate factory, including tasting, during a trip around the island. More about this tour in the article about Jamaican cities.
6. Reggae and other Jamaican musical styles
Everyone knows that Jamaica is the birthplace of Bob Marley, the greatest reggae artist in history. In the capital, fans of the singer can satisfy their curiosities about life on the Bob Marley Tour in Kingston.
It is possible to visit the house where he lived and also where he was the target of an attack. In Nine Miles, the small village where Bob lived, there is also a museum dedicated to the idol.
You can even take a complete tour with an excursion to the Bob Marley Museum, Night Market and more tours in Kingston.
However, in Jamaica, reggae is not the only musical style. Another genre originating in Jamaica is ska, originally recorded by the group The Skatalites and its derivative rocksteady.
7. Rastafarian movement
Jamaica is the birthplace of a religious and social movement of Judeo-Christian inspiration called Rastafari. This movement was created in the 1930s and preaches the worship of the god Jah.
Today the Rastafarian movement has more than a million followers around the world. Its followers seek a simpler life, with their own clothing, use of medicinal herbs and a natural way of eating, favoring vegetables.
One of the curiosities of Jamaica are the dreadlocks worn by part of the population. This look is also part of Rastafarian culture, as converts avoid making changes to their appearance, including cutting their hair and trimming their beards.
8. Marijuana is not legal in Jamaica
Contrary to what many people may think, marijuana, called ganja in Jamaica, is not legal in the country.
In 2015, the Jamaican government published a law that decriminalizes possession of the substance up to a maximum limit of 57 grams. This means that the substance user in the country only receives a notification from the police.
However, trafficking remains a crime. Historically, marijuana has always been widely used in the country, even before decriminalization.
For followers of the Rastafarian movement, this herb has religious purposes. The law that decriminalizes the substance also allows the cultivation of a limited number of marijuana plants.
In practice, the use of weed is part of Jamaican culture, not causing problems for consumers who use marijuana for recreational use.
9. Scenario for 007
One of the most famous secret agents in cinema, the character James Bond, was created by English writer Ian Fleming. The author was fascinated by Jamaica and lived on the island for some time.
The country even became the setting for several of his books about agent 007. The film adaptations followed the same path and two films were recorded on the island: Dr. No and Live and Let Die.
Several Jamaican cities were used as locations for the films, including Kingston, Ocho Rios and Falmouth, and it is possible to take tours in Jamaica to these iconic places that appear in the films, such as Dunn’s River Falls.
It is possible to see more than one of the scenarios with the tour to the famous Dunn’s River Falls or the tour of Kingston’s tourist attractions and highlights.
10. The famous Blue Lagoon
Anyone who followed the Afternoon Session in the 1990s has certainly seen the classic film Blue Lagoon, with actress Brooke Shields. The film’s paradisiacal setting is the real Blue Lagoon in the coastal city of Port Antonio.
For a long time, the locals of Port Antonio believed that the lagoon was bottomless, due to its immense depth of 60 meters.
On site, you can practice various activities such as diving, kayaking and rafting. See more beach options in Jamaica.
11. Land of Usain Bolt and other sportsmen
World famous sprinter Usain Bolt was born in Jamaica. Born in the state of Trelawny, Usain is considered the fastest man in the world, being a multiple Olympic and world champion in athletics events.
The Jamaican government even awarded the athlete with the Order of Jamaica and the Order of Distinction. However, one of the interesting things about Jamaica is that in addition to dominating the athletics track, the country also stands out in other sports.
The great national passion is football, but cricket, swimming, golf, basketball and netball are practiced on the island.
Interesting facts about Jamaica
Jamaica, in addition to its incredible natural beauty, is a country with a very rich culture, full of traditions. Traveling to this Caribbean island should also mean delving into Jamaica’s curiosities and learning about its history and the achievements of its people.
With great Spanish and English influences, the country also maintains many of the customs of its native Arawak people and the natives brought from Africa.
This mix of cultures has made Jamaica a country that celebrates its diversity. Furthermore, the country stands out in music and sports, showing the world that it is a land of countless talents. Certainly, traveling to Jamaica means connecting deeply with this magical land.
