JAMAICA - MAMIE BAY
In Jamaica the people are mostly
descended from African Slaves but the history began with the America Indians.
The Arawak and Taino indigenous
people immigrated from South America and settled in Jamaica about 4000 to 1000
BC ago. At the time of Christopher Columbus' arrival there were 200 villages
ruled by the chief of the village.
Most of the people live on the south
coast. Taino were still living there when England took control. The English
Admiral William Penn (father of William Penn, Pennsylvania) and General Robert
Venables seized the island in 1655.
Under the 200 yeas of British rules
Jamaica became one of the top producer of sugar, depending on slaves. They
produced annually 77,000 tons from 1820 till 1824. After the abolition of
slave trade in 1807, but not slavery itself, the British imported Indians and
Chinese as servants to fill the gap. There are still descendants living
there today.
OCHO RIOS
In the early 19th century their
reliance on slavery resulted in 20 to 1. The British Government tried to stop
slavery and to improve work conditions which mend no whipping or flogging
women. However, the Jamaica House of Assembly turned it down. Britain formerly
abolished slavery in 1834 and full freedom from chattel slavery in 1838. The
population in 1834 were 15,000 whites, 5,000 free blacks, 40,000 coloured and
311,070 slaves.
In the 17th and 18th centuries
African slaves were brought over to work in the many plantations. The
plantations grew sugar canes, bananas, coffee and other crops. Many estate
still grow these variety today and it is a great export.
Jamaica is the largest
English-speaking island in the Caribbean.
The country has many extreme areas.
After the densely forests follows the almost uninhabited Blue Mountains and from
swamps to arid hills. It also has a very prosperous farming district. The
lime-stone hills in the north-west have eroded by heavy rains. These many
gaping pits are being called the Cockpit Country.
While the coastal area is warm and
humid the inland is drier and more pleasant. Jamaica has a very rich plant
life. They cultivate many valuable timers especially the huge silk-cotton tree.
The tree grows to such an extent that the trunk is used for canoes. Hibiscus
and bougainvillea flower everywhere. Jamaica has also a huge variety of birds
such as Hummingbirds, parrots and tanagers to name but a few. In the rivers are
crocodiles and turtles.
Jamaica is know for their Rastafarian
belief which is a kind of Christianity deriving from the Ethiopian Orthodox church.
As a sign of their religions they wear their hear in dreadlocks.
Jamaican people love their reggae
music and have provided inspiration for many black people around the world. It
produced many great artist but one of the best known if Bob Marley.
BOB MARLEY
Jamaica is one of the world's leading
producers of bauxite which is necessary to make aluminium. The island has many
factories. Some factories are only producing goods only for local consumption.
Others are clothing factories or assembly for goods exported to the USA.
Tourism is also a very import industry to boost the economy. After the
indepence Jamaica has had a flourishing democracy.
However, in 1972 Jamaica elected the
PNP (People National Party) to create equality.
1980 Jamaica started to decline economically
and mid 1980 the largest aluminium producers Alpart and Alcoa closed down. The
second largest producer Alcan reduced its production. Reynold Jamaica Mines
Ltd. left Jamaica. Also the tourism slowed down because of the crime rate.
Jamaica is such a beautiful country
and the people as such are really nice but unfortunately certain gangs got hold
of it and destroying it. Instead of building it up legally and steadily which would
lead to wealth all round.
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