21 facts about Jamaica that you may not know

Jamaican is well known for its excellence in sports and

being the home of Reggae music’s biggest star, Bob Marley. However

this is only the tip of the spear of what Jamaica is. In this post we will

look at other aspects of Jamaica and Jamaicans that some may find

interesting if not shocking. How many of these 21 facts about Jamaica

did you know?

In the beginning

1. The Tainos

The original inhabitants of Jamaica were the Tainos. Unfortunately, due

to diseases such as smallpox and slavery under the Spanish, the

Tainos came desperately close to extinction.

2. Xaymaca

The original name for Jamaica was Xaymaca. This means the “Land of

Wood and water.”

3. Spanish speaking

As is the case of so many of its neighbours, the inhabitants of Jamaica

were once Spanish speaking. This changed however after the Spanish

ceded the island to the English in the 1600’s.

4. Independence

Despite claiming independence in 1962, Jamaica is a member of the

Commonwealth. Therefore, Queen Elizabeth II is still their head of

state.

5. Only one

The national flag of Jamaica is the only one in the world that have no

colours in common with the U.S. flag.

World leader

6. Stance for Human Rights

Jamaica in 1957 became the second country (India was the first) to take

a stance and officially impose economic sanctions against the former

Apartheid regime of South Africa. Jamaicans were prohibited from

traveling to the African country then.

7. Railway lines

Jamaica was the first Western country, outside of Europe and North

America, to construct railway lines.

8. Bamboo Rafting

Bamboo river rafting became a popular recreational activity in the

1950’s by Hollywood actor Errol Flynn when he visited the island.

READ: Bamboo Rafting in Portland

Contributions to the world

9. Home of Reggae

Reggae music originated in Jamaica. It has been a vessel for musicians

from all over the world to express political and social views. It enjoys a

strong link to the Rastafari movement for many years.

10. Rastafarians

Though they are often times seen as the typical Jamaican,

Rastafarians make up less than 5% of the total Jamaican population.

11. Bond, James Bond

The James Bond series was written in Jamaica by Ian Flemming. There

is a private airport on the island named after the famous writer in

Jamaica.

12. Bolt

Jamaica is home to the fastest sprinter of all time, Usain Bolt. Bolt holds

the world record in the 100m and 200m events at 9.58 and 19.19 seconds

respectively.

13. Tourist destination

Jamaica has consistently been ranked among the top five of the world’s

top tourist destinations.

Others

14. Language

Jamaican Creole or Patois is not a written language.

15. Species of trees

Over 200 species of Orchids grow wild on the island of Jamaica. 73 of

the species are unique to Jamaica. There are a 1,000 species of trees and

500 species of ferns.

16. Laughter is the best medicine

Jamaicans are a warm and resilient people. No matter how bad a

situation is, they can make it a fun time and a time of laughter for all.

17. The party never ends

Jamaicans love to party so much so that there is a party for every day

of the week. Mojito Mondays, Boasy Tuesdays, Weddie Weddie

Wednesdays, Whopping Thursdays, Fridays at the Devon, Saturday

Night Party, Wet Sundaze.

18. Food

Jamaican households are filled with folks having soup on Saturday and

rice and peas with meat on Sunday.

19. Kingston Harbour

Jamaica’s Kingston Harbour is the seventh-largest natural harbor in

the world.

20. Bob’s father

Reggae artist Bob Marley was born in St. Ann Jamaica to a

black Jamaican woman and a white English man named Norval Sinclair

Marley and Cedella Malcolm.

21. Marijuana

In 2015, the Jamaican government passed laws to decriminalize the use

of marijuana in small amounts. Gone are the days when people had to hide as they enjoy a smoke. They are even medical marijuana dispensaries in Kingston, St. Ann’s Bay, Montego Bay and Falmouth. At these dispensaries cannabis products can be bought legally.