Unspoilt natural beauty and carefree Caribbean atmosphere
From its warm and friendly atmosphere, interesting and engaging inhabitants, spectacular sunsets over beautiful white beaches, crystal clear waterfalls and lush green mountains, Jamaica can inspire the poet in anyone.
The beauty of this island paradise has drawn visitors and holiday-makers for centuries. At first, only the wealthy few were privileged to enjoy the unspoilt tropical delights of Jamaica: today, the northern and western coastlines bristle with tourist resorts and all-inclusive hotels, and natural attractions have been developed to cope with holiday crowds. Despite commercial development, however, the island is a sun-kissed and colourful holiday haven, and retains its natural beauty and carefree atmosphere.
The Arawak Indians were the native inhabitants of Jamaica (Xaymaca, meaning land of wood and water), but Christopher Columbus’s arrival in 1494 began 150 years of Spanish rule. After another 300 years as a British colony, Jamaica was granted independence in 1962. Now, Jamaica offers a relaxing tropical paradise for holiday-makers.
Jamaican people are warm and friendly, but this is not a rich nation. Tourism is the main basis of the island’s economy, and holiday-makers can be a target for vendors, unlicensed taxi drivers, hair braiders and even petty criminals. These are minor irritations, however, compared with the true spirit of Jamaica, which is as rich as the lilt of the local patois and the rhythms of the reggae music for which the island is famous.
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