About Jamaica

Excerpt from:  The World Fact Book

Island Background

Originally christened Xaymaca, meaning either the "Land of Springs," or the "Land of Wood and Water by its indigenous Arawakan-speaking Taíno inhabitants she would later become known as Santiago, then Jamaica.

Today, she is the third most populous anglophone (English-speaking) country in the Americas, after Canada and the United States.

Jamaica was established as a plantation economy - based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee after she was seized by England 1655.  She later gained full independence when, in 1962, she withdrew from the Federation. During the 1970s, she would be challenged by various negative issues such as cyclical violence, drugs, and poverty, which would serve to impoverish large sectors of the island nation.

Today, many areas enjoy safety devoid of levels of crime and violence found in other areas around the nation. These areas contribute positively to the economy.

National Bird - Doctor Bird (Green-and-black Streamertail, Trochilus)

National Dish - Ackee and Saltfish (dried salted Cod)

National Flower - Lignum Vitae

National Motto - "Out of Many, One People."

National Tree - Blue Mahoe