Jamaica

Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, 240 kilometers in length and as much as 80 kilometers in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. It is 630 kilometers from the Central American mainland, 150 kilometers from Cuba on the north, and 180 kilometers from the island of Hispaniola, on which Haiti and the Dominican Republic are situated, on the east. Its indigenous Arawakan-speaking Taíno inhabitants named the island Xaymaca, meaning either the "land of springs," or the "Land of wood and water." Formerly a Spanish posession known as Santiago, then the British West Indies Crown colony of Jamaica, the country's population is composed mainly of the descendants of former African slaves. It is the third most populous Anglophone country in the Americas, after the United States and Canada.

Culture

Main articles: Culture of Jamaica, Music of Jamaica

Related Topics:
Culture of Jamaica - Music of Jamaica

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Though a small nation, Jamaica is rich in culture, and has a strong global presence.

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The musical genres reggae, ska, rocksteady, dub, and, more recently, dancehall, ragga, and ragga jungle all originated in Jamaica. Bob Marley, perhaps the best known reggae musician, was born in Jamaica, and is very respected.

Related Topics:
Reggae - Ska - Rocksteady - Dub - Dancehall - Ragga - Jungle - Bob Marley

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The Rastafarian religion was founded in, and is associated with, Jamaica. This Back to Africa movement believes that Haile Selassie of Ethiopia is God incarnate, the returned black messiah, come to take the lost Twelve Tribes of Israel back to live with him in Holy Mount Zion in a world of perfect peace, love and harmony. Bob Marley, a convert to the faith, spread the message of Rastafari to the world. There are now estimated to be more than a million Rastafarians throughout the world.

Related Topics:
Rastafarian - Back to Africa - Haile Selassie of Ethiopia - God - Incarnate - Messiah - Twelve Tribes of Israel - Zion

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• National Bird - Doctor bird (Green-and-black Streamertail, Trochilus polytmus)
• National Flower - Lignum vitae (Guaiacum officinale)
• National Tree - Blue Mahoe (Hibiscus elatus)
• National Dish - Akee and Saltfish