Copyright © 2006-2008  fincafantastica.biz  All Rights Reserved.     About Us    Contact Info.     News Letter    Privacy Statement.      Site Map
Interesting Facts On Jamaica Interesting Facts On Jamaica by Wellesley

If you are not from, have no relative in, nor have yet visited Jamaica, I would at least assume you have heard of Jamaica. Whether it is from the internet, television, your work or in some movie? Is my assumption correct?

But even if you are familiar with Jamaica, I can probably bet you (and win) you never knew half of these interesting facts on Jamaica.

I myself was even surprised at some of these findings. Here you go!


  • Jamaica was the first country in the Western world to construct a railway, even before the United States! This was only 18 years after Britain!

  • Jamaica is the first Caribbean Country to gain Independence.

  • Jamaica is the first team from the English-speaking Caribbean to qualify for the Football (Soccer) World Cup. This was the 1998 championship.

  • Jamaica stands strong in 3rd place on the list of countries to win the Miss World titles the most! [Hmmm!] The only countries to have won it more than Jamaica is India, Venezuela and the UK, but considering the size of Jamaica, you have to say that this achievement is monumental!

  • On his second voyage to the New World in 1494, the tip of the Blue Mountains in Jamaica was the first land sighted by Christopher Columbus.

  • Jamaica was the first commercial producer of bananas in the Western Hemisphere.

  • Jamaica also was the first island in the Caribbean to produce rum on a commercial basis.

  • The Manchester Golf Club in Jamaica, established in 1868, is the oldest in the western hemisphere!.

  • Apart from the United States, Jamaica has won the most world and olympic medals.


  • 2006-2007: World Fastest man and woman- you bet, are Jamaicans [Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson].

  • Jamaica has more multiple (two or more) live births than anywhere else in the world.

  • Jamaica was the first country to impose economic sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa.

  • Jamaica is the third largest in the Caribbean.

  • Jamaica was the first Caribbean island to enact legislation, "The Motion Picture Industry (Encouragement) Act" to promote the making of films.

  • Jamaica is the first country to sign a Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria grant agreement.

  • Jamaica was the first tropical country to enter the IOC Winter Olympics. The bobsleigh team's efforts inspired the film ‘Cool Runnings’.

  • Jamaica was the first colony England acquired by conquest. This was in the year 1655 when the Spanish were driven from the island.

  • We have the second largest butterfly in the world? (The Giant Swallowtail).

  • Another of the interesting facts on Jamaica is that it was the first British colonial territory to establish a postal service (in 1688).


  • Jamaica was the first Caricom country to liberalize the telecommunications sector. Since then, other Caricom countries have opened up to competition.


  • Another one I found to be one of the most interesting facts on Jamaica is that Jamaica was the first country in the caribbean region to launch a web site, jamaicatravel.com. This was in 1994!


  • And if you know none of the above, (which is fine) I expect you at least know that Jamaica is the birth place of Robert ("Bob") Marley [smile]



Now my friend, get out and share you new found knowledge of Jamaica.

Wellesley Gayle is the author and publisher of http://www.my-island-jamaica.com. This website is a valuable resource that brings you helpful insight in this Caribbean Paradise. He welcomes you to subscribe to his blog and newsletter or contact him there.

Article Source: ArticleCube.com - Free Articles Directory
Menu
Finca Fantastica Travel
for the independent traveller
Jamaica
Tours
Google
A vacation at the all-inclusive hotel is a special familyexperience. Guests will be bewitched by the host of flowers and plants that surround the buildings. The children's and teeny programs are run by very competent and caring coordinators.
Enjoy a scenic ride from Montego Bay to the nation's bustling capital, Kingston.
Nestled in the foothills of the Catadupa Mountains, Croydon is the birthplace of National Hero Sam Sharpe. Visit this working Jamaican plantation.
Jamaica's Spirit of Reggae - the Bob Marley Experience from Montego Bay
Government:
Parliamentary democracy
and Constitutional monarchy

Population:
(July 2005) estimate
2,651,000

Currency:  
Jamaican dollar (JMD)

Calling code:  
+1 876

Ethnic origins:
Jamaica's population
consists mainly of people of
West-African descent,
comprising about 90.9% of
the demographics. Other
populations on the island
are as follows:
East Indian 1.3%,
White 0.2%,
Chinese 0.2%,
Lebanese 0.1%,
Multiracial 7.3%.
Immigration from regions
such as China, Colombia,
South Asia, and other areas
of the Caribbean have seen
a steady rise.
Religion
Christians make up 65.3%
of Jamaica's population,
with the majority being
Protestant.
Today, the five largest
denominations in Jamaica
are: Church of God,
Seventh-day Adventist,
Baptist, Pentecostal and
Anglican.

The Rastafari movement:
was founded in Jamaica.
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.

Non-Christian religions in
Jamaica include:
Buddhism, Islam, and
Hinduism. There is also a
small population of Reform
Jews in Jamaica and the
West African folk cult of
Obeah is found in poor
urban and rural areas.