Jamaica

Jamaica is the third largest of the West Indian Islands, a group that includes Cuba, Haiti, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Vincent, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, Anguilla and the Virgin Islands, St. Croix, The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Montserrat, Guadeloupe and the Cayman Islands, Martinique, Antigua, Aruba and Curacao. It is situated about ninety miles to the south of Cuba.

Jamaica has a population of roughly 2.5 million. Kingston, the capital city, is the most densely populated with 750,000 people. Kingston is the largest English speaking city south of Miami in the northern hemisphere.

A religious people, Jamaicans enjoy complete freedom of worship. Many Christian denominations are represented, the majority belonging to the Church of God, and there are small groups of Jews, Muslims, and Hindus. Two groups, Kumina (Revival) and Rastafarianism, have African links and are native to Jamaica. Rastafarians use ganja, a potent form of marijuana, as a sacrament and have special rules of dress, diet, and work. Jamaicans have developed a vibrant national culture, notably represented in such fields as reggae music, drama, and the visual arts and in cricket.
The majority of the population is Christian with small Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and Bahai communities. The older established churches are Anglican (Episcopalian), Baptist, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Adventists, Moravian and United Church (Presbyterian) and Congregational). The Pentecostals also have a large number of adherents. Many Jamaicans are members of indigenous religious groups e.g. Pocomania, Revivalism and Rastafari. Rastafari is a livity that believes in the divinity of Haile Selassie, the late Emperor of Ethiopia.

The peaceful (now extinct) Arawak Indians were the first inhabitants of the islands. The existence of their warlike adversaries the Caribs made constant migration throughout the islands a necessity for these people. The island is still steeped in their ancient tradition.
Jamaica is a mountainous island of 4,244 square miles (10,991 square kilometres). The Blue Mountains in the east, composed in part of ancient volcanic rock, contains the island’s tallest peak at 7,402 feet (2,256 meters). The northern slopes of the Blue Mountains and the nearby John Crow Mountains are a completely uninhabited wilderness. Another unpopulated regions is the Cockpit Country in the centre of the island. A roadless jumble of limestone pinnacles and glades, the region is riddled with spectacular caves. In the west and along the coasts are savannahs, plains, and scattered trees. Most Jamaicans live on the coastal plains.

The climate is dry tropical, with temperatures higher along the coasts and cooler in the mountains. Rainfall, too, varies with region. Northeastern Jamaica receives more than 100 inches (250 centimetres) of rainfall annually–making it one of the wettest regions in the world. Most of the country experiences severe fluctuations of drought and flood. Little rain falls on the hot, dry southern and southwestern plains. The average annual temperature at Kingston, the capital, is 79o F (26o C).
Jamaica has about 120 rivers, most of which flow to the coast from the central mountain ranges. Those on the north side tend to be shorter and swifter than those on the south side.

Jamaica is blessed with several mineral springs, four of which are developed with facilities for bathing and/or accommodation. One is attached to the San Souci Lido Hotel and three are public, Bath in St. Thomas, Milk River in Clarendon and Rockfort in St. Andrew. The fresh water that flows out of the mountains of Jamaica is crystal clear, pure and cool. The quality of this water is what makes the island so magical and it’s people so special and happy.

For centuries Jamaicans have exploited their island for mahogany and other cabinet woods, leaving little of the natural rainforest still standing. Erosion of the hill slopes is one serious consequence of this exploitation. But there is still a rich flora of native orchids and ferns. Throughout the year the many species of tropical and subtropical plants produce a changing spectacle of colours. Among the plants are the vivid red poinciana, the yellow poui, and the blue lignum vitae, which is Jamaica’s national tree. There are four major botanical gardens.

Jamaica has more than 200 species of birds, including a beautiful hummingbird–known locally as the “doctor bird”–which is the national bird. Also abundant are bats, mongooses, frogs, lizards, and crocodiles. There are no venomous snakes on the island but many species of ants.

Jamaican jerk is famous throughout the world. The origins of jerk can be traced back to pre slavery days of the Cormantee hunters of West Africa through the Maroons, who were Jamaican slaves that escaped from the British during the invasion of 1655. Jerk was a way of preserving meat. The meat is poked with holes and filled with a spice mixture. The cooking is very important. In the sixties street side vendors came up with a solution to get that smoked pit flavour They cut oil barrels lengthwise and attached hinges, drilling holes in the side to let out the smoke. The barrels were heated by layers of charcoal which added to the smokey flavour.

Preparing Jamaican Jerk seasoning is definitely an art form and everyone has their own jerk recipe. Jamaican Jerk vendors are found throughout the island and tourist flock to try the different styles and recipes. The best and original Jerk seasoning is said to have originated in Portland Jamaica. Rastas in particular don’t have recipes, they just cook. Some of the jerk spice ingredients are Scotch Bonnet Chilli pepper, whole pimento berry, also known as allspice and myrtle pepper, cinnamon bark, thyme, onions, garlic, whole black peppercorns and various other secret ingredients according the cooks preferences and experience. These are all pounded down in a huge mortar and pestle, in the right order. This is to release the flavours in a special way. When you hear people talk of Jamaican chicken, this is probably what they are talking about, but pork, other meats and vegetables can also be jerked.

Jamaican seasoning is used on most meat and fish. This involves rubbing the meat with different spice powders like cinnamon, paprika, cayenne pepper, turmeric and pimento, and then frying, roasting or barbecuing to achieve a unique flavour.

The Jamaican National dish is ackee and salt fish. Some other popular dishes are rice and peas, curry goat and white rice, fish tea, fried or boiled dumpling and banana, saltfish and coconut rundown, fried and boiled plantain, vegetable soups and oxtail stew. Cabbage is popular and different recipes involve steaming this generous healthy vegetable with meat or fish, onions, garlic, thyme and tomato. Roasted bread fruit and ground provisions are also eaten regularly. Goat Head Soup is another famous Jamaican recipe. This makes a strong tasty soup using the head, intestine and foot of the male goat.

Fruit drinks are very popular and include the combination of many exotic fruits. Soursop juice is a favourite and is good for the nervous system. A Jamaican Christmas drink is made from the Sorrel bush Hibiscus sabdariffa. The red calyx of the mature fruit are stripped from the plant and dried or used fresh. Hot water is poured over the sorrel to which grated ginger has been added. This is left to infuse overnight. Christmas day it is strained off and lime juice, sugar syrup, ice and rum are added. Coconut water is another popular authentic Jamaican drink and it is common to see street vendors selling a fresh coconut with a straw in it to tourists all over the island.

Fruit drinks are seasonal and it depends what is in season. In November June Plum juice is available and is a delicious fruit that has a unique taste.

Jamaican weather is tropical with the temperature being 28 degrees Celsius in Summer. July and August are the hottest months. February is the coolest. Winter is about ten degrees colder and up in the Blue Mountains, you can get temperatures as low as 4 degrees Celsius. Rain falls in May and June and again in October and November. The southwestern coast of Jamaica receives little rain and the eastern windward coast receives a lot. Jamaica lies in a hurricane belt. They have a saying about hurricanes in Jamaica. They say June, too soon, July, standby, September, remember and October, all over. That just about sums the hurricane season up. The timing of a hurricane is hard to predict so stay vigilante and watch weather forecasts and patterns before visiting the island.

The island is one hundred and fifty miles long and fifty miles wide and armed with your Jamaican guide you can hire a car and drive the island. The north coast is particularly beautiful and is where Colombus first landed in Jamaica. Discovery Bay, Runaway Bay and Trelawny. If you are flying into the island you will either land at Montego Bay or Kingston Airports. Montego Bay is on the North Coast, Kingston on the South Coast. It is wise to check the travel reports before traveling to Kingston these days as there is still considerable trouble in the Jamaican capital.

Jamaican shopping is a unique experience as the island`s vendors sell wares of every kind. There are local handmade crafts such as baskets, hats, purses and other brightly colored items together with designer perfume, all at amazingly cheap prices but you can still haggle if you want to as this is considered normal. If haggling is not your thing, then stick to Half Moon Shopping village, Holiday Village Shopping Centre or City Centre as prices are fixed but the choice is no less constrained.

Eating out in Jamaica can be fun as the local dishes are really rather special. Try Jamaican Jerk which is a spicy meat dish or curried coconut shrimp, a local delicacy. Many local restaurants are small and cozy with the exception of those in the main tourist areas which are larger and more cosmopolitan. If you want to rent a place and cook your own food the Self Catering Holidays lists self-catering cottages, holidays and villas from over four thousand destinations.

Most people`s decisions regarding when to visit the island are based on time off from work or school breaks but it is worth knowing that the island does have a high and low season even though the temperatures are stable throughout the year. A holiday in Jamaica means that you can escape a cold north European climate between December and April.

It can be difficult to book a room in the high season as rooms can often be booked a year ahead at popular hotels. Planning ahead is important when it comes to accommodation and car hire. It is advisable to see your travel agent or to book online in order to ensure peace of mind when you arrive in Jamaica.

Many of the world`s best-known car hire firms operate in Jamaica with names such as Avis and Thrifty. There are cars to suit all budgets and the cars will be to a high standard. If you do not want to hire a car for the duration of your holiday, you can hire one just for a day or even be chauffeur driven if you wish. There are plenty of options for you to see the sights including the excellent Jamaican Buses which operate all over the island.