size=3>
Prime Minister of Jamaica
Mr. Bruce Golding
Facts about Jamaica
Armchair travelers or potential visitors to the island will benefit from some facts about Jamaica. Six hundred miles off the southern coast of the United States and ninety miles south of Cuba, the island of Jamaica is the largest English-speaking nation in the Caribbean. Jamaica is 146 miles long and ranges from 22 to 51 miles in width. The total land area of the island is close to 4500 square miles and has a varied terrain with peaks in the Blue Mountains of up to 7400 feet. The mountainous central region tapers to rolling hills and coastal plain, the north side of which is graced by stretches of white sand beach. Limestone cliffs edge the western tip of Jamaica and the island has several natural bays including the most well known, Montego Bay.
The lush rainforest and abundant springs of the central mountains produce more than 120 rivers that flow to the sea. The fast flowing northern Black River, Martha Brae, Rio Cobre, Rio Grande and Milk River provide agricultural irrigation, transport and hydroelectric power. Jamaica’s south coast is semi arid with darker sand beaches and vegetation reminiscent of an African savanna. Sandy coves, bluffs, caves and a string of cays stretch along the waters edge and fishing villages are the predominant settlements.
After gaining independence from Britain in 1962 Jamaica adopted a parliamentary government based in the capital city of Kingston and retains a strong British influence throughout the three counties of Cornwall, Sussex and Middlesex. The island’s proximity to the United States combined with its stunning natural beauty make Jamaica a leader in Caribbean tourism and Jamaica’s economy relies heavily on the more than two million visitors that come each year. Exports of bauxite, sugar, bananas, pimento, citrus fruits, rum, and coffee, along with tourism, support the island’s population of 2.65 million.
The Caribbean region in general is considered by experts to be one of most ecologically varied on the planet and Jamaica’s Lower Morass, a 14,000-acre swamp at the mouth of the Black River is the largest environment of its kind with the greatest biodiversity in the entire Caribbean. Among other interesting facts about Jamaica is the existence of over 252 species of birds, 27 of which are found exclusively in Jamaica. Consistent temperatures in the 80’s and fertile soils grow papaya, mango, passion fruit, guava and the island supplies most of the world’s demand for pimento. Fruits have been naturalized to the island from elsewhere including the national dish ackee, which brought from Africa, now grows in abundance throughout the island. Ackee, most often served with Saltfish, is poisonous until dried and has a texture and flavor similar to scrambled eggs. (Read more about Ackee below)
Jamaica is a predominantly Christian country and although notorious for the “anything goes” attitude of Negril, Jamaicans are conservative in dress and behavior. The national motto is “Out of many, one people,” which speaks to the friendly tolerance exhibited by Jamaicans towards the many visitors who double the country’s population each winter season. Some little known facts about Jamaica are that Jamaican art is regarded as some of the best to come out of the Caribbean and artists like Edna Manley and Ronald Moody are exhibited and collected all over the world. Music is an integral part of Jamaican life and the visitor is hard pressed to find a spot on the island where music isn’t playing somewhere. Through the talent of musicians Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, the genre of reggae has captivated the world marking the island of Jamaica as a creative musical force. Ska, dub and dancehall are all forms based on the foundation of African drumbeat music mingled with European influence and are played in clubs and on radio throughout Jamaica.
Jamaicans celebrate flavor and their cuisine reflects the lush, tropical environment. A culinary fact about Jamaica is the prevalence of jerk cooking, brought to the island by African slaves. Jerk is the process of slow cooking spice rubbed meats in deep pits. The searing hot scotch bonnet pepper is combined with thyme, allspice, paprika and other spices to make a paste that is used today to jerk chicken, pork and goat. Jerk is sold all over the island in outdoor kitchens and gourmet restaurants alongside Johnnycakes, Meat Patties, Callaloo and Rice and Peas. Spicy food, good music, stunning scenery and friendly people combine to make the island of Jamaica a place that once visited, is never forgotten.
JAMAICA'S ACKEE
Jamaica's Ackee is one of those fruits that is considered a vegetable, when prepared with saltfish (codfish) it is the national dish of Jamaica. Ackee is a favourite breakfast dish but may also be served for lunch and dinner.
Although the Ackee is not indigenous to Jamaica, it has remarkable historic associations. Originally, it was imported to the island from West Africa, probably on a slave ship. Now it grows here luxuriantly, producing large quantities of edible fruit each year.
Ackee is derived from the original name Ankye which comes from the Twi language of Ghana. The botanical name of the fruit – Blighia Sapida – was given in honor of Captain William Bligh of “Mutiny on the Bounty” fame, who in 1793 took plants of the fruit from Jamaica to England. Captain Bligh also brought the first breadfruit to Jamaica. Before this, the Ackee was unknown to science. In 1778 Dr Thomas Clarke, one of the earliest propagators of the tree, introduced it to the eastern parishes.
The Ackee tree grows up to 15.24m (50ft) under favorable conditions. It bears large red and yellow fruit 7.5 – 10 cm (3-4 in.) long. When ripe these fruits burst into sections revealing shiny black round seeds on top of a yellow aril, which is partially edible.
There are two main types of Ackee identified by the color of the aril. That with a soft yellow aril is known as ‘butter’ and ‘cheese’ is hard and cream-colored. Ackee contains a poison (hypoglcin), which is dissipated when it is properly harvested and cooked. The fruit should not be gathered until the pods open naturally. In addition, the aril must be properly cleaned of red fiber and the cooking water discarded.
Jamaica is the only place where the fruit is widely eaten. However, it has been introduced into most of the other Caribbean islands (for example, Trinidad, Grenada, Antigua and Barbados), Central America and Florida, where it is known by different names and does not thrive in economic quantities. Jamaican canned Ackee is now exported and sold in markets patronized by expatriate Jamaicans.
Ackee is a very delicious fruit and when boiled and cooked with seasoning and salt fish or salt pork, it is considered one of Jamaica’s greatest delicacies.
JAMAICA'S HUMMINGBIRD
The long tail Hummingbird is one of the twenty seven species of birds that is unique to Jamaica. It's picture used jointly with that of the Hibiscus flowers is the logo of Hibiscus Catering Services. This bird is on the list of endangered species and is the national bird of Jamaica. The Hummingbird is often seen extracting nectar from the Hibiscus flowers, thus making it fitting to use her with our Hibiscus logo. The Humming Bird is also credited as the only bird to be able to fly in the reverse direction.
The doctor bird or swallow tail humming bird, is one of the most outstanding of the 320 species of hummingbirds. It lives only in Jamaica. These birds’ beautiful feathers have no counterpart in the entire bird population and they produce iridescent colors characteristic only of that family. In addition to these beautiful feathers, the mature male has tow long tails which stream behind him when he flies. For years the doctor bird has been immortalized in Jamaican folklore and song.
The origin of the name ‘Doctor-bird’ is somewhat unsettled. It has been said that the name was given because the erect black crest and tails resemble the top hat and long tail coats doctors used to wear in the old days. Other schools of thought believe that it refers to the way the birds lance the flowers with their bills to extract nectar.
According to Frederic Cassidy the bird is an object of superstition. The Arawaks spread the belief that the bird had magical powers. They called it the ‘God bird’, believing it was the reincarnation of dead souls. This is manifested in a folk song, which says: “Doctor Bud a canny bud, hard bud fe dead”. (It is a clever bird, which cannot be easily killed).
The Jamaican Coat of Arms
