Runaway Bay
The smallest resort area in Jamaica is located between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Several resorts draw travelers to this stretch of beach that offers easy day trips to either of the big cities.

South Coast
Once the getaway for wealthy Kingstonians looking for relief from the heat, today Mandeville boasts the highest standard of living on the island. Perched over 2,500 feet above sea level, the community enjoys a proper English atmosphere, cool nights and is home to the Caribbean's first golf course.

Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city and is the heart of the islands cultural community. You will find the Bob Marley Museum and a host of other art galleries and theatre outings.

Did you know that?
When Christopher Columbus landed in Port Maria on the fourth of May 1494 he found Taino (Indians) there?
The author Ian Flemming wrote some of his most well-known James Bond thrillers from his home in Goldeneye, Orcabessa?

On June 7, 1692 Port Royal known then as the "wicked" and "richest" city in the world sunk into the sea. This occurred during a great earthquake. Much has been written about this catastrophe, but little is known about the fire that caused a level of destruction similar to that experienced by the residents of Port Royal at the time of the earthquake.

On Saturday, the 9th of January 1702, about 11 o'clock Port Royal was awakened with a lamentable cry of fire. The flames spread furiously and in almost three hours most of the houses were in flames. By 10 p.m. later in the evening everything was totally destroyed except the two forts. It was reported that "14 acres of land being the richest ground ever belonged to the crown of England, was perished". Most of the provisions, silks, linens, cloths, spices and most forts of merchandize of incredible value were totally consumed by fire.

Hundreds of people who the day before were worth some thousands of pounds were reduced by this calamity to starvation.

History - Key Dates

• 1494 - Christopher Columbus discovered the island.
• 1509 - The Spanish occupied the country and remained in possession for 146 years.
• 1655 - The English captured the island from the Spanish and colonised the territory.
• 1692 - Port Royal, which had become the focal point of the pirates plundering the Caribbean and Central America, was destroyed by earthquake and Kingston became subsequently the chief city and port.
• 1838 - Slaves were emancipated and the economy foundered due to the crisis on the plantations.
• 1848 - Britain's free trade policy led to a further deterioration in the Jamaican economy because sugar protection was lifted and Jamaican sugar was in competition with cheaper sugar from elsewhere.
• 1865 - The Morant Bay Rebellion broke out after prolonged disputes between the planters and the settlers.
• 1866 - Crown Colony Government replaced the old system of representative government.
• 1870 - An export Trade in Bananas replaced the predominance of sugar and restored the island's economy.
• 1944 - Universal adult suffrage was introduced under the new Constitution and proved to be the first step in the gradual move toward independence.
• 1953 - A full ministerial system was established.
• 1958 - Jamaica joined the federation of the West Indies which was an ssociation of 10 British island territories in which Jamaica and Trinidad were the largest.
• 1959 - The country was granted full internal self-government.
• 1961 - Jamaica voted in a Referendum to secede from the Federation of the West Indies and to achieve Independence.
• 1962 - The Federation was dissolved and Jamaica became independent on August 6th.

[The Caribbean Handbook 1998/99 pg.136]

National Symbols

National Tree
"Hibiscus elatus" the blue Mahoe.

National Flower
"Lignum vitae" translated literally means "wood of life". Indigenous to Jamaica the plant is renowned for its medicinal quality.

National Bird
"Trochiculus polytmus" ( the Doctor Bird) which lives only in Jamaica. It is a species of the Humming Bird.

National Fruit
The ackee an edible fruit which was brought to Jamaica from West Africa in the 18th century by Captain Bligh. Its botanical name is "Blighia sapido".

National Flag
The flag is tricolour, with a simple design of crossed diagonals in gold and triangles in black and green. The colours are symbolic: Green- agriculture; Black- hardships to be overcome; Gold- sunshine.

Jamaican Motto: "Out of Many One People"

Hospitals:

Some of the information provide to you on this page is provided courtesy of Jamaica Alive, a Hunter Publishing guide book also sold on Resorts Caribbean. Click here to buy Jamaica Alive