You don’t really need a lot of reasons to go on a vacation to the Caribbean or fantasize about one at the very least. Still, we’re going to go ahead and tempt you with some fun facts about Jamaica in case you still haven’t decided which island you want to explore next.
Only in Jamaica
Famously known as the birthplace of reggae legend Bob Marley, Jamaica has more than good music. Lovers of the culinary arts would do well to try some local delicacies. If you sink your teeth into one an unfamiliar dish and spot an unknown taste, it must be the famous local spice mix known as Jamaican Jerk. Incredibly common in Jamaica, the mix even has its own festivals!
Another famous local export is the Blue Mountain Coffee, which is grown in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica (obviously). While this coffee has an international reputation, most of its export (%80) is shipped to Japan.
Tropical weather
The average temperatures in Jamaica range between 81 and 86 degrees during the day and stay that way year-round. The island has a pretty tropical climate, and the high temperatures are met with frequent rains between the months of June and November. Generally speaking, however, the weather is pretty nice, which allows for an incredible aquatic sports scene. Tourists flock to Jamaica to swim with dolphins, kitesurf, scuba dive, and fish to their hearts’ content.
A little bit of history
Jamaica used to be instrumental for the sugar market in the 1660s and the 16670s. When the country was ruled by the UK, there were vast plantations on the island groomed and taken care of by African slaves. Over the following centuries, the country gradually gained its independence until it was fully finalized on August 6th, 1962 — Jamaica’s Independence Day.
Linguistic phenomenon
The official language in Jamaica is English, but there’s more to it. Considering the cultural effects and the different colonizers to inhabit the island, Jamaican English is mixed with other languages such as French or Spanish. There is even a local Jamaican Creole language called Patois. Just to help you get started — “Waah gwan?” is Patois for “What’s going on?”
