Jamaica

Some 90 miles south of Cuba is the island of Jamaica – Xamayca as the Indians called it – ‘land of streams and forests.’ Today it remains one of the most unique islands of the Caribbean, Jamaica landscape varying from lush tropical rainforests and sun-drenched beaches to cascades running from cool mountain heights.

 Taken from the Spanish by the English in 1655, Jamaica soon became a base for English privateers who roamed the Caribbean from their base in Port Royal near present Kingston hunting gold and silver laden Spanish galleons. A plantation economy founded on sugar, rum, and coffee soon developed, bringing prosperity to the island until the abolition of slavery in the 1800’s.