Information Booklet On Jamaica

JAMAICA Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, situated in the Caribbean Sea. It is about 145 kilometers south of Cuba, and 190 kilometers west of the island of Hispaniola, on which Haiti and the Dominican Republic are situated. Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean Sea, and has the highest number of people who speak English in that region. Jamaica is also home to the Blue Mountains inland, and is surrounded by coastal plain. Most major towns and cities are located on the coast. Chief towns and cities include the capital Kingston, Spanish Town, Mandeville, Port Antonio, and Montego Bay. Jamaica’s climate is tropical, with hot and humid weather. Jamaica is found in the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, the island sometimes experiences significant storm damage. Two hurricanes have hit Jamaica in recorded history. Hurricanes Charlie and Gilbert hit Jamaica directly in 1951 and 1988, which caused damage, destruction, and many deaths. Hurricanes Ivan, Dean, and Gustav also brought severe weather to the island during the early years of the 2000s. By July 2008 the population of Jamaica has reached 2,804,332. There are many religions in this island, 10.8% of the population Seventh - day Adventists, 9.5% are Pentecostals, 8.3% are for other churches of god, 7.2% of Jamaicans are Baptists, 6.3% go to the new testament church, 4.8% go to the church of god In Jamaica, the church of the god of prophecy acquires 4.3% of Jamaicans, 3.6% are Anglicans, 7.7% for any other Christian related religion, the roman Catholics obtain 2.6%. but not all citizens have religions. 14.2% have unspecified or other religions. And 20.9% have no religion. The currency of Jamaica is the Jamaican dollar (JMD). The strawberry hills mountain retreat which is located in Irish town, st.andrew is most recommended for accommodations, this luxury mountain retreat is built in plantation style: a 19th-century house in its own gardens surrounded by a cluster of cottages and villas with wide verandahs and attractive louvered windows. The restaurant focuses on locally-sourced, “new Jamaican” cuisine, and the spa offers a choice of relaxing treatments. Also recommended is the Mar blue, this luxury south coast hotel is a real hideaway, off the beaten track but stylish with well-appointed suites. When you have watched the sunset from your verandah, try out the restaurant, where a German chef brings a European twist to some of Jamaica’s classic dishes.

The ideal day trip is the Dunn's River Falls. It is one of hundreds of small rivers that cascade down the mountain to the sea. It has large rocks and cool water and they lead you on a climb. A hike up the fern gully is a perfect day trip, It is a winding mountain road that used to be a river bed. Along the sides of the road are giant tree ferns and they spread their branches over the road making a leafy green tunnel to drive though . YS Falls, Located in the parish of Saint Elisabeth near the town of Black River and not far from the Nassau Mountains. Crystal clear sparkling water gently cascading down 120 feet from cool swimming holes and coves for the totally exhilarating 'Garden of Eden' Style swim. To reach the falls you take a tractor drawn jitney through fields of giant Guango Trees, Cotton Trees, flowering Quick stick and Cedar with mountains as the backdrop to a cool, shady corner of the valley where the Y.S. River cascades down. There are many attractions that tourists can take. The green grotto caves Are located along the main road two miles east from Discovery Bay, they meander for about 6 miles and are abound in natural art forms of glistening stalagmites and stalactites. This cave system also features a subterranean salt water lake 120 feet below ground level. Jamaica’s first national park, the Montego Bay marine park, protects the beautiful reef fish, corals, turtles and other marine creatures. The Appleton estate tours are A timeless journey through the soul of the finest rums in the world. The Appleton Estate has been blending rums since 1749 and the Rum Distillery is sited beside the Black River in one of the most beautiful valleys in Jamaica, south of Montego Bay. There are countless sporting facilities in Jamaica, but the independence park is most recommended, Independence Park is a sports and cultural complex in Kingston, Jamaica built for the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. It houses a variety of sports facilities. A statue of Bob Marley marks the entrance to the site. The national arena is also recommended, The National Arena was built to host the Weightlifting and Wrestling events of the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games it holds 3,000 people and was opened in 1963.

It is now used for a wide range of activities including sports tournaments (netball, table tennis, etc), trade exhibitions, flower shows, the National Festival song and costume competitions and state funerals. There are many options to pick from to fill your day with activities, children can take Reggae Dancing Classes - Reggae Dancing is one of the fun ways to involve kids on a Jamaican vacation. A few of the all-inclusive hotels in Jamaica provide this for kids. Children can also take Animal Adventure/Nature Walk – there are countless farms in Jamaica. You can make arranges to tour a farm. Nature is a part of life in Jamaica and the plants and their uses can be a real cool experience for a kid. Teenagers, however, can visit the starfish Trelawney resort & spa, go gold hunting on the beach with other teenagers, and go to the local arcade or to the theme park. Adults, on the other hand, can check in the Ritz Carlton, Jamaica and have a relaxing evening and candlelight dinner. Adults can also go to the local gym, go to the spa for a soothing massage.