A Brief History
Jamaica is a small island nestled in the Greater Antilles area of the Caribbean Sea. It rests to the south of the island of Cuba and to the west of the island of Hispaniola. Jamaica covers a fairly large area, some 4,243 square miles and has a population of around 2,889,187.
Like many Caribbean Islands Jamaica has a long history of colonization, slavery and indentureship. The island was first colonized by the Spanish in the late 1400s then captured by the British in the mid-1600s and was a British colony since then. However in the year 1962 on August 6th Jamaica officially relinquished its ties to Britain as it gained political independence and became a constitutional monarchy with the Queen as Sovereign. She however plays solely an advisory role to the Jamaican Government as the island maintains full political autonomy.
In every aspect of the Jamaica identity the colonial relics are still vividly present. The island's complicated history of colonization is tightly woven in its contemporary Culture, Landscape and Politics. Jamaica's rich cultural history is a direct result of all the prominent players, the Spanish, British, African and immigrant population, that shaped the Jamaica that many know today.
Like many Caribbean Islands Jamaica has a long history of colonization, slavery and indentureship. The island was first colonized by the Spanish in the late 1400s then captured by the British in the mid-1600s and was a British colony since then. However in the year 1962 on August 6th Jamaica officially relinquished its ties to Britain as it gained political independence and became a constitutional monarchy with the Queen as Sovereign. She however plays solely an advisory role to the Jamaican Government as the island maintains full political autonomy.
In every aspect of the Jamaica identity the colonial relics are still vividly present. The island's complicated history of colonization is tightly woven in its contemporary Culture, Landscape and Politics. Jamaica's rich cultural history is a direct result of all the prominent players, the Spanish, British, African and immigrant population, that shaped the Jamaica that many know today.