T'is the fairest isle eyes have seen
Christopher Columbus, 1494
Jamaica lies in the south-east of North-America. Its size is at about 10991km². There are 2,3 mio inhabitants, 77% of which are coloured. The protestant church has the strongest influence. 75% of the people are members. The capitol of Jamaica is Kingston. In the 1950s, at about 50% of the inhabitants were living there.
In 1660 the British took Jamaica from the Spanish, whose former slaves known to the British as 'Maroons' (from the Spanish 'cimarron' - 'wild', a word applied to escaped slaves). Between 1660 and 1670 pirates used Jamaica as a place of resort. In 1670 Spain formally gave the island to Britain. Two years later the Royal Africa Company was formed, so strengthening and extending the slave trade. The company used Jamaica as its chief market in the West Indies. In 1740, the British recognised the so-called 'Maroons' as free people, and recognised their property rights.
Although English is the official language, there is a very strong dialect of English, called the "patois". People who listen to a lot of Reggae and Dub music will be familiar with the sound of patois. A collection of sentences in both languages can be found here.
