My Island Jamaica

Interesting Facts On Jamaica

• Jamaica was the first country in the Western world to construct a railway, even before the United States! This was only 18 years after Britain!
  
  
• Jamaica is the first Caribbean Country to gain Independence.
  
  
• Jamaica is the first team from the English-speaking Caribbean to qualify for the Football (Soccer) World Cup. This was the 1998 championship.
  
  
• Jamaica stands strong in 3rd place on the list of countries to win the Miss World titles the most! [Hmmm!]  The only countries to have won it more than Jamaica is India, Venezuela and the UK, but considering the size of Jamaica, you have to say that this achievement is monumental!
  
  
• On his second voyage to the New World in 1494, the tip of the Blue Mountains in Jamaica was the first land sighted by Christopher Columbus.
  
  
• Jamaica was the first commercial producer of bananas in the Western Hemisphere.
  
  
• Jamaica also was the first island in the Caribbean to produce rum on a commercial basis.
  
  
• The Manchester Golf Club in Jamaica, established in 1868, is the oldest in the western hemisphere!.
  
  
• Apart from the United States, Jamaica has won the most world and olympic medals.
  
  
• 2006-2007: World Fastest man and woman- you bet, are Jamaicans [Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson].
  
  
• Jamaica has more multiple (two or more) live births than anywhere else in the world.
  
  
• Jamaica was the first country to impose economic sanctions against the apartheid regime of South Africa.
  
  
• Jamaica is the third largest island  in the Caribbean.
  
  
• Jamaica was the first Caribbean island to enact legislation, "The Motion Picture Industry (Encouragement) Act" to promote the making of films.
  
  
• Jamaica is the first country to sign a Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria grant agreement.
  
  
• Jamaica was the first tropical country to enter the IOC Winter Olympics. The bobsleigh team's efforts inspired the film ‘Cool Runnings'.
  
  
• Jamaica was the first colony England acquired by conquest. This was in the year 1655 when the Spanish were driven from the island.
  
  
• We have the second largest butterfly in the world? (The Giant Swallowtail).
  
  
• Another of the interesting facts on Jamaica is that it was the first British colonial territory to establish a postal service (in 1688).
  
  
• Jamaica was the first Caricom country to liberalize the telecommunications sector. Since then, other Caricom countries have opened up to competition.
  
  
• Another one I found to be one of the most interesting facts on Jamaica is that Jamaica was the first country in the caribbean region to launch a web site, jamaicatravel.com. This was in 1994!
  
  
• And if you know none of the above, (which is fine) I expect you at least know that Jamaica is the birth place of Robert ("Bob") Marley [smile]

Jamaican Food - A Celebration of its' Diverse Culture!

I can speak authoritatively on Jamaican Food since not only do I live here and by default eat it, I also prepared a few of the dishes myself

- thanks to my belated grandmother, an expert chef, mother and disciplinarian.

Our food is truly a celebration of the diverse cultures we boast, along with a touch of novelty and innovation. The distinctiveness of our food and culture was contributed primarily by the Arawaks or Tainos- the earliest recorded inhabitants, The Europeans, The Africans-who came as slave labourers and The Indians and Chineese- who came as indentured servants.

Thanks to The Tainos who contributed the 'Jerk' flavour, 'Jamaican Jerk' is popular the world over. We owe the British (who captured the island from the Spanish) for the patty concept. Today, Jamaican Patty is a favourite globally. They now come in many varieties and caters to varying tastes. Juici Patties and Tastee are the two principal preparers of this delicious pastry.

The Indian influence is dominant in the curry dishes. Today, we not only have curry meats but [listen to this] curried vegetables and fruits! The Annual Westmoreland Curry Festival which started in 2001, celebrates this aspect of our culture. Incidentally, this area of Jamaica had the greatest concentration of Indians (Westmoreland).

I have only been to the festival this year, but I have learnt a lot. I tried the Curried Crab. It was awesome! There was curried conch, curried fish, curried goat, curried octopus,curried rabbit, curried mango pudding, curried dasheen pudding, curried this and curried that :-) Some of the other popular dishes in Jamaica includes:

'The National Dish': [Ackee and Saltfish] I have not yet met a fellow Jamaican who does not relish this dish.

This is usually served with roasted breadfruit or boiled bananas. It is a Sunday morning breakfast favorite!

Curried Goat:
...is not only popular but a favourite food from Jamaica as well.

Curried Chicken Manish Water: Also known as 'power water' and 'goat belly soup'.
This is a must at large gatherings, including funerals and traditional dance parties.

Stewed Peas Mackerel Run Dung: Another breakfast favourite.

Jerk Chicken, Jerk Fish, or Jerk Pork:

Patties: Now famous the world over. I owed my US co-worker, Rukhsana over 100-she told me! Whenever I ask her for a favour she usually says, 'that is another jamaican patty'.

Festivals: I love them unending! Festivals are usually served as part of Jerk dishes.

Fritters:

Fish & Bammy Gungo Peas Soup & Escoveitched Fish ..and what about the Drinks/Juices?

There are:

Soursop Juice

Carrot Juice Sorrel: Most popular at christmas time.

Blended Roots Drinks: These have become increasingly popular. They are believed to help with masculinity [if you know what I mean]. I had one brand which had no less than 15 different roots ingredients!

Cocount Water: Cool and refreshing!

Coffee: How could I forget coffee? Jamaica's Blue Mountain Coffee is world reknown. Coffee now is used to make various coffee related products or others with 'flavours of coffee.'

..and the Tasty Fruits?

In addition, to the popular Soursop and Coconut, there are:

Naseberry:My family has numerous trees all around the old family house.

Jackfruit June Plum Mangoes: Of all kinds, names, shapes and sizes.

Jamaican Apple Custard Apple Sugar Cane (not sure about the classification, but there you go) Avocado Pear Guava and Guinep Star Apple: Despite the stain it can emanate, I can't get enough of it....really tasty!

And by the way, did I mention that many of these fruits are also used to make juices and even cakes? Yes, we use them like that too!

So regardless of the nature of your trip, you won't get a complete Jamaican experience unless you experience our delectable foods, fruits and juices.

• Previous Posts:

• Interesting Facts On Jamaica
• Jamaican Food - A Celebration of its' Diverse Culture!

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