Interesting Facts About Jamaica
60 Facts For 60 Years

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Interesting Facts About Jamaica | Jamaican Lunch (Jerk Chicken, Ackee, Festivals, Fried Plantains, Roast Potatoes, Ripe Bananas)

by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

What can I say, Jamaica and its people are simply amazing. So here are 60 amazing facts about this incredible island and its people.

1. The third-largest island in the Caribbean is this one. Jamaica is only the third largest island in the Caribbean, despite being one of the most well-known travel destinations.
   
   
2. Jamaica's location at the top of a sizable underwater mountain is an incredible entertaining fact.
   
   
3. Kingston is home to a third of Jamaica's population. It shouldn't come as a surprise that a lot of people reside in the nation's capital. However, Kingston is a must-see, island-wide hub of activity.
   
   
4. On the road, they drive on the left side. Because of its colonial background, Jamaica still adheres to many British laws, institutions, and customs. One of them is to drive on the left side of the road.
   
   
5. One of the Biggest Butterflies in the World is Found Here. One of the 12 largest butterflies on the planet, the endangered Homerus swallowtail with a maximum wingspan of 6 inches.
   
   
6. One of the few flags in the world without a colour in common with the USA's is Jamaica's.
   
   
7. The most expensive rum in the world is Jamaican-produced Appleton Estate 50-Year Rum.
   
   
8. One of the rarest and most expensive coffees in the world is grown on the island. Because it takes so long to harvest Blue Mountain coffee, it is very expensive.
   
   
9. All of Ian Fleming's James Bond thrillers were written in Jamaica. Bond was created on Fleming's 15-acre estate, and it was inspired by a clandestine naval operation called GoldenEye that the author was involved in at the time.
   
   
10. Jamaica is the first Caribbean nation with a website launched. The website, www.jamaicatravel.com was established in 1994 as a resource for individuals to discover more about the alluring island.
    
    
11. In the Western Hemisphere, Jamaica was the first nation to construct a railroad, doing so only 18 years after Britain.
    
    
12. There aren't many snakes in Jamaica since the mongoose that was introduced in 1872 to eradicate rodents from the sugar cane fields also succeeded in eliminating almost all of the island's snakes.
    
    
13. When Jamaica entered the bobsled competition, it became the first tropical country to compete in the Winter Olympics. The movie "Cool Runnings" focused on its initial attempts in the bobsled competition.
    
    
14. Ska, rocksteady, one drop, mento, Nyahbinghi, folk, drum and bass, soca, reggae-gospel, dub, festival, rubba-dub, roots reggae, calypso, and dancehall are examples of native Jamaican music genres.
    
    
15. Of all nations on earth, Jamaica boasts the most churches per square mile. According to the Jamaican National Library, there are 2.75 churches per square mile, which is a statistic acknowledged by the Guinness World Book of Records.
    
    
16. There are more than 100 different Christian denominations in Jamaica. Baptist, Catholic, Anglican, Jehovah's Witness, Seventh Day Adventist, New Testament, Church of God, and Pentecostal are the most widely practised denominations.
    
    
17. Worldwide, Jamaica has the highest density of rum bars per square mile.
    
    
18. The strongest rum available in Jamaica is called "jancrow batty," which means "vulture's ass" in English. Trelawny is where the strongest variant is found.
    
    
19. The world's largest per capita consumption of cranberries is found in Jamaica. Its therapeutic qualities are thought to be the reason for its fame. It is employed to fight the flu, improve focus, facilitate digestion, and strengthen the immune system.
    
    
20. Jamaica was the first English-speaking nation in the Caribbean to qualify for the World Cup in 1998.
    
    
21. Bananas were initially grown and exported on a commercial scale in Jamaica. The nation's banana business got its start 1866, in Portland.
    
    
22. Jamaica became the first British colony to create its own postal system on October 31, 1671.
    
    
23. The famed Red Stripe beer recipe was purchased and imported by Jamaica from Illinois.
    
    
24. Despite the fact that none of these fruits are native to Jamaica, sugar cane, bananas, and mangoes are grown and produced there.
    
    
25. More than 200 types of exotic orchids, including 73 native varieties, can be found in Jamaica.
    
    
26. A Jamaican named Kool Herc is widely recognized as having invented rap and hip-hop music.
    
    
27. The oldest golf club in the western hemisphere is The Manchester Golf Club, which was founded in Jamaica in 1865.
    
    
28. Jamaica boasts several natural hot springs and mineral pools that are claimed to have healing qualities.
    
    
29. Less than 5% of the country's population identifies as Rastafarian.
    
    
30. Jamaica Patois is not an official language in Jamaica even though it is widely spoken there.
    
    
31. The seventh-largest natural harbour in the world is Kingston Harbour.
    
    
32. Jamaica has the highest number of live multiple births worldwide.
    
    
33. The most radioactive mineral spa in the entire world is Milk River Bath, according to some.
    
    
34. Many Jamaicans are of mixed ancestry because of the multiple ethnicities that have occupied the island. African descendants are in the majority but there are also, Indian, Irish, British, German, Spanish and Chinese descendants from the time of slavery and indentured servitude. Middle Eastern people also joined the diverse mix through most through merchandising opportunities on the island. 
    
    
35. Out of Many, One People is Jamaica's official national motto, which was adopted in 1962.
    
    
36. In Jamaica, the tourism sector is the most significant.
    
    
37. There are 50 public beaches in Jamaica that are open to tourists; the two most well-known are in Montego Bay and Negril.
    
    
38. Bob Marley, legendary Reggae musician, was born in Jamaica.
    
    
39. Due to pirate activity, Port Royal was formerly referred to as the "wickedest city on earth" in the 17th century.
    
    
40. The aviation sector is growing in Jamaica.
    
    
41. In 1893, Jamaica had electricity and running water, which were not yet commonplace in the US.
    
    
42. In Port Royal, there is one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries.
    
    
43. The Rio Cobre River is crossed by the oldest cast iron bridge of its sort in the Western Hemisphere.
    
    
44. The only place where ackee is consumed is on the island of Jamaica, it our national fruit and a part of our national dish.
    
    
45. In Jamaica, ginger ale was first made.
    
    
46. The fourth Miss World winner was Jamaican woman, Carole Crawford.
    
    
47. Top fashion models like Naomi Campbell and Grace Jones are from Jamaica or are descended from Jamaicans.
    
    
48. A hybrid of an orange and a tangerine called an ortanique was created in Jamaica.
    
    
49. Cuba can be seen from Jamaica's Blue Mountains on a clear day.
    
    
50. Of all the countries in the world, Jamaica has the highest per-capita cell phone penetration rate.
    
    
51. The only national anthem in the world that is also a prayer is Jamaica's "Jamaica, Land We Love".
    
    
52. Bauxite, which is required to generate aluminium, is produced in fourth-place Jamaica.
    
    
53. Greater than 952 caverns have been found in Jamaica.
    
    
54. Jamaica has more than 120 rivers.
    
    
55. The collaboration between the Maroons and the native Tainos, who shared cooking techniques while hiding from Spanish conquerors, led to the development of jerk seasoning.
    
    
56. Jamaica's capital city, Kingston, is situated below sea level.
    
    
57. On the Forbes list of highest-paid deceased celebrities is Bob Marley.
    
    
58. Port Royal, today a peaceful fishing community and cruise port, was once the most sinister city on Earth and a haven for pirates.
    
    
59. Chocolate Milk was created in Jamaica.
    
    
60. Jamaican Creole or Patois is not a written language, although being extensively spoken.

How many of these did you already know? Are there any we missed? Also, catch up on these historic moments since our Independence.

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References & Sources For Interesting Facts About Jamaica

1. 85 Interesting Facts About Jamaica - Jamaicans.com, https://jamaicans.com/85-interesting-facts-about-jamaica/ 16 Interesting Fun Facts About Jamaica - Caribbean Warehouse, https://caribbeanwarehouse.co.uk/blog/2021/12/facts-about-jamaica/
2. 60 Interesting Facts About Jamaica (Part 1) - Things Jamaican Shopping, https://thingsjamaicanshopping.com/facts-about-jamaica-part-1/
3. 60 Interesting Facts About Jamaica, https://thefactfile.org/jamaica-facts/

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