15 Fun Facts About Jamaica If you thought the little Island paradise Jamaica was all about sun, sea and sand: think again! Jamaica is also famous for blazing trails and travelling unknown terrains. Read on to learn a little more about this charming country and its people. Did You Know? Jamaica is the birthplace of Rastafarianism - an Afro-Caribbean Religio-political Movement. This movement came into existence in the 1930s based on the teachings of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jamaicas first national hero. Jamaica is home to the fastest man on the planet - Usain Bolt. Yea.. full speed ahead! Despite being a tropical country with the coldest temperatures found inside a refrigerator, Jamaica debuted their Bobsled team in the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. The team came in dead last, won world recognition and inspired the film Cool Runnings. They are still the source of pride and inspiration in Jamaica today. Ian Fleming created the character James Bond 007 from his home called Goldeneye in St. Mary Jamaica. The famous James Bond Beach can also be found in that parish. Jamaica has numerous mineral baths and hot springs believed to have therapeutic properties. These natural spas are often referred to as the healing waters of Jamaica. Go and soak your troubles away. Reggae and Dancehall music have their roots firmly planted in Jamaica. The reggae icon Bob Marley famous for songs such as: No Woman No Cry, One Love, Get Up, Stand Up, and Jammin resided in this little island paradise. But of course you knew that, right? Most Jamaicans do not smoke marijuana. This is true despite popular beliefs and recent proclamations by a famous world leader. The weed is used mostly by Rastafarians for religious and meditative purposes though not all Rastafarians smoke it. Further, Rastafarians make up less than 1% of the Jamaican population. Agreeably, a small percentage of Non-Rastafarian citizens use marijuana for recreational purposes. Be warned! The possession and use of marijuana is illegal in Jamaica. In the year 1998 Jamaicas (Reggae Boyz) became the first English speaking team from the Caribbean to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Singing.....Rise up! Stand and take your place! rule your destiny, be tha best that you can be. Rise up! oh oh oh oh. Rise up, shine like the sun, your journey has just begun. Rise up..... that was the official theme song of The Reggae Boyz going into the World Cup. Jamaica is the first country in the Western world to build a rail-road only eighteen years after Britain and long before the United States. Jamaicas telephone system was so well developed its model was copied by AT&T. The first country in the Caribbean to launch a website was Jamaica. This was jamaicatravel in 1994. Jamaica is the first Caribbean country to gain independence. This was in 1962. There are only two countries in the world - Jamaica and Libya - whose flags do not share any of the colours in the United States flag. Jamaica is number 5 on the list of countries with the most Miss World titles. Most people are surprised to know that Jamaica is an English speaking nation. The Jamaican Creole is used primarily in informal settings and for entertainment. English is the language of education, law, business and trade. nordiamc.hubpages/hub/Fun-Facts-About-Jamaica
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 07:08:12 +0000