Jamaica
Jamaica is a tropical island situated in the Caribbean Sea just over 90 miles south of Cuba and 100 miles west of Haiti, or a little over 300 miles east of the American Continent. This small island measures 148 miles from East to West and its greatest width is 52 miles.
Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1494 and on the 10th May, 1655, it was captured from the Spaniards by Admiral Penn and General Robert Venables. No-one is able to say exactly when the people who lived in Jamaica were first referred to as Jamaicans. Our ancestors have come to the island at different times during the last 300 years and from lands as far distant as Europe, India and China.
Jamaica is extremely mountainous. In many places it rises abruptly from the sea into the hills and mountains. In some parts there is a narrow margin of flat land which widens into wide plains especially in some parts of the South Coast. The mountains run in ranges most of which lie in a north-east, south-west direction. The chief mountain range is called the Blue Mountains and its highest point, the Blue Mountain Peak, is about 7,400 feet high.
There are several large plains and many fertile valleys in Jamaica. The capital city, Kingston, is built on the Liguanea Plain. The district of Vere is the largest continuous plain in the island and is one of the best sugar producing areas in Jamaica.
There are numerous rivers. Jamaica is known as the "Island of Springs" and its old Indian name, "Xaymaca", means "Land of wood and water". There are many mineral springs of medicinal value, two of the most important being the Black River Spa in St. Elizabeth, and the St. Thomas Bath in St. Thomas.
There are extensive deposits of bauxite (aluminium ore) and at the moment there are three large mining companies engaged in mining the ore - Aluminia Jamaica Ltd., Reynolds Jamaica Mines and Kaiser Bauxite Co. There are also small deposits of zinc, lead, manganese, and other metals - but these are not yet being mined commercially. A search for oil is currently being undertaken.
Owing to the mountainous character of the country, the climate of Jamaica varies considerably in different parts of the island. It is hot on the sea-coast and the low-lying lands, and cool on the uplands. More than half the area of the island is less than a thousand feet above sea level.
Jamaica is largely an agricultural country. By far the largest portion of the working population is engaged in agriculture, our chief products being bananas, citrus, coffee, sugar and rum, which are exported mainly to the United Kingdom. In the last few years a large number of industries have been started and there is a tendency for the younger generation to flock to the towns from the country. As is the case in most small overgrown communities there is an urge to emigrate. Formerly, Jamaicans went to the U.S.A., but since the war and the McCarran Act which has restricted Jamaica's quota to only 100 persons per year emigrating, that avenue is almost closed so now Jamaicans are travelling to Britain in search of a new life and better opportunities.
There is still, unfortunately, some illiteracy in Jamaica. Education is free in elementary schools and these schools are all under Government control but most of them are attached to churches. There is a higher class of schools for boys and girls; these are known as colleges and secondary schools and are mainly maintained by funds left by private persons for that purpose or by churches to which they are attached. In these schools the scholars pay for their education. There are also a good number of private schools entirely self-supporting. In addition there are vocational schools in which the students are taught occupations by which they may earn a living.
The University College of the West Indies is located in Jamaica and is affiliated to London University. It comprises beautiful modern buildings and is very well situated in the residential section of St. Andrew. It was opened in 1948 by Princess Alice of Athlone, who is the Chancellor. It is now attended by about 300 students from the West Indies and other countries. Degrees are offered in arts, medicine, science, etc.
In 1944 adult suffrage was introduced and with it came a new constitution whereby Jamaica is governed by a new ministerial system and elected members are responsible for the running of the country. Today we are on the very threshold of self-government.
The population, which has been very readily increasing, stands at a little over l½ million.
In 1955, to mark the 300 years since Jamaica became a part of the British Commonwealth of Nations, there were island-wide, year-long festivities. The name given to these festivities is "Jamaica 300". It was the achievements in industry, commerce, agriculture, education, art, culture and sport. Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret honoured Jamaica 300 with a visit to the island from the 19th to 24th February, 1955. as part of a Caribbean tour.