Jamaica sightseeing. Travel guide - attractions, sights, nature and touristic places

This famous resort has always attracted fans of unhurried beach rest and walks in magnificent surrounding. Bob Marley, the king of reggae music, is one of indigenous people who have made his country internationally famous. He has become a true national hero and one of main landmarks in the country is named after him. This is the Museum of Bob Marley, which exhibits various items that are somehow connected with life and work of the great musician. Visitors of the museum will see newspaper articles and photos that feature important moments in the life of the musician. Discs made of gold and platinum are the most precious items in the museum. The first guitar of Bob Marley and his scenic costumes are also present there.

While exploring Jamaica, consider visiting such sights as the Royal House and St. Catherine’s Cathedral. These landmarks are among the few medieval buildings that have managed to survive. The National Gallery is a great place to see works of local artists. The collection was launched yet in 1920 and has grown much bigger since then. Nowadays, young talents continue exhibiting their works in halls of the famous gallery.

Natural places of interest are even more fascinating than cultural ones. Fern Gully is a very interesting place that is home to several hundred types of the mysterious plant. Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park is the biggest and most famous national park in the country. It’s located in the west of Jamaica and looks like a giant plateau with numerous hills and deep ravines. The park is home to many wild animals and birds. During an excursion in the park you will see wonderful caves and winding paths will guide you to the top of the hills, where it’s possible to see local nature in its full glory. As tropical forests in this region are so dense, guides have to clear the way with machete. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The Crocodile Pond is another miracle of nature. It’s located close to the west coast of the island. As it is easy to guess from its name, the park is dedicated to crocodiles. The most famous resorts of Jamaica are located on the south coast. Tourists, who want to enjoy rest on a secluded beach, are recommended to visit Long Bay, St. Anna’s Bay and Port Royal that has become famous because of numerous interesting legends about pirates of the Caribbean.

History and Entertainment

The discoverer of the island is Christopher Columbus. When he visited these lands in 1494, they were populated by the Indian tribes. The first settlement on the island was formed by the Spanish colonizers in 1509. A hundred years later, there were almost no aborigines on the island. In 1655, the island was conquered by Britons. Exactly they formed the town of Port Royal in the first years of the colonization. In the early years of its existence, the town had a status of “the most sinful city of the Christian world” and a capital of sea robbers. At the end of the 17th century, about 8 000 people resided in the town and almost a quarter of them were pirates. They brought all the treasures they had robbed to the town, so Port Royal flourished in the first years of its existence.

For English colonizers, Jamaica became the largest “sugar” colony. The slaves transferred from African countries worked on their plantations. The foundation of the industry on the island is the production of sugar and famous Jamaica rum that is still one of the national symbols of the country. In the 18th-19th centuries, the development of the colonial country was restrained by constant uprisings of slaves. The first settlements of running slaves were formed on the island at the end of the 17th century.

When slavery was abolished in 1833, English plantations experienced some difficulties: it was impossible to produce sugar and rum. At the end of the 19th century, the island attracted an attention of the USA. The States started to invest in the development of coconut and coffee plantations. Jamaica gained a right of the partial self-government in 1944 and independent from Great Britain in 1962.

The modern country is notable for its eventful cultural life. During the year, decades of festivals and holidays are celebrated here. For fans of reggae, the most significant event is a festival called SunSplash. The fiery Summer Fest is annually held in Montego Bay. Its main guests are fans of music and round-the-clock entertainments. The special holiday on the island is Christmas. The main event of this holiday is a parade in masquerade suits. A lot of Christmas entertainment events are held in the open air and welcome visitors.