Here are some key facts about the history of Jamaica, this one being very rich we will provide you with more information during your visit and during the cultural briefing:`

• The first inhabitants were the Arawks, Indians of South America.

• The explorer Christopher Columbus visited the island in 1494 and that is how Spain began to dominate. They enslaved the Arwaks to cultivate sugar and tobacco. They quickly died because of the difficult living conditions in which they were forced to live. The Arwaks disappeared about 100 years after the Spanish rules, then African slaves were imported.

• The British seized the island in 1655 and continued to import slaves. During this period, Jamaica became the world's largest sugar producer.

• In 1692, an earthquake destroyed Port Royal.

• Fugitive slaves called the Maroons fought with the British in the hills of Jamaica and gained independence to live in the hills in 1739.

• The emancipation of slaves in 1838

• Kingston became the capital in 1872. Before that Spanish Town was the capital city

• Jamaica was the largest sugar producer and contract workers from China and India were brought to Jamaica to continue sugar production. The migration of contract workers has contributed to Jamaican culture.

• Jamaica gained its independence from the British on 6 August 1962.

• Alexander Bustamante became the first elected Prime Minister of Jamaica.

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