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'''Jamaica''' is an island nation in the [[Caribbean Sea]] just 95 miles south of [[Cuba]]. Despite its proximity to Cuba, Jamaica is not a [[communist]] state. Rather, the island is governed by a parliamentary [[democracy]] with the help of the Queen of Jamaica. Although the language of Jamaica is [[english]], many foreigners have a hard time understanding it due to the influence of the Rastafari.
==History==
The [[Taino]] people settled on Jamaica over three millenia ago and lived in relative peace until [[Christopher Columbus]] came along in 1494 and claimed the island for [[Spain]]. In 1655, British admiral [[William Penn]] conquered the island and Jamaica began producing [[sugar]] for export to the tea-loving inhabitants of the United Kingdom. Due to its location, Jamaica became a major slave trading hub. [[Slavery]] on the island was abolished in 1934. Jamaica gained independence in 1962.
==Christianity in Jamaica==
Research shows that 65.3% of Jamaica's population is [[Christian]]. The majority being [[Protestant]], which is primarily due to the influence of British colonialism, and the later influence of denominations from the U.S. Today, the five largest denominations in Jamaica are: [[Baptist]], [[Church of God]], [[Seventh-day Adventist]], [[Pentecostal]] and [[Anglican]].
==Rastafarians==
The Rastafarian movement was founded in Jamaica. This heretical movement believes that [[Haile Selassie]] of [[Ethiopia]] is God incarnate, the returned messiah, come to take the lost Twelve Tribes of Israel back to live with him in Holy Mount [[Zion]] in a world of perfect peace, love and harmony. Bob Marley, a convert to the faith, spread the message of Rastafari to the world. There are now estimated to be more than a million Rastafarians throughout the world.
==Culture==
Jamaica is known for its [[reggae]] and dub music, which has gained a wide audience due to artists such as [[Dizzee Rascal]] and [[Bob Marley]]. Due to the influence of Rastafarianism, [[marijuana]] has been cultivated throughout the island. Indians first brought seeds of the plant from Asia and its use spread rapidly among plantation workers. Though it was outlawed, 35% of Jamaicans use the plant at least occasionally to this day. During the 1980s heyday, the annual wholesale value of Jamaica's marijuana crop exceeded $1.5 billion, and the trade had tacit approval at the government level.
==See Also==
* [[Rastafarianism]]
* [[dreadlocks]]
* [[marijuana]]
==History==
The [[Taino]] people settled on Jamaica over three millenia ago and lived in relative peace until [[Christopher Columbus]] came along in 1494 and claimed the island for [[Spain]]. In 1655, British admiral [[William Penn]] conquered the island and Jamaica began producing [[sugar]] for export to the tea-loving inhabitants of the United Kingdom. Due to its location, Jamaica became a major slave trading hub. [[Slavery]] on the island was abolished in 1934. Jamaica gained independence in 1962.
==Christianity in Jamaica==
Research shows that 65.3% of Jamaica's population is [[Christian]]. The majority being [[Protestant]], which is primarily due to the influence of British colonialism, and the later influence of denominations from the U.S. Today, the five largest denominations in Jamaica are: [[Baptist]], [[Church of God]], [[Seventh-day Adventist]], [[Pentecostal]] and [[Anglican]].
==Rastafarians==
The Rastafarian movement was founded in Jamaica. This heretical movement believes that [[Haile Selassie]] of [[Ethiopia]] is God incarnate, the returned messiah, come to take the lost Twelve Tribes of Israel back to live with him in Holy Mount [[Zion]] in a world of perfect peace, love and harmony. Bob Marley, a convert to the faith, spread the message of Rastafari to the world. There are now estimated to be more than a million Rastafarians throughout the world.
==Culture==
Jamaica is known for its [[reggae]] and dub music, which has gained a wide audience due to artists such as [[Dizzee Rascal]] and [[Bob Marley]]. Due to the influence of Rastafarianism, [[marijuana]] has been cultivated throughout the island. Indians first brought seeds of the plant from Asia and its use spread rapidly among plantation workers. Though it was outlawed, 35% of Jamaicans use the plant at least occasionally to this day. During the 1980s heyday, the annual wholesale value of Jamaica's marijuana crop exceeded $1.5 billion, and the trade had tacit approval at the government level.
==See Also==
* [[Rastafarianism]]
* [[dreadlocks]]
* [[marijuana]]