A little dis, a little data I'm sure everyone in the audience has heard of Jamaica. My question is: what do you know about Jamaica? I don't mean to put you on the spot, but if what you know about Jamaica is something along the lines of "rum, beaches, waterfalls, tropical weather and jerk food", then that's probably it. everything you would expect from a holiday. I'm just saying there's a lot more to Jamrock than that. Educating yourself about Jamaica's history, early settlers, culture and migrations might whet your appetite for more than just the beaches.HistoryJamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean after Cuba and Hispaniola. It is also the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean. Jamaicans speak English and speak it eloquently, but with their own musical cadence. Jamaica is 51 miles wide and 146 miles long. It was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1494. It was a slave colony until 1833 when slavery was abolished. Part of its story is told by the food Jamaicans eat. Cassava grown by the Arawaks is used today as "bammie, with fried fish. The Maroons, who were always on the run from slavery, devised a way to spice and slow-cook pork that they called "jerking." (Information and background on Jamaica, 1 October 2011) The first settlers The island was first inhabited by a group of peaceful settlers called Arawak Indians who had lived there as early as 600 AD. When the first tourist (Christopher Columbus) arrived in 1494, he described the island as "the most beautiful land my eyes have ever seen", (Discover Jamaica). Like most visitors today, he could not stay away and on his fourth voyage he conquered the island for Spain 1655 the English attacked and captured the island from the Spanish, ...... middle of paper ......” Personally, I am one of those immigrants. My family moved here in the early seventies. Why ? abroad in search of opportunity. The Jamaican perception of the United States is that it is a land of opportunity. Jamaicans immigrated to the United States as early as the 1800s. In a short time, JamaicansIn ConclusionSo, when you visit Jamaica, enjoy its beauty, savor its history, experience its culture, and learn about its people. The Jamaican people are an example to the world... they show how people of different cultures, skin colours, religious backgrounds and ethnic origins can meet and live together as one people... in friendship, in harmony, happy and smiling, and with a relaxed attitude of "No Problem Mon - Soon Come"... whatever fate brings our way. (Jamaica-no-Problem.com)