Interesting Facts About Jamaica and its Culture

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Greater Antilles and the largest English speaking island in the Caribbean.

We were also among the first English speaking Caribbean countries to gain independence.

We are a proud nation despite our numerous socio-economic problems and have excelled and led the world in many areas on the global stage.

map of Jamaica

Sports

  

Jamaica made history in 1997 becoming the first English-speaking Caribbean country to qualify for a World Cup.

Our tiny island has managed to accrue a total of 67 gold medals in the Olympic games dating from 1948 – 2012.

Olympic Games Gold Silver Bronze Total
1948 London 1 2 0 3
1952 Helsinki 2 3 0 5
1956 Melbourne 0 0 0 0
1960 Rome as part of the British West Indies
1964 Tokyo 0 0 0 0
1968 Mexico City 0 1 0 1
1972 Munich 0 0 1 1
1976 Montreal 1 1 0 2
1980 Moscow 0 0 3 3
1984 Los Angeles 0 1 2 3
1988 Seoul 0 2 0 2
1992 Barcelona 0 3 1 4
1996 Atlanta 1 3 2 6
2000 Sydney 0 6 3 9
2004 Athens 2 1 2 5
2008 Beijing 6 3 2 11
2012 London 4 4 4 12
2016 Rio de Janeiro
Total 17 30 20 67

Our tally of gold medals in the most recent Olympic games is a testament to the phenomenal feats Jamaicans are capable of achieving. Sprint mega stars such as Shelly Anne Fraser, Usain “Lightning” Bolt,  and Yohan Blake are now household names across the globe. It should be noted that we are not only fast on the track. Jamaicans are spirited drivers – both males and females. 🙂

Music

With regards to music, we have produced such an extensive list of prominent  and influential names that even attempting to list a small fraction of them would require too many pages. The name “Bob Marley” is sure to be recognized on every facet of the planet. Besides the obvious Reggae music, Jamaicans have played major roles in the creation of other genres of music namely, Hip- Hop and Reggae-ton.

The Jamaican Attitude

If you are unfamiliar with life in Jamaica you will quickly realize upon your arrival here that Jamaicans are very easy going. Despite the stresses and hardships being faced by a lot of Jamaicans on a daily basis, you will still get a warm smile from many people. The popular saying “No Problem Mon” is not a marketing stunt. It is an oft used saying here. Having said that, Jamaican people do not take kindly to disrespect or condescending remarks. The average Jamaican is not afraid to “step to yuh” (approach or accost in an aggressive fashion) if he or she is being threatened.

  

We as Jamaicans tend to follow our own ‘Jamaican time’. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is not adhered to as strictly as it should be which is not a good thing – but being laid back has its drawbacks. 🙂 (Note many Jamaicans are punctual people)

Nyammings AKA Food

Jamaican cuisine is infused with influences from all over the world as our inhabitants arrived from various places around the world. The validity of  the country’s motto “Out of Many One People” is showcased not only by the varying ethnic groups that reside here but also by the variety of  mouth watering foods available. Our national dish is Ackee and Saltfish. When prepared properly, this delicacy will leave anyone yearning for more.

ackee and saltfish

Other popular dishes include, Brown Stew Chicken, Curry goat/mutton, Jamaican patties (beef, chicken, vegetarian), Oxtail with broad beans, rice and peas, and jerk chicken just to name a few but you get the gist. There is no shortage of tasty meals in Jamaica.

There is  literally a plethora of topics I could have touched on regarding this tiny island and its culture but I chose to briefly highlight just a few areas to spare my fingers from typing an epistle and also to spare you, the ‘loyal’ visitors from reading one. 🙂

I LOVE MY COUNTRY  and I view myself as an ambassador for Jamaica. I always try to enlighten foreigners about this wonderful nation and invite them to visit as their arrivals are beneficial to the continued growth of our tourism industry. If you haven’t decided on the destination for your next vacation, make the decision now and hop on over to the land of wood and pristine WATA.

Jamaica is unlike any other country not only because of its spectacular beauty. What sets us apart are the People. We have an infectious way of speaking and doing things that is adored and emulated all over the world. Regardless of where you’re from, when you’re  here, you instantly get that ‘IRIE’ vibe.

You know “Every Little Ting is Gonna Be Alright”.

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Keith Wint
10 years ago

God bless Jamaica, the progress of black liberation would not have made advancement world wide, had it not been for the contribution of Jamaicans.

Keith Wint
10 years ago

God bless Jamaica, the progress of black liberation would not have made advancement world wide, had it not been for the contribution of Jamaicans.

Quagie Brooks
10 years ago

Hey Donovan yuh memba yuh fling stone buss mi head aah teck up mi mable them aah run when we in a grade 5?

Andre Mozart Rosicky Sinclair

This is full of so many facts

Angella Anderson
10 years ago

MI proud a mi island, sweet, sweet JA.

Kenisha Edwards
10 years ago

Sweet JAMAICA

Norma Francis-Hewitt
10 years ago

Delightfully light-hearted. I roam a bit and have experienced all kinds of treatment for being Jamaican. I know it’s envy, fear, (reverse) respect. No matter where I roam I make no apologies for being a PROUD, FEARLESS, ARROGANT, HUMBLE JAMAICAN – a real enigma. JAMAICA TO THE WORLD!

Thasha Davidson
10 years ago

Sweet Sweet Jamaica, mi miss mi yawd,

Shanique Blake
10 years ago

and so say all of us….hush hon

France Mcdonald
10 years ago

Jamaica a MY home , well equipped with all the finer things in life.Even in the face of adversity,”No ProblemMon”.

France Mcdonald
10 years ago

Jamaica a MY home , well equipped with all the finer things in life.Even in the face of adversity,”No ProblemMon”.

Jackey Panton
10 years ago

very good we jamaicans must always love and show respect to each others we need it , jamaicans who are living in foreign countrys like germany they must come together everyone just live for them self respect.
http://www.jjevents.eu

Marcia Mayne
10 years ago

Cool facts, Andrew. We likkle but we tallawah! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.

Andrew Mcleod
10 years ago
Reply to  Marcia Mayne

sure thing – thanks for reading 🙂

Don Dadda Steele
10 years ago

Keep up the good works. Jah Bless

Maia Chung
10 years ago

this is pretty interesting.

Pradeep Kumar
10 years ago
Reply to  Maia Chung

Good night

Amanda Zap
10 years ago

Visited Jamaica for the first time in March. I still have a hard time describing it’s beauty, I am left in awe. I loved it & cannot wait to return! 🙂

Andrew Mcleod
10 years ago
Reply to  Amanda Zap

I am glad you like it here – keep coming and thanks for reading 🙂

Rich Harrison
10 years ago

The caribbean area code since the 1456 has always been 876 dial 1Jamaica the world knows that,it is only a handful a

Andrew Mcleod
10 years ago

.

Roger Datovernout Mckenzie

I love dis country!

Ssuper Ddaddy
10 years ago

The food made me hungry.

Kam Chen
10 years ago

jamaica land we love..sweeet sweet jamaica nah left yah.

Farhad Jacob
10 years ago
Reply to  Kam Chen

Hows jm i wanna visit

Sandra Grannum Ebanks
10 years ago

Awesome Bio of our small Island!

Sandra Grannum Ebanks
10 years ago

Awesome Bio of our small Island!

Starbwoy Unstopable Nanco

This is wat we need put out in the world history is gud

Michael G Channer
10 years ago

a total of 67 medals, Gold medals are 17 up to LONDON 2012, I LOVE MY COUNTRY JAMAICA, A TRULY BLESSED ISLAND FILLED WITH PEOPLE, PLANTS, WATER AND THE LIST GOES ON & ON………..

Fuschia Candy
10 years ago

Jamaica holds a special place in God’s heart as we have been spared time and time again we are resilient people.We are strong and proud just as God intended us to be.you pick we up you lick we dong.we hade fi dead!

Diamond Wright
10 years ago

I LOVE Jamaica Mon

Diamond Wright
10 years ago

I LOVE Jamaica Mon

Ariana Santana Allen
10 years ago

love Jamaica its very rich in its culture and music

Karlene Ruddock
10 years ago

Words cannot emphasise how much I love my island; JAMAICA!!!!!!

Beverley Robinson
10 years ago

Awesome portral of Jamaica

Godfrey Harris- McLean
10 years ago

you noted about sports , we have acheved great things otherwise , agriculterally and otherwise

Earl Ricketts Sr.
10 years ago

Greatest country on earth and the most blessed Island in the world yard nice

Eneis Braham-Franklin
10 years ago

Love my island

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Arian DeQyd Hendricks
9 years ago

Great read.

Sharon A. Hylton
9 years ago

Being born in Jamaica but not raised there. I agree that Jamaicans have a way to make one feel at ease. their colorful colloquialisms and “just kool nuh man” attitude is very the attitude of most Jamaicans that I have met.

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Chevelle Fullerton
9 years ago

me love me sweet sweet jamaica we have a saying go one one coco full basket

Dave Clarke
9 years ago

I am very, very prejudiced when it comes to Jamaica, so, when I say that it is the best country in the universe, people believe that I am being way too subjective and way to superlative, so, I’ll tone it down a bit and just say, modestly, that it is the best country in our galaxy.

Alex Dteacha Brissett
8 years ago

tek it to dem

Ancel Thomas
8 years ago

really nice !!!

Vincent W Fotboll
8 years ago

rast clar

John Lofters
8 years ago

i love when i read good things about our country. we are not all that bad. i am telling you it “s a wonderful place to be. mis clarke you are doing,saying great things about our lang that we love. blessing be with you

George Bond
8 years ago

your blog sounds like a tourist advert..!..x

Syd Fraser
8 years ago

Luv mi country

Greg Wilmot
8 years ago

Not just the largest English-speaking country in the Caribbean – the largest English speaking national population in the Western Hemisphere south of Miami.

Franklyn Jaghroo
8 years ago

I am proud to be a JAMACIAN. OUT OF MANY ONE PEOPLE.