Jamaica: Land of Inspiration Jamaica is full of diversity. From religion, to origins and even geography, Jamaica is constantly evolving. From towering mountains to warm sandy beaches, Jamaica is a sight to behold. However, Jamaica has not always been a happy and carefree place. The Jamaican people have suffered from war, disease and slavery. Jamaica is a small, beautiful country that thrives on culture and should be studied by everyone around the world. Geography and climate Jamaica has a wide range of geographies. The geography varies from mountains, forests, coastal plains, scattered hills and even plateaus (“History”). Although Jamaica is a small country, it is the largest island in the Commonwealth Caribbean. Along the southern coast of Jamaica there are many small islands. Jamaica is located 118 miles west of Haiti and 90 miles south of Cuba (“Geography”). Climate varies as much as geography. The climate on the beaches of Jamaica will be different from that of the mountains. At sea level the climate is tropical. In the mountainous areas the climate is temperate. May and October are the two wettest months of the year (“History”). History Jamaica's history is characterized by war and slavery. Because of these things, it has been harder for the Jamaican people to prosper. The Arawaks of South America were the first to settle in Jamaica. In 1517 the Spanish brought the first African slaves to Jamaica. When the Spanish invaded the country, they began to exterminate the Arawaks, but they were also wiped out by years of disease and slavery. 138 years after the first slaves were brought to Jamaica, the English took the island and gained full control. In 1834, slavery was abolished by the British Parliament ("Ja... in the center of the map... plays a role in making Jamaica what it is today. Works Cited "Geography of Jamaica". Princeton University. Web. 19 May 2014. “History Notes: Information on the Culture and Heritage of Jamaica.” National Library of Jamaica, n.d. Web, May 15, 2014. “Jamaica Background Notes on Countries of the World.” Web. May 12, 2014 “Jamaican Cuisine a 'Carnival of Tastes and Flavors'” Student Research Center, September 12, 2012. Web. May 15, 2014. “Jamaican Food; Center, February 25, 2007. Web, May 15, 2014. Ruhlmann, William “What is World Music?”, n.d. Web, May 9, 2014. “The Dread Library.” May 14, 2014. Amy Witherbee “Jamaica Student Research Center, 2011. Web.” 2014.