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Information About Jamaica |
Capital: Kingston
Official Language: English
Currency: Jamaican Dollar
Jamaica is an alluring island nation of the Greater Antilles, situated in the Caribbean Sea. The indigenous Taino inhabitants call the island Xaymaca or "Land of Wood and Water". The beautiful Jamaican land was said to be discovered by Columbus. Jamaica is a luxuriant tropical paradise with wonderful beaches, mountains, waterfalls and wildlife. Negril is one of the magnificent beaches of the country with wonderful water sports and diving options. The Blue Mountains and Martha Brae River offer a splendid scenic vista. The towns and cities appear with a contrasting blend of the old and the new. Wonderful old colonial buildings line the city streets along with modern complexes and high rises. Jamaica is famous for its music genres like reggae, ska, mento and rock. It has everything to make a dream vacation turn to reality.
Major Cities of Jamaica
Kingston is the capital city of Jamaica. Other major cities are Spanish Town, Mandeville, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio and Montego Bay. Kingston located in the southwestern part of Jamaica is the administrative, cultural and industrial center of Jamaica. Bob Marley Museum is the most visited place of New Kingston. Spanish Town is the former Jamaican capital and a World heritage site with some of the finest Georgian architecture. Mandeville located on the west of Kingston is a city of beautiful gardens and fruits. Interesting places of visit in Mandeville are Town Square, parish church and a good number of colonial buildings fringing the city streets. Located on the northern coast of Jamaica in the Saint Ann Parish, Ocho Rios is a popular tourist destination. Formerly a dainty fishing village Ocho Rios is well known for scuba diving and other water sports. Port Antonio is an old-fashioned seaside town nestled by the Blue Mountains. Port Antonio was the port capital of Portland in the early periods. Sun kissed beaches and colonial edifices along with some of the finest resorts and villas are to be found in Portland. Long Bay is famous for spectacular diamond-dust beach with several unspoiled fishing villages. Montego Bay is sprawling city with Jamaica's largest airport shopping and cruise line terminal. Montego Bay's coastland is splendid with numerous tourist resorts and lush stretches of sugarcane plantation areas. "White Witch's" Rose Hall in Montego Bay is well known for being the spot of many of James Bond thrillers.
Tourist Attractions of Jamaica
Devon House, Hope Botanical Gardens, Jamaica House, King's House, Kingston Craft Market, Kingston Parish Church, The National Gallery of Art and White Marl Arawak Museum are the major tourist attractions of Kingston. The Spanish Cathedral of St Jago de la Vega is the oldest Anglican Church. Rodney Memorial and Old King's Palace are chief tourist attractions of Spanish Town. Dunn's River Falls is the most visited tourist spot in Ocho Rios. Dunn's River Falls with surrounding springs and lush greeneries is spellbinding. Dolphin Cave in Ocho Rios opportune the tourists to swim and take a glimpse of the dolphins. Rio Grande tempts with unique adventure sports like rafting, kayaking etc. The scenic Somerset Falls nearby are a popular excursion spot.
Montego Bay's Doctor's Cave Beach with azure waters is one of the most famous beaches on the island. Columbus Park, at Discovery Bay is a place of great tourists visit. The museum nearby exhibits antique Jamaican relics. Shaw Park Botanical Gardens in Ocho Rios exhibit fascinating variety of flowers and trees. Falmouth is a pleasure resort on the east of Montego Bay. Rafters Village on the Martha Brae houses a fascinating crocodile farm called Jamaica Swamp Safaris.
Getting Around Jamaica
Some of the major airports of Jamaica are located in Kingston and Montego Bay. Montego Bay's Donald Sangster International Airport serves as a major gateway. Air Jamaica Express is the domestic carrier that offers daily service to/from Kingston, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Chartered Helicopters can also be hired for personalized tours. Buses, taxis and cabs are other popular modes of transport. Buses and coasters, run between Kingston and other major areas. Coasters, or private minibuses have red license plates with the initials 'PPV'. Taxis do not have meters. Hence it is wiser to book the fare in advance. Ferryboats offer scenic cruise amidst the picturesque coastal shores. Railways are other unique transport modes. There are plenty of accommodation options in and around the major cities of Jamaica. From luxury hotels to cheaper accommodation there are options to suit all tastes and budgets. Several wonderful Jamaican resorts are located near Ocho Rios. Sans Souci Couples Resort & Spa, Sandals Grand Ocho Rios, RIU Ocho Rios, Shaw Park Beach Hotel & Spa, Jamaica Inn, Royal Plantation and The Blue House Luxury Bed and Breakfast Inn are some top class accommodation facilities of Jamaica.
For further details and information on Jamaica and its tourist destinations flip through the pages of allwonderscountries.
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