Jamaica

Abstract

Jamaica is one of four islands in the Greater Antilles, which include Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Repub lic), and Puerto Rico. The original inhabitants were the Taínos. Christopher Columbus first arrived at Jamaica in 1494 and returned again at the end of his fourth voyage in 1503. Jamaica remained in the possession of his family until the English captured it in 1655. Its po liti cal status evolved under British domination until its people achieved independence on August 6, 1962. Since then Jamaica has followed a two-party democracy based on the Westminster model.