Why is Jamaica such a popular resort?

МОУ СОШ № 65 с углублённым изучением

английского языка Ворошиловского района

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Тема: «Why is Jamaica such a popular resort?»

Наименование предмета: Культуроведение

Автор работы:

Сапак Валентина Анатольевна

Ученица 9 класса «Б»

г. Ростов-на-Дону 2009год

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Culture

3. Recreational Activities

4. National park of Jamaica

5. Conclusion

6. Recources

7. Appendices

1. Introduction

Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, 234 kilometres (145 mi) in length and as much as 80 kilometres (50 mi) in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. It is about 145 kilometres (90 mi) south of Cuba, and 190 kilometres (120 mi) west of the island of Hispaniola, on which Haiti and the Dominican Republic are situated. Its indigenous Arawakan-speaking Taino inhabitants named the island Xaymaca, meaning the "Land of Wood and Water", or the "Land of Springs".Formerly a Spanish possession known as Santiago, it later became the British West Indies Crown colony of Jamaica. It is the third most populous anglophone country in the Americas, after the United States and Canada.

2. Culture

Culture of Jamaica is very attractive for many people. Though a small nation, Jamaica is rich in culture, and has a strong global presence. The musical genres reggae, ska, mento, rocksteady, dubs, and, more recently, dancehall and ragga all originated in the island's vibrant popular urban recording industry. Jamaica also played an important role in the development of punk rock, through reggae and ska. Reggae has also influenced American rap music, as they both share their roots as rhythmic, African styles of music. Some rappers, such as the Notorious B.I.G., were of Jamaican descent. Internationally known reggae musician Bob Marley was born in Jamaica and is very respected there. Many other internationally known artists were born in Jamaica including Lee "Scratch" Perry, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Big Youth, Jimmy Cliff, Dennis Brown, Desmond Dekker, Beres Hammond, Beenie Man, Shaggy, Grace Jones, Shabba Ranks, Supercat, Buju Banton, Sean Paul, I Wayne, Capleton, Bounty Killer and many others. Famous band artist groups that came from Jamaica include Black Uhuru, Third World Band, Inner Circle, Chalice Reggae Band, Fab Five, and Morgan Heritage. The genre jungle emerged from London's Jamaican diaspora. The birth of hip-hop in New York also owed much to the city's Jamaican community. Ian Fleming, who lived in Jamaica, repeatedly used the island as a setting in the James Bond novels, including Live and Let Die, Doctor No, For Your Eyes Only, The Man with the Golden Gun and Octopussy. In addition, James Bond uses a Jamaica-based cover in Casino Royale. So far, the only Bond film to have been set in Jamaica is Doctor No. However, filming for the fictional island of San Monique in Live and Let Die took place in Jamaica. The American film Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise, is one of the most popular films to depict Jamaica. A look at delinquent youth in Jamaica is presented in the 1970s cops-and-robbers musical film The Harder They Come, starring Jimmy Cliff as a frustrated (and psychopathic) reggae musician who descends into a murderous crime spree. Errol Flynn lived with his third wife Patrice Wymore in Port Antonio in the 1950s. He was responsible for developing tourism to this area, popularising raft trips down rivers on bamboo rafts. 1

One of parts of Jamaican culture is Dance. There is a well-known adage asserting proudly that the heart of the Jamaican people has never ceased to dance. It's true - dancing is an integral part of everyday Jamaican life. We dance everywhere and for all occasions - for worship, cultural celebrations, formal events and social gatherings. Once there's music, hips gyrate, hands start to clap, and everyone - old and young alike - finds themselves moving to the infectious rhythmic beat. Shaped by a mixture of European and African influences, Jamaican dance forms have evolved. From the "jonkonnu" steps practiced by slaves at Christmas time, to the post-Emancipation "bruckins", the liberating "ska" of a newly independent nation to the vibrant, sometimes challenging choreography of the dancehall - our heritage in dance reflects the evolution of our cultural identity. We have "Jamaicanised" traditional European dances, such as maypole and quadrille, performing them to the sounds of our homegrown "mento" music. Similarly, dances such as the "gerreh", the "dinki-mini" and "ettu" reflect our African heritage, but are also satirical commentaries on plantation life. These dances form the backbone of modern Jamaican dance forms. Local clubs and HQs, reverberating with pounding beats of Dancehall music, are breeding grounds for new dance moves. Jamaicans and visitors alike are barely able to keep track of the many new dances that surface at a rapid pace. You can bet that almost every month there will be a new style, no less exciting, entertaining or exhilarating than the previous. From the dancehall to the stage, hip street styles give way to elaborate contortions and clever choreography. The Edna Manley School of Dance, the National Dance Theatre Company and other recognised groups also keep Jamaica's dance tradition alive with regular shows. The themes of these performances sometimes explore the issues facing the nation, or reflect the artistic expressions of the performers with well-rehearsed and synchronised formations. These Jamaican ensembles have received both local and international acclaim, exposing our dance forms to our people and the world. Dancing is a vital part of the Jamaican lifestyle. Whether as a means of enjoyment, entertainment or expression, the ability 2to move the body freely is essential to our identity as a people. To experience Jamaica is to dance with us.

The next and the most popular patr of Jamaican culture is Reggae music. When you think of Reggae music, the first name that comes to mind is Bob Marley. Even though we first met Bob Marley in the 70s, the name still lingers to this day, because he was the man who turned Jamaican Reggae music into an international phenomenon, and with the help of a few others along the way established reggae as a worldwide genre of music. Reggae was an evolution of what had been happening in Jamaican music, and was the next evolutionary step up from the other types of Jamaican music that had been enjoyed before it. These styles were Ska, and rock steady. Reggae music History began with Jazz. As Jazz swept across the globe with the help of radio broadcasts and records in the 1940s, Jamaica was not immune to the fever and bands began to spring up everywhere to entertain the tourists. Names like trombonist Don Drummond, and sax player Tommy McCook began their careers. In the 50s Jazz, Bebop become the new rage and Jazz orchestras began to fade in favor of a new youthful type of music, the rage spread all over the world including to Jamaica. Jamaica first started their own label of music in the 50s. When there was a lack of R&B releases, Edward Sega, the man who was to become the president of Jamaica, was first known as the founder of a company called WIRL, or West Indian Records Limited, this company began releasing the work of local artists. Many more recorders began to follow suit, once the pressing plants were established on the island, the Jamaican recording industry was born. By the 1960s ska was the first unique style of music developed by the Jamaicans, giving them their own identity. This was a welcome change for Jamaicans who were finding that their versions of R&B didn't have the same appeal as the originals. Prince Buster is believed to be the founding father of Ska, when he set up a record production and in one session created 13 songs for his new label Wild Bells. Prince Buster had asked Derrick Morgan to come and sing, and the 13 songs all turned out to be hits. Over the course of the 13-song session, they found something new, by melding the rhythm of traditional mento music, and adding R&B, they changed Jamaican music history. The crowds loved the new music, and the new music fitted in with the mood of the times, especially with Jamaica receiving independence. The people were glad to embrace anything that was unique to Jamaica. Ska was made by the working class Jamaicans, and told their stories. The other record makers followed suit, in order to compete with buster.

Also Jamaican cuisine is as diverse as their people, as unique as Jamaica island. If there's one thing that Jamaican people love it's a “likkle bickle”. They enjoy theirs food, and for good reason too. There in Jamaica, Mother Nature has blessed us with fertile ground and a near-perfect tropical climate. For instance, they have so many varieties of mangoes that we have run out of names and have simply started to number them. Somehow, everything that grows in Jamaica seems just a little sweeter, just a little more flavourful. Maybe it's the sun. Maybe it's the touch of love they put into planting, reaping and cooking. There's a lot that goes into Jamaican cuisine. Jamaican people arrived from all corners of the globe, bearing favourite ingredients. But on a small island, nothing stays the same for long, and necessity dictates that everything be modified - creatively, flavourfully, and with a little bit of life in every bite. They use cassava from our native Arawaks, pickled meats and fish brought by the Europeans, yams and bananas brought by the Africans and curry by the East Indians. Put it all together, add some more spice, and what do you get? Although many quality gourmet and fusion restaurants around the world use Jamaicans famous jerk sauce and serve their highly acclaimed Blue Mountain Coffee, most things taste better when they are made there. At Boston, the heavily pimento-spiced jerk leaves a lasting tingle, while Middle Quarters' pepper shrimps heats the senses with a passionate intensity. Miss May from Hellshire challenges anyone, even the Spanish, to prepare Escovietch fish better than she does. In addition to tasting better, there are some dishes available only on the island. Good luck trying to find Cow Foot Stew or Goat Head Soup anywhere but in a Jamaican kitchen. So whether you prefer gourmet cuisine or Grandma's cooking, there on Jamaica you'll be sure to learn something new, taste something different, and leave full and happy.

Popular Jamaican Recipes:

Stamp an' Go (Codfish fritters)

Jerk

Coconut Gizzada (Pinch-me-roun')

Rum Punch (Needs no interpretation!)

All things considered Jamaican culture attracts many people, because it combines many different customs and traditions.

3. Recreational Activities

Rafting is one of the most popular activities in Jamaica. Rafting or whitewater rafting is a challenging recreational activity utilizing a raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on whitewater or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this activity as a leisure sport has become popular since the mid 1970s. Rafts were originally the simplest form of man's transportation in water and were then made of several logs, planks or reeds which were fastened together. Nowadays, inflatable boats are used as rafts. This type of boat has been adopted by the military for beach assaults. It consists of very durable, multi-layered rubberized or vinyl fabrics with several independent air chambers. Its length varies between 3.5 m (11 ft) and 6 m (20 ft), the width between 1.8 m (6 ft) and 2.5 m (8 ft). The exception to this size rule is usually the packraft, which is designed as a portable single-person raft and may be as small as 1.5m long and weigh as little as 4 lbs. Rafts come in a few different forms. In Europe, the most common is the symmetrical raft steered with a paddle at the stern. Other types are the asymmetrical, rudder-controlled raft and the symmetrical raft with central helm (oars). Rafts are usually propelled with ordinary paddles and typically hold 4 to 12 persons. In Russia, rafts are often hand made and are often a catamaran style with two inflatable tubes attached to a frame. Pairs of paddlers navigate on these rafts. Catamaran style rafts have become popular in the western United States as well, but are typically rowed instead of paddled.

Jamaica offers visitors plenty of places to climb and hike but the best place to get out and walk (or do more) is the Blue Mountains, stretching some 7,000 feet into the sky above Kingston and the Caribbean Sea beyond. The Blue Mountains, the John Crow Mountains, the Rio Grand Valley and others are best explored with an educated guide, such as those with Valley Hikes - an ecotourism organization. With rushing rivers and verdant forests, meadows and streams, the varied landscape of Jamaica makes for wonderful hikes, where every turn in the path leads to a new discovery. Excursions vary in level of difficulty and guides will educate hikers about the indigenous plants and animals they encounter on the trip.

Negril and its surrounding areas offer the most peaceful diving found in Jamaica, full of caverns and caves for the underwater explorer. There are several highly recommended diving sites that offer guided tours. The Throne Room is located at 65 feet below sea level, this 40-foot-wide cavern is filled wall-to-wall with yellow sponges and provides extraordinary photo opportunities. The Arch offers excellent photography opportunities for red sponges as well. If you are looking for company a little more lively than sponges, visit Rock Cliff Reef or Sharks Reef. Rock Cliff is excellent for observing eels in their natural environment, and Sharks Reef, as its name suggests, is home to many nursing sharks.

The Montego Bay area also offers several unique diving opportunities. Most of the diving sites in MoBay are contained within the Montego Bay Marine Park, which was created in 1990 to help preserve the natural underwater beauty of Jamaica's surrounding sea area. The most famous Montego Bay diving site is Widowmaker's Cave. Enter this cave at 80 feet below sea-level and twist and turn your way back up the 10-foot-wide chimney at 35 feet below. If looking for a more large scale tour, the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory offers outings along the northern coastal area, and those interested should contact the lab when they arrive. Among the many recommended diving sites in Jamaica, Runaway Bay is the closest to shore and offers fantastic dive opportunities. Other sites, like Spanish Anchor and Shipwreck Reef and Canyon are great for observing sponges, sea whips and different corals. Ricky's Reef at 90 feet below is a great area to see and photograph gorgonions and lettuce coral. The most astonishing of the Ocho Rios sites is the man-made sunken ship reef. This artificial reef site was created recently when Fantasy Divers, the National Resources Conservation Division and the Port Authority worked together to sink a non-working old minesweeper to create a habitat for fish, coral and to protect the local beaches. Those wishing to go diving at the sunken city of Port Royal, which sank underwater after the earthquake of 1692, will need to obtain special permission from Jamaican authorities. This is probably best done through local dive operators, who will have the most current and and up-to-date information regarding rules about Port Royal.

The best snorkeling in Jamaica is offered in Montego Bay. Doctor's Cave Beach features one of the most accessible spots. Get fitted with snorkeling gear by local tour guides and head out, independently or with a guide, to explore the crystal clear waters where warm mineral spring water meets the ocean.For the more daring, head across the channel to explore the Coyoba, Seaworld and Royal Reefs. Each of these reefs are full of wildlife, including barjacks, blue and brown chromis, yellow-headed wrasses, and spotlight parrotfish. Here, be sure to hire a guide as the water is farther from shore and a bit rougher.

Although only 10 courses serve the entire country, each has its own distinct character, and you can expect a golfing experience in Jamaica to be a departure from the typical North American links experience.A trip to Jamaican courses can guarantee, among other things, stellar service.Caddies in Jamaica are expertly trained and very familiar with the nuances of their courses. Each golfer receives individual attention from his or her own caddie, unlike busier golf locations where caddies may be serving one or two golfers at once. One of Jamaica's most serious golf locations is the Tryall Golf Club, about an hour west of Montego Bay. Founded by Texans in the 1950s, the resort is a collection of upscale homes owned by North Americans and Europeans. Tryall is a private resort area, and many golfers are also renters or owners of the resort's villas. If you opt out of staying at Tryall, a visit to their course may be arranged through hotel concierges. Staying at Round Hill Hotel, a small upscale hotel just east of Tryall, increases the ease with which such a visit can be arranged. Another main golfing area in Jamaica is the hub of Negril's all-inclusive resorts. Be warned, though, when considering golfing in Negril, the predominant players here are not expert golfers. Rather, you'll encounter many first-timers, or once-a-year types. Regardless, golf at Negril Hills Golf Club is a rare and novel experience, as you travel up and down the elevated tees to the valley fairways, twisting and turning around the guango trees. Some of the best golf on the northern coast of Jamaica is at the Sandals Golf and Country Club. This golf area, formerly known as the Upton Country Club, was in a sad state of disrepair until about two years ago, when Sandals purchased and revamped the area. Manchester Club is home to the Caribbean's oldest golf course. This golfer's treasure is found in the city of Mandeville on Jamaica's South Coast. Only nine holes, it is set in luxurious rolling hills and is worth a visit for aficionados. Other resorts in Jamaica such as Half Moon, Rose Hall and Ironshore in Montego Bay, Breezes, and Sandals, include challenging and fun courses that cater to the golfer with a family. Golfing on the island of Jamaica is a relaxed activity that generally does not require reservations or advanced booking. Making an impromptu decision to hit the links should be easy and can help open your leisure-activity options. 5

All in all, Jamaica has a big range of recreational activities, and therefore many people who like extreme sports love visiting this country.

4. National park of Jamaica

The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge - part of Gateway National Recreation Area - is the only wildlife refuge in the national park system. The refuge's 9,155 acres contain diverse habitats including salt marsh, upland field and woods, several fresh and brackish water ponds and an open expanse of bay available for exploration. At the Visitor Contact Station, a recently built "green" building, rangers can point you in the right direction whether you are interested in bird watching, strolling quiet trails or just experiencing the outdoors. The facility is also home to exhibits which highlight Jamaica Bay's remarkable plant and animal life, history, and how people continue to shape the nature of the bay. A wide range of ranger and volunteer led programs are offered year-round at the site, and include presentations on seasonal wildlife, sunset tours, family programs and an annual lecture series. Check out what's happening at Jamaica Bay. A birder's paradise, there are more than 330 bird species that have been sighted at the refuge over the last 25 years; that is nearly half the species in the Northeast. It is one of the most significant bird sanctuaries in the Northeastern United States and one of the best places in New York City to observe migrating species. The refuge is also home to an impressive array of native reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, over 60 species of butterflies and one of the largest populations of horseshoe crabs in the northeast. Originally managed by the New York City Parks Department, Park Commissioner Robert Moses ordered the creation of two large fresh water ponds in Jamaica Bay - East Pond and West Pond - which are still major parts of the landscape today. In 1972, the city transferred ownership of the refuge to the National Park Service and it became part of Gateway National Recreation Area. 6

Montego Bay Marine Park is one of most popular tour in Jamaica.

This park is an educational adventure about the ocean and its inhabitants. This is Jamaica's first national park, and the very idea of it being completely underwater makes it a fascinating excursion for all age groups. Dozens of tropical fish, their environs and amazing coral reefs are protected under national law. Programs and tours are available to learn about the species that live within the 15 square kilometres of the park. The resource center and the park's headquarters are located at Pier One Marina in Montego Bay. Here you'll find a research centre, reference material, slide shows and books about this ecological oasis. A help desk is also on premises, offering more information about tours. Head to the waterfront to find glass bottomed boat tours. Much of the park comprises mangroves, a valuable ecosystem that can be explored by kayak. Charter boats are also available to take you out to the fish feeding grounds and coral reef areas.7

Eventually National park of Jamaica is a very interesting place for all tourists.

Conclusion

Jamaica, island country, situated in the Caribbean Sea south of Cuba. With its lush mountains and pristine beaches, the island is known for its beautiful natural surroundings and is a popular tourist destination. Today the island's culture and customs blend its British and African roots. Jamaica gained its independence from Britain in 1962 and maintains a strong two-party political system. The island is named after the Native American word Xaymaca, meaning “land of wood and water.”

The terrain is mountainous, except for several tracts of lowlands in the southern coastal area. The principal range, situated in the eastern section of the island, is the Blue Mountains, of which Blue Mountain Peak (2,256 m/7,402 ft) is the highest point on the island. A series of lesser mountains, with many transverse spurs, extends generally west to the extremity of the island, surmounting an extensive plateau. The coastline, 1,022 km (635 mi) long, is irregular, particularly in the south, and the island has a number of excellent natural harbors, including those at Kingston, Saint Ann's Bay, Montego Bay, and Port Maria.

Jamaica is the country unlike any other. It has beautiful National park in Montego Bay; wide range of recreational activities, which includes:hike in mountains, seeing much sightseeing, diving in sea, equestrian, playing golf, rafting and others; and unusual culture, which attract many people.

jamaica culture music activities

Resources

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica

2. http://www.jamaicans.com/

3. http://www.mytravelguide.com/attractions/stattractions-204101-12101-Jamaica_National_Parks.html

4. http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2885970-montego_bay_

marine_park_kingston-i?action=describe

5. http://www.visitjamaica.com/

Appendices

This is map of an island of Jamaica.

Jamaica is divided into 14 parishes, which are grouped into three historic counties that have no administrative relevance.

This is Jamaican flag.

This is Jamaican coat of arms.

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