Jamaica, the third-largest island in the Caribbean, is located about 580 miles (933 km) south of Florida. Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1494 and claimed it for Spain. However, Jamaica became a British colony in 1665 and remained under British rule for nearly 300 years. Today, the island has a population of more than 2.8 million, making it the third-largest English speaking country in the Americas after the United States and Canada. Jamaica is a beautiful island that each year draws millions of tourists to its tropical forests, colonial-era cities, and warm, sandy beaches. The island is also known for exports of its natural resources, from sugar, coffee, and bananas to bauxite, a mineral needed to make aluminum. Jamaican musical styles such as reggae and ska, which have become internationally popular, are a major cultural export. There's a lot to discover about Jamaica!
