Jamaica+History

History = _ Christopher Columbus encountered Jamaica in 1494. When he landed on the island, it was already inhabited by the Taino and Arawak Indians, who originated in South America. After Columbus' discovery, Spain began to colonize Jamaica and brought with them disease, slavery, and war upon the natives. By the 16th century, the Taino and Arawak Indians were practically exterminated, and the Spanish began to bring in slaves from Africa to do the work they had previously forced the natives to do. In the 1600's, Great Britain took possession of Jamaica from the Spanish. For the next 200 years the English continued to develop the island as one of the world's largest exporter of sugar, coffee, and cocoa. As the island began exporting more products, more African slaves were brought to Jamaica to do the work. By the early 1800's, African slaves outnumbered Europeans by twenty to one, and in 1834, slavery was abolished, freeing over 300,000 people. __  As the years passed by, Jamaica slowly gained independence from Great Britain, but it wasn't until 1962 that Jamaicans were completely freed of British rule. After Jamaica became independent, the economy did well, but after the first decade the economy began deteriorating. As mines and producers leave the island, Jamaica has continued struggling to develop a stable economy. Another reason for the unstable economy is the drug-trafficking, crime, and poverty that penetrate throughout. However, Jamaica has been able to develop a large tourism and resort areas that helps contribute to its economy. =
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