ORIGIN OF THE ISLAND
Prehistoric Jamaica was volcanic, and the mountains soar to 7,402
feet. These mountains run all through the island’s centre, with a
narrow coastal plain on either side. Some 150 rivers, numerous
waterfalls and an abundance of trees and flowering plants are found
across the island, earning Jamaica the title “land of wood and
water.”
Jamaica has great central plains, fertile agricultural lands,
towering cliffs, magnificent waterfalls, dense tropical forests and
eternal summer.
During
the ages, vast changes took place in this region of the earth's
crust. The land subsided beneath the sea. When it rose again only
the highest parts of it appeared above the surface of the sea.
These formed the Caribbean islands, which have remained separate
and distinct islands ever since. Jamaica has a variety of
underground caves and offshore reefs, and safe, naturally filtered
drinking water. The high mountains of the east feature misty pine
trees and in the north, flowers abound. There are also rain forests
and rolling plains that, except for the occasional palm tree, are
reminiscent fo the south of England. The south resembles the
African savannah or Indian plains, and has alternating black and
white sand beaches as well as mineral
springs.
Runaway
Bay
Slaves
escaped from the island here in canoes. In this town are the
intriguing limestone Green Grotto Caves which lead to an
underground lake. Further along the coast, the Seville Estate is
the site of Sevilla Nueva, the first Spanish settlement in
Jamaica.
OCHO RIOS (Ochee)
Ocho Rios lays roughly 108km (67 miles) east of Montego Bay. The
name is said to have come from the old Spanish word for roaring
river or, in modern Spanish, eight rivers. Ocho Rios was once a
sleepy fishing village, and although there are now resort
facilities, international hotels and restaurants offering a variety
of cuisines, the town has kept something of the sleepy atmosphere
of small-town Jamaica.
Ocho Rios is in the middle of the island's long north coast and is
particularly noted for spectacular waterfalls, working Plantations,
beaches, busy modern cruise ships and beautiful tropical
gardens.
Ocho Rios is also known as the garden-lover’s paradise, and the
Shaw Park Botanical Gardens exhibit a fascinating variety of the
area’s exotic flora, for which the town is celebrated. Not
surprisingly, two of the most popular tours available are to
working plantations at Brimmer Hall and Prospect where sugar,
bananas and spices are still grown and harvested, using many of the
traditional skills handed down through generations.
