Though a small nation, Jamaican culture has a strong global presence. The musical genres reggae, ska, mento, rocksteady, dub, 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. and Heavy D, are of Jamaican descent. Internationally known reggae musician Bob Marley was also Jamaican.

ONE OF THE MOST

IMPORTANT ARTISTS AND RECOGNIZED

IN THE WORLD,

WHERE IT WAS VERY

IMPORTANTIN REGGAE

ONE OF THE MOST

IMPORTANT ARTISTS AND RECOGNIZED

IN THE WORLD,

WHERE IT WAS VERY

IMPORTANTIN REGGAE

SCRATCH" PERRY

PETER TOSH

BUNNY WAILER

JIMMY CLIFF

OTHER ARTISTS

•BERES HAMMOND •BEENIE MAN

• BIG YOUTH •DESMOND DEKKER

DENNIS BROWN SHAGGY

GRACE JONES

•I WAYNE•SEAN PAUL

•BUJU BANTON

•BOUNTY KILLER

•SUPER CAT

•SHABBA RANKS

National Bird — Doctor Bird (Red-billed Streamertail Hummingbird, Trochilus polytmus)

•National Flower – Lignum vitae (Guiacum officinale)

•National Fruit — Ackee (Blighia sapida)

National Tree — Blue Mahoe (Hibiscus talipariti elatum)

TIPICAL FOODBammy =This fried bread is made from cassava flúor and is served with fried fish.

Bulla = A spicy bun.

Bun =A favorite Easter dish, bun is a spicy bread eaten with cheese.

Myal Maroon, Kumina, Revival, Rastafari, Jonkonnu y Hosay.

Tipical dances =

Jamaica has 14 parishes, each having its own flavor. The most picturesque being Portland, St. Ann's, Manchester and Westmoreland.

TOURIST PLACES

Dunn's River Falls, which is located in Ocho Rios,

the former home of Annie Palmer. The mansion sits on several acres of lush Jamaican greenery. It now serves as a tourist attraction