Jamaica History

The history of Jamaica begins with its indigenous inhabitants, the Taíno people. They called the island "Xaymaca," meaning "Land of Wood and Water." The Taíno were skilled at farming and fishing and had a complex society with a chiefdom structure.

Spanish Rule: In 1494, Christopher Columbus arrived in Jamaica during his second voyage to the Americas. The Spanish subsequently claimed the island for Spain. The Spanish colonization led to the decimation of the Taíno population through disease, enslavement, and violence.