JAMAICA

Jamaica was discovered by Cristofor Colon in 1494, and was later occupied by Diego Colon (son of the discoverer) in 1509.In 1655 was invaded by England, who introduce the cultivation of sugarcane. The abolition of slavery, in 1833, caused problems in the system of plantations. The banana plantation was introduced in 1870, which marked the installation of large foreign companies engaged in the exploitation of the fruit as the United Fruit Company.Between 1958 and 1962 he joined the Federation of the West Indies. In 1962 independence was achieved in the UK, within the Commonwealth.A significant economic growth, approximately 7% annually, scored the first ten years of independence under conservative governments led by Prime Ministers Alexander Bustamante, Donald Sangster and Hugh Shearer. This economic growth was closely linked to investments in the bauxite, turism, manufacturing and to a lesser extent, agriculture. Jamaica is a mayor regional tourist hub, the economic weight of which grew in the 90s with the help of substantial foreign investment. Its economy centers on tourism in addition to sugar production and the mining of bauxite.