Environment

Legend has it that returning from his second voyage of discovery in 1494 Christopher Columbus described Jamaica as ‘the most beautiful island that eyes had beheld’.  Jamaica, the third largest of the Caribbean islands is a mountainous country with almost half of its land mass over 305 m.  The landscape is considerably varied, characterized by coral sands, coastal plains and the heavily forested Blue Mountains which rise to 7,402 ft. 

There are over 120 rivers, from unexpected mountain springs to navigable rivers flowing to the coast.  An 18^th Century writer described Jamaica’s numerous waterfalls as “sublime and beautiful objects frequently met with”. The island’s rich bio-diversity has made it a delight for the nature lover. Over 252species of birds are found in Jamaica, 24 of these, including the national bird, the Streamer tailed Humming bird or the Doctor Bird, are found nowhere else.  The giant swallow tail butterfly, with a wingspan of up to six inches is another among the island’s many endemic species.  Jamaica can claim over 500 species of fern, and some 200 native species of orchids. 

The island’s renowned woods include the mahogany, fine furniture from which is found in every gracious Jamaican home, the blue mahoe (the national tree), the Lignum vitae, which produces the national flower and whose strongly striped wood is a favourite among Jamaican craftsmen; cedar, Spanish elm, satinwood and others.   Jamaica has some 50 species of coral and a wide variety of sponges and seaweed of exceptional beauty, making its waters a diver’s paradise.  

Underground caves, rolling plains, verdant vistas, giant trees aflame with flowers and the little Jamaican tody making its nest in a hole in the ground, all combine in a glorious song to nature which Jamaica gladly shares with all who visit her shores.