Jamaica

Jamaica, the third-largest island in the Caribbean, is located about 580 miles (933 km) south of Florida. Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1494 and claimed it for Spain. However, Jamaica became a British colony in 1665 and remained under British rule for nearly 300 years. Today, the island has a population of more than 2.8 million, making it the third-largest English speaking country in the Americas after the United States and Canada. Jamaica is a beautiful island that each year draws millions of tourists to its tropical forests, colonial-era cities, and warm, sandy beaches. The island is also known for exports of its natural resources, from sugar, coffee, and bananas to bauxite, a mineral needed to make aluminum. Jamaican musical styles such as reggae and ska, which have become internationally popular, are a major cultural export. There's a lot to discover about Jamaica! Each title in this series contains color photos, maps, a chronology of events related to the country, recipes, list of festivals, ideas for projects and reports, and back matter including: an index, further reading lists for books and internet resources, and a series glossary. Mason Crest's editorial team has placed Key Icons to Look for throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are then used in the prose throughout that chapter, and are emboldened, so that the reader is able to reference back to the definitions- building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader's comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each book and provide readers with suggestions for projects and reports that encourage deeper research and analysis. A Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter contains terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader's knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.