Jamaica
Subject
Subject Source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
Scope Note: Comprises island of the same name and surround islets; originally inhabited by Arawaks, who migrated from other islands ca. 700 CE; Spanish colonized 16th century, brought West Africans as slaves for sugar plantations 17th century; British acquired area 1670; Maroons (organized runaway slaves) rebelled 17th-18th centuries; official language is English, though a Jamaican English creole, Spanish, French and African languages are also spoken.