Facts About The Amazing History Of Jamaica

Jamaica’s history is indeed a vibrant and rich on. It actually speaks to experiences of both hardships and prosperity. Most of all, it speaks about the growth as well as the determination of people.

Interesting Facts About Jamaica’s History

Jamaica was inhabited by Arawak Indians when Christian Columbus explored it in 1494. He claimed it for Spain and named it “St. Iago”. In 1965, the Spanish were evicted forcibly by the British at Ocho Rios. Buccaneers operated from Port Royal (the capital) until it fell into the sea in 1692 during an earthquake.

Lots of West Africans have fled into the mountains when the English has captured Jamaica to live with the Tainos. Later, they became known as the Jamaican Maroons.

Did you know that Jamaica became the leading sugar-producing nation in the world? This happened during the first 200 years of British rule.

Have you heard about the Christmas Rebellion of 1831-32? This was a 10-day revolt, which was led by Samuel Sharpe, a preacher. This was considered the largest slave uprising in the British West Indies. About 60,000 slaves demanded freedom along with a working wage of half the going rate. It was later suppressed by the British forces. About 500 slaves were killed then.

In 1985, another rebellion happened. This was the Morant Bay Rebellion, which involved about 300 Jamaicans wanting the right to vote along with an improvement in their economic and social standards. Again, the rebellion was brutally smashed by the British forces, with 793 Jamaicans killed and more than 600 flogged.

It was only in 1944 that the first general election took place, along with a new constitution and elected House of Representative. Jamaica also became a part of the 1958 Federation of the West Indies, which was a union of all British colonies in the Caribbean, before gaining its independence in 1962.

In February 1962, the constitution of Jamaica was drafted and implemented. The country became independent on August 6, 1962, with Alexander Bustamante as Prime Minister.

Trivia Info Resource: www.wejamaicansbelike.com

Some Of The Most Luxurious And Expensive Items You Will Find In Dubai

It isn’t surprising to know that Dubai is home to some of the most expensive and luxurious items in the world. After all, this emirate has been considered by many the “playground of millionaires.”

So what are these expensive and truly luxurious items you can only find in Dubai? Here are some of them:

The most expensive cocktail. Served at the Skyview Bar, Burj Al Arab, the “Diamonds Are Forever” cocktail is one of the world’s most expensive alcoholic drinks today. This costly concoction is a mixture of L’Heraud Grand Champagne Cognac, Luxor 24k Gold Flake Champagne, and The Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas bitters. What makes this cocktail a little bit pricier is the fact that it is served in a Swarovski Crystalline cocktail glass ornamented with diamonds in the stem.

The most expensive spa treatment. Jumeirah Zabeel Saray’s spa 24-carat gold facial is the most expensive spa treatment today. This treatment uses a gold chain mail mask to stimulate cellular growth in the skin. An Arabian gold hammam, a massage, a milk and rose oil bath, and a lunch of champagne and caviar are also included in this extravagant, one-of-a-kind spa treatment.

The most expensive hotel suite. A stay at the Atlantis Bridge Suite at Atlantis The Palm will set you back Dhs139,000 a night. The palatial Bridge Suite covers 924 square metres and hangs above the hotel’s signature arc. It comes with a 24-hour personal butler, chef service, and a 16-seater gold leaf dining table.

Info source: www.palazzoversace.ae

The Most Unique Holiday Rental Homes In The World

Gone are the days that if you want to have a holiday or stay overnight at a different place, you need to call up or reserve online a room or more at a hotel or resort. For travellers and holidaymakers, there is now another amazing option: staying at a holiday rental home.

If it’s your first time to stay at a holiday rental home, keep in mind that there are some that are more unique and extraordinary than others. Here are some of the most unique holiday rentals in the world today:

The Yorkshire Castle. Want to feel like a king or queen or at least a duke or duchess for a day or two? Stay at the Yorkshire Castle. Located in the Yorkshire countryside, the castle stands on 12 acres of land. The estate even has a mote and its own lake.

The Seashell House. Also known as Casa Caracol, this property was inspired by the mountains of seashells located in the area. If you want to truly experience the beach life in Mexico, you won’t go wrong with staying at this place. It has its own pool and provides a great overlooking view of the Caribbean Sea.

The Ever After Estate. Have you always dreamed of living in a carnival or theme park-like place? Book a day or more at the Ever After estate. The property sits on a private island and is complete with Disney-theme rooms, swimming pools, water slides, a two-story indoor slide, and even a carousel.

Info source: echucaholidayhomes.com.au

The Early History Of The Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands was first seen and recorded by renowned explorer Christopher Columbus in 1503 during his fourth voyage to the New World.  He first named the islands Las Tortugas since the isles and seas were teeming with turtles.

An Island Rich In Amphibians

In 1586, Sir Frances Drake’s fleet of 23 ships stopped for two days in Grand Cayman. They noted that the island was not inhabited, but it was covered in crocodiles, alligators, iguanas, and turtles. Due to the island’s abundance of turtles, ships began sailing through the Caribbean to stop off in the Cayman Islands to stock up on turtle meat, a great source of protein for the crew. Over the next few hundred years, so many turtles were hunted that their population has dwindled.

Early Settlers

In the 1660s, people started attempting to settle on Little Cayman but they soon fled after being attacked by pirates. Privateers and pirates were active in the area for many years since they were using the Islands as a base from which to attack the galleons laden with gold and silver from the New World bound for Europe.

It was only in the 1730s that the Islands had their first permanent settlers. This was when the first land grants were recorded. According to official records, the first settlers came from Jamaica since the Islands was decreed a dependency of Jamaica in the Treaty of Madrid. In 1773, the first survey or “map” of Cayman was drawn by the Royal Navy. The population at this time was 400, with half being free and half being slaves.  In 1802, another census was recorded and the population of Grand Cayman increased to 933, roughly half of whom were of British descent and the other half being slaves of African descent.

Info source: sunshinesuites.com

Most Popular Activities In Dubai

Dubai is actually one of the top destinations included in the bucket list of most people. Dubai, with all its beauty and adventure is simply amazing. Many people frequent the place not only because they have some business to take care of in the city but also because they want to experience all the fun stuff that Dubai offers. Below are the top and most popular activities in Dubai.

- Shopping. As you know, Dubai has the best and biggest malls in the world. These shopping malls do not only offer the best products such as the latest fashion and gadgets but also the most affordable price tags. And so, people just can’t get enough of shopping in Dubai.

- Desert adventure. Since Dubai is among those cities with the largest deserts, the locals have turned these deserts into a tourist attraction with all the fun adventure such as camel riding, desert skiing and day tours.

- Hotel hopping. Dubai has lots of big, stylish and luxurious hotels in in the world. You can check them out one at a time and admire the beauty of each of these hotels. You can take pictures and even buy some souvenirs that you can take with you back home.

Trivia Info Resource: www.myconcierge.com

Fascinating Facts Worth Knowing About Canada

Canada receives thousands of immigrants from all over the world every year. This country welcomes foreign students, temporary foreign workers, immigrants, and refugees from over 200 countries across the globe. The most popular destinations of immigrants here are Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

Interesting Facts About Canada
 
If you are planning on visiting, studying or staying in Canada for a long time, below are some facts you have to know about this country:

• The Dominion of Canada was formally established on the 1st of July 1867. This means that on this date, Canada became a self-governing colony of the British Empire. On this same day Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec became the country’s first official provinces.

• Canada is world’s second biggest country, next to Russia. Canada's total area is 9,984,670 km2  or 3,855,103 mi2.

• Canada’s total land area is 9,093,507 km2  or 3,511,023 mi2. Freshwater lakes make up for 8.9% of Canada's size or 891,163 km2 or 344,080 mi2 of lakes.

• Canada’s largest island is the Baffin Island. Its area is 507,451 km2 or 195,928 square miles. Baffin Island is more than double the size of the UK and is only slightly smaller than France.

• Canada is the biggest producer of natural uranium in the world. Canada sources around 20 to 30% of the world’s total annual uranium output.

Related post: amazingonlinefacts.blogspot.com

Interesting Facts And Figures About Australian Immigration

In 1905, Australia began experiencing a boom in immigration. And since then, Australia continues to be one of the countries that welcome hundreds of new immigrants every month. This country is indeed a favourite of immigrants from various parts of the world. Applications to live, work and even study in Australia is still widespread today.

Australian Immigration Stats And Facts
 
Below are some key facts and figures worth knowing about Australian immigration:

• Australia is one of the Western countries that have the largest immigrant populations. Based on a 2011 census, this country is home to more people born overseas when compared to New Zealand, Canada, USA, and the UK.

• According to the Australian Bureau of Statistic, at present, there are 5.3 million immigrants living in Australia. This equates to just over 26 per cent of the entire present population here.

• The median length of residence for immigrants in Australia is 20 years. This means that once people move here on general skilled visas, they are more than likely to stay here permanently.

• About 85 per cent of immigrants live in urban areas. In contrast, 64 per cent of those who were born in Australia live the metropolitan areas.

• The largest contributor of immigrants to Australia is the United Kingdom.  At present, 1.1 million people from the UK are living in Australia.

Info source: pathwayvisas.com

Top International Destinations For Honeymooners

When it comes to traveling, there are a lot of places that are listed as the most popular ones for travel enthusiasts. However, there is a separate list for the top destinations most honeymooners go to. Check out these top international destinations for honeymooners below:

- Mexico. For those who want to enjoy the exotic and relaxing ambiance of a private Jacuzzi and a view of the ocean, Mexico is the best place to visit. For honeymooners, this place is one of the sweetest and the most exclusive destinations.

- Italy. Of course, who wouldn’t fall in love with this very romantic place? A trip to Italy will surely be a memorable one for honeymooners.

- Fiji. For couples who just love adventure and relaxation in one, Fiji is the best place to go to. With their private, exotic and virgin beaches, honeymooners will surely enjoy each other’s company.

- Greece. One of the top destinations included in every person’s bucket list is Greece. With its diverse landscapes, you will surely fall in love with the beauty of life and the person next to you.

These are the top international destinations listed for honeymooners and those who want their love rekindled.

Trivia Info Resource: travelinsuranceplus.com.au

The Top Tourist Attractions In Phoenix

Although Phoenix is nicknamed the “Valley of the Sun” or simply “The Valley”, this city offers more than just warm and sunny weather and vales. The capital city of Arizona is also famous for a lot of amazing and interesting tourist attractions that holidaymakers will love and enjoy visiting and even the locals will not tire of seeing.

Below are some of the popular tourist sites that Phoenix boasts of:

The South Mountain Park – This is the largest city park in the USA, covering over 16,000 acres of desert landscape. It is home to miles of trails which ideal for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The highest point in the park is Mount Suppoa which stands at 2,690 feet but the highest lookout is Dobbins Lookout (2,330 feet) which can be reached by trail or road.

The Desert Botanical Garden - Located in Papago Park, this botanical garden is home to examples of vegetation from deserts in different parts of the world and a cactus garden. It covers about 140 acres, with 55 acres under cultivation and contains tens of thousands of plants. There are various trails to be followed here and visitors should plan on spending a good amount of time walking.

Heritage Square – This area is part of Phoenix's original town site. It is a popular tourist area with eight beautifully restored houses from the city's early days. These buildings typically date to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Heritage Square is also home to various house shops and restaurants today. Some of the houses you will see here include the Victorian Eastlake style Rosson House, the Burgess Carriage House, the Silva House, and the Duplex.

The Phoenix Art Museum – The museum, located inside a 203, 000 square-foot building is a work of art in itself. The building was designed by New York architects Tod Williams/Billie Tsien & Associates. This museum has an impressive collection covering the art of the European Renaissance and Baroque, the Far East, and the American West. You will also find many great modern and contemporary works, fashion design, live performances, and films in this museum.

Info source: wigwamarizona.com

The Top 3 Most Dangerous Cities In The World For Tourists

Everybody loves to travel. And usually, the farther you go, the more excited and happy you are. Unfortunately, travelling too far and too wide is not as safe as it used to be. There are certain cities around the world that are not tourist-friendly and in fact, can even be dangerous to foreign holidaymakers.

The Most Dangerous Cities For Your Vacation

Below are the top 3 cities around the world regarded by many as dangerous for tourists:

1. San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Although this city has many great places of interest for tourists, this city has ranked as one of the world’s most violent for several years now. Many say that this city has the highest homicide rates in the world: an estimate of 169 per 100,000 people. This is a city that all tourists would do well to avoid.

2. Acapulco, Mexico. This city was once considered a safe and luxurious resort area. Although tourism to Acapulco is still popular, drug violence has now made this city into a dangerous area. Holidaymakers in Acapulco are usually advised to remain in the property of the resorts where they are staying since most of the crime occurs in surrounding areas.

3. Guatemala City, Guatemala. Although Guatemala has many amazing tourist attractions, it is a country that is plagued with drug violence. The nation has a high murder rate and other common crimes include street robberies, bus holdups and carjacking.

Info source: travelinsuranceplus.com.au

What You Should Know About Australia – A Home To Many Endemic Animals

Australia is home to many world-class destinations. Not only that. Did you know that it is also home to many animals endemic to this country alone? Yes they are and this is one of the reasons why tourists make this country as part of their bucket list. Some of this country’s endemic animals are listed below.

1. Koala. This is the most commonly associated animal to Australia. And who could forget its food, the eucalyptus. Did you know that according to scientists koalas don’t normally need to drink unlike other animals because through eating the leaves of eucalyptus, it can get the moisture needed by its body?

2. Kangaroos. Did you know that the largest species in the family of Macropodidae are called kangaroos while the smallest are called wallabies? The others are called wallaroos. The most prominent feature of this family is a pouch called a marsupium in which their young ones complete their development after being born.

3. Platypus. It is an egg-laying mammal that has its bill like that of ducks. Did you know that it was once thought of as a hoax because of its strange appearance and nature compared to other mammals? But they have proven these animals are real and are now unfortunately considered endangered.

There are other animals that Australia is rich of. No wonder animal lovers are making it a point to visit the country to witness its diverse wildlife.

Trivia Info Resource: www.thepointcoolum.com.au

Interesting Facts About Immigration

Today, more and more people are moving to other countries, like the US, Canada, and Germany for good. Though the immigration process is quite complicated, there are also a lot of experts nowadays who can help you with such.

10 Commandments Of Successful Immigration

1. Make sure that you have all the facts at your disposal.
2. Always give all information as requested.
3. Never like on any of the forms provided.
4. Always follow required steps.
5. Always be on time with any forms or application required.
6. Always be persistent in your attempt. Remember that persistence will bring success.
7. Be respectful towards all the immigration authorities.
8. Always keep a copy of everything that is sent to the immigration authorities.
9. When it sounds too good to be true, then it isn’t.
10. Memorize these commandments and always obey them without fail.

Interesting Immigration Info

Without immigration, John F. Kennedy might never have been one of the Presidents of the United States – this is due to the fact that his parents were immigrants. Other foreign born Americans will include Elizabeth Taylor, Dan Rather, Henry Kissinger, William Shatner, Albert Einstein, Neil Young, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. In California, more than 20% of its population are foreign born.

In 1992, about 21 million people went to the United States as guests. In the last decade, about 75% of all immigrants entering the US have settled in 6 States – New Jersey, Illinois, New York, California, Texas, and Florida.

Trivia Info Resource: pathwayvisas.com 

Places Of Interest To Visit In Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or KSA is known as one of the largest oil-producing countries. As such, it is a popular destination for foreign workers.  However, KSA is not really well-known as a tourist destination.

KSA though offers more than employment to anyone who will be coming to this country. There are many great places you can visit here as well.

Amazing Places Worth Visiting In KSA

The following are some of the beautiful places you can never miss visiting while you are in Saudi Arabia:

Madain Saleh. Many people say that if you can only visit one place of interest in KSA, it should be Madain Saleh. Madain Saleh is home to the tombs of the ancient Nabatean people.
When you visit this place, you will be amazed by its other-worldly scenery. Its rich history makes it also a great destination worth visiting and exploring.  While you are here, you can also check out The Hejaz railway and the nearby the town of Al-Ula which boasts of a beautiful oasis, museums, an old mud village and ruins and the tombs of Khuraibah.

Farasan Islands.  This place is one of the favourite diving destinations of Jacques Cousteau. It is home to several beautiful private beaches. The Islands is also a bird watchers paradise and it is also home to mangroves and endemic Gazelle species. There are also numerous historical sites on the main island worth visiting as well.

Al Soudah. The Asir National Park and the Al-Soudah area near Abha are both lush, breezy and refreshing paradises best visited during the hot summer months. The park offers trekking, camping sites, cable cars, and other outdoor activities and fascinating architecture.

Wahba Crater. This volcanic crater, found 700km from Riyadh towards Taif, has breath-taking scenery that includes lava fields, an oasis and salt pans. You can explore the crater by foot and even camp here for a memorable overnight stay. 

Info source: ksa.izomart.com

General Facts About Hawaii’s Wildlife

Aside from the beautiful sceneries, breathtaking beaches and sumptuous food, one of the things you should always take the time to do in Hawaii is to get to know their endemic wildlife.

As such, while you’re on a holiday in Hawaii, never miss the chance to watch the whales basking under the sun or in action and even swim with and see the sea turtles, stunning fishes and other amazing underwater sea life.

What You Need To Know About The Endemic Wildlife In Hawaii

Apart from knowing details about the whales, sea turtles and other fishes, there are other facts you need to be aware of about the endemic wildlife in Hawaii. The following are some of these:

• A lot of the endemic species in Hawaii are now endangered or even extinct because of the presence and growing number of harmful species like rats and mosquitos that were introduced to this state.

• Since the state is located in a remote and isolated part of the world, Hawaii has a remarkably high proportion of endemic species.

• There are no terrestrial snakes in Hawaii. Sea snakes are also seldom seen in any parts of this state.

• The only land-dwelling mammal native to Hawaii is the Hawaiian Hoary Bat and all other terrestrial mammal species in the state were introduced or brought by humans.

• All marine mammals found in Hawaii are native.

• The state has no native species of telluric reptiles or amphibians; all the ones found here were introduced by humans as well. But Hawaii has some native marine reptiles such as sea turtles and sea snakes.

Info source: tripstevens.com