Several million tons of gypsum reside on the southern slopes of Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. Mainly used in the production of cement and construction materials, gypsum is an extremely common mineral. Many homeowners will be familiar with gypsum as it is used in drywall. Gypsum has many other uses, including lawn fertilizer, blackboard chalk, and as a coagulant for tofu. Since it is also used to create cement, some of Jamaica’s local gypsum no doubt finds its way into one of the many all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica. Like some of the other industries in Jamaica, gypsum mining isn’t very exciting and certainly doesn’t get your pulse racing like some of the top clubs on the island. But it is also an industry like this that creates the backbone of Jamaica, and helps create jobs for its people and encourages trade between other countries.

Although agriculture is not as large in Jamaica as it is in other countries, it does provide a large number of jobs. Workers are needed for the cultivation of a wide variety of crops. These crops include pumpkins, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, papaya, pineapple, watermelon, corn, rice, yams, potatoes, and bananas. Sugar is the main export crop and a fair amount of coffee and cocoa is also produced. Jamaican coffee, and in particular Blue Mountain coffee, enjoys a premium price and has the status of one of the most expensive coffees in the world. The best part is that you don’t need to take an all-inclusive vacation to Jamaica to try coffee. You’ll pay a hefty price, but you can even order this light roast online and have it shipped worldwide right to your door.

Of course, Jamaica wasn’t always Jamaica. Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1494 and claimed the land for Spain. He named the island Santiago. The island’s inhabitants at the time, the native Arawaks, were exterminated by the Spanish and the island came under Spanish rule. This lasted until 1655, when British forces took control of the island. Needing a source of labor to grow sugar and coffee, the British brought African slaves to Jamaica. Despite numerous slave rebellions and uprisings, this period lasted nearly 150 years, until the abolition of slavery in 1834. For those visiting Jamaica for a Caribbean beach wedding, it’s hard to believe that this beautiful country ever participated in the slave trade. . Thankfully those days are long gone and all that remains are good times, good food and good people.