Blue and John Crow Mountains

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Blue and John Crow Mountains: A Biodiverse Refuge and Cultural Landmark

The Blue and John Crow Mountains, located in southeastern Jamaica, stand as a testament to the island's rich history and natural diversity. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, this rugged mountainous region offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and exceptional biodiversity.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

The site encompasses a rugged and extensively forested mountainous region in the south-east of Jamaica, which provided refuge first for the indigenous Tainos fleeing slavery and then for Maroons (former enslaved peoples). They resisted the European colonial system in this isolated region by establishing a network of trails, hiding places and settlements, which form the Nanny Town Heritage Route. The forests offered the Maroons everything they needed for their survival. They developed strong spiritual connections with the mountains, still manifest through the intangible cultural legacy of, for example, religious rites, traditional medicine and dances. The site is also a biodiversity hotspot for the Caribbean Islands with a high proportion of endemic plant species, especially lichens, mosses and certain flowering plants.

Encyclopedia Record: Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park

Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park is a national park in Jamaica. The park covers 495.2 km2 and accounts for 4.5% of Jamaica's land surface. It derives its name from the Blue Mountains, the mountain range that runs through it, as well as from the common bird found in the park, the "John crow". The park is globally recognized for its biodiversity. This park is the last of two known habitats of the giant swallowtail butterfly, the largest butterfly in the Western Hemisphere and also the habitat for the endangered Jamaican blackbird. Additionally, it serves as a refuge for the Jamaican boa and the Jamaican hutia.

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