Jamaica is an island country located in the Carribean Sea. Jamaica was colonized as early as 1494, following the arrival of Christopher Columbus on behalf of the Spanish. The island remained occupied by Spain until it was conquered by the British in 1655. Whilst under British rule, the island became a leading exporter of sugar and its economy was dependent on African slaves. Even after the British emanicpated all slaves in 1838, indentured servent from India and China were used to work on plantations. The island gained its independence in 1962.

Jamaica is the country that Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea is set in. Therefore, the culture and people of Jamaica are refrenced heavily, like when Rhys writes, "Her songs were not like Jamaican songs, and she was not like the other women.", and, "The Jamaican ladies had never approved of my mother, 'because she pretty like pretty self’ Christophine said."