Facts about Saint Catherine and everything Saint Catherine!

Did you know that St. Catherine was created in 1867 when four smaller parishes were joined together, and is named for Katherine (Catherine) Queen of Charles II.

Have also hear that The parish has long been a site of human settlement. The pre-Columbian Taino lived there followed by the Spanish, who made their capital at St. Jago de la Vega (present day Spanish Town).

Did you know that, St. Catherine is the second most populous and the most rapidly growing parish, with large manufacturing and agriculture industries.

It should also be know that The capital town, Spanish Town was once the capital city of Jamaica in the parish of St. Catherine.  It has the finest collection of historical buildings, and the country’s archives.  As a site of historical importance, its history was shaped by its experiences within two significant colonial periods.  These periods are: the Spanish from 1534 -1655 and the English from 1655 -1782.

Geographical Location

The parish of St. Catherine is located on the south coast between the parishes of St. Andrew to the east, Clarendon to the west, and St. Ann and St. Mary to the north.

Except for the Hellshire Hills near the coast, the south of the parish is virtually flat. The central and northern sections are very mountainous, however with the northern border on Mount Diablo, which crosses over into St. Ann, the highest point being 686 metres (2,700 ft).

Main towns

Did you know that Portmore became a municipality by an Act of Parliament on June 19, 2003, before which the area was administered by the St. Catherine Parish Council.

It is also important to know that Spanish Town is joined with Bog Walk via the Bog Walk Gorge. North of Bog Walk the towns of Linstead and Ewarton and the towering Mount Diablo can be found.

East of Spanish Town is the town of Old Harbour. 

 

Important Jamaicans from the Parish

Did you know that The Most Honourable Portia Simpson-Miller, ON, M.P., Jamaica’s first female Prime Minister, was born on December 12, 1945 in the rural community of Wood Hall, St. Catherine.

Did you know that Mallica Kapo Reynolds, Jamaican Intuitive master, was born on February 10, 1911 in Byndloss, St. Catherine. A highly celebrated self-taught artist, Kapo began his prolific career in art by scraping on a stone with homemade tools.

Did you know that Leonard Percival Howell also known as Gong is most associated with St. Catherine although he was born in Clarendon.  He was a mystic and has been credited with founding the Rastafarian Movement in Jamaica during the 1930s. He and his followers, known as Howellites, lived in Pinnacle, Sligoville and later Simon, St. Catherine.

Did you know that Asafa Powell, Jamaican sprinter, was born on November 23, 1982 in Spanish Town, St. Catherine. He has run the most 100m in under 10 seconds in the world.

Facts about Kingston and everything Kingston!

Did you know that Kingston, the capital of Jamaica, is the smallest parish but the most populated city on the island.  I has  the 7th largest natural harbour in the world facing it, which is protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island.

Geographical Location

Did you know that Kingston is located on the south-eastern end of the island of Jamaica. It is Nestled by the mountains from the winds winds that come from the northern and north-east. St. Andrew along with the parish of Kingston has a total coastline area of 64.37 kilometres, with the total area of shoreline (usable coastline) being 48.8 kilometres.

Local Attractions/ Places of Interest

  •  Did you know that Parade, located in the centre of the city, was originally called the Victoria Park, after Queen Victoria.  It was renamed the St. William Grant Park in 1977, after the noted labour leader and Black Nationalist. Today, as a terminus for buses coming from all over the island, Parade is still perhaps the busiest centre of activity in Kingston.
  • Did you know that Cross Roads was formerly known as Montgomery Corner, after a Lieutenant Montgomery who was allegedly thrown by his horse and dragged to that spot where he died. A clock tower, erected to the memory of servicemen from Kingston and St. Andrew who died in the Second World War, marks the heart of Cross Roads.
  • Did you know that the Kingston Harbour, is seventh largest harbour in the world and is considered one of the finest anchorages.

Facts about Jamaica and everything Jamaican!

Do you find little facts about Jamaica fascinating? Want to know everything there is know about Jamaica? Then you’ve come to the right place to get the juicy Jamaica information.In this section of my site you’ll find general information and simple Jamaica facts, as well as news and updates. Let’s get started with the essential Jamaica information. Jamaica is located smack in the middle of the new world between the shoulders of North America and South America. If North America and South America was a spinning wheel then Jamaica would be the axis. This location makes Jamaica very central which is perfect for you – very convenient to get to and to explore.

Jamaica operates under the time zone of Eastern Standard Time. Recently Jamaica departs from the following of daylight saving time. Therefore it is six hours behind London time, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in the winter months when the clock backed and only 5hrs behind when the clock is forwarded in the spring months.

Want to know when the best time to visit Jamaica is? Any time is Jamaica time to make the most of your Jamaican holiday here on the island of paradise you just got to show up and enjoy the experience. There are celebrated Jamaica holidays like Christmas and Easter. Visiting Jamaica during this time is really fun – more parties to go to.

Some of the best Jamaica travel experiences can be gained by simply showing up and basking in the golden sunshine, listen to the music of Jamaica, enjoy the culture and eat delicious authentic Jamaican foods.

The weather in Jamaica and Jamaica climate vary ever so slightly depending on the time of year when you are visiting and the altitude of the town. The good news is that we have neither summer nor winter – Neither autumn nor spring. We have, instead the days when the gold sun shines on the lush green cane fields-Magnificently.

Only minimal preparation is needed for the Jamaica weather. If you plan on enjoying a meal on the beach front during the evening, stay in the cool Manchester hills or on the blue mountain take a little sweater to be on the safe side as the temperature may fall by a few degrees.

The weather in Jamaica is a bit cooler in the evenings, at high altitude and during the months of the high tourist season – December to April. Don’t forget the most important garment of your trip. Don’t forget your bath suit or swimming trunks. Actually you can as there are hundreds of shops where you can purchase a replacement.

More facts about Jamaica and useful Jamaica information for your travel. To begin planning your journey to this paradise island, “the fairest isle that eyes have beheld!” you’ll need to know a bit about the Jamaica airports.

The Jamaica airports are the main tourist access point to the island. The airports of note include the Norman Manley International airport in Kingston, the capital city and Donald Sangster International airport in the second city – the tourist capital. There are also a few much smaller airports scattered across the island for convenient internal travel.You can also find information about the Jamaica airlines like Air Jamaica to assist you in your holiday planning.

Are you planning more than a two week summer holiday? Perhaps you’re looking for information about living in Jamaica? If so, you’ll also want to know more information and facts about Jamaica immigration and paperwork process. Whether you are coming here to live and work for a while, or study at a university or college, there is timely Jamaica information on this site to help you in this exciting quest.

If you decide to spend an extended time on the beautiful island of Jamaica, you’ll need to be updated on Jamaica news on a regular basis.