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.