Kingston, Jamaica

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"New Kingston" redirects here. For the band, see New Kingston (band).

Kingston

Capital city

The port of Kingston in 2004

Flag

Motto: 

A city which hath foundations[1]

Kingston

Location of Kingston shown within Jamaica

Coordinates:  17°58′17″N 76°47′35″WCoordinates:  17°58′17″N 76

°47′35″W

Country Jamaica
County Surrey
 Parish Kingston
St. Andrew

Established 1692

Government
 • Mayor Delroy Williams[3]

Area
 • Parish 480 km2 (190 sq mi)

Elevation 9 m (30 ft)

Population
 (2011)
 • Parish 662,435[2]
 • Metro 1,190,000

Time zone UTC−5 (EST)

Website ksamc.gov.jm

Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern

coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour 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. In the Americas, Kingston is the largest
predominantly English-speaking city in the Caribbean. [4]
The local government bodies of the parishes of Kingston and Saint Andrew were
amalgamated by the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation Act of 1923, to form
the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC). Greater Kingston, or the
"Corporate Area" refers to those areas under the KSAC; however, it does not solely
refer to Kingston Parish, which only consists of the old downtown and Port Royal.
[5]
 Kingston Parish had a population of 89,057, and St. Andrew Parish had a
population of 573,369 in 2011[2] Kingston is only bordered by Saint Andrew to the
east, west and north. The geographical border for the parish of Kingston
encompasses the following communities: Tivoli Gardens, Denham Town, Rae Town,
Kingston Gardens, National Heroes Park, Bournemouth Gardens, Norman
Gardens, Rennock Lodge, Springfield and Port Royal, along with portions
of Rollington Town, Franklyn Town, and Allman Town.[6][7]
The city proper is bounded by Six Miles to the west, Stony Hill to the north, Papine to
the northeast, and Harbour View to the east, which are communities in urban and
suburban Saint Andrew. Communities in rural St. Andrew such as Gordon Town,
Mavis Bank, Lawrence Tavern, Mt. Airy, and Bull Bay would not be described as
being in Kingston city.[8]
Two districts make up the central area of Kingston: the historic Downtown and New
Kingston. Both are served by Norman Manley International Airport and also by the
smaller and primarily domestic Tinson Pen Aerodrome.[9]

Contents
 1History
 2Demographics
o 2.1Demographic breakdown
 3Religion
 4Economy
 5Geography and climate
 6Housing
 7Parks
o 7.1Emancipation Park
o 7.2Hope Gardens
 8Transport
o 8.1Road
o 8.2Buses
o 8.3Rail
o 8.4Air
o 8.5Sea
 9Law enforcement
o 9.1Fire service
 10Media
 11Sports
 12Telecommunications
o 12.1Fixed voice and broadband
o 12.2Mobile voice and broadband
 13Postal service
 14Institutions
 15International relations
o 15.1Twin towns – Sister cities
 16Notable people
 17See also
 18References
 19Bibliography
 20External links

History[edit]
See also: Timeline of Kingston, Jamaica
Scenes in Kingston after the 1882 fire.

Map of Kingston, 1897

Kingston was founded in July 22, 1692,[10][11] shortly after the 1692 earthquake that

devastated Port Royal in 1692; the original section of the city which was situated at
the bottom of the Liguanea Plains was laid out to house survivors of that earthquake.
[12]

Before the earthquake, Kingston's functions were purely agricultural.[12] The

earthquake survivors set up a camp on the sea front. Approximately two thousand
people died due to mosquito-borne diseases. Initially the people lived in a tented
camp on Colonel Barry's Hog Crawle. The town did not begin to grow until after the
further destruction of Port Royal by fire in 1703. Surveyor John Goffe drew up a plan
for the town based on a grid bounded by North, East, West, and Harbour Streets.
The new grid system of the town was designed to facilitate commerce, particularly
the system of main thoroughfares 66 feet (20 m) across, which allowed transportation
between the port and plantations farther inland. [13] By 1716, it had become the largest
town and the centre of trade for Jamaica. The government sold land to people with
the regulation that they purchase no more than the amount of the land that they
owned in Port Royal, and only land on the sea front. Gradually wealthy merchants
began to move their residences from above their businesses to the farm lands north
on the plains of Liguanea.[12][13]
The first free school, Wolmers's, was founded in 1729 and there was a theatre, first
on Harbour Street and then moved in 1774 to North Parade. [14] Both are still in
existence.[14] In 1755 the governor, Sir Charles Knowles, had decided to transfer the
government offices from Spanish Town to Kingston. It was thought by some to be an
unsuitable location for the Assembly in proximity to the moral distractions of Kingston,
and the next governor rescinded the Act. However, by 1780 the population of
Kingston was 11,000, and the merchants began lobbying for the administrative
capital to be transferred from Spanish Town, which was by then eclipsed by the
commercial activity in Kingston.[14]
The Church of St. Thomas, on King Street, the chief thoroughfare, was first built
before 1699 but was rebuilt after the earthquake in 1907. [11]
By the end of the 18th century, the city contained more than 3,000 brick buildings.
[15]
 The harbour fostered trade, and played part in several naval wars of the 18th
century. Kingston took over the functions of Spanish Town (the capital at the time).
These functions included agriculture, commercial, processing and a main transport
hub to and from Kingston and other sections of the island. [15]
In 1788, Kingston had a population of 25,000, which was about a tenth of the overall
population of the island. One in every four people living in Kingston was white, and
there was a large population of free people of color there too, meaning that two out of
every five people living in Kingston were free. The remaining three-fifths of Kingston's
population was made up of black slaves. [15]
The government passed an act to transfer the government offices to Kingston from
Spanish Town, which occurred in 1872. [16] In 1882, there was a large fire in Kingston.
[17]
 In 1892, electricity first came to Jamaica, when it was supplied to a coal-burning
steam-generating plant on Gold Street in Kingston. [18]

Bird's eye view of Kingston after the 1907 earthquake

In 1907, 800 people died in another earthquake known as the 1907 Kingston

earthquake, destroying nearly all the historical buildings south of Parade in the city.
[19]
 That was when a restriction of no more than 60 feet (18 m) of height was instituted
on buildings in the city centre. These three-story-high buildings were built with
reinforced concrete. Construction on King Street in the city was the first area to
breach this building code.[19]
During the 1930s, island-wide riots led to the development of trade unions and
political parties to represent workers.[20]
The city became home to the Mona campus of the University of the West
Indies founded in 1948, with 24 medical students. [16]
In the 1960s, the international attention of reggae music at that time coincided with
the expansion and development of 95 acres (38 ha) of the Kingston city centre
waterfront area; by the 1980s, most of the old buildings were demolished by
construction companies and the entire waterfront was re-developed with hotels,
shops, offices, cultural centres, and cruise and cargo ship facilities. [11]
In 1966, Kingston was the host city to the Commonwealth Games.[21]

View of the central Kingston waterfront showing the Bank of Nova Scotia and the Bank of Jamaica

In the 1980 general elections, the democratic socialist People's National Party (PNP)

government was voted out, and subsequent governments have been more market-
oriented and focused on tourism and relations with the United States, which reflected
the "turbulent" and "volatile" era, in which Cuba and the United States fought for
cultural control over Jamaica.[22]
In the 1990s, crime increased in the region and several riots were reporting, including
one in 1999 against a rise of fuel prices.[23] In 1999, the Jamaican government ordered
army troops to patrol the streets of Kingston in an attempt to curb the violent crime.
[23]
 In 2001, army troops and armoured vehicles used force to "restore order" in
Kingston after "three days of unrest leave at least 27 people dead". [23]
In 2010, the Kingston unrest, an armed conflict
between Jamaica's military and police forces in Kingston and the Shower Posse drug
cartel, attracted international attention.[24][25] The violence, which largely took place over
24–25 May, killed at least 73 civilians and wounded at least 35 others. [26][25] Four
soldiers and police were also killed.[25]

Demographics[edit]
The majority of the population of Kingston is of African descent. Large minority ethnic
groups include East Indians and Chinese, who came to the country as indentured
servants in the late 19th century. The Chinese occupy important roles in Jamaica's
economy especially in the retail markets in Downtown Kingston and the wider
metropolitan area. There is also a minority of Europeans, mostly descending from
immigrants from Germany and Great Britain. Syrians and Lebanese form one of the
most influential ethnic groups in not only Kingston, but the entire island. Though a
minority ethnic group, the Lebanese were able to give Jamaica one of its prime
ministers, Edward Philip George Seaga. Multi-racial Jamaicans continue to form the
second largest racial group, and there is also a small Jewish population in the city. [27]
Demographic breakdown[edit]
 79.2% Black
 12.8% Multiracial
 5.2% Asian
 3.4% White
Religion[edit]
There is a wide variety of Christian churches in the city, most of which are Protestant.
The chief denominations are Church of God, Baptist, Anglican, Methodist, Roman
Catholic, Seventh-day Adventist and Pentecostal.
There is a strong Roman Catholic community, with the Holy Trinity Cathedral which is
the seat of metropolitan archbishop and was consecrated in 1911, as well a few
Catholic schools and institutions such as the Immaculate Conception High School, St
Francis Primary and Infant School, Holy Childhood High School which was founded
and is owned by the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
of our Lady of Perpetual Help (FMS) in Jamaica.
Afro-Christian syncretic religions such as the Rastafari movement also have a
significant following.
The Shaare Shalom Synagogue serves Kingston's Jewish population. The city also
has communities of Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims. The Islamic Council of Jamaica
and the Islamic Education and Dawah Centre are both located in Kingston. There are
three units of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the city.[28]

Economy[edit]

Former Air Jamaica headquarters

Kingston plays a central role in Jamaica's economy. The vast majority of economic
activity takes place within Kingston, and as most government ministries are located in
the city, it is a key force in legislation in regards to Jamaica's finances. The high
population density of the capital city means that the majority of monetary transactions
occur in Kingston – stimulating much of Jamaica's local economy. The city is also
home to the highest number of schools, hospitals and universities anywhere in
Jamaica. Kingston is also the island's main transportation hub [29] and its largest
seaport.[30]
Many multinational conglomerates and financial institutions are headquartered in and
around the Kingston Metropolitan Area. Air Jamaica was headquartered in Kingston.
[31]
 The idea of making Jamaica an International Financial Centre has also been
proposed as a way to boost the city's financial sector and create more jobs,
especially for professionals such as accountants and lawyers. [32]
The city's major industries include tourism, apparel manufacturing, and shipping.
Many international exports are traded through the city's seaport, with major exports
including bauxite, sugar and coffee. [29] The city is also a major tourist destination, and
tourism is one of its largest sources of economic activity. [33] The city has suffered
economic troubles recently, however, along with the rest of the country of Jamaica.
[34]
 Plans to help the city's economy have made downtown Kingston the subject of
numerous redevelopment plans.[29] There have also been attempts to grow the
manufacturing industry in the area and to attract call centres to the city. [34]

Geography and climate[edit]

Photo of Kingston taken from the International Space Station

Kingston is surrounded by the Blue Mountains, Red Hills, Long Mountain and

the Kingston Harbour. The city is on the Liguanea plain, an alluvial plain alongside
the Hope River. Kingston experiences frequent earthquakes, including the 1907
earthquake.[11]
Kingston has a tropical climate, specifically a tropical wet-and-dry climate (Aw/As),
that borders on a hot semi-arid climate (BSh). characterised by a wet season from
May to November, which coincides with the hurricane season, and a dry season from
December to April. During the dry season, there is not much rainfall, however, cold
and stationary fronts occur at this time, and often bring heavy showers, especially in
March. Kingston is in the rain shadow of the Blue Mountains; therefore, little to none
of the moisture carried by the Northeast Trade Winds falls over Kingston, causing
Kingston to be very dry in comparison to Portland and Saint Mary on the windward
side of the Blue Mountains. Kingston is on a coastal location, hence it comes under
the influence of the sea, though dense urban development can negate this effect. In
the 21st century, Kingston has experienced temperatures as high as 38.8 °C (102 °F)
and as low as 13.4 °C (56 °F). Between 1895 and 1990, the total average rainfall was
recorded at 813 mm (32.0 in), the highest monthly average rainfall recorded in
October at 177 mm (7.0 in), and the lowest monthly average rainfall recorded in
March at 18 mm (0.71 in).[35] Fog, hail, thunder and tornadoes are all extremely rare. [36]

showClimate data for Kingston (St. George's College, Jamaica)

showClimate data for Kingston, Jamaica (Norman Manley International Airport) extremes 1852–
present
Housing[edit]
In 1848 the Jamaican government expanded Kingston by constructing new homes in
the west, north and east of the city. This housing became highly segregated in terms
of race and class and by 1860 the majority of white elites lived on the outskirts of the
city.[38]
As Kingston's population grew, existing settlements became so densely occupied
that marshes in the southwest were filled in to allow the development of new housing.
By 1935, continued population growth and poverty resulted in the emergence of
slums in the east and west of the city. Later these areas were demolished by the
government and residents were rehoused in Denham Town. This development
accommodated 3,000 people, leaving more than one sixth of displaced resident
homeless. Consequently, overcrowding persisted throughout the city and cramped
living condition resulted in public health issues. [38]
Suburbanization also became significant and by the 1960s this residential area
spread to the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Subsequently, the lack of space and
continued consumerism meant this area then expanded to the east of the mountains.
[39]

In Kingston, 20% of the population now live in squatter settlements. [40] Contrastingly,

Kingston is also home to Red Hills, Norbrook, Cherry Gardens, Stony Hill, Jack's Hill,
suburbs that hold some of the most expensive houses in all of Jamaica. [41][unreliable source?]

Parks[edit]
The city of Kingston is home to a number of urban parks which are frequently
transformed to accommodate various events and festivities on the Jamaican
calendar. The most popular parks include: Emancipation Park, Hope Gardens,
Devon House, National Heroes' Park, St William Grant Park and Mandela Park.
Emancipation Park[edit]
Main article: Emancipation Park (Kingston, Jamaica)
The Liguanea Club, a recreational and social club for the upper class in society,
located on Knutsford Boulevard, owned over 35 acres (14 ha) of land including the
former Liguanea Park now the site of Emancipation Park. The club gave the land
measuring seven acres as a gift to the Jamaican Government.
Several government members argued that the land should be converted into a
business district, while others felt a multi-functional entertainment complex should be
built on the site. The large financial input needed for either venture, was not
forthcoming. In 2002 Cabinet granted approval for the transfer of the land to the
National Housing Trust on the condition that a park was built and maintained at that
location. The land was transferred for one Jamaican dollar. [42]
The park is well known for the 11 ft. (approximately 3m) high bronze sculpture done
by Jamaican artist Laura Facey, situated at the park's main entrance. This prominent
sculpture comprises two naked black male and female statues gazing to the skies –
symbolic of their triumphant rise from the horrors of slavery. The statue was unveiled
in July 2003, in time for the park's first anniversary [43] which caused an out cry from
the Jamaican populace who believed that the blatant nudity and generous bodily
proportions of the figures were very inappropriate to depict the freedom of black
people.[44]
Hope Gardens[edit]
The Royal Botanical Gardens at Hope, popularly called Hope Gardens serves as a
national attraction. The Hope Gardens is a part of the 2,000 acres (809 ha) of land
making it the largest botanical garden in the English-speaking Caribbean. The land
situated by the foothills of the Blue Mountains was originally owned by Major Richard
Hope from whom it got its name. Two hundred acres of this land was obtained by the
Government of Jamaica in 1880 and was originally established as a plant
introduction and crop-testing facility for plants such as pineapple, cocoa, coffee and
tobacco. The formal Botanical Gardens were laid out on approximately 60 acres
(24 ha) of this land with the assistance of personnel from the Kew Gardens in
England.
In the 1950s, the Queen, after visiting the island and being pleased with the state of
the gardens, gave permission for it to be called the Royal Botanical Gardens, Hope.
The Gardens have many exotic species along with some endemic trees of Jamaica.
Over the years, the ravages of hurricanes and other disasters have resulted in the
loss of a significant number of species. However, there are still some prominent trees
and popular sites to be viewed in the Gardens. At Hope Gardens, visitors can view a
number of other features including the Coconut Museum, the Sunken Gardens, the
Orchid House, the Lily Pond, the Maze and Palm Avenue. [45][46]
The Hope Gardens has an adjoining zoo referred to as Hope Gardens Zoo. The
gardens and zoo are undergoing redevelopment to improve the physical landscape
and the animal inventory as a part of Bring Back The Hope campaign. [47]

Transport[edit]
Road[edit]
The St William Grant Park (Parade) in the heart of downtown Kingston is the starting
point for three of Jamaica's four A roads, namely the A1 (Kingston to Lucea), the A3
(Kingston to Saint Ann's Bay) and the A4 (Kingston to Annotto Bay), while the city
itself is provided with a dense network of trunk, main, secondary and minor roads. It
also consists of the Highway 2000, Jamaica which runs through Portmore, Ocho
Rios and Mandeville. A new section of Highway 2000, Jamaica (called "T3") was
recently opened to the public. It has greatly reduced the travel time between Kingston
and Montego Bay from 4 hours to a mere 2+1⁄2 hours.
Kingston is served well by a modern bus system, mini buses and taxis, which operate
throughout the city with major hubs at Parade, Cross Roads, Half Way Tree and
elsewhere.[48]
Buses[edit]
In June 1898, the existing mule car service was phased out and a transition to
electric trams, initially operated by the West India Electric Company and later by the
Jamaica Public Service Company, was undertaken. [49] This transition to the electric
tram was completed on 31 March 1899. This service continued to operate, but the
inflexibility of a tram service could not keep pace with a growing city, and the tram
service ceased to operate on 7 August 1948. [50]
Between 1948 and 1953 a motor bus service was operated by a company called
Jamaica Utilities. The government revoked its franchise in 1953.
From 1953 to 1983 the Jamaica Omnibus Service operated a service, which at its
peak consisted of over 600 buses and served an area spanning Spanish Town,
Border, Mt. James, Bull Bay and Port Royal. It was wound up by the government in
1983 after being nationalised in 1974.
Kingston is served well by a modern bus system, the Jamaica Urban Transit
Company (JUTC), mini buses, and taxis, which operate throughout the city with major
hubs at Parade, Cross Roads, Half Way Tree and elsewhere.[48]
Rail[edit]
The now disused Kingston railway station served the Kingston to Montego Bay main
line with branches from Spanish Town to Ewarton, Bog Walk to Port
Antonio, Linstead to New Works and May pen to Frankfield.
The railway station opened in 1845 and closed in October 1992 when all passenger
traffic on Jamaica's railways abruptly ceased.[51]
Air[edit]
Kingston's international airport is Norman Manley International Airport while Tinson
Pen Aerodrome provides domestic services.
Sea[edit]
Historically, the Kingston waterfront was Jamaica's main port with many finger
piers at which freighters and passenger liners could dock. More recently, with
the containerisation of freight, the port has moved to Newport West.

Law enforcement[edit]
Jamaica's police force, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, is based on Old Hope Road
near Liguanea. Smaller police stations, such as Hunt's Bay, Matilda's Corner and
Half-Way-Tree, are dispersed across the Corporate Area. The Supreme Court of
Jamaica is also located in Kingston. Other courts, such as the Half-Way-Tree
Resident Magistrate's Court, Gun Court, Traffic Court and Family Court, make
Kingston their home. The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has its headquarters at Up
Park Camp near New Kingston and Cross Roads. The JDF also operates a major
naval base at Port Royal.
Fire service[edit]
Fire response in Kingston is provided by the Jamaica Fire Brigade, the national fire
service. The service operates from fire stations spread throughout the Corporate
Area. Fire stations are located at[52]

 York Park (HQ)

 Half-Way-Tree
 Rollington Town
 Port Royal
 Norman Manley International Airport
 Stony Hill
 Trench Town
 Kingston Harbour (Fire Boat)

Media[edit]
The Gleaner Company, the Jamaica Observer and the Sunday Herald, three of
Jamaica's large newspaper companies, make their home in Kingston. Several
television and radio stations including Television Jamaica (TVJ), CVM TV, RJR 94
FM, TBC Radio 88.5 FM, Hitz 92 FM, FAME 95 FM, LOVE TV, ZIP 103, Kool 97 FM
and LOVE FM, are all based in Kingston.

Sports[edit]
Cricket, including Test matches, is played at Sabina Park. The capital is home to
five association football teams who play in Jamaica's National Premier League. The
teams are Arnett Gardens, Boys' Town, Harbour View, Maverley
Hughenden and Waterhouse. Olympic Sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also was
born and raised in Waterhouse

Telecommunications[edit]
Fixed voice and broadband[edit]
Fixed voice and broadband services in Kingston are provided by
either FLOW and Digicel (via their new Digicel Play service which is exclusive to the
Kingston Metropolitan Area). FLOW uses a Hybrid Fibre and Coaxial network to
provide IPTV, VoIP & POTS and broadband capable of speeds up to 100 Mbit/s.
FLOW also uses a Copper network to provide POTS and ADSL capable of speeds
up to 12 Mbit/s. Digicel uses a GPON fibre-optic network, providing IPTV, VoIP and
broadband speeds of up to 200 Mbit/s. Digicel's Fibre-optic network boasts capacity
of up to 10 Gbit/s.[53]
Mobile voice and broadband[edit]
Mobile voice and broadband services in Kingston are dominated by
incumbents, FLOW and Digicel. Both carriers provide GSM, EDGE, HSPA, HSPA+
and LTE connectivity in and around the city.
FLOW offers HSPA+ of up to 21 Mbit/s on 850 MHz and 1900 MHz. FLOW also
offers DC-HSDPA (commonly known as DC-HSPA+) allowing capable devices
speeds of up to 42 Mbit/s on contiguous 1900 MHz spectrum.
Digicel also offers 21 Mbit/s HSPA+ however, they also offer DC-HSDPA (commonly
known as DC-HSPA+) allowing capable devices speeds of up to 42 Mbit/s on
contiguous 850 MHz spectrum. Digicel was also first to market with LTE in Jamaica.
Their network covers all of Kingston Parish and most of the populous areas in the
Kingston Metropolitan Area, capable of speeds of up to 75 Mbit/s on 10 MHz of Band
17 spectrum.
FLOW also offers LTE in Kingston.[54] FLOW's LTE network is accessible on Band 4 or
AWS spectrum. Due to the network delaying its rollout to acquire more spectrum, its
network is theoretically faster than both Digicel and Caricel, to the tune of 150 Mbit/s
(20 MHz of Bandwidth)[55] with further plans to add low band spectrum, possibly
increasing theoretical speeds up to 225 Mbit/s.
Kingston is also home to Caricel, Jamaica's newest telecoms operator, which
deployed its LTE network first to the Kingston Metropolitan Area.
In addition, both carriers have their Jamaican head offices in the city (with the
exception of Digicel, which has its company headquarters in Kingston rather than a
regional office there as is the case with FLOW, which is based in Miami).