Saint Mary Parish

This article covers the Parish in Jamaica. For other areas see Saint Mary .

Saint Mary
Capital	Port Maria
county	Middlesex
Big cities	Highgate , Annotto Bay , Oracabessa
surface	611  km²
population	114,591 (2009)
Population density	187.5 / km²
economy	Agriculture, craft

Saint Mary is a district ( parish ) in the northeast of Jamaica . The capital is Port Maria .

history

Saint Mary was one of the first areas to be settled by the Spaniards, Puerto Santa Maria, now Port Maria, is the second oldest city in Jamaica. The Taíno (also called Arawak) settled the area even earlier, traces of their culture can be found throughout the Parish. After the conquest of Jamaica by England in 1655, the area was given the name Saint Mary, the current form was created in 1867 when it was merged with the former Parish Metcalfe.

Fled slaves (called Maroons) settled in the area, and in 1760 the Easter Revolution took place under Tacky. Saint Mary played such an important role in the end of slavery.

geography

Saint Mary is bordered by Saint Ann to the west and Saint Catherine and Saint Andrew to the south . In 2001 around 113,000 people lived on 611 km².

The terrain is mountainous with elevations up to 1,219 meters above sea level. The climate is varied. The soil in the east consists mainly of slate, that in the west of limestone with underground rivers.

economy

Agriculture is the main industry. Mainly bananas, sugar cane, citrus fruits, allspice , cocoa, coconuts, vegetables and breadfruit are grown. In addition, pasture farming is carried out. Agriculture has developed poorly in recent years. This is mainly due to the deteriorating banana exports.

Saint Mary is one of the poorest areas in Jamaica, yet it has one of the most respected schools in the country, St. Mary High, which has produced some well-known people.

Tourism only plays a small role.

Web links

• Information about Saint Mary

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Statistical Institute of Jamaica: Demographic Statistics - Population by Parish 2009 ( Memento of the original dated November 13, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . Retrieved November 15, 2010.