Kingston is the capital of Jamaica. It is located
in the southeast of the island and has a population of approximately
948 683 inhabitants (2010) .It is located within the Parish of
Kingston, Surrey County. It has a natural harbor protected by the
Palisadoes, name that receives a long sand bank that connects Port
Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport with the rest of
the island. The city was founded in 1692 by the British after an
earthquake destroyed almost the entire old capital, Port Royal.
Kingston became the seat of the administration of Jamaica in 1872.
It maintained this status when the island reached its independence
in 1962. On January 14, 1907, an earthquake in Kingston caused the
death of more than 1,000 people.
In addition to being the
seat of the government of Jamaica, the city is also the site of the
Mona campus of the University of the West Indies, founded in 1948.
Kingston is also the site of several annual festivals. The central
area of Kingston consists of two parts: the historic, but troubled
downtown and New Kingston where most of the tourist attractions are
located, such as the Bob Marley Museum, built in its former
residence. Other reggae stars such as Buju Banton and Beenie Man are
also from Kingston. Other attractions include the nearby beaches of
Hellshire and Lime Cay, the National Gallery of Jamaica, the ruins
of Port Royal and the Devon House, with an adjacent park that
belonged to Jamaica's first African-American millionaire.
Bob Marley Museum (Kingston)56 Hope Rd. Closed Sun 876-927-9152 National Heritage Trust (Kingston)79 Duke St. Closed weekends 876-922-1287 National Gallery (Kingston)Roy West Bldg. Closed sun-Mon 876-922-1561 National Heroes Park (Kingston)Duke Str. |
Devon House (Kingston)26 Hope Rd 876-929-6602 Closed Sun-Mon Hope Botanical Gardens (Kingston)Old Hope Rd. 876-927-1257 Jubilee Market (Kingston)Spanish Town Rd Closed weekends |