Jamaica’s
capital city Kingston has long established itself as the
hub of the Caribbean, being the largest English speaking
city in the region. It is known globally as a centre of
finance and commerce, as well as a cultural Mecca and gem
of the West Indies. The city is home to a rich array of
historical and natural sites, with colorful complementary
stories about Jamaica’s past. Kingston offers a true
alternative to the tourism product of “sun, sea and
sand” which has dominated the Jamaican and Caribbean
tourism product for decades.
Three
centuries ago the parish of Kingston was born during what
many today may describe as one of the most prosperous periods
in Jamaican history, if only for the fact that the tiny
town was considered the ‘great port of the Caribbean.’
Ranked as having the 7th largest harbour in the world, 18th
century Kingston was viewed as a treasure with its natural
harbour and impressive defense capabilities provided by
the many forts within the parish. If Kingston’s birth
was remarkable, its growth was phenomenal. The parish quickly
distinguished itself as the leading commercial centre in
Jamaica being the busiest port of call, and by the start
of the 19th century, Kingston had gained recognition as
a city, and was later named capital of Jamaica. Amidst several
catastrophic events, including earthquakes and devastating
fires, the city repeatedly rose from its demises, and today
Jamaicans and the world can celebrate the legacy of this
vibrant urban centre.
