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Jamaican Cities | Kingston 2007

By Wellesley Gayle

Did you know that, officially, there are only two Jamaican cities  - Kingston and Montego Bay? Apparently not many persons know and so it does creates some confusion.

Portmore, which is spoken of as the third city, and in fact, it is also called 'The Sunshine City', has not been formally ascribed the city status as yet.

Be sure to read the article, 'What goes into the making of a city? " by The Jamaica Observer.

Kingston

Other areas are almost equally popular, but the two above, plus Portmore, are the only established ones-  for now.

Kingston the capital of Jamaica, located in the south eastern part of island, is considered the administrative, cultural and industrial hub of Jamaica. It is also the largest city in Jamaica.

While Kingston is not a tourist city there are many cultural and heritage sites that captures the attention of those visiting the island. The Bob Marley Museum, Devon House and Emancipation Park are some of the most popular places to visit. 

Port Of Kingston

Montego Bay

Montego Bay is a sprawling city with Jamaica's largest airport, shopping and cruise line terminal. Montego Bay's coast land boasts numerous tourist resorts.

The famous "White Witch's" Rose Hall property is one of the most popular historic attraction in Montego Bay. By the way, Rose Hall is well known for being the spot of many of James Bond thrillers. Couple that with the fantastic beaches, great restaurants, and some of the best golf courses in the Caribbean, Montego Bay is definitely one of the most favoured city for tourists. 

Portmore

Portmore, the city in the making, was awarded the prestigious status of Municipality in 2003, which is just one level down from city status.

And rightly so, it was the fastest growing area in Jamaica. Just 11 miles west of the city of Kingston, it was estimated to be home to an estimated 170,000 low to middle-income families.

Portmore began as a large area for schematic residential development in the late 1960s, as the WIHCON organization built thousands of prototype housing units in an effort to alleviate the over-population of Kingston.

It has since grown as a suburban city to Kingston, as its large population travels via the Causeway Bridge into Kingston daily, for work, schooling, and many other essential services.

It has its own City Council and Mayor, following the British-based model of other Jamaican cities' governments.

While Portmore is not marketed as a tourist destination for the millions of incoming travelers to Jamaica every year, there are many places for entertainment, eating, relaxing and enjoyment.

Today, Portmore is one of the most important towns in the island nation and comprises of approximately 10% of the population of the Kingston Corporate Area.

Other Notable Areas

Negril, Ocho Rios & Port Antonio are other notable areas of the country that, though not official cities, are highly popular to our tourists.

Negril is easily the most popular though, it is almost a little Jamaica by itself! With a little more infrastructural work, don't be surprised if you hear that the town of Negril becomes a city too!

Don't miss my famous places in Jamaica page for details on other prominent and famed areas of the island.

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Return to Negril Jamaica from Jamaican Cities
Return to My Island Jamaica Homepage from Jamaican Cities

References & Sources For Jamaican Cities

1. The Portmore Municipal Council, https://portmoremc.gov.jm/
   
2. Just what goes into the making of a city? - Jamaica Observer, http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Just-what-goes-into-the-making-of-a-city-_77608
   

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