Port Maria Explained

Port Maria
Settlement Type:Parish Capital
Pushpin Map:Jamaica
Coordinates:18.3702°N -76.8903°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Jamaica
Subdivision Type1:Parish
Subdivision Name1:Saint Mary
Unit Pref:Metric
Population Density Km2:auto

Port Maria is the capital town of the Jamaican parish of Saint Mary.

Originally named "Puerto Santa Maria", it was the second town established by Spanish settlers in Jamaica.[1] The ruins of Fort Haldane, built 1759, overlook the town.It has a population of approximately 7,500 people. include St Mary's Parish Church, built in 1861, and the St Mary courthouse, a Georgian structure built in 1820 which now houses the Port Maria civic centre. Jamaica's first Prime minister Alexander Bustamante was put on trial for manslaughter with Frank Pixley at the courthouse in 1947. They were acquitted.[2]

Port Maria is the birthplace of Sports Illustrated model Georgianna Robertson.[3]

, the Mayor is Levan Ainsworth Freeman.[4]

The Jamaica Heritage trail has Fort Haldane, The St. Mary Courthouse and Claude Stuart Park with marked signage.

Notable buildings

Economy

Port Maria exports Bananas, it is also a local economic centre for surrounding localities, serving as a market for them. The surrounding area produces logwood, coconuts, coffee, oranges and pimento.[6]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Jamaica Travel and Culture http://www.jamaicatravelandculture.com/destinations/st_mary/port-maria.htm
  2. News: Moore . Orantes . Port Maria's real history . 3 June 2019 . jamaica-gleaner.com . The Gleaner . 24 May 2014 . en.
  3. [Georgianna Robertson]
  4. News: Jamaica Observer . Levan Freeman to be Port Maria's next mayor . 29 March 2012 . HG . Helps . Alesia . Edwards . 30 March 2019 .
  5. Web site: Port Maria Court House . www.jnht.com . Jamaica National Heritage Trust . 4 June 2019.
  6. Web site: 2023-11-02 . Port Maria Jamaica, Caribbean, Beach Town Britannica . 2023-12-29 . www.britannica.com . en.