The Parish of Saint Mary
Population 111,466
Lying on the north-eastern side of the island, St. Mary is a lush, green
parish with imposing mountains, winding rivers and a virtually
unspoiled coastline.
The capital, Port Maria, was the second town built
by the Spaniards on the island and was originally called ‘Puerto Santa
Maria’. The name was
subsequently changed after the British captured the
island from the Spanish. Tourism is becoming an increasingly important
industry for the parish with
the recently established Ian Fleming
International Airport, as well as several luxury resort developments
such as Goldeneye and Golden Clouds.
St. Mary Attractions:
- The monument at Rio Nuevo that marks the site of the final battle between the Spanish and the British for Jamaica.
- Prospect Plantation and its butterfly farm and camel rides
- Historic Harmony Hall with gallery showcasing Jamaican and Caribbean intuitive artists
- Firefly – home of Noel Coward, playwright and international celebrity of the 1950s.
- Golden Eye, once home to Ian Fleming – the creator of the famous James Bond series.
- Tacky Memorial and Cenotaph to the Victims of World War
- 1 and 2 at Claude Stuart Park