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Kingston, Jamaica

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica. It sits on the southeastern coast of the island.

Map Kingston 1897
Map Kingston 1897

The city is located on the Liguanea plain. This is a flat area of land next to the Hope River. Kingston is surrounded by several mountain ranges. These include the Blue Mountains, the Red Hills, and Long Mountain. The city also faces a huge natural harbor. This harbor is the seventh largest in the world.

Downtown Kingston waterfront
Downtown Kingston waterfront

The city grew in a very specific way. In 1692, a massive earthquake hit the area. This event destroyed a place called Port Royal. People who survived the earthquake set up a camp on the sea front.

1882 Kingston Fire
1882 Kingston Fire

A man named John Goffe later drew a plan for the town. He used a grid system with streets named North, East, West, and Harbour. This design helped people move goods between the port and inland farms. By 1716, Kingston had become the largest town in Jamaica.

History has brought both change and hard times to Kingston. A large fire happened in 1882.

1882 Kingston Fire
1882 Kingston Fire

Another big earthquake hit in 1907. This earthquake destroyed almost all the old buildings south of Parade.

Kingston (1907)
Kingston (1907)

After that, new rules said buildings could only be three stories high. These buildings were made with reinforced concrete to stay strong. In the 1960s, the city became famous for reggae music. By the 1980s, many old buildings were replaced with new hotels and shops.

Today, Kingston is a very busy place for many people. It is the main center for the economy of Jamaica. The city has the island's largest seaport and main transport hub.

Downtown Kingston waterfront
Downtown Kingston waterfront

Many different goods are traded here. Major exports include coffee, sugar, and bauxite. Kingston also has the most schools and hospitals in the country. It is home to the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies.

A bust of Marcus Garvey
A bust of Marcus Garvey

Many different groups of people live in the city. Most people in Kingston are of African descent. There are also many people of East Indian and Chinese descent.

Kingston - King Street, looking south
Kingston - King Street, looking south

Some people come from Europe, Syria, or Lebanon. You can find many different religions here too. There are many Christian churches, such as Baptist and Catholic ones. There are also communities of Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims.

Kingston, Jamaica from the masthead of HMAS Melbourne - 1915
Kingston, Jamaica from the masthead of HMAS Melbourne - 1915
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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:1882 Kingston Fire.png
1882 Kingston Fire.png
File:Map Kingston 1897.jpg
Map Kingston 1897.jpg
File:Kingston (1907).jpg
Kingston (1907).jpg
File:Kingston - King Street, looking south.jpg
Kingston - King Street, looking south.jpg
File:Kingston,_Jamaica_from_the_masthead_of_HMAS_Melbourne_-_1915.jpg
Kingston,_Jamaica_from_the_masthead_of_HMA...
File:Downtown Kingston waterfront.jpg
Downtown Kingston waterfront.jpg
File:Air jamaica building from the west.jpg
Air jamaica building from the west.jpg
File:A_bust_of_Marcus_Garvey.jpg
A_bust_of_Marcus_Garvey.jpg
File:Independence Park.jpg
Independence Park.jpg
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