Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica

From Jamaica Wiki

Westmoreland Parish, with a population of 141,000, is the eighth largest parish in Jamaica. It is located on the southern part of the island in Cornwall County and lies to the northwest of Saint Elizabeth, south of Hanover and the southwest of Saint James

Westmoreland’s principal town, which is also its capital, is Savanna-la-Mar. Within the parish is the well-known tourist spot of Negril.

On his subsequent voyage, Christopher Columbus visited Westmoreland when he came ashore the beautiful country of Jamaica.

The parish is also home to the earliest Spanish settlements in the now Bluefields area. The parish was aptly christened Westmoreland in 1703, as it was to the extreme western side of the island. Banbury was replaced as the capital in 1730 by Savanna-la-Mar, a town situated on the coast side.

Riots broke out at the Frome sugar estate in 1938, which dramatically altered the path of Jamaican history. The transformations that took place following these riots gave rise to universal adult suffrage in 1944, in addition to a new constitution, that placed Jamaica on the way to self- governance and in due course, independence. At this stage, the country’s two heroic figures, Sir Alexander Bustamante and Norman Washington Manley, came into prominence as influential political leaders.

Contents 1 Geography 2 Commerce 3 Places in Westmoreland

[edit] Geography

Westmoreland comprises of an area of 807 square kilometers (311 square miles). Its population is largely made up of Indians, the descendants of bonded labourers who arrived in Jamaica from India to earn a livelihood. These descendants are addressed as “Royals” in the parish on account of their Indian ancestry.

Westmoreland has more than 10,000 acres (40 km²) of morass land and the Great Morass is the biggest section. The morass is full of animal and plant matter plant and animal accumulated over many hundreds of years. The morass is rich in peat, which is a great energy source and furthermore it provides a wonderful natural reserve for the incredible wildlife of Jamaica.

The other part of the region comprises of numerous undulating hills and alluvial plains dotting the coast. Several rivers run through the parish. The 39.7 kilometers long, Cabaritta River drains the Plain of George. Boats up to eight tons can ply on the river. The rivers Great and Dean, Negril, Morgan's, Roaring, New Savanna, Robins, Gut, Bowens, Smithfield and Bluefields, also flow through this area.

[edit] Commerce

Due to the rich and fertile plains, the parish is a prosperous agricultural centre, with abundant employment opportunities. Sugarcane is the major crop, but rice, bananas, honey, coffee, pimento, cocoa, breadfruit, and ginger are also grown. Horses, cattle, and mules are reared and fishing is a major source of income. Manufacturing comprises the third largest sector with products ranging from animal feed, tobacco, food and drink, textile and textile products. Negril is a popular travel destination in Jamaica. Tourism has made rapid strides since the 1950s. The leading hotels are Poinciana Beach Resort, Negril Beach Club, Sandals Negril, Hedonism, and Grand Lido.

[edit] Places in Westmoreland

Prominent places to visit in Westmoreland are Savanna-la-Mar, Negril, Roaring River Park, and Petersfield.