Population (1999): 79,300
Capital: Port Antonio
Major Towns: Buff Bay, Manchioneal
The parish of Portland, established in 1723, was formed by merging the parish of St. George with part of St. Thomas-in-the-East. Named after Henry, Duke of Portland, the then-governor of Jamaica, its chief town, Titchfield Town, was eventually overshadowed by Port Antonio, named in 1685 after the Spanish "Puerto Santo Antonio."
Portland’s settlement progressed slowly due to tropical diseases and frequent raids by the Maroons, descendants of escaped slaves. In 1725, an Act was passed to control diseases, and Fort George was built in 1729. By 1739, a treaty with the Maroons was signed, encouraging settlers to establish sugar estates. However, the area's climatic conditions were unsuitable, and by 1800, none of the 138 sugar estates survived into the next century. Consequently, peasant farmers took over much of the land, growing bananas and other subsistence crops.
The arrival of Lorenzo Dow Baker, a fruit shipping magnate, in 1871 marked a turning point. His success in promoting banana exports led to rapid expansion, particularly in Port Antonio, and sparked island-wide banana cultivation. However, by the 1930s, disease and other factors caused the trade to dwindle, returning Port Antonio to a quieter state. Today, eco-tourism is a key economic driver, with the parish attracting numerous visitors and property owners from the jet set.
Portland, the northeasternmost parish in Jamaica, covers 814 square kilometers. It lies in the path of the northeast trade winds, and the Blue Mountain ridge to the south traps moisture, making Portland the wettest parish on the island. The interior is dense with rainforests and lush vegetation, with Blue Mountain Peak reaching 2,256 meters above sea level. The John Crow Mountain range lies to the eas
The parish is known for its complex landforms and fertile soil. Seventeen rivers, including the Rio Grande, Buff Bay, and Hector's River, crisscross the region, offering popular rafting activities. Portland's scenic beauty is marked by caves, bays, waterfalls, and verdant hills, with notable attractions such as the Blue Lagoon and Navy Island near Port Antonio's double harbor.
The settlement of Portland was initially hindered by high mortality rates due to tropical diseases and raids by Maroons. After efforts to control diseases and the construction of Fort George, sugar estates were established but ultimately failed due to unsuitable climatic conditions. By the late 19th century, banana cultivation became prominent, spurred by Lorenzo Dow Baker's efforts. The banana industry flourished but declined in the 1930s, leading to a focus on eco-tourism to boost the local economy.
Agriculture:
Agriculture remains vital, with bananas, coconuts, and breadfruits grown for export and local consumption. Portland's fertile coastal strips support diverse cultivation, though banana production has never returned to its peak.
Tourism
Tourism caters largely to the wealthy, with several upscale facilities such as Trident Villas, Jamaica Palace, and Dragon Bay Villas. The emphasis is on eco-tourism, leveraging the parish's natural beauty.
Film/Screen Productions:
Portland has been a popular filming location since the 1950s, with over 782 productions, including "Two Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" (1954) and "The Harder They Come" (1972). This industry provides intermittent employment and revenue.
Manufacturing: The manufacturing sector is small, with around 18 factories operating in the parish.