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Population (1999): 163,700
Capital: St. Ann's Bay
Major Towns: Ocho Rios, Browns Town, Runaway Bay, Claremont
Area: 1,212.6 square kilometers (468.2 square miles)
St. Ann, often referred to as the "Garden Parish," is the largest parish in Jamaica, centrally located on the island's north coast. It boasts a rich natural landscape and a significant historical legacy. The parish is known for its extensive bauxite and limestone deposits and is home to the notable Moneague Lake, an intermittent lake, and the White River, which forms the boundary with St. Mary.
Following the English capture of Jamaica in 1655, St. Ann's Bay evolved into a bustling fishing port. Ocho Rios emerged as a key town in the 1960s, spurred by bauxite mining activities and subsequent tourist development.
Bauxite Mining:
Discovered in 1942, bauxite mining began with Reynolds Jamaica Mines Ltd in 1953, followed by Kaiser Aluminium. These companies have significantly contributed to local infrastructure and community development.
Tourism:
Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay are premier tourist destinations, with Ocho Rios leading in cruise ship arrivals. Tourism is a major employment sector and supports various local businesses.
Agriculture:
Agricultural activity is declining, with land increasingly repurposed for housing and other developments. Main crops include bananas, coconuts, pimento, and vegetables, while livestock and poultry farming are also diminishing.
Manufacturing:
As of 1995, St. Ann housed 52 registered factories producing meat and dairy products, furniture, apparel, and printed materials.
Moneague Lake:
This lake fluct00.uates in size due to varying rainfall and underground water levels. It supports diverse wildlife, including turtles and perch, and attracts waterfowl.
Fern Gully:
A three-mile stretch of road near Ocho Rios, originally an old riverbed, now hosts around 200 species of fern. Despite damage from hurricanes and vehicle emissions, it remains a national park known for its lush vegetation.
Marcus Garvey's Birthplace and Statue:
Located in St. Ann's Bay, Garvey's birthplace is a national monument. His inspirational legacy is honored with a statue at the St. Ann's Parish Library.
Rio Hoe:
One of Jamaica's last Spanish settlements, situated 3.2 kilometers from Moneague.
Columbus Park:
This open-air museum in Discovery Bay commemorates Columbus' visit and showcases Jamaica's historical sketches, funded by Kaiser Aluminium
Runaway Caves:
Near Discovery Bay, these caves feature extensive tunnels, intriguing dripstone formations, and a subterranean lake known as Green Grotto. The site includes Taino drawings and historical ties to the Spaniards and pirates.
Seville Great House and Heritage Park:
This museum in Seville explores Jamaica's colonial history under Spanish and English rule. The Great House, built in 1745, offers insights into the plantation era.
Edinburgh Castle:
Ruins of an 18th-century fortified house near Claremont, built by the notorious Scotsman Lewis Hutchinson. Known for its gruesome history, the site includes remnants of Hutchinson's ill-fated guests.
Dunn's River Falls:
A popular tourist attraction where visitors can climb the 600-foot waterfall in guided groups. The falls are part of a landscaped park that includes a beach.
Bob Marley Museum:
Located in Nine Mile, this museum honors the birthplace and burial site of the reggae legend. Managed by the Bob Marley Foundation, it supports community development and highlights Marley's cultural impact. Another larger museum is situated in Kingston.