Population: 139,000
Capital: Savanna-la-Mar
Major Towns: Bluefields, Bethel Town, Negril, Seaford Town, Grange Hill, Frome, Darliston
Westmoreland, the westernmost parish of Jamaica, is located on the island’s southern side and spans 807 square kilometers (311 square miles). A significant feature of this region is its extensive morass land, exceeding 10,000 acres, with the Great Morass being the largest portion. This area, rich in accumulated plant and animal material over centuries, is a valuable source of peat, which serves as an excellent energy resource. Additionally, the morass acts as a natural sanctuary for Jamaican wildlife. The remainder of Westmoreland is characterized by moderately elevated hills and alluvial plains along the coast.
The parish is traversed by numerous rivers. The Cabaritta River, which is 39.7 kilometers long, drains George's Plain and can support boats weighing up to eight tons for a distance of twelve miles. Other rivers include the Negril, New Savanna, Morgan's, Gut, Smithfield, Bowens, Bluefields, Robins, Roaring, Great, and Dean Rivers.
Historically, the Spaniards established one of their initial three settlements in Bluefields. Christopher Columbus also visited this area during his second voyage to Jamaica, naming it Oristan after a town in Sardinia. In 1703, the parish was named Westmoreland due to its location as the island's most westerly point. Savanna-la-Mar (meaning "plain by the sea") became the capital in 1730, replacing Banbury. The coast of Westmoreland was a notorious refuge for pirates, including Henry Morgan, who later became Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. He launched a successful raid on Panama City from Bluefields in December 1670. In 1694, local militia repelled a French landing party in this area. The renowned English naturalist Philip Henry Gosse resided in Bluefields for 18 months, during which he sent numerous specimens of rare plants and animals to England and Canada. He also authored "Birds of Jamaica" and "A Naturalist's Sojourn in Jamaica," which remain valuable references.
A pivotal event in Westmoreland’s history was the 1938 riots at the Frome sugar estate, which sparked significant changes leading to universal adult suffrage in 1944 and a new constitution that paved the way for Jamaica’s self-governance and eventual independence. National heroes Sir Alexander Bustamante and Norman Washington Manley emerged as key political leaders during this period.
Agriculture:
The largest employer in the parish, major agricultural products include sugar, bananas, coffee, ginger, cocoa, pimento, and honey.
Fishing:
There are 19 fishing beaches in Westmoreland, with over 90 boats actively engaged in the industry.
Tourism:
Since the 1950s, tourism has been the fastest-growing sector. Major hotels include Sandals Negril, T Water Beach Hotel, Poinciana Beach Resort, Grand Lido, Hedonism, Negril Beach Club, and Negril Cabins. Negril is one of the main tourist destinations.
Manufacturing:
This is the third-largest sector, producing items such as food and drink, tobacco, animal feeds, textiles, and printing products.
The Great Morass:
This extensive freshwater wetland stretches ten miles from the South Negril River to Orange Bay and is two miles wide. It is nearly impenetrable and is believed to be a remnant of a primeval forest. As the second-largest freshwater wetland in Jamaica, it serves as a refuge for endangered waterfowl. The endemic fish, God-a-me, found at the edges where the morass connects to flowing water, can live out of water in moist, shady areas. The morass is vital to Negril’s environment, acting as a giant sponge that filters water from the interior of the parish. The Negril Watershed Environmental Protection Area was established to safeguard the morass and reefs from the expanding tourism industry, which poses environmental threats.
Mannings High School:
Founded in 1738, this school was endowed by Thomas Manning, who left 13 slaves, land, cattle, and produce in Burnt Savannah to establish a "free school" in Westmoreland. The school, with modern buildings surrounding the original wooden structure, is the second-oldest secondary school on the island.
Bluefields House:
Associated with Philip Henry Gosse, this house was where the English naturalist spent 18 months (1844-1845), collecting and sending hundreds of specimens of local flora and fauna to the British Museum. The garden of Bluefields House features a breadfruit tree, believed to be one of the first brought to the island by Captain Bligh of Mutiny on the Bounty fame. The house is thought to be on the site of one of the earliest Spanish settlements, known as Oristan, though no remains of the settlement have been found.
Savanna-la-Mar Baptist Church:
Established on June 7, 1829, by Rev. Thomas Burchell, this church played a significant role during the anti-slavery movement in the West Indies and England. The church also had William Knibb, another prominent emancipator, as a pastor.