Kingston

Kingston

The capital and largest city of Jamaica, Kingston is situated on the southeast coast of the island. Facing a natural harbor, which is protected by the Palisadoes, a sand spit that links the town of Port Royal and Norman Manley International Airport with the rest of the island. The city is the Caribbean's largest predominantly English-speaking city. On 22 July 1692 Kingston was established, shortly after the 1692 earthquake that devastated Port Royal in 1692. Lying at the bottom of the Liguanea plain, the original part of the town was built to house the earthquake survivors. The city became the commercial capital of Jamaica in 1703 and the political capital in 1872. It was almost destroyed by fire several times and was devastated by a major earthquake in January 1907. The modern buildings on the city's main streets contrast sharply with the decaying architecture of previous centuries. The Church of Saint Thomas on King Street was built before 1699, but it was rebuilt after the 1907 earthquake. On the eastern edge of the town stands Rockfort, a fortress dating from the late 17th century, surrounded by moats and last inhabited in 1865. Headquarters House on Duke Street is one of the few remaining architectural landmarks in a city once famous for its fine houses. Surround Kingston are the Blue Mountains, the Red Hills, Long Mountain and Kingston Harbour. The city of Kingston has several city parks, which are often transformed for different events and festivities. The most visited parks in the area are parks such as Emancipation Park, Hope Gardens, Devon House, National Heroes' Park, Saint William Grant Park and Mandela Park.