St. Catherine – Quick Facts – Celebrating Jamaica 55

St. Catherine – Quick Facts

Location

On the southern coast of Jamaica to west of St. Andrew, east of Clarendon and south of St. Mary and St. Ann.

Political Divisions

South-East
East- Central
South
North- West
South- West
Central
West- Central
North- East
South- Central

Area

1192.4 sq. km. (460.4 sq. miles)

Population Size

499,600 (ESSJ 2010 figure)

Housing

Housing Units 98,523
Dwellings 128,974
Households 134,378

(STATIN 2001 Census figures)

Capital

Spanish Town
Spanish Town had its beginnings in 1534 and was built by the Spanish after Sevilla Nueva (New Seville) was abandoned. It was first known as Villa de la Vega, later St. Jago de la Vega and then Spanish Town. The town has the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited city in Jamaica. Between 1534 to 1655 it served as the capital of Jamaica under Spanish rule, then later when the English captured the island in 1655, it remained the capital of the island until 1872. That year Kingston became the capital of Jamaica. Spanish Town has an illustrious past, evidence of which still stands in its many historical buildings.

Main Towns

Old Harbour, Linstead, Bog Walk, Ewarton, Portmore

Main River

Rio Cobre

Ports

Port Esquivel – This first- class deep water pier was created by Alcan Jamaica Limited and given the original Spanish name, that of the first Spanish Governor Juan d’ Esquivel. Located at Old Harbour, Port Esquivel handles bauxite, petroleum products and domestic cargo. There is also an oil storage facility which supplies the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo.) electricity plant at Old Harbour.

Airstrips