Saint Ann Sint An | |
|---|---|
| Etymology: Named afterSaint Anne | |
 Saint Ann in Jamaica | |
| Coordinates:18°18′36″N77°12′49″W / 18.31°N 77.2136°W /18.31; -77.2136 | |
| Country | Jamaica |
| County | Middlesex |
| Capital | Saint Ann's Bay |
| Major towns | Saint Ann's Bay,Ocho Rios,Brown's Town, Runaway Bay,Claremont |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,212.6 km2 (468.2 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 1 |
| Population (2012)[5] | |
• Total | 173,232 |
| • Density | 142.86/km2 (370.01/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Saint Annies |
Saint Ann (Jamaican Patois:Sint An) is the largestparish inJamaica.[2][notes 1] It is situated on the north coast of the island, in thecounty ofMiddlesex, roughly halfway between the eastern and western ends of the island. It is often called "the Garden Parish of Jamaica" on account of its naturalfloral beauty. Itscapital isSaint Ann's Bay. Saint Ann comprisesNew Seville, the first Spanish settlement inJamaica.
Saint Ann is the birthplace ofreggae singersFloyd Lloyd,Burning Spear,Busy Signal,Bryan Art,Romain Virgo,Rashawn Dally,Chezidek,Shabba Ranks,Justin Hinds,Perfect, andBob Marley.Marcus Mosiah Garvey, one of the seven recipients ofJamaica's Order of National Hero, was also born there.
Saint Ann is one of the oldest populated areas in the island of Jamaica tracing back to 600–650A.D. It is believed to be the earliestTaino/Arawak settlement in Jamaica. WhenChristopher Columbus first came to Jamaica in 1494, he landed on the shores of Saint Ann atDiscovery Bay, Jamaica. He returned to Jamaica on his fourth voyage and was eventually marooned for one year at Saint Ann's Bay (June 1503 – June 1504), which he called Santa Gloria. The firstSpanish settlement in Jamaica was also at Sevilla la Nueva, now called Seville, just to the west of Saint Ann's Bay. Established byJuan de Esquivel, the first Spanish Governor of Jamaica, Saint Ann's Bay became the third capital established bySpain in theAmericas. The firstsugar mills were established by the Spaniards in Sevilla la Nueva before 1526.After 1655, when the English captured Jamaica, Saint Ann's Bay gradually developed as afishing port with manywarehouses andwharves. The parish of Saint Ann was later named afterLady Anne Hyde the first wife ofKing James II of England.Ocho Rios began to develop as a modern town and a favouritetourist destination in Jamaica. Its development commenced when Reynolds Jamaica Mines built a deep-waterpier, west of the town to shipbauxiteore from themines.
In the 1960s the Saint Ann Development Council began the systematic development ofOcho Rios, creating a modern town.
The parish is located at latitude 18°12'N, longitude 77°28'W. It is bordered by Clarendon and Saint Catherine in the south, Saint Mary in the east, and Trelawny in the west. As with all but one parish, its coast is washed by theCaribbean Sea. Saint Ann covers an area of 1,212.6 km2, making it the largest parish, before Saint Elizabeth's 1,212.4 km2. The population was an estimated at 173,232 in 2012.[5] Besides Saint Ann's Bay, other important towns located in Saint Ann areDiscovery Bay,Brown's Town, andOcho Rios.
The highest elevation in the parish is in theDry Harbour Mountains at 762 metres above sea level. Because of its limestone formation, the parish is noted for its 59 caves and numerous sinkholes. TheMoneague Lake, which varies considerably in size, is one of the few large intermittent lakes in the island. The boundary between Saint Ann and Saint Mary is formed by theWhite River, which flows for 27.4 kilometres. Other rivers like the Dunn's River appear intermittently, rising a few kilometres from the coast. The names of the main rivers are Negro, Saint Ann, Great, Roaring, Cave and Pedro (seeList of rivers of Jamaica).
The agricultural products are mainly bananas, allspice/pimento, sugar, coconuts, coffee, limes, corn, ginger, sweet potatoes, sensimilia yam, andannatto. The soil is also suitable for citrus and,sisal is cultivated in the drier areas. The parish is also noted for cattle rearing, horses and hogs (swine). Recently, however, agriculture has been on the decline as farmland is being used for housing and other developments and the cultivated area has decreased.
The major economic activity in the parish is tourism. Saint Ann is one of the major tourist destinations of Jamaica, given thatDunn's River Falls and many popular beaches, like Puerto Seco Beach, are located there. There is a cruise ship dock (maritime) on the west shore of Ocho Rios Bay, and numerous hotels and resorts (including aSandals Resort) are located in and around the city. It is also the birthplace/resting place forBob Marley (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981).
Banks and supermarkets along with some restaurants make up the rest of the economy. The farmers market where small farmers and food vendors operate is also a source of employment for the locals.
TheHill Top Juvenile Correctional Centre, operated by theDepartment of Correctional Services, Jamaica, is located inBamboo and has a capacity for 98.[6]
TheArmadale Juvenile Correctional Centre for girls was located inAlexandria but on 22 May 2009 a fire went through the facility, killing 5 girls and injuring 13 more.[7] The replacement facility is located inDiamond Crest Villa nearAlligator Pond inManchester Parish.[7]
The Parish also contains the historicSaint Ann's Bay Old Jail, perhaps the first prison in Jamaica.
Saint Ann Parish is represented in theParliament of Jamaica by foursingle-member constituencies:
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St. Ann's is a historically significant location that has undergone major development over the years. It was the site of Spanish settlement and civilization in Jamaica, and despite the capital being moved, it remains one of the most important parishes on the island. St. Ann is known for having the most free villages in Jamaica, including Clarksonville which was established in 1835. Originally a small market town and fishing village, St. Ann has evolved into a major player in Jamaica's Bauxite Industry. The parish is also known for its natural beauty and was named Santa Ana (St. Ann) by the Spaniards, earning the nickname "Garden Parish" of Jamaica.[10]
The Parish has rich history, including being the location where Christopher Columbus first set foot in Jamaica on May 4, 1494 during his second voyage in the Americas. The British Man-O-War, theHinchinbrook, previously commanded by then Post-CaptainHoratio Nelson, also has ties to St. Ann's Parish. The ship was taking on water under the command of Lieutenant John Markham in 1782 soon after leaving Port Royal and sought shelter in St. Ann's Bay, but could not be coaxed over the reef and sank after a nearby schooner took some stores and a few cannons. The anchor of the Hinchinbrook was later retrieved and placed as a landmark in Priory. While many tour buses pass by the landmark on their way to Ocho Rios or Port Antonio, few may realize the significance of the old anchor and its ties to Jamaican history.[11]
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