Saint Ann Parish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saint Ann
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Parish
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| Etymology: Named after Saint Anne | |
Saint Ann in Jamaica
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| 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) |
| Area rank | 1 |
| Population
(2012)
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| • Total | 173,232 |
| • Density | 142.860/km2 (370.006/sq mi) |
Saint Ann is the biggest parish in Jamaica. It is located on the north coast of the island. You can find it in the county of Middlesex, about halfway between the east and west ends of Jamaica. People often call it "the Garden Parish of Jamaica." This is because of its beautiful flowers and plants. The main town, or capital, is Saint Ann's Bay. Saint Ann is also home to New Seville, which was the first Spanish settlement in Jamaica.
Many famous reggae singers were born in Saint Ann. These include Floyd Lloyd, Burning Spear, Busy Signal, Bryan Art, Romain Virgo, Rashawn Dally, Chezidek, Shabba Ranks, Justin Hinds, Perfect, and Bob Marley. Marcus Mosiah Garvey, a very important Jamaican hero, was also born here.
Contents
Exploring Saint Ann's Past
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Saint Ann is one of the oldest places in Jamaica where people have lived. It dates back to around 600–650 A.D.. Experts believe it was the first settlement for the Taino and Arawak people in Jamaica.
When Christopher Columbus first arrived in Jamaica in 1494, he landed on the shores of Saint Ann. This spot is now called Discovery Bay, Jamaica. Columbus came back to Jamaica on his fourth trip. He ended up stranded for a year at Saint Ann's Bay, from June 1503 to June 1504. He called this place Santa Gloria.
The first Spanish settlement in Jamaica was at Sevilla la Nueva, now known as Seville. It is just west of Saint Ann's Bay. Juan de Esquivel, the first Spanish Governor of Jamaica, started this settlement. Saint Ann's Bay became the third capital that Spain built in the Americas. The first sugar mills in Jamaica were built by the Spanish in Sevilla la Nueva before 1526.
After 1655, the English took control of Jamaica. Saint Ann's Bay slowly grew into a fishing port. It had many warehouses and docks. The parish of Saint Ann was later named after Lady Anne Hyde. She was the first wife of King James II of England.
Later, Ocho Rios began to grow into a modern town. It became a popular place for visitors in Jamaica. Its growth started when Reynolds Jamaica Mines built a deep-water pier. This pier was used to ship bauxite ore from the mines. In the 1960s, the Saint Ann Development Council helped make Ocho Rios a modern town.
Geography and Landscape
Saint Ann is located at 18°12'N latitude and 77°28'W longitude. It shares borders with Clarendon and Saint Catherine to the south. To the east, it borders Saint Mary, and to the west, Trelawny. Like almost all parishes in Jamaica, its coast touches the Caribbean Sea.
Saint Ann covers an area of 1,212.6 square kilometers. This makes it the largest parish in Jamaica. Its population was estimated to be 173,232 people in 2012. Besides Saint Ann's Bay, other important towns include Discovery Bay, Brown's Town, and Ocho Rios.
The highest point in the parish is in the Dry Harbour Mountains. It reaches 762 meters above sea level. Because the land is made of limestone, Saint Ann has 59 caves and many sinkholes. The Moneague Lake is one of the few large lakes on the island that sometimes dries up. The White River forms the border between Saint Ann and Saint Mary. It flows for 27.4 kilometers. Other rivers, like Dunn's River, appear and disappear. They rise a few kilometers from the coast. Main rivers include Negro, Saint Ann, Great, Roaring, Cave, and Pedro.
Economy and Industries
Farming and Agriculture
Farming is an important part of Saint Ann's economy. The main farm products are bananas, allspice (also called pimento), sugar, coconuts, coffee, limes, corn, ginger, sweet potatoes, and annatto. The soil is also good for growing citrus fruits. Sisal is grown in drier areas. The parish is also known for raising cattle, horses, and hogs (pigs). However, farming has been decreasing recently. This is because farmland is being used for houses and other buildings.
Tourism and Visitors
The biggest economic activity in Saint Ann is tourism. It is one of Jamaica's top tourist spots. Famous places like Dunn's River Falls and popular beaches, such as Puerto Seco Beach, are here. There is a dock for cruise ships in Ocho Rios Bay. Many hotels and resorts, including a Sandals Resort, are located in and around the city. Saint Ann is also the birthplace and resting place of the legendary musician Bob Marley.
Local Businesses
Banks, supermarkets, and restaurants make up the rest of the economy. The farmers market is also important. Here, small farmers and food sellers work. This provides jobs for many local people.
Learning and Education
High Schools in Saint Ann
- Ferncourt High School
- York Castle High School
- St. Hilda's High School
- Ocho Rios High School
- Marcus Garvey Technical High School
- Brown's Town High School
- Aabuthnott Gallimore High School
- Saint Ann's Bay High School (Private)
- Prospect College (private semi-military)
- The NorthGate High School (Private)
- Steer Town Academy
- Mount Pleasant Academy (Private)
Community Colleges
- Brown's Town Community College
- Moneague College
Community Facilities
Saint Ann has some facilities that help young people. The Hill Top Juvenile Correctional Centre is in Bamboo. It can hold up to 98 young people.
The Armadale Juvenile Correctional Centre for girls was in Alexandria. In 2009, a fire sadly damaged the facility. A new facility was built in Diamond Crest Villa near Alligator Pond in Manchester Parish.
The parish also has the historic Saint Ann's Bay Old Jail. This might have been the first prison in Jamaica.
Politics and Representation
Saint Ann Parish is represented in the Parliament of Jamaica. It has four members, each from a different area:
- Saint Ann North Eastern
- Saint Ann North Western
- Saint Ann South Eastern
- Saint Ann South Western
Fun Places to Visit
Natural Wonders
- Dunn's River Falls
- Green Grotto Caves
- Ocho Rios Marine Park
- Fern Gully
- Shaw Park Gardens
- Coyaba River Garden
- Puerto Seco Beach
- Chukka Cove Adventures
- White River Rafting
- Dolphin Cove
- Bob Marley Mausoleum
- Cranbrook Flower Forrest
- Seville Heritage Park
- Mystic Mountain
Historic Sites
Saint Ann's Bay has a rich history and has changed a lot over time. It was where the Spanish first settled in Jamaica. Even though the capital moved, Saint Ann remains a very important parish. It is known for having the most "free villages" in Jamaica. These were places where formerly enslaved people could live freely. Clarksonville, started in 1835, is one example.
Saint Ann's Bay began as a small market town and fishing village. It then grew to be a major part of Jamaica's Bauxite Industry. The Spanish named the parish Santa Ana (Saint Ann). Because of its natural beauty, it earned the nickname "Garden Parish" of Jamaica.
The parish has a deep history. Christopher Columbus first stepped onto Jamaican soil here on May 4, 1494. This was during his second trip to the Americas. The British warship, the Hinchinbrook, also has ties to Saint Ann's Parish. This ship was once commanded by Horatio Nelson. In 1782, the ship was taking on water and sought shelter in Saint Ann's Bay. However, it sank after some supplies were taken off. The anchor of the Hinchinbrook was later found and placed as a landmark in Priory. Many tour buses pass this anchor, but few know its important link to Jamaican history.
More to See
- Seville Heritage Park
- Bob Marley Mausoleum, Nine Mile
- Columbus Park
- Marcus Garvey Statue, Saint Ann's Bay
- Edinburgh Castle (ruins)
- Roaring River
Famous People from Saint Ann
- Bob Marley
- Marcus Garvey
- Burning Spear
- D.K. Duncan
- Peter Cargill
- Floyd Lloyd
- Jamaica national bobsled team
- Bass Odyssey
- Romain Virgo
