St James: Jamaica’s Fastest Growing Parish?
When the Spanish plundered Jamaica, Montego Bay was an export point for lard, which was obtained from wild hogs in the forests.
At the beginning of the English plunder, St James was very poor; it had no towns, few inhabitants and little commerce, except for the exported lard.
However, after the treaty with the Maroons in 1739, St. James became one of the most important sugar-producing parishes.
Annually, more than 150 ships arrived in Montego Bay bringing slaves and supplies, and taking sugar.
Commerce developed as wealthy merchants and planters erected many elaborate townhouses.
Fire, in 1795 and again in 1811, destroyed much of Montego Bay. After being rebuilt, it was again destroyed in 1831 by the rebellion led by Sam Sharpe.
After “emancipation” in 1834, the fortunes of the town and parish declined until the banana trade was established.
Today, Saint James is one of the fastest growing parishes on the island with large credits going to Montego Bay, because it is seen as an alternative to the overpopulated Kingston and Saint Andrew Corporate Area.
Agricultural activities include forestry, and the production of sugarcane and other domestic crops.
There are approximately 60 manufacturing establishments in the south of the parish, mainly for garment, woodwork, and food processing.
There are also many industrial zones, including The Montego Free Zone, Bogue Industrial Estate and Ironshore.
Tourism is the main source of employment in the parish; one in four persons are employed in tourism.
More than 500,000 tourists annually visit St. James, and this accounts for one-third of the revenue generated by tourism islandwide; Montego Bay is often called the Mecca of tourism in Jamaica.
By Neo Makeba
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