Saint Ann, Jamaica

Saint Ann, (capital, Saint Anns Bay) is the largest parish in Jamaica. It is situated on the north coast of the island, in the county of Middlesex, roughly halfway between the eastern and western ends of the island. It is often called 'the Garden Parish of Jamaica' on account of its natural beauty. Saint Ann is the birthplace of reggae singers Burning Spear and the honorable Bob Marley (d. 1981), and

Economy

Agriculture

The agricultural products are mainly bananas, pimento, sugar, coconuts, coffee, limes, corn, ginger, sweet potatoes, yams, and annatto. 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. Recently, however, agriculture has been on the decline as farmland is being used for housing and other developments and the acreage under cultivation has decreased.

Related Topics:
Banana - Pimento - Sugar - Coconut - Coffee - Limes - Corn - Ginger - Sweet potatoes - Yams - Annatto - Citrus - Sisal - Hors - Hogs - Housing

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Bauxite

Bauxite was discovered in the parish in 1942. By 1953 Reynolds Jamaica Mines Ltd had began exporting bauxite ore, and Kaiser Aluminium had began operations. Today, Kaiser Aluminium is one of the country's largest single taxpayer and contributor of foreign exchange to the Jamaican Government.

Related Topics:
1942 - 1953 - Aluminium

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Tourism

The major economic activity in the parish is Tourism. Ochio Rios is one of the major tourist destination of Jamaica, given that Dunn's River Falls and many popular beaches, like Puerto Seco Beach, are located there. There is a cruise ship dock on the west shore of Ocho Rios Bay, and numerous hotels and resorts (including Sandals Jamaica) are located in and around the city.

Related Topics:
Tourism - Dunn's River Falls - Beach - Cruise ship - Dock - Hotels - Sandals

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Major sites

• Fern Gully: Close to Ocho Rios on the road to Moneague is a three mile long road through a canyon that was an old river bed. In about 1880 it was planted with about 200 species of fern. It still remains attractive with banks of ferns and other plants forming acanopy. Fern Gully is a National Park.
• Marcus Garvey's Birthplace and Statue is located in the capital of the parish at thee St Ann's Parish Library.
• Columbus Park is situated to the west of Discovery Bay on the Queens Highway, commemorating Columbus' visits to the island.
• Runaway Caves are popular tourist attractions located about 3.2 kilometres east of Discovery Bay. It is the entrance to the system of caves and tunnels that extend for over 9.6 kilometres. A lake, 120 feet down is called Green Grotto. Boat trips can be taken on the lake which is clear enough for stalactites to be seen growing from the bottom. Drawings have been left on the walls by Tainos and it is believed that the Spaniards and pirates used these caves probably as escape routes.
• The Seville Great House was built in 1745 on the site of the original Great House by the grandson of Richard Hemmings, the first English owner of the property.
• Edinburgh Castle: This is the ruins of this two-storey fortified house with two towers at diagonal corners. This 'castle' was built by a notorious Scotsman, Lewis Hutchinson, who had settled in Jamaica. According to some apocryphal stories, his hobby was to shoot his departing guests from a loophole in the tower, and rifle the body of valuables. It is believed that he threw the corpses down a deep sinkhole nearby. No skeletons have been found, however, but 43 watches possibly belonging to his victims. After attempting to kill a neighbouring planter, he was caught attempting to flee the island. He was brought back and hanged in March 1773.
• Dunn's River Falls: The unique thing about Dunns River falls is that the falls is at the mouth of the spring; right before it enters the sea. It is possible to travel up the 600 ft falls in groups holding hands for safety. It is one of Jamaica's most popular attractions.
• Bob Marley Museum: This is at Nine Mile, the birthplace and burial site of Bob Marley. The site is run by the Bob Marley Foundation and some of the funds generated is used to improve community facilities and advance community development at Nine Mile.