Jamaica Capitals

Kingston is the capital city of Jamaica, as well as Jamaica’s largest city. Kingston was founded on July 22, 1692, as a sanctuary for survivors of the earthquake in Port Royal, which was the capital city at the time. It was made the capital in 1872 after Spanish Town in St. Catherine and remained so even after independence in 1962. The city rests on the southeast coast of the country. It is bordered by the Blue Mountains, Red Hills, Long Mountain, and is located on the alluvial Liguanea Plain which is positioned next to the Hope River.

Jamaica's population is mainly centered on the urbanized cities. According to the 2016 estimates, Kingston had a population of around 937,700 people, followed by Spanish Town with a population of 145,018, and Portmore with about 102,861 people.

The capital city of Kingston is home to some major tourist attractions. Among these attractions are the National Gallery of Jamaica, the Shaare Shalom Synagogue, and the University of the West Indies Museum. Kingston is also home to a number of impressive public parks. These parks include St William Grant Park, Norman Gardens, Hope Gardens, Emancipation Park, Bournemouth Gardens, Devon House, National Heroes' Park, and Mandela Park.

Influenced by its coastal location, Kingston experiences a tropical climate. The climate is characterized by moderately wet periods from May all through to November, and a dry season from December to April in every year. Because Jamaica lies in the hurricane belt of the Atlantic Ocean, Kingston is sometimes hit by storms and hurricanes. The average temperature in the capital is 27°C. On average, the highest temperatures experienced throughout the months lie at 31°C in June to November while the lowest temperature is 22°C in January and February. During the rainy season, Kingston is among the places with the smallest amount of rain and the most sunshine all through the year compared to other locations in Jamaica.