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Portmore, Saint Catherine

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Portmore
City
Nickname: 
The Sunshine City
CountryJamaica
CountyMiddlesex
ParishSt Catherine
Founded1960s
Municipalities Act grants municipal status[1]2003-05
Government
Population
[2]
 • Estimate 
(2011)
685,000
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
Area code+1876
Websiteportmorejamaica.infocom

Portmore is a large coastal city in southern Jamaica in Saint Catherine, and a dormitory town for the neighbouring cities of Kingston and Spanish Town.

Geography

Portmore is built on a generally flat plain facing the Kingston Harbour with an intricate canal system which prevents flooding.[3] Much of the land is reclaimed swamp.[3] The Port Henderson hill, apart from the Salt pond hill is visible from neighbouring parishes and was a possible Arawak grave site because the Arawak buried their dead in caverns, which Port Henderson hill is riddled with. The most famous cave is named "Twin Sisters"[3]

History

Portmore began as a large area for schematic residential development in the late 1960s,[3] as the West Indies Home Contractors (WIHCON) organization built thousands of prototype housing units in an effort to alleviate the over-population of Kingston; the first was called Independence City.[3] It has since grown into a suburban city to Kingston; its large population travels into Kingston daily for work, schooling, and many other essential services via the Portmore toll road.

Portmore was granted Municipality status in 2003[1] and has its own city council and mayor, following the British-based model of Jamaican local government.[1] It now houses approximately 10% of the population of the Kingston Corporate Area.

Currently Portmore has an acting mayor since the death of Mayor George Lee in late September 2013.

Portmore has affiliations with music artist Vybz Kartel, Mad Cobra, Baby Wayne, Masicka, Macka Diamond and Spice and many soundsystems such as "Flavor Unit" and "Areacode 876"

Economy

While Portmore is not marketed as a tourist destination for the millions of incoming travelers to Jamaica every year, there are many places for entertainment, eating, relaxing and enjoyment such as beaches, restaurants, hotels and much more.

Transportation

Portmore is served by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) which provides bus transportation for Portmore residents both locally and into Kingston and Spanish Town.

The Portmore Toll Road is the major commuter Highway which connects the city of Kingston and the town, Portmore, via the Hunts Bay Bridge, and Portmore to the old capital of Spanish Town with three lanes in each direction and a speed limit of 110 kilometres per hour (68 mph)

The city is served by the Norman Manley International Airport with over 130 flights weekly.

Sport

Portmore has a professional football team that plays in the Jamaican National Premier League. It was originally Hazard United from May Pen but following its relocation is now called Portmore United F.C..

Horse Racing is popular and all major horse races are run at Caymanas Park located in north Portmore.

Neighbourhoods and districts

  • Ascot Scheme
  • Bernard Lodge
  • Braeton
  • Bridgeport
  • Bridgeview
  • Caribbean Estates
  • Cedar Grove Estate
  • Christian Gardens
  • Christian Meadows
  • Cumberland
  • Cumberland Meadows
  • Daytona
  • Edgewater
  • Garveymeade
  • Greater Portmore
  • Gregory Park
  • Hamilton Gardens
  • Hellshire glades
  • Independence City
  • Marine Park
  • Meadowvale
  • Monza
  • Morris Meadows
  • Mount Royal Estate
  • Naggo Head
  • Passagefort
  • Phoenix Vista
  • Portmore Country Club
  • Portmore Pines
  • Portsmouth
  • Portmore Villa
  • Silverstone
  • South Boro
  • Surrey Meadows
  • Waterford
  • West Cumberland
  • West Mead
  • Westchester
  • Westport
  • Westbay

References

  1. ^ a b c Methodology Study[dead link], Eris D. Schoburgh, Local Government Reform - National Advisory Council, Department of Local Government.
  2. ^ http://www.jis.gov.jm/pdf/General%20Report%20Census%202011%20Revised%20Copy%20Oct.%2019.pdf
  3. ^ a b c d e A short history of Portmore, page 2.
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