Portmore
Encyclopedia
Portmore is a coastal city in southern Jamaica
in Saint Catherine
, and a dormitory town for the neighbouring cities of Kingston
and Spanish Town
.
Portmore was granted Municipality status in 2003, and has its own City Council and Mayor, following the British-based model of Jamaican local government. It now houses approximately 10% of the population of the Kingston Corporate Area.
Currently Keith Hinds is Portmore's mayor since 2007.
The Portmore Toll Road is the major commuter Highway which connects the two cities of Kingston and 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 (68.4 mph)
The city is served by the Norman Manley International Airport
with over 130 flights weekly..
. 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.
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
in Saint Catherine
Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica
St Catherine is a parish located in the south east of Jamaica. It is located in the county of Middlesex, and is one of the island's largest and most economically valued parish because of its many resources. It includes the first capital of Jamaica, Spanish Town, originally known as San Jago de la...
, and a dormitory town for the neighbouring cities of Kingston
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
and Spanish Town
Spanish Town
Spanish Town is the capital and the largest town in the parish of St. Catherine in the county of Middlesex, Jamaica. It was the former Spanish and English capital of Jamaica from the 16th to the 19th century...
.
Geography
Portmore is built on a generally flat plain facing the Kingston Harbour with an intricate canal system which prevents flooding. Much of the land is reclaimed swamp. 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"History
Portmore began as a large area for schematic residential development in the late 1960s, as the WIHCON organization built thousands of prototype housing units in an effort to alleviate the over-population of Kingston; the first was called Independence City. 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, and has its own City Council and Mayor, following the British-based model of Jamaican local government. It now houses approximately 10% of the population of the Kingston Corporate Area.
Currently Keith Hinds is Portmore's mayor since 2007.
Economy
While Portmore is not marketed as a tourist destination for the millions of incoming travellers to Jamaica every year, there are many places for entertainment, eating, relaxing and enjoyment such beaches, restaurants, hotels and much more. Portmore is a safe place to live in.Transportation
Portmore is served by JUTC (Jamaica Urban Transport Company) 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 two cities of Kingston and 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 (68.4 mph)
The city is served by the Norman Manley International Airport
Norman Manley International Airport
-Cargo :The following Cargo/Courier serve Norman Manley International Airport:-Accidents and incidents:*On 17 July 1960, the captain of a Vickers Viscount of Cubana de Aviación hijacked the aircraft on a flight from José Martí International Airport, Havana to Miami International Airport, Florida...
with over 130 flights weekly..
Sport
Portmore has a professional soccer team that plays in the Jamaican National Premier LeagueJamaican National Premier League
The National Premier League, also known as the Jamaican National Premier League and, for sponsorship purposes, the Red Stripe Premier League, is the first division football league in the nation of Jamaica. Twelve teams currently compete in the league.The competition is divided in three stages in...
. It was originally Hazard United from May Pen
May Pen
May Pen is the capital and largest town in the parish of Clarendon in the Middlesex County, Jamaica. It is located on the Rio Minho river , and is a major market centre for the Parish...
but following its relocation is now called Portmore United F.C.
Portmore United F.C.
Portmore United Football Club is a Jamaican football team who currently play in the Digicel Premier League. The team trains at G.C. Foster College and play home matches at the Ferdi Neita Sports Complex.-History:...
.
Horse Racing is popular and all major horse races are run at Caymanas Park
Caymanas Park
-External links:*.*Photos: .-References:...
located in north Portmore.
Neighbourhoods and districts
- Bernard Lodge
- Braeton
- Bridgeport
- Caribbean Estates
- Cumberland
- Cumberland Meadows
- South Boro
- Edgewater
- Garveymeade
- Gregory Park
- Greater Portmore
- Hellshire
- Independence City
- Morris Meadows
- Mount Royal Estate
- Marine Park
- Naggo Head
- Passage Fort
- Portsmouth
- West Mead
- West Cumberland
- Waterford
- Portsmouth