J. Allan Cash Photolibrary/Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

The capital and chief port of Jamaica, Kingston sprawls along the island’s southeastern coast. The city is backed by the Blue Mountains and is famous for its fine natural harbor. The harbor is protected by a narrow peninsula that has been widely developed as a resort.

On the city’s main streets, modern buildings contrast sharply with the decaying architectural relics of former centuries. The chief industries are food processing, clothing production, and petroleum refining. Kingston is also a tourist center. The Institute of Jamaica maintains a public library, museum, and art gallery specializing in the local culture.

Kingston was founded in 1692. In 1703 it became the commercial capital of Jamaica and in 1872, the political capital. Kingston suffered a violent earthquake in January 1907, after which it was rebuilt. Since 1923 the small parish of the original Kingston has merged physically and administratively with St. Andrew parish. Population (2011 census), Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation, 662,426.