The parish of Saint Mary (St. Mary) is one of the smallest parishes in Jamaica. Located in the county of Middlesex, it is one of fourteen parishes that make up the island. The capital of this parish happens to be a town that goes by the name of Port Maria. The name of this capital has to do with the coming to the island of Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus a few centuries ago. It was these Spaniards who named the area Puerto Santa Maria, which was the second settlement they built on the island. The name Port Maria is merely an English translation of the Spanish name, done by the Englishmen who had later captured the island from the Spaniards.
The majority of the terrain of the parish of St. Mary is considered mountainous. This it seems contributes significantly to the parish’s reputation for almost daily rainfall. Several rivers criss-cross the parish of which the major ones are the Wag Water, Rio Nuevo, and White rivers.
Health services for the parish are provided in the main by the Port Maria Hospital, which is a public hospital. Not too long ago there was another public hospital in the form of the Annotto Bay Hospital, but this was downgraded to clinic status in an effort to cut costs and rationalize the health service. Medical doctors operating private practices currently complement the health service and can be found throughout the parish. Where educational institutions are concerned St. Mary possesses a few which stand out. Some of these include the St. Mary Technical High School, the St. Mary High School, and Mary Mount High School.
St. Mary has in recent times earned the unwelcome distinction of being regarded as the poorest parish in Jamaica. The economy of the parish, which was at one point a thriving, farming area, has taken a battering both literally and in a manner of speaking. Large quantities of bananas for export was formally the main crop produced. Between changes in the application of banana concessions, and various hurricanes that pounded the island, things took a turn for the worse. Banana is no longer king and it seems to have been relegated to the ranks of small scale farming alongside the Breadfruit, coconut, cocoa, and sugar cane. There is also a bit of fishing done by fisher folk who live near the coast. The economy of the parish has been thrown a lifeline however, as there have been recent efforts to resuscitate it. This resuscitation comes via investments in the parish resulting in a new highway and an international airport being built. Hotels have also been constructed and the focus is now on tourism to rescue the parish.
For the visitor to the parish seeking accommodations they have the choice between luxurious ones and not so luxurious ones. Among the lot are the Golden Clouds Villa and the Golden Eye Resort. It is not unusual to find places in this parish named after the famous author, Ian Flemming of James Bond fame, or his books. In fact the sole airport in the parish is named the Ian Flemming International Airport and one of the beaches is called the James Bond beach. The Golden Eye Resort is another prime example. Back in the days Flemming owned property in the parish and it was here that he penned some of his popular James Bond espionage novels. Taxis and buses provide the easiest and most cost-effective means of navigating the parish. If visitors so choose however, they have the option of renting motor vehicles with which they can get around at their own leisure.
The Amerindians, the Maroons, and the Spaniards, who have all left evidence of their presence in the parish, will be sure to pique the interest of history-minded persons. If one were to judge by the array of successful musical talent emerging from the parish of St. Mary it would be easy to conclude that the music business was one that was easy to get into and become rich. Local stars making the list include Capleton, Ini Kamoze, and Beresford Hammond. Perhaps the most noteworthy attractions of the parish are the Castleton Botanical Gardens and the James Bond Beach. This beach doubles as a venue for big outdoor events such as stage shows. Around Easter time too there is the annual St Mary Agri-Expo Show that is usually held at the Gray’s Inn Sports Club.