Home > Kingston, Jamaica

Founded in 1693 by the British, after a disastrous earthquake destroyed much of the previous capital of Port Royal ( French for King's Port), the city became the seat of administration for Jamaica in 1872, keeping the status when the island was granted independence in 1962. On January 14, 1907 an earthquake in Kingston killed more than 1,000 people.

Apart from being the seat of the Jamaican Government, the city is also home to the University of the West Indies founded in 1948. Several annual and well-visited festivals are held in Kingston.

Two parts comprise the central area of Kingston: downtown, which is its historic yet troubled part, and New Kingston, which is home to the city's most visited attraction, the Bob Marley Museum, built at his home. Several other reggae stars, including Buju BantonBuju Banton (born Mark Myrie 1973) is a Jamaican dancehall and ragga singer. He was born in a slum near Kingston called Salt Lane. Buju" is a common nickname for chubby children; it means "breadfruit". Banton" is a Jamaican word referring to someone with and Beenie ManBeenie Man (born Moses Davis August 22, 1973 in Kingston, Jamaica), is one of the most famous DJs in Jamaican history. He was a child star at a young age, when he won the Teeny Talent contest and recording a single, "Too Fancy", with record producer Junjo, also hail from Kingston. Other attractions include the nearby Hellshire and Lime Cay beaches, the National Gallery of JamaicaThe National Gallery of Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica, is Jamaica's prime and most important art collection, housed at a part of Kingston called Kingston Mall. The gallery houses several important artworks, mostly by artists from Jamaica, and among them pa, and Devon house, a mansion with adjoining park that once belonged to Jamaica's first millionaire, as well as the ruins of Port Royal.

Kingston is served by Norman Manley International AirportNorman Manley International Airport is an airport in Kingston, Jamaica. It is a hub of Air Jamaica and has the IATA Airport Code KIN. The following airlines serve Norman Manley International Airport: Air Canada Air Jamaica Air Sunshine American Airlines A. At Tinson Pen, there is an airport serving flights within Jamaica, including those to Montego BayMontego Bay is a city in Jamaica. Montego Bay contains Jamaica's largest airport, Sangster International Airport. Montego Bay is known for its duty free shopping and cruise line terminal at its Free Port on a beautiful peninsula jutting into the bay..