Manchester Parish
Manchester is a county ( parish ) in the south of Jamaica. Capital is Mandeville, the only capital of a Parish that is not on the ocean or a large river. The National Hero Norman Washington Manley was born here.
History
Manchester was formed in 1814 from parts of the parishes of Saint Elizabeth, Clarendon and Vere. This makes it one of the youngest counties in Jamaica. Reason for the reorganization was the wish of the residents of the area to live closer to a management center. It was given the name of William Montagu, 5th Duke of Manchester, who was for 19 years governor of the island. The capital city of Mandeville was named after his eldest son, Lord Mandeville.
By the end of slavery, there were large coffee plantations. The former slaves made their own business as a farmer. In contrast to other regions of Jamaica's sugar is grown in Manchester ever. The potato was introduced here on the island, as well as the economically important ortaniques, a mixture of orange and mandarin.
In the region Taino and Arawak inscriptions, the original inhabitants of Jamaica were found.
Geography
Manchester is bordered to the west by Saint Elizabeth, to the east by Clarendon and Trelawny in the north. At 830 km ², in 2001 190,000 people, of which 30 485 in the capital.
The Parish is crossed by three mountain ranges Figuerero Mountains, May Day Mountains and Carpenters Mountains. The highest point is about 900 meters above sea level. As in many regions of Jamaica consists of the underground here, more than 90 % of limestone. There are numerous caves, sinkholes and underground rivers. Oxford Cave is the largest cave in the area.
Few rivers are small and some of it underground. The water supply is a major problem in the south of Manchester.
Economy
The mountainous country and the drought prevent intensive agricultural use. Nevertheless, bananas, coffee, allspice, ginger and annatto are cultivated, as well as citrus fruits and potatoes. The majority is exported.
Here bauxite was mined as in neighboring Clarendon.