Kingston (Jamaica)

Capital, largest city, and principal port of Jamaica, West Indies, on the southeast coast; population (2002 est) 583,900. It is the cultural and commercial centre of the island. Industries include tourism, textiles, petroleum products, and clothing, while major exports are agricultural goods such as sugar, bananas, coffee, rum, and molasses.

Founded in 1693, Kingston became the capital of Jamaica in 1872 and remained capital at independence in 1962. Notable features include the 17th-century fortress of Rockfort and the 18th-century Headquarters House (where the government was once based). The University of the West Indies (1948) is in the suburb of Mona, and the city is also the home of the College of Arts, Science and Technology (1958).