# Portmore, Saint Catherine

Portmore (Jamaican Creole: Puotmuor) is a large urban settlement located along the southeastern coast of Jamaica in Saint Catherine, and a dormitory community for Kingston and Spanish Town, which neighbour it. On February 11, 2025 the Jamaican House of Representatives voted that Portmore be designated the 15th parish in Jamaica. This parliamentary action was ratified in the senate on February 28th, 2025.

## Geography

Portmore is on the south coast in the Parish of St. Catherine. It is approximately 15 miles south-west of the capital of Kingston. It is divided into two regions, the plains to the north and the limestone hills of Hellshire to the south.
The most densely populated areas are located on low-lying reclaimed lands. Portmore consists of communities such as Old Portmore, Greater Portmore, Braeton and Hellshire. Portmore is one of the largest urban areas in St. Catherine with respect to human settlement, having a population 156,468(2001 census) and an annual growth rate of 4% since 1991.
Portmore is built on a generally flat plain facing Kingston Harbour with an intricate canal system which prevents flooding. Much of the land is reclaimed swamp. Port Henderson Hill, formerly known as Salt Pond Hill, is visible from neighbouring parishes and was a possible Arawak grave site because the Arawak buried their dead in caverns, which Port Henderson Hill is riddled with. The most famous cave is named "Twin Sisters".
Formed through the amalgamation of various communities the city encompasses areas like Greater Portmore and even iconic destinations like Hellshire Beach. Some of the communities within Portmore include:
* Christian Gardens
* Caymanas Estate-Christian Pen
* Gregory Park
* Waterford
* Portsmouth
* Passage Fort
* Independent City
* Meadowvale
* Cedar Grove
* West Cumberland
* Cumberland
* Westchester
* Port Henderson-Fort Augusta
* Silverstone
* Portmore Pines
* Newland
* Naggo Head
* Southborough
* Westmeade
* Bridgeport
* Edgewater
* Bayside
* Braeton
* Caribbean Estates
* Old Braeton
* Monza
* Daytona
* Ascot
* Epsom
* Kensington
* West Aintree
* Belmont Park
* West Queens Park
* East Queens Park
* East Chedwin
* East Sabina
* West Sabina
* Hellshire

## History

Portmore began as a large area for schematic residential development in the late 1960s, as the West Indies Home Contractors (WIHCON) organization built thousands of prototype housing units in an effort to alleviate the over-population of Kingston; the first was called Independence City. It has since grown into a suburban city to Kingston; its large population travels into Kingston daily for work, schooling, and many other essential services via the Portmore toll road.
Portmore was granted Municipality status in 2003 and has its own city council and mayor, following the British-based model of Jamaican local government. It now houses approximately 10% of the population of the Kingston Corporate Area.
Currently the mayor of Portmore is His Worship the Mayor Leon Thomas.
On February, 2025 the House of Representatives approved a legislative reform which allowed Portmore to obtain the status of Parish.

## Economy

While Portmore is not marketed as a tourist destination for the millions of incoming travelers to Jamaica every year, there are many places for entertainment, eating, relaxing and enjoyment such as beaches, restaurants, hotels and much more.

## Transportation

Portmore is served by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) which provides bus transportation for Portmore residents both locally and into Kingston and Spanish Town.
The Portmore Toll Road is the major commuter Highway which connects the city of Kingston and the town, Portmore, via the Hunts Bay Bridge, and Portmore to the old capital of Spanish Town with three lanes in each direction and a speed limit of 110 kilometres per hour (68 mph).
The city is served by the Norman Manley International Airport with over 130 flights weekly.

## Sport

Portmore has a professional football team that plays in the top flight Jamaica National Premier League. It was originally Hazard United from May Pen but following its relocation is now called Portmore United F.C..
Since 2020, the tightly contested football match known as the Portmore derby involving Portmore United F.C. and Dunbeholden F.C.
Horse Racing is popular and all major horse races are run at Caymanas Park located in north Portmore.

## Notable people

* Vybz Kartel (born 1976), dancehall singer and deejay
* Spice (born 1982), dancehall singer and deejay
* Popcaan (born 1988), dancehall singer and songwriter
* Floyd West (born 1980), contemporary Reggae roots singer and songwriter