Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica is one of the most important parishes on the island, located in the southern section of Jamaica within the county of Surrey. Known for its urban communities, historic districts, mountain villages, and commercial centers, Saint Andrew plays a central role in Jamaica’s government, economy, and daily life.
Saint Andrew is bordered by Saint Mary and Portland to the north, Saint Thomas to the east, Saint Catherine to the west, and Kingston to the south. As one of the 14 parishes of Jamaica, Saint Andrew also forms part of the wider Caribbean region.
The parish is administered by the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC), which oversees local governance, infrastructure, and development.
Land Area: 455 sq km (176 sq mi)
Capital Town: Half Way Tree
Saint Andrew was one of the first parishes in Jamaica to be established by law in 1867. Before being established, it was known as Liguanea, the Taíno word for iguana. Saint Andrew lies to the north, west, and east of Kingston and has long been closely linked to the growth of the capital.
As Kingston expanded, wealthy residents began buying old “pens” in Saint Andrew. “Pen” originally referred to a farm where livestock was kept, and until relatively recently many areas in Saint Andrew were still known as pens. Over time, many of these communities were renamed “gardens,” reflecting the parish’s changing urban and residential character.
Today, Saint Andrew remains one of the most historically important and heavily populated parishes in Jamaica, combining older communities, business districts, suburban neighborhoods, and mountain settlements.
The geography of Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica includes urban districts, suburban neighborhoods, river valleys, hills, and mountain communities. The parish stretches from the Kingston metropolitan area into the foothills and upper sections of the Blue Mountains.
Saint Andrew includes lowland commercial centers such as Half Way Tree, New Kingston, and Liguanea, as well as cooler upland communities such as Irish Town, Mavis Bank, and Newcastle.
The economy of Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica is driven by commerce, government services, finance, education, transportation, and residential development. The parish contains many of Jamaica’s most important commercial and administrative areas, especially around New Kingston, Half Way Tree, and Liguanea.
Saint Andrew also supports agriculture and small-scale rural activity in its upper districts, while its close relationship with Kingston makes it one of the most economically significant parishes in the country.
The major towns and communities in Saint Andrew Parish serve as important centers for commerce, transport, government, education, and daily life across the Kingston Metropolitan Area and the Blue Mountains.
This section includes towns, districts, neighborhoods, and local communities across Saint Andrew Parish. These locations form the backbone of the parish’s population, commerce, residential life, and mountain settlements.
Saint Andrew is one of the 14 parishes of Jamaica and is part of the wider Caribbean region. Its combination of urban centers, mountain communities, commercial districts, and cultural importance makes it one of the most influential parishes in the country.
Saint Andrew is located in the southern section of Jamaica, bordered by Saint Mary, Portland, Saint Thomas, Saint Catherine, and Kingston.
Saint Andrew is known for its commercial centers, residential communities, Blue Mountain districts, and its close connection to Kingston.
The capital town of Saint Andrew Parish is Half Way Tree.
