natural wonder
Blue Mountains, Jamaica
Jamaica's highest mountain range producing the world-renowned Blue Mountain coffee, with misty peaks, hiking trails, and stunning Caribbean sunrise views.
41 km · about 45 min drive
North AmericaJamaicaSaint Thomas Parish
Morant Bay
Saint Thomas Parish, Jamaica · North America
About Morant Bay
Morant Bay sits on the route: 15 minutes from Seaforth, 41km from Blue Mountains, Jamaica.
Morant Bay is in Saint Thomas Parish, Jamaica, with about 9,400 people. The nearest town is Seaforth, about 8 km away.
Morant Bay is a town in southeastern Jamaica and the capital of the parish of St. Thomas, located about 40 kilometres east of Kingston, the capital. The parish has a population of 94,410.
During the nineteenth century, the parish was an area of sugar cane plantations, with a majority of black enslave descendant afterRead more
the abolition of slavery. The Morant Bay Rebellion started on 11 October 1865, with a march by hundreds of people from the parish to the court house to protest poor conditions in the parish. After seven men were shot and killed by volunteer militia, the people
burned the court house and other nearby buildings; a total of 25 people died on both sides in this confrontation.
Over the next two days, hundreds of Jamaican people took control throughout the parish. The governor ordered troops to arrest and suppress the revolutionists; they killed more than 400 persons outright and arrested more than 300, in both cases including many innocent people. Many of those arrested were executed, flogged or sentenced to long terms. This was the only major revolt (as distinguished from slave rebellions and worker uprisings), in Jamaican history. The court house was rebuilt. It stood until 2007, when it was burned down. Court functions were held in other facilities before a new court house was completed and opened in 2014.
Morant Bay's sister cities are Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada and Hartford, Connecticut, United States.
Morant Bay is the birthplace of Miss World 2019 Toni-Ann Singh.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Morant Bay?
Within an hour or so of Morant Bay: Blue Mountains, Jamaica (41 km), Bob Marley Museum, Kingston (42 km).
Where is Morant Bay?
Morant Bay is in Saint Thomas Parish, Jamaica, about 8 km from Seaforth.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 9,368
- Continent
- North America
- Country
- Jamaica
- Region
- Saint Thomas Parish
- Timezone
- America/Jamaica
- Coordinates
- 17.8815, -76.4093
Tags
Worth the detour from Morant Bay
2 notable places within an hour's drive.
museum
Bob Marley Museum, Kingston
The former home and recording studio of reggae legend Bob Marley, preserved as a museum celebrating his life, music, and cultural impact.
42 km · about 50 min drive
When to drive here
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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