Portland, with its capital town Port Antonio, is a parish located on Jamaica’s northeast coast.
It is situated to the north of St Thomas and to the east of St Mary in Surrey County. It is one of the rural areas of Jamaica, containing part of the Blue Mountains, where the Jamaican Maroon communities of Moore Town and Charles Town are located.
The parish is situated at latitude 18°10′ N and longitude 75°27’W. It extends from the highest peaks of the Blue Mountains, 2,256 metres (7,402 ft) above sea level, down to the north coast, and is noted for its fertile soil, scenery, and beaches.
[citation needed] The parish lies in the direct path of the northeast trade winds, and the Blue Mountain ridge to its south traps the moisture.
This parish has the highest rainfall in the island.
Port Antonio, its chief town and capital, has two harbours, the western one being sheltered by a small islet, Navy Island.
Portland covers an area of 814 square kilometers, making it Jamaica’s seventh-largest parish.
