Geography
Westmoreland has an area of 807 square kilometres (312 sq mi), making it Jamaica's eighth largest parish. Westmoreland's population of 141,000 is made up of a large percentage of Indians, who are the descendants of Indentured Laborers who came to Jamaica from India to work after slavery. The descendants are known locally in the parish as "Indie Royals" because of their mixed East-Indian and African heritage.
There are over 10,000 acres (40 km2) of morass land, the largest part of which is called the Great Morass. This contains plant and animal material collected over centuries. The morass can be mined as peat, an excellent source of energy, and it also serves as a natural sanctuary for Jamaican wildlife. The remaining area consists of several hills of moderate elevation, and alluvial plains along the coast.
There are numerous rivers in the parish. The Cabaritta River, which is 39.7 kilometres long, drains the George's Plain and can accommodate boats weighing up to eight tons. Other rivers include the Negril River, New Savanna, Morgan's, Gut, Smithfield, Bowens, Bluefields, Robins, Roaring, Great and Dean.
The westernmost tip of the island, Negril Point, is home to Negril Lighthouse.
Read more about this topic: Westmoreland Parish
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