| Population
distribution and density in Jamaica
By
Marjorie Henry, Contributor
 |
| Members
of Glenmuir High School's graduating class during the school-leaving exercise
on June 22, 2006, in May Pen, Clarendon. - Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance photographer |
In the
previous lesson we discussed the factors that influence population distribution
and density in Jamaica. I have already shared information on the effects of relief,
drainage and soil on where people live in Jamaica. The topic continues in today's
lesson. Water
supply In
former years, people tended to settle near rivers and springs so that they could
access water. That has changed over time with the introduction of pumping stations
and piped water. With improved technology, water can be made available to settlements
wherever they are located. Mineral
deposits There
are areas in Jamaica where bauxite can be found. The mining of this ore has led
to an increase in the population in several areas. For example, the town of May
Pen, in Clarendon, and Mandeville, in the hills of Manchester. Social
There
are several things to be considered under social factor. 1.
The availability of housing. Both private developers and the Government provide
this. Through the National Housing Trust, many housing developments have been
constructed. Examples are the Mineral Heights Housing Scheme just outside the
town of May Pen, in Clarendon, and Angels, near Spanish Town, in St. Catherine.
I am certain that you can find examples in your own parishes. The National Housing
Trust seeks to provide affordable housing. It has become a common practice for
people to live in these housing schemes, for example Mineral Heights, and commute
daily to their jobs several miles away, for example, in Kingston. Legislations
2.
The development of housing schemes is not the only way in which the Government
determines where people live. Because Jamaica is prone to natural disasters, in
particular, hurricanes, there are legislations in place prohibiting people to
live on gully banks, river banks, and along sections of the coastal areas. In
short, the extremely-low areas are to be avoided since these are prone to natural
disasters. In addition, in hilly regions, for example, in the parish of Portland,
some slopes are susceptible to failure. These are also to be avoided. 3.
There are also examples of informal settlements. These are situations where squatting
occurs on unoccupied government or private lands. Once started, others follow.
There have been instances where the Government has upgraded these squatter areas
by putting in infrastructure such as paved roads, water supply and electricity.
Population
density 4.
Educational facilities - Access to tertiary education (colleges and universities)
can influence population density. These facilities are usually located in the
urban areas and as the need for academic advancement arises, individuals may settle
in these areas to access these institutions. Marjorie
Henry is a vice-principal at Glenmuir High School and is head of the Geography
Department. She teaches the subject at the CSEC Level. | 
