Kingston
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island.
Founded in 1692 after an earthquake had largely destroyed Port Royal, the British colony gradually became a major center of trade. Benefitting from its natural harbor and fortified defenses, Kingston forged an important connection between the British Empire, the Caribbean and West Africa.
History
Founding and development
On 7 June 1692, Port Royal, then Jamaica's commercial center, was struck by an earthquake and two thirds of the city sank into the sea, killing half of the population.[1] Survivors sought refuge in a tent city that was to become Kingston, though it only really began to develop after a fire destroyed what was left of Port Royal in 1703.[2]
One of the driving forces behind Kingston's economic growth was the slave trade; shortly after the city was founded, a large number of people were imported, mostly to work on sugar plantations. Traffickers like Laurens Prins would build their fortune on the practice, living like kings in grand manors. However, rebellion was not uncommon, with many slaves escaping their masters and joining the Maroon communities in the mountains.[1] In particular, Master Assassin Antó, who led the local Assassin bureau, was known for organizing plantation raids and freeing slaves.[2]
Following the War of the Spanish Succession, Kingston attracted numerous unemployed sailors, many of which would eventually turn to piracy for a living.[1]
Modern times
In 2013, Kingston was used as a simulated location created by Abstergo Industries' entertainment branch, in order to influence the general public through the console stage of their Animus technology.[2]
Gallery
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Concept art of a bird's eye view of Kingston -
Concept art of Kingston -
Concept art of Kingston's streets -
Concept art of Kingston's streets -
Edward Kenway overlooking Kingston from a viewpoint
Reference