St. James is a suburban parish, located on the north-west end of the island of Jamaica in the county of Cornwall.

When the Spanish occupied Jamaica, Montego Bay was an export point for lard, which was obtained from wild hogs in the forests.

At the beginning of the English rule, the parish was one of the poorest; it had no towns, few inhabitants and little commerce, except for the exported lard.

Annually, more than 150 ships arrived in Montego Bay bringing slaves and supplies, and taking sugar.

As a result, a group of slaves responded in turn with and began setting fire to buildings and the surrounding plantations and cane fields.

The Nassau Mountains, which rise from St. Elizabeth, south of the parish, extend diagonally across St. James.

There are approximately 60 manufacturing establishments in the south of the parish, mainly for garment, woodwork, and food processing.