Government has approved plans for the Boscobel Greenfield Project to create additional housing solutions in St. Mary. The project will be constructed at a cost of just over $800 million and includes the construction of 99 two-bedroom units and associated infrastructure for 258 lots. It adjoins the Boscobel Brownfield Project of the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) and is located close to the airport.

Ground was broken earlier for the development of the Boscobel Operation Pride Project in St. Mary, which will involve construction of new roadways, the completion of roads already laid out, and the provision of electricity.
This project will be undertaken as part of the Operation Pride Programme of the Housing Agency of Jamaica Limited. The contract sum is approximately J$20.5 million, and the Housing Agency of Jamaica Limited will provide technical and project management, as well as facilitate the regularisation of tenure. The community comprises 278 lots, of which some 200 are occupied.

Location

 North-eastern Jamaica, bordered on the west by St. Ann, on the east by Portland, and on the south by St. Andrew.
Area
 610.5 square km (235.7 square miles)

Climate

The average rainfall is 81 inches, ranging from 67.7 inches along the northeast coast to 138.5 inches along the southeast. The effect of rainfall in the north is reduced because of the permeable nature of the limestone rock.

Population

 114,900 (2010 ESSJ 2010)

POLITICAL DIVISIONS

South Eastern
 Richmond
 Castleton
 Belfield
 Annatto Bay

Central
 Islington
 Port Maria
 Hampstead
 Highgate

Western
 Retreat
 Carron Hall
 Gayle
 Oracabessa
 Boscobel

GEOLOGY
There is a noticeable difference between the rugged eastern section which has shale rock and an intricate surface drainage pattern, and the western part, which is limestone and has, predominantly, underground rivers.

St. Mary is mostly hilly just under 13 per cent of its area having slopes below 10 degrees. This geological phenomenon is significant because of the effect it has on urban and agricultural development both of which are made more difficult in steeper gradients.

The coastal area of the parish stretches between Palmetto Bay and the White River. Here the vegetation is primarily deciduous.

Rivers
Principal Rivers:
 Wag Water
 Dry
 Rio Nuevo

Elevations
 Below 304.8m (1,000 feet) – 290 sq km
 304.8 – 609.60m (1,000 to 2000 feet) – 308.10 sq km
 609.60- 914.40m (2000 to 3000 feet) – 49.21 sq km
 914.40- 1219.20m (3000 to 4000 feet) – 10.36 sq km

Hospitals and Health

 Port Maria Hospital
 Annotto Bay Hospital
 There are also 30 Health Centres