The Palisadoes - Port Royal Protected Area earned national status in 1998, covering an expansive 86.73 km2. Recognized for its profound historical and cultural importance, the area holds forts on the dunes and remnants of Port Royal, once the largest city in the Western Hemisphere. The 1692 earthquake submerged over 90% of the city, creating Port Royal's distinctive "sunken city." The archaeological sites span oceanographic and terrestrial realms. Designated as underrepresented by the seventh Conference of Parties in 1999, the site includes vital wetlands – coral reefs, mangroves, and sea-grass beds – crucial for biodiversity and sensitive ecosystems supporting waterfowl and fish. The Tombolo and associated mangroves mark the site's southern boundary and the seaward edge of Kingston Harbour, ranked as the seventh largest natural harbor globally.

Source:
Ramsar Sites Information Service