Mona is a neighbourhood in southeastern Saint Andrew Parish, approximately eight kilometres from Kingston, Jamaica. A former sugarcane plantation, it is the site of a reservoir serving the city of Kingston and the main campus of the University of the West Indies. Name The neighbourhood is named for the former Mona Estate. Geography Mona is bordered by the neighbouring communities of Liguanea, Hope Pastures, Beverly Hills, August Town, and Papine. Mona Reservoir The Mona Reservoir replaces the system of aqueducts that were used at the sugar plantations and then the city of Kingston. The reservoir is now the main water source for Kingston and a recreational area for hikers. History Much of Mona was on what was earlier part of estate holdings awarded to British officers who took over Jamaica from the Spanish in the 1655. Mona Estate The Mona Estate was once a large sugar plantation with water supplied via stone aqueducts. Evidence of its existence can be found in the ruins of water wheel, mills, and aqueducts on the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies. Gibraltar Camp During World War II, a refugee camp was established for Gibraltarian and Jewish refugees from Portugal and Spain. By 1942, approximately 1,500 evacuees from Gibraltar, a British territory, were in Jamaica; other civilians were evacuated to Britain and Madeira. They were removed to make way for a military force of 30,000 who fortified the area against German attack. To speed up the development of the camp, barrack frames were built on the Jamaica-bound ship. The camp was situated on 252 acres of the former Mona Estate. It had housing for the evacuees, staff, and Roman Catholic priests and nuns. Facilities included a hospital, police station, and store. It was outfitted with electrical, water, and telephone service. There was a kosher kitchen and synagogue for Jewish refugees. People who had a trade could work within the camp. The camp was designed to take 7,000, but the population of Malta had refused to be moved to Jamaica and the authorities wanted to use the unused capacity as a prisoner of war camp or as barracks for the local militia in 1943. Educational and medical facilities University of Technology Formerly the College of Arts, Sciences and Technology (CAST), the University of Technology offers hospitality and architectural programmes. It has the largest sculpture garden in the Kingston area. University of the West