Kingston, Jamaica

Sometimes the Caribbean’s local governments are not given adequate attention — but they are largely the ones providing services and other governmental functions in the region for a huge number of residents. Caribbean local governance tends to break down into three models: the Kingston Model, or a “political directorate,” the Bridgetown (Barbados) Model (although Bridgetown is now ruled directly by the Barbadian Parliament) and the Santo Domingo model. The latter, which is also the region’s largest city by population, is similar to a federal district, like Washington or Mexico City. [City Mayors]