GEO Haiti 2010

GEO HAITI • 2010
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Figure 69: Urban Development of the Metropolitan Region of Port-au-Prince
Source: CNIGS
several fortifications were built to protect it. At
that time, the port was very prosperous, however
the cultural and economic activities eventually
declined when the status of the city as capital
of Saint-Domingue was transferred to Port-au-
Prince, at the time of the country’s independence
in 1804.
Its urban pattern is typical of the colonial era, with
an orthogonal layout of streets and buildings
turned towards the trade winds, in accordance
with the urban architecture of 16 th century
colonies. The city had to be rebuilt many times
due to numerous fires as well as earthquakes, the
largest one occurring in 1842.
During the American occupation, Cap-Haïtien’s
food-processing industry promoted a certain
economic development which attracted a
massive influx of rural migrants to the city. Cap-
Haïtien is now again a dynamic port-city, with
a thriving tourism sector thanks to its historical
patrimony, beaches and fortifications.
Given its status of second city, the demographic
increase in Cap-Haïtien is partly due to internal
migration from all over the country. Contrary
to Port-au-Prince, urban growth between 1956
and 1998, although considerable, is less than
one following the year 2000. Since 1956, few
coastal areas remain unoccupied and the city is
spreading further inward, along the route of the
two major highways. Between 1998 and 2002,
the city extended southwards, and also southeast
and southwest (Figure 70).
Gonaives is Haiti’s third city and the capital of
the Artibonite Province. Commonly known as
“Independence City”, as it was there that Haiti
declared its independence on January 1, 1804.
It is also known for its voodoo Souvenance and
Soukri sanctuaries.