List of cities in Haiti facts for kids

Map of Haiti

The National Palace in Port-au-Prince, Haiti before the 2010 earthquake.

The well-preserved Cathedral Notre-Dame of Cap-Haïtien

Labadee beach and village

Les Cayes entrance

Colonial architecture in Les Cayes

Church in Anse d'Hainault

Administrative center in Corail

Jean-Jacques Dessalines Legacy Statue

Saut-d'Eau Waterfall

Les Cayes Cathedral

Labadee beach, Haïti, close to Cap-Haïtien

In Labadee, Haïti, Freedom of the Seas is docked

Hotel de Ville (City Hall), site of the City Council, Cap Haïtien

An old gingerbread house in Pacot

The Universite Roi Henri Christophe in Limonade

Milot from the gates of the Sans-Souci Palace

The beach resort of Club Indigo near Saint-Marc

Cathedral of Jérémie

Limbé river

Le Musée de Guahaba/Guahaba Museum

Sunset on the beach in Port-Salut

View of Jacmel

Anse du Clerc

Streets, Dame-Marie

A street scene in Cap Haïtien

A "tap tap" bus, used for public transportation

A view of the beach at Paradis

View of the Citadelle Laferrière, in northern Haiti

Front view of Sans-Souci Palace

Inside the ruins of Sans-Souci Palace

Haiti is a beautiful country located in the Caribbean Sea. It shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. Haiti is famous for being the first independent nation in Latin America and the first free Black republic in the world. Its history is rich with stories of freedom and resilience.

This article will help you explore some of Haiti's most important cities and how the country is organized. You will learn about the different types of areas that make up Haiti, from large cities to smaller towns.

How Haiti is Organized: Departments and Communes

Haiti is divided into different sections to help manage the country. Think of it like how your country might have states or provinces.

Departments: Haiti's Main Regions

Haiti has ten main regions called departments. These are the largest divisions of the country. Each department has its own unique features, from mountains to beaches. For example, the Ouest Department is where the capital city is located.

Arrondissements: Smaller Areas within Departments

Each department is then split into smaller areas called arrondissements. These are like counties or districts within a state. They help organize the different towns and rural areas.

Communes: Cities and Towns of Haiti

Inside each arrondissement, you'll find communes. A commune is like a city or a town, along with the smaller villages and countryside around it. When people talk about cities in Haiti, they are usually referring to these communes.

Exploring Important Haitian Cities

Haiti has many interesting cities, each with its own story and importance. Here are a few of the most well-known communes:

Port-au-Prince: The Capital City

An old gingerbread house in Pacot

A "tap tap" bus, used for public transportation

Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of Haiti. It is located in the Ouest Department. This city is a busy center for trade, culture, and government. Many people live and work here. You can find markets, schools, and the National Palace in Port-au-Prince. It is a vibrant place, full of life and activity.

Cap-Haïtien: The Northern Gem

The well-preserved Cathedral Notre-Dame of Cap-Haïtien

A street scene in Cap Haïtien

Cap-Haïtien is a major city on Haiti's northern coast. It is in the Nord Department. This city is known for its beautiful colonial buildings and rich history. Nearby, you can find the famous Citadelle Laferrière, a huge fortress built on a mountaintop. Cap-Haïtien is also a gateway to stunning beaches like Labadee.

Les Cayes: Southern Beauty

Les Cayes entrance

Colonial architecture in Les Cayes

Les Cayes is an important city in the south of Haiti. It belongs to the Sud Department. This city is a hub for agriculture, especially coffee and sugarcane. It also has lovely beaches and a relaxed atmosphere. The area around Les Cayes is very fertile and green.

Jacmel: The Artistic City

View of Jacmel

Jacmel is located in the Sud-Est Department and is famous for its vibrant arts scene. The city is known for its colorful houses, beautiful beaches, and lively carnival celebrations. Many artists and craftspeople live here, making it a cultural hotspot.

Gonaïves: City of Independence

Gonaïves is a significant city in the Artibonite Department. It holds a special place in Haiti's history because it was where Haiti declared its independence in 1804. This makes Gonaïves a very important symbol of Haitian freedom.

List of Haitian Communes by Department

Below is a list showing some of the communes in Haiti, organized by their department and arrondissement. This table helps you see how many people live in each commune.

See also

• Departments of Haiti
• Arrondissements of Haiti
• List of communes of Haiti
• Communal section