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| Photo by Ishamari Drennan-Colón |
Haiti is a Caribbean country, it is a sovereign state located on the island of Hispaniola that shares with the Dominican Republic in the archipelago of the Greater Antilles of the Caribbean Sea. Port-au-Prince is the capital of Haiti. Due to the continuing unrest and conflicts in this small country, few people travel to Haiti on vacation these days. It's a shame because the country has an incredible tropical and semi-arid climate, with hurricane season from June to November. Here the terrain is mostly mountainous, but there is a broad and flat central plain to the north.
French and African food dominates Haiti's cuisine. If you fly in the country, you are likely to get to Aeroport Toussant L'Ouverture Airport in Port-au-Prince. If you really want to visit Haiti but are worried about the continuing unrest, consider visiting Labadee, a fenced-in resort area that is popular with tourists.
Capital city - Port-au-Prince
Languages - French and Creole
Tragically, the once beautiful Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince was almost entirely destroyed by the earthquake that struck the island in January 2010. Most of the major tourist attractions, government buildings, major hotels, and hospitals were erased by the natural disaster, but the city is slowly rebuilding, thanks in large part to international relief efforts. Although many of the following places now put in ruins, they give a touch to what Port-au-Prince can return in the coming years and decades.
The Saint Trinité Episcopal Cathedral was also reduced to rubble, but the church was one of the largest houses of worship in the country. The quiet exterior gave small touches of the incredible interior, covered with deliciously exuberant and colorful murals that told the story of the life of Christ.
The modern Musée du Panthéon national drew many visitors with its unusual underground design and tombs of national heroes. Many leaders of the independence movement have settled down to rest, such as Christophe, Dessalines, Toussaint Louverture and Pétion. The building was built in the same style as the houses of the indigenous Tainos, a beautiful example of Haitian architecture.
The southern end of the fields of Mars was once dominated by the Musée d 'Art Haitien, home to the largest collection of Haitian art. Many native teachers were well represented, including Robert St. Brice, Préfète Duffaut, Hector Hyppolite and Philomé Obin.
The nearby art center opened its doors in 1944 to a new generation of Haitian painters. The exhibition space and school of local teachers gave the recognition they deserved, and visitors were treated to outstanding temporary exhibitions of promising artists.
One of the liveliest places in the city was once the Marché de Fer, or iron market. Suppliers fill the market selling everything from fresh products to sea turtles, voodoo paraphernalia and traditional crafts. Almost every turn in the labyrinthine market producing an impressive inventory of local handicrafts, including paintings, coconut jewelry, masks, sculptures, staves and much more.
If the past is an indication of the future, Port-au-Prince will one day rise again to become a vibrant, beautiful city with a deep appreciation of art and culture.
PORT AU PRINCE LOCATION
Port-au-Prince lies towards the south of Haiti, in the Gulf of Gonâve and is its largest city.
The population of its metropolitan area is estimated 2,510,000.
PORT AU PRINCE LANGUAGE
French and Creole are the official languages of Haiti.
PRIORITY RELIGION OF PORT AU PRINCE
- 80% Catholic
- 16% Protestant
- 1% none
- 3% others
While Roman Catholics are reported to be the most common religion, voodoo is practiced by approximately half of the population of Haiti.
PORT AU PRINCE CURRENCY
The Gourde of Haiti is the official currency of Haiti.
CLIMATE OF PORT AU PRINCE
Port-au-Prince is constantly hot with high humidity. It rains every month but the driest months are December, January, and February.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF PORT AU PRINCE
- Distillery of Ron Barbancourt
- Pétion-Ville
- Plaine du Cul de Sac
OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN PORT AU PRINCE
- Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
- Carnival (in February)
- Hotel Kinam
- In Haiti Feu
