Cap-Haïtien, Harbor city in Nord, Haiti
Cap-Haïtien is a harbor city in the Nord department on the northern coast of Haiti, where colonial architecture alternates with modern neighborhoods along the bay. Wide avenues cross the center, and low buildings line up to the shore, where fishing boats anchor beside cargo vessels.
The settlement began in 1670 under French rule and quickly grew into the economic center of the colony of Saint-Domingue, before it received its present name after the revolution. Large parts burned during conflicts and were rebuilt in the 19th century.
The name means "Haitian Cape" and recalls the colonial past as an important harbor, while today markets and churches shape the cityscape. Fishermen still dock in the early morning, and small craft workshops line the alleys around the central squares.
The terrain is relatively flat in the city center and becomes hillier in the outskirts, where steep slopes make access more difficult. Rainy season lasts from May to November, and many streets can turn muddy during heavy rainfall.
Some street signs still carry French names from the colonial period, mixed with Creole labels added later. In some older neighborhoods you can find cast iron balconies imported from Europe and installed in the 19th century.
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