| Official Name: | Port-de-Paix |
| Native Name: | Pòdepè / Pòdpè |
| Settlement Type: | Commune |
| Pushpin Map: | Haiti |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Haiti |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Haiti |
| Subdivision Type1: | Department |
| Subdivision Name1: | Nord-Ouest |
| Subdivision Type2: | Arrondissement |
| Subdivision Name2: | Port-de-Paix |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Vacant |
| Population As Of: | 2015 |
| Population Total: | 462,000 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Metro: | 306,217 |
| Timezone: | Eastern |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Timezone Dst: | Eastern |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -4 |
| Coordinates: | 19.95°N -72.8333°W |
| Native Name Lang: | ht |
Port-de-Paix (in French pronounced as /pɔʁ də pɛ/; Haitian; Haitian Creole: Pòdepè or Haitian; Haitian Creole: Pòdpè; meaning "Port of Peace") is a commune and the capital of the Nord-Ouest department of Haiti on the Atlantic coast. It has a population of 462,000 (2015 IHSI estimate). Port-de-Paix used to be a large exporter of bananas and coffee.[1]
The city of Port-de-Paix located on a small coastal plain on the Atlantic coast of Haiti in the Tortuga Canal on the bank of Three-Rivers in an area marked by agricultural activities.
The communes comprises:
Port-de-Paix is also the chief town of an arrondissement of the same name. The arrondissement consists of five communes: Port-de-Paix, La Pointe des Palmistes, Bassin-Bleu, Chansolme and Tortuga.
During the Amerindian period this area was called "Xarama" by the Taïno people. The area around the town was given the name "Valparaíso" by Christopher Columbus after landing here in the late evening of December 6, 1492, and today still contains many attractive beaches and cave locations. A ferry operates between the town and Tortuga island, (La Tortue), called "Gusaeni Cahini" by the Taïnos, which is situated just across the water.
The town was founded in 1665 by French filibusters, driven from Tortuga Island by the British occupiers. In 1676 the capital of the French Colony of Saint-Domingue was moved from Tortuga to Port-de-Paix, and it remained the seat of government until 1711 when the capital was moved to Cap-Français. In 1676, Padrejean escaped from slavery in the Port. In 1679 the town saw the first black slave revolt. The area saw great success during the 18th century but on February 27, 1903, the town was almost entirely destroyed by fire, and never attained its former status.[2]
In 1803, following the step of Maurepas, the general Francois Lamort Cappois and the 9th demi-brigade the French soldiers evacuated the city.
Port-de-Paix is served by Port-de-Paix Airport. The RN5 connects the city to Gonaives in the Artibonite Department, the R117 connects ic to Limbé in the Guarico Department and the R151 connects it to Mole-St-Nicolas in proposed Quisqueya Department. The main streets are Stenio-Vincent, Capois, du Quai.
A ferry connects the island of Tortuga to Port-de-Paix.
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