Artibonite Department

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Artibonite redirects here. For a river in Haiti, see Artibonite River.
Artibonite Department
Country Haiti
Capital Gonaïves
Area 4,984 km² (1,924 sq mi)
Population 1,168,800 (2002)
none Valley in the Artibonite
Valley in the Artibonite

Artibonite is one of the ten departments (French: départements) of Haiti. With an area of 4,984 km² it is Haiti's largest department. Artibonite has a population of 1,168,800 (2002). The region is the country's main rice-growing area. The main cities are Gonaïves (the capital) and Saint-Marc. An insurgency tried unsuccessfully to declare Artibonite's independence in February 2004.

The department has been in a state of an economic decrease since the insurgencies and coups have reduced the nation's stability. Since the election of President René Garcia Préval, the production of rice and other crops has been on an increase.

Deschapelles, in the Artibonite valley, is the location of the Hospital Albert Schweitzer Haiti

[edit] Arrondissements & Communes

  • Gros Morne Arrondissement
  • Saint-Marc Arrondissement