Dessalines
For other uses, see Dessalines (disambiguation).
| Marchand-Dessalines Desalin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname(s): Dessalines | |
  Marchand-Dessalines Location in Haiti | |
| Coordinates: 19°17′0″N 72°30′0″W / 19.28333°N 72.50000°WCoordinates: 19°17′0″N 72°30′0″W / 19.28333°N 72.50000°W | |
| Country |
 Haiti |
| Department | Artibonite |
| Arrondissement | Dessalines |
| Area | |
| • Total | 459 km2 (177 sq mi) |
| Population (7 August 2003)[1] | |
| • Total | 127,529 |
| • Density | 278/km2 (720/sq mi) |
Dessalines (Haitian Creole: Desalin) is a commune in the Artibonite Department of Haiti. It is named after Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the leader of the Haitian Revolution and the first ruler of independent Haiti. It is known as the First Black Capital of the New World.
In 1804 the town of Marchand was made capital of the newly independent state of Haiti. It was shortly after renamed Dessalines in honor of the first Haitian head of state. The Imperial constitution of May 20th 1805 was proclaimed from the town Dessalines. After the emperor's assassination in October 1806 Port-au-Prince was stated the new capital of Haiti.
References
- ↑ Institut Haïtien de Statistique et d'Informatique (IHSI)
