Development of the Original Settlements of Haiti
Cap-Haitien, the original capital of the colony and earliest major city of the French Haiti, was founded in 1670. It is located in Northern Haiti, on the North Coast. It has now developed and has a greater population, but still has a 10 times smaller population than that of Port-Au-Prince. It has large numbers of impoverished or homeless people, but its pace of life is much slower than that of Port-Au-Prince (Encylopaedia Brittanica, 2010).
Port-Au-Prince, the current capital city and most populated city, was founded in 1749, and became the colonial capital in 1770 because its central location was believed to be more suitable for future developments, defense and commerce than Cap-Haitien, the previous capital. Port-Au-Prince is located in the centre of Haiti. It has now developed into a much more populated city over the years, and more shantytowns and buildings have been built in it. However, the vast majority of Port-au=Prince residents live on meagre incomes. (Encylopaedia Brittanica, 2010)
Port-Au-Prince, the current capital city and most populated city, was founded in 1749, and became the colonial capital in 1770 because its central location was believed to be more suitable for future developments, defense and commerce than Cap-Haitien, the previous capital. Port-Au-Prince is located in the centre of Haiti. It has now developed into a much more populated city over the years, and more shantytowns and buildings have been built in it. However, the vast majority of Port-au=Prince residents live on meagre incomes. (Encylopaedia Brittanica, 2010)
Current Settlement Patterns of Haiti
Haiti is a very densely populated country, particularly on the plains, although cultivated plots and settlements are also found on the hills and steep mountains. The Population Density Map of Haiti (shown above) shows which areas of Haiti are most and least populated nowadays. Haiti averages approximately 250 people per square kilometre, and its population is concentrated most heavily in urban areas, coastal plains and valleys (Encylopaedia Brittanica, 2010). More than two-thirds of the population live in rural areas, primarily as subsistence farmers or agricultural labourers. This is because agriculture is Haiti's main industry/sector, and quite profitable for the people, so most people would live in rural areas so they can cultivate their own food and sell the excess for profit.
Major Cities Nowadays
Real urban life, unlike rural settlements, is limited to the capital and to five or six large towns, including Port-au-Prince (the capital city), Cap-Haitien (the original capital of the colony), Carrefour and Delmas, Gonaives, Les Cayes and Jacmel (shown above, click on the pictures for a full-size image).