Cap-Haïtien (Kapayisyen) is on the north coast of Haiti and capital of the Department of the North. Previously, named as Cap-Français, Cap-Henri, and le Caps, it was an important city during the colonial period, serving as the capital of the French Colony. The city's formal foundation in 1711 until 1770 when the capital was moved to P-a-P.
The central area of the city is located between the Bay of Cap-Haïtien to the east, and nearby mountainsides to the west, which are increasingly dominated by flimsy urban slums. The streets are generally narrow and arranged in grids. As a legacy of the United States occupation of Haïti from 1915–1934, Cap-Haïtien's north-south streets were renamed as single letters (beginning with Rue A, a major avenue), and its east-west streets with numbers. This system breaks down outside of the central city, which is itself dominated by numerous markets, churches, and low-rise apartment buildings (3–4 floors each) constructed primarily before and during the U.S. occupation. Many such buildings have balconies on the upper floors which overlook the narrow streets below, creating an intimate communal atmosphere during the Haitian dinner hours.
Cap-Haïtien is the city of the historic MILOT, which lies 12 miles to the southwest along a gravel road. Milot hosts the ruins of the Sans- Souci Palace, wrecked by the 1842 earthquake, as well as the Citadelle, a massive stone fortress bristling with cannons. The Citadelle is located five miles from Milot, atop a nearby mountain. On clear days, its silhouette is visible from Cap-Haïtien. It's a 45min walk to the top as cars are not allowed.
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| Labadee beach resort compound is located six miles to the city's northwest. Haitians are not allowed inside the premises. The beach is a stop over for different cruise ships. |
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| The Citadelle |
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| Palais Sans-Souci |
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| Chapel of Milot |
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