Bas-Limbé

Bas-Limbé (Kreyol: Ba Lenbe; English: "Lower Limbé") is a municipality located in Haiti's Northern Department. It is the Northern Department's second least populated municipality, after La Victoire.

Click here to visit Bas-Limbé's Facebook page.

History[]

The history of Bas-Limbé is intertwined with that of Limbé, as it was part of the Limbé municipality prior to its elevation to municipal status in 1976. This area was also the scene of intense conflicts between French colonial forces and Haitian slaves. Currently, Bas-Limbé serves as the second municipality within the borough of Limbé.

Geography[]

Bas-Limbé is located at 19.7691° N, 72.3814° W. According to the IHSI, this commune has a total land area of 52.94 square kilometers (20.44 square miles), of which 40.32 km2 (76%) is suburban, 12.11 km2 (23%) is rural, and 0.5% (1%) is urban. Bas-Limbé has two communal sections, which in turn have 26 localities and 27 habitations. The town center and the first communal section of Garde Champêtre are inland while, the second communal section, Petit-Howards, is coastal. The Atlantic Ocean bathes it on the north while the city of Acul-du-Nord borders it on the east, the city of Limbé on the south, and the town of Port-Margot on the west.

Bas-Limbé has a varied landscape with mountains, plains, plateaus, and hills. Most of the area is flat, with about 72% being deltaic plains. On either side of it, at least 22% consists of foothills and 6% consists of small mountains. The eastern side features Morne Deux-Têtes, which is 638 m (2,093 ft.) high, while the western side has smaller elevations, the tallest being 324 m (1,063 ft.).

The town is shaped like a basin, with the Limbé River running through it. Over half of the area (56%) has gentle slopes of 0 to 5%, while the rest has steeper slopes of 5 to 60%.

Bas-Limbé is next to Baie d'Acul, and across the strait is Limbé Island.

It is 26 km (16 mi.) from Cap-Haïtien, 8 km (5 mi.) from Port-Margot, and 150 km (93 mi.) from Port-au-Prince, the capital.

Neighborhoods

BLM	Bas Limbé		20,899
VBL	Ville Bas Limbé	Urban	8,912
GCP	1ère Section Garde Champêtre (Bas Limbé)	Rural	1,694	Beaulieu, Bellevue, Binguy, Canot, Dévot, La Hatte, Sidurant, Simonette, Tammas
PHW	2ème Section Petit Howars (La Fange)	Rural section	10,293	Blain, Bois d'Eau, Corail, Diotin, Jonka, Lantage, Lassalli, Lorman, Montreuil, Petit-Bourg-du-Limbé, Revesso, Savane Coq, Tutol

Demographics[]

Its inhabitants are called Bas Limbéen and Bas Limbéenne. The town's 2015 population of 20,899 represents 0.12% of the country and 2% of the Northern Department. In 2015, the gender ratio was estimated at 97 men per 100 women. Almost 74% of the municipality's population resided in rural areas. The distribution of the municipality's population by major age group is as follows:

45% of its population is under 18 years old

55% of its population is over 18 years old.

Commune of Bas-Limbé

Year	Population	Change
1982	11,206
1994	19,072	+70%
1998	12,888	-32%
2003	15,695	+22%
2009	19,006	+47%
2015	20,899	+10%

Migration[]

Migration patterns in Bas-Limbé involve two types: moving within the area and moving to other places or countries.

Internal migration[]

Internal migration typically occurs for educational purposes or in search of improved living conditions. For instance, residents from the first section often send their children to schools located in the town center or the 2nd section. Additionally, individuals from Bory, Baillon, Guyotin, Mont-Goyo, Baka, Bouchy, Dannikou, and Lasaillie relocate to avoid flooding during the rainy season. It is also noteworthy that some inhabitants from the first section migrate towards the second section or the city center due to ant infestations that damage their gardens and crops.

External migration[]

External migration, on the other hand, is primarily driven by the pursuit of education and a better quality of life. Key destinations for this type of migration include Cap-Haïtien, Limbé, Acul-du-Nord, Ouanaminthe, Artibonite, and Port-au-Prince within Haiti, as well as the Dominican Republic, the USA, Nassau, Providence, and Canada for permanent relocation. Discussions with community members have highlighted that the dire living conditions are the predominant factor behind the migration trends observed in Bas-Limbé. Unlike internal migration, external migration affects individuals of all ages.

Economy[]

The local economy is mainly reliant on the primary sector, particularly agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and wood products. The majority of the local workforce is engaged in agricultural and animal husbandry activities, which serve as significant income sources for most rural families. Notably, even within the town center, agricultural land is preserved in certain areas, with some habitats cultivated with banana plantations. This municipality is characterized by a minimal commercial sector, featuring a credit union, six restaurants, and a marketing cooperative.

Agriculture thrives due to the winding Limbé River, which flows through Bas-Limbé into the sea, providing a reliable water source for the cultivation of coffee, bananas, mangoes, and other fruits. Extensive rice paddies are also situated near the coastline. Despite the availability of two rivers, including the “Grand Rivyè” that traverses the town, and a landscape predominantly consisting of plains, the agricultural practices are primarily reliant on rainfall.

In the plains, crops such as upland rice, “lagoon rice,” vigna, malanga, pineapple, bananas, and various fruit trees, including breadfruit, real trees, white mangoes, and fil, are cultivated. On the foothills and hillsides, crops like cassava, peanuts, beans, pigeon peas, and maize are planted, albeit with sparse tree cover.

Enviornment[]

The area is prone to frequent flooding. A significant flood occurred in 1963. Activities related to deforestation contribute to the reduction of the river's flow. The climate is cool from December to February, while it remains warm during other months.

Infrastructure[]

Transportation

Open road - Bas-Limbé, , — Open road - Bas-Limbé, Nord, Haiti

Overall, the road network is rarely used by cars and trucks. There is a main road that runs 12km (7.5 miles) from Carrefour Gros Chaudière to the waterfront. Additionally, there are smaller roads and paths that link the city center to specific residential areas, particularly towards Rivo (Saut d’eau), as well as those that connect the town center to various neighborhoods and facilitate intra-neighborhood access. It is impossible to access certain localities of the town during the rainy season due to the non-existence of bridges over certain watercourses, particularly over the three ravines that cross the main road (Petit Guinée ravine and the two Létiro ravines). Bas-Limbé's secondary streets are mostly dirt roads that need renovation. The roads that connect the city to the communal sections are paved with clay. Route 110 serves as the town's main road and provides direct access to Route Nationale 1.

Education

College Sainte Croix - Holy Cross College

The Ministry of National Education for Youth and Sports does not have a presence in Bas-Limbé. The commune has 34 schools: 29 primary, 4 secondary, and a kindergarten, serving 7,305 students and 286 teachers. The city center has 11 schools with 3,006 students (41% of the total) and 99 teachers (35% of the total). The first section has 14 schools with 1,466 students (20%) and 87 teachers (30%), while the second section has 2,833 students (39%) and 100 teachers (35%). Students make up 44% of the municipal population. There are also six technical and vocational schools and four literacy centers in the commune.

In the year 2022, Holy Cross College of Limbé and Limbé Adventist School (CALI) achieved impressive rankings, placing 7th and 14th respectively among the top schools in the Northern Department.

The Université Chrétienne du Nord d'Haiti, a private non-profit institution, focuses on service, research, and education, providing higher education in Bas-Limbé. The archaeological works of Dr. William Hodge are displayed at the Limbé Museum, now referred to as the Guahaba Museum, which is managed by his widow following his passing in 1996.

Health

The local area lacks representation from the Ministry of Public Health and Population regarding health issues. Health care is provided at a health facility in the town center known as the Notre Dame de Mont Carmel Mother and Child Health Center, along with two clinics located in the second section: the Community Health Center of Garde Phage and the Sante Pou Yo health clinic situated by the waterfront. The Mother and Child Health Center and the waterfront clinic are privately operated, whereas the Garde Phage center is community-based. These facilities are non-inpatient centers supported by NGOs, delivering essential primary healthcare services.

Additionally, the Good Samaritan Hospital, managed by the US Baptist Missionary, and the Dispensaire Saint-Jean hospital, established by Catholic nuns and now under government management for over four decades, represent the two quality healthcare options available in the area. A significant number of individuals arrive here seeking medical care.

Utilities

The municipality of Bas-Limbé features two rivers, 24 springs, two ponds, four lakes, nine lagoons, 100 basic boreholes, an artesian well, and several public fountains. Although water is not scarce in Bas Limbe, many people walk long distances to collect what they consider a clean source of water for their drinking water. As of 1998, the municipality lacks electrical power.

Administration

The municipality benefits from the services of a few decentralized State units which depend on the Departmental Directorates installed in the capital of the North Department and their supervisory Ministry. These services include a health center, a peace court, a civil status office, DGI, a police station, and a municipal agricultural office.

Security

With regard to administrative and judicial infrastructure, the municipality has a police station, a Peace Court and a Civil status office; However, there is no prison.

Culture[]

The culture of Bas-Limbé encompasses African, Creole, and French traditions, along with prayers, dance, and music. In 2010, the North Haiti Music Camp was held, providing instruction in the Bible, sign language, dance, music, and choir practices.

Religion[]

The town has 200 temples of all religious denominations, including 166 Vodun temples, (i.e. 83%), 21 Protestant temples (10.5%), 8 Adventist temples (4%), and 5 Catholic temples or 2.5%. The first - Garde Champêtre - section accounts for 62.5% (125) of the total number of temples of all denominations in the municipality. The second section, Little Howars, with its 55 temples has 27.5%, and the city center with its 20 temples hosts 10% of the total number of temples of all denominations in the municipality. The town is renowned in the North Department for its "famous" hougans, offering quality services including an attendance number, a waiting room, and dormitories made available to customers coming from afar and not benefiting from the consultation of spirits on the same day of arrival.

The main inhabitants of Bas-Limbé are Christians out of which come many of the Catholics. Vodun is also practiced, during which altars are set up and a chicken delicacy is cooked along with other dishes after which a service is attended in an effort directed to the main key spirits.

Leisure[]

In terms of leisure, the situation is not too different. Apart from the foot-ball (soccer) that remains the only sport practiced in the commune and the 7 gagères that work four times a week, the town has a cinema.

Tourism[]

Bas Limbe boasts four beaches ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and a variety of other activities. The best time to visit Bas Limbe, Haiti, is between November and March, when the average air temperature is around 25°C (77°F) and the water temperature is a pleasant 27°C (80°F).

In 2013, the Guahaba Museum was visited by the regional tourism director along with the Mayor of Limbé. The aim of this visit was to rehabilitate the museum, enhancing its vibrancy and economic benefits for the region, with the Ministry of Tourism ready to extend its support for this initiative.

Heritage Expert Eddy Lubin noted that the museum contains a significant collection that showcases the various waves of settlement in Hayti, spanning the Archaic, Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods, as well as artifacts from the French colonization during the Saint Domingue era.

Visitors come to Bas-Limbe to see the 'Dédé' of Saut d'Eau, which features a large waterfall and a voodoo sanctuary, an important religious site. The regional tourism director mentioned that the Ministry of Tourism may consider improving this location in partnership with the local town hall.

Another popular site is Caramel Beach, a beach attracting visitors from neighboring municipalities. This beach is starting to regain its appeal thanks to about 1.7 million gourdes from the Ministry of Tourism for its development.

Communication[]

The municipality of Bas-Limbé lacks a television station and print media, yet it is home to a radio station known as Radio Vigilance. At the time of the investigation, a project to implement a telephone service was in progress. Additionally, there is no postal service available.

Heritage[]

The Commune of Bas Limbé celebrates its patron saint Mount Carmel every year on July 16th.

Organizations[]

In Bas-Limbé, there are two community organizations that support farmers by offering education, training, and soil conservation. NGOs in this area focus on education, agriculture, and health.

There are 44 grassroots organizations in total, with 25 (57%) recognized by the Bas-Limbé Town Hall or the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, while 19 are not.

The largest organizations in the town center include Committee Recovery, ACREBAL, and OPBL. In the first section, the biggest are APAK, UJPBL, and RAMELD, while in the second section, they are APABL, OBLEDA, and OPBL. OPBL has the highest membership in the municipality. The oldest organizations are the Recovery Committee, established in 1979, and APABL, founded in 1989. The Recovery Committee is notable for creating a radio station called Perspectives FM, purchasing a football field, marking city streets with signs, and sponsoring many students. Additionally, there are about a dozen women's organizations, with the largest being ANACAONA, SANITE-BELAIRE, and CLAIRE HEUREUSE, all located in the second section.

HHV (Haiti Health Village) provides sustainable health care for the Bas Limbe region in Haiti by employing local medical and support staff and providing them with the training, tools and support to allow them to be self-sufficient.
HUFH (Hands Up for Haiti) is committed to assisting women during their pregnancies, providing preventive care for infants and children, and addressing childhood malnutrition.

References[]

"Décentralisons:" Bulletin d’information sur les collectivités territoriales [1]

"ÉLÉMENTS DE PROBLÉMATIQUE DÉPARTEMENTALE DU NORD, Vol. I" [2]

"PLAN DE DEVELOPPEMENT COMMUNAL DE BAS-LIMBE" [3]

Microgrid report [4]

Haiti Observer - "Bas-Limbé; the second-most important town in the North" - [5]

Haïti - Tourisme : Mission de prospection et de perspectives dans les communes de Limbé et Bas-Limbé - Haiti Observer [6]

Trihalomethane Formation in Rural Household Water Filtration Systems in Haiti - Daniele S. Lantagne [7]

_{Michael Vedrine}