Belladère

About[]

Belladère is a town in the Central Department of Haiti, with a population of 86,612 according to the 2015 census, and an estimated 80,000 in 2010. It forms part of the larger Las Cahobas Arrondissement, which had a total population of 168,865 as of the 2015 Census.

Belladère shares a border with the city of Comendador, Elías Piña, Dominican Republic, making it Haiti's largest international border community. The eastern terminus of Route Departmentale 301 is found in Belladère at the Haiti-Dominican border, where the highway continues east into the Dominican Republic as D.R. National Highway 2.

The highways converging in Belladère serve as a teritary border crossing along a corridor that extends from Mirebalais into the Dominican Republic. The west end of this stretch is part of the Boucle Centre-Artibonite, a significant trade region that spans from Mirebalais to Saint-Raphaël, encompassing the metropolitan areas of Saint-Marc, Gonaïves, and Hinche.

Additionally, Belladère hosts an international port of entry known as the Carrizal Port of Entry.

Due to its strategic location, Belladère facilitates an estimated annual international trade worth US $96 million into Haiti and the Dominican Republic, involving fresh produce, beverages, livestock, oils, cereals, minerals, and various materials. This trade is essential for supporting tens of thousands of jobs and strengthening the economies of Belladère and the Central Plateau of Haiti, along with the Dominican province of Elías Piña.

Established in 1948, Belladère rests at a height of nearly 400 meters (1,312 feet) in a very pleasant rural setting. It extends from east to west along the ridge of a hill that overlooks the agricultural valley of Grande-Plaine. A chronicler from that era described Belladère as 'beautiful and immaculate.'

Belladere 50724a — Belladère at daybreak

History[]

The term "Belladère" originates from the Spanish verb meaning "to guard" or "to post." This name, clearly of Spanish descent, refers to an outpost that existed in the mountain pass where Belladère is situated.

In 1889, a decree issued by the provisional government on September 4 established Vella-Dera as a village within Las Cahobas. After the civil war of 1889, there was an attempt by the Dominicans to incorporate Belladère into the Dominican Republic, a move that was thwarted when ¹⁵President Hippolyte restored order.

In 1910, as noted by historian Banan Sospwa, the government mandated the creation of a district, thereby distinguishing Belladère, Haiti from the city of Las Cahobas. The municipal charter of 1948 subsequently granted the settlement municipal status.

Geography[]

Belladère is located at 18° 52′ 0″ N, 71° 46′ 0″ W. According to the IHSI, the commune has a total land area of 296.65 square kilometers (114.54 square miles), of which 162.69 sq.km (55%) is rural, 130.74 sq.km (44%) is suburban, and 3.22 sq.km (1%) is urban. It shares borders with the Elías Piña Province municipalities of Comendador and El Llano on the northeast and southeast, Savanette on the south, Las Cahobas on the west, and Thomonde on the northwest. Nestled inland, Belladère features a hilly landscape and is organized into three communal sections, which are further subdivided into 60 habitations and 88 localities.

The city is positioned at an elevation of 400 meters (1,300 feet).

Neighborhoods

BEL	Belladère	86,612
VBD	Ville de Belladère	13,099
QBP	Quartier Baptiste	2,783
RMA	1ère Section Renthe Mathe	34,210	Aleandre, Baptiste, Baranque, Batier, Bofoncy, Bois Pin-Gommé, Boulaille-Voley, Bruny, Cachiman, Ca Laroche, Camaron, Canel, Carrizal, Croix Chatte, Croix Fer, Dame Jane Casse, Déjoie, Desmornes, Dos la Flor, Dos Paul, Fond-d'Enfer, Grande-Plaine, Joupatonil, La Bohan, La Cab, La Ganhit, La Hague, La Hoye, La Lone, La Roche, Liane-à-Citron, Liane-Alcide, Liane-Riche, Loba, Loma Cobra, Loquette-Loga, Los Poètes, Louisme, Maïs-Graisse, Mare-Jouasse, Mare-Rouge, Mare-Zephir, Matte Jouasse, Mireau, Monarc, Mtpou, Passe-Pomme, Rambal, Rentche-la-Muyer, Rente Mathe .
RYS	2ème Section Roy-Sec	17,739	Au Large, Bois Pin, Bois Pin Nègre, Bois Pin Pose, Bota-la-Pluie, Caranareng, Cirouelle, Comaïdois, Crapaud, Domate, Dos Chapelle, Garde-à-Souane, Haut-Roche-Grand, La Cuerbe, La Domare, La Goune, Lasieme, Les Abeilles, Lympes, Mikel, Nan Bounouque, Nan Janvier, Nan Pangue, Palmary, Pito, Roy Blank, Roy Canot, Roy Lopuerc, Roy Sec, Sampède, Tête Grand Ravine.
RIA	3ème Section Riarbes	18,781	Basse, Boise Dine, Bois Jaune, Bois Major, Boucan-Jean-Louis, Ca Pente, Cérécif, Cérécit, Colora, Dos Bois Rouge, Dos Manoir, Dos Parc, Dos Rutais, Figuier, Gaby, Garde Gendarme, Joassaint, Lagune-Figuier, L'Eau Gaillée, Liane-Despeigne, Lorandou, Lucas, Mare-Bois Pin, Mésidor, Moléon, Platonal, Poulie, Sagounait, Sal Bounda, Savane Plate.

Belladere 50825 — Bebe Hotel, Belladere, Haiti

Climate

Belladère experiences a tropical climate characterized by significantly less rainfall during the winter months compared to summer. According to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification, this climate is classified as Aw. In winter, temperatures in Belladère typically range from the mid to upper 20s Celsius (60°F), with January seeing average daily highs around 23°C (76°F). Nighttime lows often dip just below 20°C, and it is not unusual for temperatures to fall below 10°C (50°F) on some winter nights.

Conversely, summer temperatures average around 27°C (80°F), with August being the hottest month, reaching an average daytime high of 27°C (80°F). Nighttime temperatures during summer remain in the upper 20s (60°F). The rainy season spans from April to October, with these months typically receiving over 146 mm (six inches) of rainfall, contributing to an average annual precipitation of about 123 mm (4.8 inches) for Belladère. While flooding is uncommon in the commune, the 3rd section of Riarbes is prone to landslides.

Demographics[]

The inhabitants are called Belladèrois and Belladèroises.
In 2015, the gender ratio was estimated at 94 women for every 100 men. Nearly 15% of the population resided in the urban area of the commune. The distribution of the municipality's population by major age group is as follows:
43% of its population is under 15 years old
53% of its population is aged 15-64
4% of its population is aged 65 and over.

Year	Population	+/-
1998	50,349
2004	56,000	+11%
2005	70,079	+25%
2009	78,770	+12%
2015	86,612	+10%

Belladere 21122ar — Ville de Belladère; town hall in the center.

Economy[]

Belladere 21122au — Market at Belladère, Haiti

Belladère's economy relies heavily on cross-border trade at its entry port, mainly involving produce distributors and small retailers from Belladère, Haiti, and the Dominican province of Elias Piña. The local economy is primarily focused on agribusiness and commerce, supported by five hotels, two restaurants, a marketing cooperative, 58 borlette banks, and two business houses.

The commune also has 96 commercial establishments, including 48 small shops, 14 large shops, and 20 depots. Despite its small population, Comendador benefits from significant trade with Belladère, with an estimated population of around 45,000. International trade plays a crucial role in Belladère's economy, with over 60 percent of its goods coming from about 30,000 shoppers crossing the border daily. Haitians and Dominicans can move across the border without passport or visa requirements on two designated days each week to sell goods, with most Haitians traveling to Dominican markets, likely due to better infrastructure and security concerns.

Despite the fact that agriculture employs a significant portion of the commune's population, particularly in rural regions, there is a notable deficiency in technical oversight within the agricultural sector. Erosion, primarily resulting from resource mismanagement and increased logging activities, poses a serious challenge to this industry. The principal crops cultivated in Belladère include peas, corn, peanuts, pistachios, and tobacco, which are marketed in local markets and distributed to other municipalities such as Lascahobas, Port-au-Prince, and Savanette, as well as to communities in the Dominican Republic.

Farmers in Belladère also cultivate coffee, beans, and root vegetables in the region's fertile and well-irrigated soil. The city boasts a robust export market that significantly supports Elias Piña, which depends on Belladère for its fresh produce. The local market is well-regarded among residents, who appreciate Belladère's agricultural offerings, including coffee, fruits, and groundnuts. With its abundant fertile land, Belladère provides ample opportunities for farmers to cultivate and harvest high-quality agricultural products.

Infrastructure[]

In 1948, former ³¹President of Haiti Dumarsais Estimé founded Belladère, a name derived from a Spanish term meaning 'to guard' or 'to post'. The city has Spanish origins and is regarded as the finest location in the Central Plateau, thanks to its enchanting beauty and strategic proximity to the Dominican Republic, making it a prime hub for exports. Elias Piñas, also referred to as Comendador, serves as the border city in the Dominican Republic, where Haitian day laborers cross to find employment. Various modes of transportation, including jitney buses, donkey trains, and agricultural export trucks, are utilized for this crossing.

Transportation

The physical infrastructure of Belladère is inadequate, with some roads in such poor condition they hinder commerce within and around the commune. The road connecting Belladère to neighboring Las Cahobas is well-maintained and easy to travel, which leads to very little wear on vehicle tires. As a result, there are rarely any complaints regarding the excellent condition of this road.

Education

Nouveau Lycee National Charlemagne Peralte de Belladere, Centre Haiti — Lycee National Charlemagne Peralte de Belladère, Centre, Haiti

The Ministry of National Education of Youth and Sports oversees education in the municipality through a school zone office managed by a zone inspector. Education is offered through three preschools, 89 primary schools, and 14 secondary schools, with 92 being private and 13 public. Additionally, Belladère hosts a vocational training center and a technical and professional institution, but lacks a literacy center, university, or other higher education institutions.

Health

This commune has an office that represents the Ministry of Public Health and Population. Its healthcare facilities include a hospital, three dispensaries (two of which are public and one community-based), and two clinics. The personnel at these institutions consists of three physicians, two dentists, three nurses, ten auxiliary staff (both graduates and trainees), two laboratory technicians, and health assistants.

Administration

In terms of administrative and judicial services, the commune features a tax office, a customs office, a police station, two sub-police stations, two peace courts, and two registry offices.

Communication

The municipality has 34 telephone lines, of which only four function as public booths. The postal service is nominal, compelling residents to travel to Elias Pinas in the Dominican Republic to send mail, relying on the goodwill of individuals or public transport drivers to facilitate mail delivery to other municipalities within the country.

During the inventory, two radio stations and a television station were recorded as operational within the municipality.

Culture[]

Organizations

In the field of politics and various organizations, the municipality has 34 socio-political entities, 7 non-governmental organizations, and 10 non-profit cooperatives. While it lacks representatives from political parties, it is home to two grassroots organizations and a women's group.

The Zanmi Timoun Foundation offers humanitarian support to unaccompanied children. The center accommodates not only repatriated Haitian children but also those of other nationalities, exemplified by the case of a 17-year-old girl whose mother is Dominican and father is Colombian.
OPDCEL. through partnership with Just Haiti, assists coffee farmers in Belladère by enhancing their coffee production efforts.
Fondation Centre du Renouveau allocates resources to support children and agricultural development within the community.

Religion

Regarding religion, the majority of Belladère's residents are Catholic, with approximately 176 churches, including 30 Baptist and 21 Catholic congregations, which are the most prevalent. The Christian community celebrates the city's patron saint, the Virgin of Miracles, with an annual feast on July 16th.

Leisure

For leisure activities, the town features a theater, a cinema, twelve sports facilities for football (soccer) and basketball, a nightclub, two public squares, and 27 gaguères. Additionally, there is a well-known pilgrimage site in the first communal section, particularly frequented during the municipality's patronal feast on July 16th. Furthermore, Belladère is home to three natural caves, including Grotte la Sève.