Côtes-de-Fer

Côtes-de-Fer (Kreyol: Kòt Defè) is a commune in the Bainet Arrondissement, in the Southeast department of Haiti. It is also the Southeast Department's westernmost commune. As of the 2015 census, the commune's population was 49,037 inhabitants.

CDF distance 904 Michael Vedrine — Location in Haiti

Bainet Arrondissement 111321 — Location in Bainet Arrondissement

About[]

Côtes-de-Fer lies on the southeastern coastal section of the Tiburon Peninsula, fronting the Caribbean Sea.

According to the inhabitants of the commune, Côtes-de-Fer was originally known as Boucan Pêcheur before 1843 because the area was a popular resting spot for fisherman after long days of work. The name was later changed to "Coasts of Hell" due to the challenging waves that made it difficult for fishermen to navigate. With the foundation of the municipality in 1843, Côtes de l'enfer became "Côtes-de-Fer" and currently contains six communal sections. The inhabitants are called Côtiférois.

Geography[]

According to the IHSI, the commune has a total area of 162.03 square kilometers (62.56 square miles), of which 122.68 sq.km (76%) is rural, 38.85 km² (24%) is suburban, and 0.5 km² (>1%) is urban. The commune is bordered on the north by the Western Department commune of Petit-Goâve, on the east by the commune of Bainet, on the south by the Caribbean Sea, on the west by the Southern Department commune of Aquin, and on the northwest by the Nippes Department city of Miragoâne.

Neighborhoods

CDF	Cote de Fer		49,037
VEE	Ville de Cote de Fer	Urban	2,447
GRG	1ère Section Gris Gris	Rural	17,000	Bac-Bois, Cavalier, Garou, Gris-Gris, Jamais Vu, La Mercie, Marion, Nan Mombin, Plaine-Cote-de-Fer, Plaine-la-Source, Plaine-Marion, Sous Fort, Ti Bidon, Trou Coucou
LBI	2ème Section La Biche	Rural	7,769	Boutin, Chavannes, Corinne, Dos Darion, Flavil, Fond Cabrit, La Source, Mayombé, Plaine Galbi, Pointe Ravine Blanche
BRG	3ème Section Bras Gauche	Rural	2,741	Fond St Joseph, Saint-Joseph
AMZ	4ème Section Amazones	Rural	4,079	Amazones, Georges, La Faille, Mapou, Nan Massier
BBE	5eme Section Boucan Bélier	Rural	3,559	Boucan-Bélier, Gingembre, Grand Boucan, Mare Ramier, Martineau, Nan Dix Huit, Serpentier.
JVU	6eme Section Jamais Vu	Rural section	11,442	Berthold, Boucan Maronne, Boucan Moran, Caditte, Clarette, Corail Lhérisson, Dassa, Dero, Dessources, Galette, Giro, La Brue, Landrin, Nan Maureau, Nan St Clou, Ricot, Sous-Villa, St Clos

The coastal area of the town includes the urban center and two communal sections, while the remaining parts of the town consist of inland regions. With the exception of the flat city area, the majority of the commune is characterized by hills. The climate is generally moderate. The municipality of Côtes-de-Fer does not have an expansion zone. Notably, many young individuals, in particular, choose to migrate to other municipalities for further studies, leading to the relocation of numerous parents as well.

Cotes de Fer 61324 — Ville de Côtes-de-Fer

Demographics

Year	Population	+/-
1998	53,339
2003	33,577	-37%
2009	44,595	+25%
2015	49,037	+10%

Communal sections[]

CDF	Cote de Fer	49,037
VEE	Ville de Cote de Fer	2,447
GRG	1ère Section Gris Gris	17,000
LBI	2ème Section Labiche	7,769
BRG	3ème Section Bras Gauche	2,741
AMZ	4ème Section Amazones	4,079
BBE	5eme Section Boucan Bélier	3,559
JVU	6eme Section Jamais Vu	11,442

Economy[]

Agriculture, livestock farming, commerce, gambling, and fishing are the primary pursuits within the municipality. In terms of trade, residents purchase goods from certain communes of the Southeast and then sell them in other areas such as Port-au-Prince, Cayes, and beyond. Despite agriculture and animal husbandry being the main economic drivers, there is a noticeable absence of proper oversight in this sector.

Cotes de Fer 61324a city entrance — Entrance of Côtes-de-Fer, Haiti

Infrastructure[]

Education

CDF Haiti public school 122818 — Côtes-de-Fer, Haiti Public school

The Ministry of National Education is represented by a school inspection office. Côtes-de-Fer lacks a kindergarten, but there are eleven public schools, several private schools, and a Mission School for primary education. For secondary education, there are a total of four schools - two public, one private, and a Mission school. As for technical and vocational schools, only two schools established by the Evangelical Baptist Mission of Southern Haiti (MEBSH) have been identified. These schools specifically cater to the female population. Currently, there is no formal Literacy Center available in the commune, and neither a university nor a higher school is present.

Health

The Ministry of Public Health has recently established a communal office to oversee health matters. A total of six health centers have been identified within the institutions, each operating with a minimal staff capacity.

Utilities

Côtes-de-Fer's water supply is supported by three rivers, 78 springs, six wells (including four artesian wells), and 34 taps that cater to both service and domestic needs.

As for electricity, the town hall houses an electric motor that efficiently provides power to the urban area of Côtes-de-Fer.

Security

The administrative and judicial infrastructures include a police station, a Court of Peace, and a registry office.

Culture[]

Communication

During the inventory, the municipality lacked telephone service. The postal service was available but operated inconsistently. A radio station offered press services.

Organizations

Côtes-de-Fer stands out among the Southeast municipalities with one of the highest number of organizations. The zone has representation from three political parties, along with the presence of seven grassroots organizations, ten peasant groups, and three women's groups.

Leisure and Recreation

In the field of leisure, places of entertainment are scarce. The town, however, celebrates several patron saints at different places.

Gaguere cdf 122818 — Gaguere at Ville de Côtes-de-Fer

The main focus in the village is the development of leisure activities in the Côtes-de-Fer area. The most significant endeavor is the establishment of a network of sports complexes, which have already been constructed, and will continue to be built.

Each sports complex will feature a raised platform for cultural events, team locker rooms, bleachers, recreational housing for children, and a secure wire fence. Over the past year, five newly erected sports complexes have emerged in the Bainet Arrondissement, with an additional 20 currently under development. These spaces will offer young individuals physical and social preparation for their future adult lives.