Carrefour (Kreyol: Kafòu) is a suburban city in the Port-au-Prince Arrondissement, in the West Department of Haiti. It is approximately 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) southwest of Downtown Port-au-Prince and is bordered by Port-au-Prince's Martissant municipal section to the east, the hinterlands of the Jacmel commune to the south, the suburb of Gressier to the west, and Port-au-Prince Bay to the north. Rather than having a single city center, Carrefour resembles a patchwork of thirteen villages. According to the 2015 Census, the population of Carrefour was estimated at 511,000, making it the second-most populous city in the country.
Aerial view of Carrefour
About[]
Carrefour is directly west of Port-au-Prince city limits and therefore also within the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. The commune is one of the eight communes that occupy the area, together with Gressier to its immediate west. 13 communal sections, 61 localities, and more than 60 unincorporated hamlets are located within the commune. Additionally, there is a public school district. Post office districts and school districts use the same names as a city, hamlet, or village within them, but each sets the boundaries independently.
Carrefour, established on May 1, 1813, covers a land area of slightly more than 160 square kilometers (60 square miles). The region recently commemorated its 200th anniversary. With a population of over 500,000, the community of Carrefour is home to individuals who exhibit commonalities in various aspects, particularly in their hobbies, assets, wealth, and earnings.
History[]
Ancient map of Carrefour Center
The commune of Carrefour was originally a military post in the district of Port-au-Prince. On May 1, 1813, by decree of President 1Alexandre Pétion, the village was founded. President Pétion, one of the foudning fathers of the Haitian Republic built his private residence in Carrefour, particularly in the locality still called Thor (Thorland). He resided in this house that is now L'Ecole Nationale de Thor on Thor 10.
Following a plan drawn by the surveyor Louis Rigaud, the village consisted of seven blocks, 20 plantations, and 162 localities. For over a century and a half, Carrefour has never been urbanized as desired by its founders; its agriculture took precedence over its urbanization. Carrefour was the ideal resort area to spend the weekends and enjoy the green nature. In particular, Cold River has always was one of the biggest attractions in the town. Several facilities of coffee yards stood in this area. At each weekend visit, hikers found immense pleasure in enjoying the coolness of the river.
Entrance to the Admiral Killick naval base
The Admiral Killick naval base, headquarters of the Haitian Navy Battalion, was inaugurated on October 20, 1895 by 15President Hyppolite in the district of Bizoton.
Between the end of the 19th (1800s) and the beginning of the 20th century (1900s), Carrefour has become an important economic center of national renown since it used to be a town dotted with factories. In some places like Mon Repos, for example, there was a large sugar factory of which one of the basins still exists today. In Diquini there was a large tobacconist plant where cigars were made for the German Emperor Wilhelm II and also there was the Habaco, a trouser factory. Additionally, there was the Hamascosa, a chocolate factory. In Thor there was a baseball factory. The factory of Charles Plaisimond, still in Carrefour, manufactured paper and sanitary napkins. Carrefour is also the location of the first electric plant of Port-au-Prince.
Route de Carrefour à Mariani, 1980
It was not until the mid 1970's that uncontrolled urbanization of the area began in earnest. Due to unorganized urban expansion, it has become a dormitory suburb for people of various social classes working in the capital region.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the city of Carrefour attracted people coming from the southern peninsula or the capital who could not stay and live in rapidly-developing Port-au-Prince. This multiplication of buildings at an unbridled speed did not go hand in hand with a development plan for Carrefour.
Carrefour has been the incubator of many anti-government insurrections in Haitian history.
- In 1869 the Cacos army, in rebellion against the government of Sylvan Salnave, occupied Carrefour and attacked the fort of Bizoton.
- On August 20, 1889, another insurgency took place in Carrefour against President Légitime in the neighborhood of Bizoton. President Légitime established a steamboat ferry service along the Port-au-Prince Bay coastline to Léogâne, enhancing transportation options to and from Carrefour.
- In 1969, Carrefour was again the center of another insurrection: General Cayard, head of the Coast Guard led a rebellion against the Duvalier government in Bizoton and Lamentin.
Carrefour's history may not be extensive, but it is notable for being home to important figures such as Presidents Alexandre Pétion and Florville Hyppolite. Hyppolite resided in an area known as "Dèyè basen," which was once called "Basen makak" due to his pet monkey.
The city also experienced occupation during the Lüders affair with the Germans
in 1897. Additionally, Carrefour has a rich literary and artistic heritage, including works such as "Lavi nan bouk" by Papa Pyè and plays by Languichat. It was officially granted municipal status in 1982.
West side of Martissant National Park, on the city's border with Port-au-Prince
Geography[]
Carrefour is located at 18.5296° N, 72.4081° W. According to the IHSI, this commune has a total land area of 165.16 square kilometers (63.77 square miles), of which 21.85 sq.km (13%) is urban, 17.19 sq.km (10%) is suburban, and 126.12 sq.km (77%) is rural. Carrefour, one of eight communes of the Western Department, has thirteen communal sections. It is bordered on the east by the cities of Port-au-Prince and Pétion-Ville, on the southeast by the town of Kenscoff, on the south by the SE Department city of Jacmel, on the southwest by the city of Léogâne, and on the west by the town of Gressier. The land area consists primarily of hills in the rural part and plains in the urban part. The municipality of Carrefour, in particular the urban part, is coastal. Its climate varies depending on where you are in the commune.
Commune map of Carrefour, Haiti
Communal sections
| CRF | Carrefour | 511,345 | Localities: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VCF | Ville de Carrefour | 501,768 | ||
| MCD | 1re Section Morne Chandelle | 98 | ||
| 2e Section Platon Dufréné (15e) | 965 | Baussan, Dufrenay, Fond Ferrier | ||
| TAF | 3e Section Taïfer | 688 | Angibeau, Bourjoly, Colombier, Morisset | |
| PRC | 4e Section Procy (17e) | 926 | Chaufa (Chauffard), Procy, Raimboid, Ti Marché, | |
| COP | 5e Section Coupeau (18e) | 1,196 | Coupeau, Doumbou, Henry, Miyaille, Nan Gris-Gris, Nan Tampis, Perdu Temps | |
| BVR | 6e Section Bouvier (19e) | 789 | Nan Fouque, Nan Roche, Platon Bouvier, Platon Coupeau | |
| LAV | 7e Section Lavalle (20e) | 1,330 | Bouvier, Duvier, Fancrelle, Fond Coupeau, Laval | |
| BLY | 8e Section Berly (21e) | 1,000 | Malanga, Nan Plateau, Plombe, Volant | |
| BTZ | 9e Section Bizoton | 44,214 | Degand, Fontamara, Marin | |
| THR | 10e Section Thor | 250,449 | Arcachon, Bizoton, Côte Plage, Diquini, Lamentin, Mahotiére, St Roc, Thor, Thor Le Volant | |
| RIF | 11e Section Rivière-Froide | 208,205 | Brochette, Cloher, Degand, Dufour, Macombe, Mer frappée, Nan Coucou, Vieux Caille | |
| MAL | 12e Section Malanga (22e) | 901 | Bas Gougeon, Bercy, Bois Capable, Malanga, Perdumidi, Tete Chadeau | |
| CRT | 13e Section Corail Thor | 504 | Bellevue, Berot, Tretorend |
Demographics
In the 1970s, as the Delmas district slowly evolved into a significant residential suburb for the middle class and transformed into a multifunctional urban area, Carrefour experienced a contrasting decline and faced considerable financial challenges. In 1982, these areas were granted municipal status.
This commune has attracted numerous individuals due to the rural exodus. It is particularly appealing to migrants because rental prices are comparatively lower here than in Delmas and Port au Prince. This scenario has also led to the development of various low-income neighborhoods within the municipality.
Its inhabitants are called Carrefourois/e.
The pride of football in Carrefour
Footballer Chrisitan Junior Alex
| Year | Population | -/+ |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 129,470 | |
| 1992 | 241,200 | +86% |
| 1998 | 239,075 | -1% |
| 2003 | 373,916 | +36% |
| 2007 | 426,024 | +14% |
| 2009 | 486,024 | +14% |
| 2015 | 511,345 | +27% |
Estimates indicate that the commune of Carrefour is home to over 500,000 residents. More than 90% of the municipality's area is comprised of its communal sections (located outside the city center, yet within the city limits). The population residing in these communal sections barely surpasses 20%.
Neighborhoods
In order from East to West from Port-au-Prince on both sides of the Boul Jean-Jacques Dessalines / Route Nationale 2
- Martissant
- Fontamara
- Bizoton (53-59)
- Diquini (61-63)
- Thor (10-14)
- Cote Plage (16-28)
- Arachon (30-32)
- Mon Repos (34-52)
- Lamentin (52-54)
- Waney (89-93)
- Riviere Froide
- Brochette
- Truitier
- Mariani
Rotary; Route des Rails at Thor 12, Carrefour, Haiti
Economy[]
A health inspector controls the quality of food products sold in the shops.
The market by Bizoton
Trade plays a significant role in the economic landscape of Carrefour and the nation as a whole. It overshadows all other economic activities within the municipality; however, a substantial portion of these commercial operations remains unregulated by existing national legislation, such as vendor registration and tax obligations. In fact, among the identified commercial entities, there are 1,110 shops or stalls, 424 food supply depots, soft drink vendors, second-hand clothing outlets (pèpè), and clairin sellers, along with 54 hardware stores, markets, and supermarkets. Additionally, approximately a dozen dry cleaning services, photo studios, 17 chapels and private morgues, and 44 pharmacies were also documented.
The economic infrastructure and financial institutions within the municipality comprise branches of five commercial banks (Unibank, Sogebank, BNC, Capital Bank, and BUH), money transfer services (Unitransfert, Western Union, CAM transfer/MoneyGram), ten currency exchange offices, a pension fund, two credit unions, and five cooperative centers.
In the industrial and services sector, Carrefour hosts gas stations from three companies (National, Total and Sol), automobile repair shops, office automation services, and multi-service outlets, as well as cell phone offices and retail stores (Digicel and Natcom), hair salons, and beauty studios. The municipality is home to around 33 hotels and over a hundred bars and restaurants, some of which are integrated into hotel facilities. At least twenty industrial firms operate in the city, alongside more than twenty bakeries, craft shops, and carpentry businesses that have developed over time.
Quarry at Carrefour, Haiti
The extraction of materials from quarries significantly impacts the environmental integrity of the municipality, despite its crucial social and economic contributions to the labor market.
Important national industries are concentrated in the commune of Carrefour.
Infrastructure[]
One of the buildings of the city hall of Carrefour, located at Diquini 63.
Located in Diquini, just after the Diquini Adventist Hospital, the Carrefour city hall has been functioning since its establishment in 1982, much like other municipal offices across the nation. In this context, the municipal administration remains largely unseen and exists merely in title. Consequently, operations proceed in a natural manner. Taxpayers, in turn, receive scant services from their city hall and are essentially left to fend for themselves.
Located in Diquini shortly after the Diquini Adventist Hospital, the Carrefour city hall, since its creation in 1982, operates like many other town halls in the country. Under these conditions, the municipal administration is invisible and exists only by name. As a result, everything works according to nature. As for taxpayers, they receive minimal service from their city hall and are virtually left to their own devices.
The very location of the city hall of Carrefour allows the informed observer to conclude that this box has nothing to do with the rest of the municipality.
Residents of Carrefour who experienced life prior to the enactment of the 1987 constitution would assert that the communal administrations of that era exhibited a greater sense of accountability; their influence was at least perceptible within the urban confines of Carrefour.
If an inquiry were conducted in Carrefour today, it is likely that most inhabitants would struggle to respond to the question: "Where is the Carrefour city hall?" Likewise, it would be surprising to discover that a majority believe the mayor of Port-au-Prince oversees Carrefour, suggesting that the Carrefour city hall exists solely in name.
Road near the mango market in Mariani which is characterized by frequent traffic jams.
Education[]
Current municipal school in Coupeau (5th rural section) and site chosen for the construction of the new.
In terms of education, over 500 schools have been recorded in the municipality, with more than 90% being private institutions. Among the listed schools, there are over a hundred technical and professional schools, a university, and about twelve colleges. Despite the high number of establishments, some communal sections face a shortage of school infrastructure due to uneven distribution. In fact, only around 14% of the inventoried schools are located in rural areas. This distribution reflects the overall population distribution in these two settings; however, the spread of housing in rural areas results in significant distances for students to travel. Additionally, the distribution of schools is not equal across communal sections, with four sections lacking any schools.
The Ministry of National Education, Youth and Sports has a district office of school inspection in the commune of Carrefour. The municipality has over 100 kindergartens, mostly private, along with a congregational kindergarten, five public primary schools, and many private primary schools, as well as seven congregational primary schools. Numerous secondary schools were also recorded, including three public, many private, and two congregational, along with eight vocational schools, and eight higher education institutions.
In the remote rural sections, the students must endure long walks to school.
College Côte Plage (Beach Coast College)
Côllège de Cote-Plage is a private institution of basic that provides basic and secondary education. It offers quality-oriented public services for profit to a clientele consisting of schoolchildren and schoolgirls from the Carrefour commune and its surrounding areas. Since its founding in 1978, it has established a reputation for effectively preparing young people for social integration and successful entry into the job market, both in Haiti and internationally.
Each year, the institution serves a thousand students with a staff composed of teaching professionals from the École Normale Supérieure, various teachers' colleges, and training centers dedicated to the teaching profession. Year after year, its performance in state examinations at all levels justifies its ranking by the Ministry of Education among the most successful schools in the nation, boasting success rates exceeding 90% for the baccalaureate. Regarding its achievements in state exams for the sixth year and ninth grade, it has maintained an impressive success rate of nearly 100% for the past decade, with a score of 98% achieved on two occasions.
Health[]
In terms of health infrastructure, the commune of Carrefour has 109 healthcare facilities, which include 4 hospitals, 31 centers without beds, 17 health centers with beds, 48 clinics, and 3 dispensaries. Out of these facilities, only three are public. Additionally, the healthcare establishments within the mentioned categories have varying capacities to resolve health issues. Similar to schools, rural areas suffer from inadequate health infrastructure. Specifically, of the 109 health facilities, only 12 are located in rural areas, which is about 10%. Furthermore, among the 13 sections of the commune, 9 have no health facilities at all. This means that only 30% of the land area in the commune is served by health institutions.
The Ministry of Public Health and Population has a communal office situated within the hospital. At the municipal level, health services are provided by 97 doctors, nine dentists, 49 nurses, 110 auxiliary staff, 17 certified matrons, and 13 laboratory technicians.
Utilities[]
Chaudeau drainage ravine
The commune's water supply is supported by 8 rivers, 105 springs, 4 lagoons, 24 artesian wells, 8 public fountains, and approximately 284 ordinary wells. The commune is well-regarded for its water availability. Nevertheless, rampant urbanization has led to groundwater contamination, rendering the water undrinkable despite its availability and heightening the risks of periodic epidemics associated with contamination.
Municipal compression dump truck
In the municipality of Carrefour, sanitation operations are collaboratively managed by the road service and the SMCRS. The latter operates a fleet that includes a loader, ten dump trucks, and three compression bucket dump trucks. This heavy machinery is overseen by the city hall, with maintenance conducted by the SMCRS. However, the sanitation efforts have proven to be ineffective. Piles of trash are accumulating at the five designated garbage collection points within the municipality. Residents frequently dispose of large amounts of waste into the rainwater drainage systems due to the irregular waste collection services in residential areas.
Administration[]
In addition to the city hall, most of the public services (the Court of Peace, the Tax Department, the police station, civil status office, Coast Guard, and a major sports complex in the country — the Carrefour Sports Center), are located in the urban center of the municipality.
Strengthening the force of Carrefour firefighters remains a top civic priority.
Municipal Emergency Operations Center (COUC)
Organizations[]
Several NGOs are active in the Carrefour commune, driving development initiatives. Based on information from various sources, over a hundred grassroots community organizations are recognized in the municipality. There are two formal civil society groups in Carrefour. Additionally, at the request of the Carrefour municipality and with the commitment of local citizens, it was decided to merge these two groups. This led to the establishment of a non-profit organization called the Civil Society Company of Carrefour (SCC) on July 30, 2015, through a municipal decree. The goal of this organization is to enhance the quality of life for the people of Carrefour, supporting the local city hall. It is tasked with promoting practices like transparency, accountability, monitoring local authorities' actions, and encouraging citizen involvement in managing local public affairs. The SCC collaborates with elected officials and the administrative and technical leaders of the local authority, sharing positive experiences to foster sustainable development in Carrefour across social, environmental, economic, and political dimensions.
- ICDH (Institution Chrétienne d’Haïti) provides instruction in Haitian Creole, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese, along with bilingual education in French and English. They teach subjects like language arts, science, and math, with support from Focus Haitian Music Inc.
- Adventist University of Haiti provides degree programs in business administration, education, and theology.
- Coding Club Carrefour is youth-led, promoting digital literacy and coding skills among young people in Carrefour, empowering them for future opportunities.
- The Good Shepherd Orphanage provides shelter, education, and spiritual guidance to children. The adjacent Good Shepherd School offers a comprehensive curriculum, including math, science, and English.
- GOAL Global distributed food assistance vouchers to 3,500 residents in 2024 in Carrefour, significantly alleviating hunger among vulnerable households.
- American Red Cross, following the 2010 earthquake, initiated extensive infrastructure projects in Carrefour-Feuilles, including the construction of schools, health centers, and marketplaces, while also implementing community preparedness and health programs.
- KOFAVIV (Commission of Women Victims for Victims) has provided support to over 600 survivors of sexual violence in Carrefour and other towns, offering medical care, legal aid, and trauma-specific mental health support.
- Remodel focuses on community health, education, and infrastructure, collaborating with local authorities and international organizations to empower residents and improve living conditions.
- ALIMA (The Alliance for International Medical Action) provides lifesaving health, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in areas affected by conflict and displacement, including parts of Carrefour.
- KOZE JEN YO, VICODEC, ANN KREYE, CrazuGlote, VIP, Inspire Youth Center, Antreprenarya San Dola, and OCEEV are local entities that actively engage in community development, youth empowerment, and social initiatives. These represent just a selection of the many grassroots organizations within the commune.
Culture[]
Church at Carrefour, Haiti
Religion
Carrefour, a highly populated area in the West department, features a rich and varied religious environment. Christianity is the main religion, with Roman Catholicism strongly established through historic parishes like Saint Charles and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Protestant groups—including Methodist, Baptist, Adventist, and Evangelical churches—also significantly influence community life, along with smaller groups such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Adventist University of Haiti, situated in Carrefour, emphasizes the educational impact of religious organizations.
Vodou is practiced by many, especially in rituals honoring spirits (lwa) like Kalfou, the guardian of crossroads, whose name is linked to the commune itself. Although a minority, Muslims are increasingly present in areas like Carrefour-Feuilles. This spiritual variety adds to the cultural richness of the commune and is evident in its numerous faith-based schools, clinics, and community initiatives. Nearly 152 churches (including chapels and temples) have been recorded in the commune of Carrefour. The Baptist churches are the most prevalent, totaling 52.
Communication
Carrefour’s communication profile reflects a blend of traditional and modern channels shaped by both cultural habits and infrastructural limitations. Radio remains the most influential medium, with stations like Radio Lumière and Radio Métropole widely accessed. Online platforms such as Hebdo24, based in Carrefour, contribute to digital news distribution in multiple languages. While mobile phone use is widespread, internet connectivity is inconsistent, limiting full digital access. Social media is increasingly used, especially among youth, but its impact is moderated by technical challenges.
Mobile telephone is supported by national providers like Digicel, allowing most residents to stay connected despite occasional service interruptions. Postal services exist but are limited and often unreliable.
Saint-Roch, Carrefour, Haiti
Leisure
Lamentin lighthouse, Carrefour, Haiti. The oldest lighthouse in the Caribbean.
The city of Carrefour presents a variety of leisure and recreational activities that embody its lively community spirit and rich cultural heritage. The municipality features a library and a cinema, along with at least five nightclubs and 48 gaguères. However, there are no public places officially recorded within the commune. The most popular sports include football (soccer), basketball, tennis, volleyball, athletics, and swimming.
The Centre Sportif de Carrefour, also referred to as Parc Edouard Baker, serves as a prominent center for sports enthusiasts. Established in 1982, this large facility encompasses a running track, a football field, basketball and volleyball courts, tennis courts, and a gymnasium. Despite encountering challenges such as insufficient maintenance and the temporary conversion of its football field during the COVID-19 pandemic, it continues to be an essential venue for local youth and sports teams.
Another significant location is the CREW-Centre Récréatif de Waney, situated at 91 Waney 93. This recreational center provides various sports and leisure activities, enhancing the community's well-being and social unity.
For those in search of natural beauty and outdoor adventures, Morne Chandelle offers hiking trails with breathtaking views of Carrefour and its surroundings. Furthermore, Parc de Martissant, located in the center of the commune, acts as a green haven, providing a break from urban life with its abundant vegetation and cultural importance.
Food lovers can savor local Haitian specialties such as griot (marinated pork) and soup joumou (pumpkin soup), which are integral to the community's culinary traditions. Although Carrefour is not particularly famous for its beaches, Plage du Village, found on the outskirts, provides a coastal escape for swimming and relaxation.
Regarding sites and cultural heritage, the commune features five caves, two waterfalls, and 121 voudou temples. Additionally, it features the Lamentin lighthouse, the oldest in the Caribbean, as well as the rock of Saint-Roc, a pilgrimage site that draws numerous visitors. This location is particularly popular among pilgrims on Tuesdays.
Carrefour, Haiti near Martissant Park
Members of the Carrefour Civil Society meet for training
Prospects
For a city of this magnitude, Carrefour requires a municipal administration that can effectively handle this intricate responsibility. This team should be innovative, skilled, and forward-thinking. Indeed, this administration will be tasked with establishing the necessary conditions and implementing the required measures to propel the commune of Carrefour towards modernity and socio-economic advancement.
References[]
"Carrefour, histoire de cette Commune" - Kafoumag [1]
"Carrefour : un demi-million d’habitants et « zéro » place publique" - Ayibo Post [2]
"PLAN DE FINANCEMENT DES SERVICES PUBLICS COMMUNAUX (PFC)" [3]
"Medical Mission Carrefour, Haiti" - Dmimad [4]
"Medical Clinic Carrefour, Haiti" - Alyssa Renée Barber [5]
"Lighthouses of Haiti" - Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill [6]
"Carrefour SMP" - Commune de Carrefour Haiti [7]
"Carrefour SMP" - Mairie de Carrefour [8]
"Parc Martissant" - Yvens Rumbold [9]
Michael Vedrine