The Cul-de-Sac plain, also known as the Cul-de-Sac depression, is a valley south of the island of Hispaniola , divided between two states: Haiti in its western part and the Dominican Republic in its East part.
Covering an area of about 360 km 2, with a length of 32 km long and 25 km wide, it is bounded on the north and south by high mountains, on the west by the Gulf of Gonâve on the banks of which lies the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince and the plain of Arcahaie which extends to the west. The Cul-de-Sac plain extends east into the Dominican Republic.
This valley was once an inlet and at the time of its retreat during the Oligomocene uplift, the salt water was trapped in the lowest points of the depression giving rise to two large brackish lakes: the Saumâtre pond (also called "Azuéi lake") on the Haitian side and the Enriquillo lake on the Dominican side, as well as a small freshwater pond called Caïman hole (Trou-Caïman)) also located in Haitian territory.
This plain has always been a region of agricultural activity. From the colonial period there were already cultivated indigo harvesters. Over the decades, this production has run out of steam, giving way to sugar cane fields. The Blanche River, by means of its irrigation system and the channeling of part of its route to the Boucanbrou canal, waters this vast plain. In its southern part, the Cul-de-Sac plain is crossed by the Grise River.
About[]
Cul-de-Sac is a beautiful and expansive plain located to the north of Port-au-Prince, covering an area of 350 square kilometers. It stretches over 35 kilometers from east to west, with a varying width from north to south, ranging between 10 and 16 kilometers.
Geographically speaking, the Cul-de-Sac plain represents the western end of a large valley that extends in a straight line from the Bay of Neybe to the Gulf of Port-au-Prince. This section of the valley is marked by two ponds, which indicate the historical separation of the long southwestern peninsula of the island from the main body of land by a maritime canal in ancient times.
The first sugarcane was planted in this area in 1724, and due to the usual drought conditions, irrigation was implemented in 1730 under the governance of Larnage and Maillart. Prior to the French Revolution of 1789, the Cul-de-Sac plain produced over 50 million pounds of sugar. However, this output has significantly declined despite government incentives for producers.
The general distribution basin established by the French in 1730, which greatly contributed to the prosperity of the Cul-de-Sac plantations, was only repaired under President Geffrard by the French engineer Ricard. Currently, it is in a state of disrepair, and most plantations are inactive due to a lack of water for irrigation. This basin is located at the boundary of the rural section of Bellevue-Chardonnière and the municipality of Croix-des-Bouquets.
The municipalities of Croix-des-Bouquets and Thomazeau are situated in the heart of the Cul-de-Sac plain, with a combined population of approximately 30,000 residents. Before Thomazeau was established as a municipality, Croix-des-Bouquets was perhaps the largest municipality in the republic, encompassing 19 vast rural sections and three significant military posts: Gauthier, Fond Parisien, and others.
The inhabitants of Azua, Saint-Jean, Grands-Bois, Mirebalais, Banica, Barahona, and other surrounding areas, who engage in significant trade with Port-au-Prince, rely solely on the route through the Cul-de-Sac plain to access the capital. This route experiences a high volume of traffic, with estimates suggesting that approximately ten thousand individuals traverse it weekly, not counting the livestock such as oxen, donkeys, horses, mules, pigs, sheep, and goats. The establishment of a small railway connecting Port-au-Prince to Lake Azuei, which would run directly through the Cul-de-Sac plain, could greatly enhance the movement of goods and people. It would also strengthen Haiti's ties with the Dominican Republic, revitalizing commerce between the two neighboring nations sharing the island. Additionally, a fleet of small steamboats operating between the two ponds would further improve connectivity over a total distance of 80 kilometers. The necessary infrastructure along this route, which is interspersed with productive and densely populated areas, would require only minimal construction efforts. Currently, the high costs of transportation severely hinder production. Households are compelled to maintain their own carts and a substantial number of draft animals, as well as gardens for grazing, to transport their goods. This capital could be more effectively utilized for agricultural development if transportation were more accessible and affordable.
The construction of a 40-kilometer (25-mile) narrow-gauge railroad is projected to cost approximately one and a half million piastres (~2 million USD). Over the course of two decades, the Haitian government has issued three concessions for a railroad in the Cul-de-Sac plain: the first to General Brice in 1873, the second to American Mr. Théodore Borrott in 1876, and the third to French engineer Hippolyte Lapeyre in 1880. Unfortunately, none of these concessionaires have fulfilled their obligations. The government is particularly reliant on foreign investment to establish a public service that should primarily benefit its own interests. However, foreign investors are unlikely to undertake this project without the government covering at least half of the expenses. The Haitian government’s lack of financial involvement, coupled with its mere guarantee of interest for the venture, raises questions about its confidence in a project that is so beneficial to production, patriotic, and national in nature. What assurance can this situation provide to foreign investors? It is essential to maintain realistic expectations regarding this matter.
On March 23, 1892, the government entered into a fourth agreement, this time with Doctor Dentés Destouches, to develop a railway from Port-au-Prince to l'Etang. If the government keeps signing contracts, there is hope that a compliant concessionaire will eventually follow through.
A significant portion, specifically seven-eighths, of the Cul-de-Sac plain remains untapped and is inhabited by bayahondes, which provide high-quality construction timber. Annually, Port-au-Prince received 250 ox-cabrouet loads, each containing 25 posts, sourced from various types of wood including oak, logwood, mahogany, yellowwood, guaiac wood, latanier, spearwood, firewood, walnut, cedar, brazilwood, ironwood, and pine. Additionally, the region produces a variety of goods such as coffee, wax, honey, cotton, sugar, syrup, tafia, rum, guaiac gum, pille, leather, pistachios, orange peel, and old copper. The agricultural output includes fruits and vegetables, sugar cane, potato wood, guinea grass, cassava, coconuts, starch, manioc, corn, peas, rice, and ginger. The area also yields poles, stakes, mahogany boards, pissantes, lime and building stones, mats, rushes, latanier, grass, banana and cane plants, tobacco, charcoal, bricks, baskets, bowls, cotton seeds, animal gear, ropes, straw bags, poultry, livestock, and pigs. Conversely, the Cul-de-Sac plain has a high demand for provisions and foreign goods, including machinery. During the French colonial period in 1790, the region boasted five white sugar refineries, 275 raw sugar refineries, 131 coffee factories, 22 cotton factories, 15 indigo factories, 29 guildiveries, one cocoa factory, and 20 lime kilns, along with one brickyard. The infrastructure includes extensive and well-maintained roads that traverse the plain in all directions. The climate is generally healthy, despite occasional extreme heat.
The area benefits from the invigorating sea breezes and the fresh winds that descend from the surrounding mountains. Notably, two significant hurricanes caused considerable destruction in this region: one on July 6, 1751, and another on September 20, 1751. There are no marshy areas present.
The Cul-de-Sac River provides essential water to the distribution basin that irrigates the primary sugar plantations in the Petit-Bois rural area. This river empties into the Gulf of Port-au-Prince (de la Gonave) at the Duvivier plantation and originates from the Saddle Mountain Range (Pommeau de la Selle). Occasionally, it overflows, resulting in the loss of entire plantations and livestock. The river spans a length of 60 kilometers (37 miles), with the Savoie River serving as a left tributary. To mitigate flooding risks until proper bank reinforcement is implemented, it is advisable to remove the trees that grow within its bed, as they impede the flow of overflow waters and contribute to the widening of the riverbed. Water is consistently present near the river's mouth. The Boucan-Brou River, also known as the White River, provides irrigation for the plain but leaves only traces of stones from the O'Gorman plantation and does not reach the sea.
History[]
The chief Bohéchio led the Kingdom of Xaragua, with its capital located in the Cul-de-Sac plain, where Vieux-Bourg now stands.
• The earthquake on June 3, 1770, which devastated Port-au-Prince, also obliterated all the factories in the Cul-de-Sac plain. During this event, the Grande-Rivière ran dry for sixteen hours before its waters returned abruptly, resulting in a violent overflow.
• The revolt of the enslaved blacks and freed individuals resulted in widespread devastation. • In 1794, Halaou, an African leader of the black insurgents in Cul-de-Sac, commanded his undisciplined followers, who were influenced by superstition. He was often seen carrying a large white rooster, which he claimed conveyed the will of the divine. His procession was accompanied by the sounds of drums, conchs, and trumpets, along with his priests or sorcerers who proclaimed his invulnerability, asserting that cannon fire was merely bamboo and gunpowder was nothing more than dust. His guards donned long oxtails, a practice inspired by his predecessor Hyacinthe at Croix-des-Bouquets, which was believed to deflect bullets. Halaou met his demise at Croix-des-Bouquets in February. • On October 23, 1791, a peace agreement was established on the Damions plantation, recognizing the political rights of the colored individuals by the white settlers. • On June 2, 1803, fighting erupted on the Jumécourt plantation. Subsequently, • on June 4, 1803, Dessalines ordered the widespread incineration of the Cul-de-Sac plain to compel all residents to rise against the French. Within 15 days, the entire plain was reduced to ashes. • On January 1, 1807, an army of 10,000 led by Christophe confronted Pétion's forces in the Sibert plains, situated in the Cul-de-Sac region, approximately three leagues from Port-au-Prince. The battle resulted in significant bloodshed. Coutilien Coutard, commanding his grenadiers, displayed remarkable bravery; however, the troops from the West, besieged by Christophe's cavalry and outnumbered, were ultimately defeated. Recognizing the peril Pétion faced, Coutard, driven solely by his valor and concern for the public welfare, took off the general's braided hat and donned it himself. Despite being targeted by a barrage of enemy fire, the young lieutenant fell, struck by numerous bullets; nevertheless, Pétion managed to escape to the shore and return to Port-au-Prince by canoe to safeguard the Republic. • The abandoned properties of Pernier, Courpon, O'Gorman, Jumécourt, Digneron, Pyrac, and Lilavois, located in the Cul-de-Sac plain, were offered for sale under the Senate law enacted on March 10, 1812, aimed at establishing a national currency. Similarly, the properties of Goureau, Soissons, Cazeau, Drouillard Grand-Raque, Bourgogne, Dargout, Noailles, and Pierron were also put up for sale under the law of March 10, 1814, to promote agricultural development and increase land ownership. • In March 1812, Christophe once again besieged Port-au-Prince and ravaged the Cul-de-Sac plain. The two armies clashed on Tuesday, March 24, at the Santo estate at 3 PM. The enemy held a numerical advantage. Colonel Per launched a vigorous charge at the head of the cavalry guard, successfully routing the opposing forces and capturing two flags along with several prisoners. However, after regrouping, he returned to the fray. Ultimately, the enemy's numbers overwhelmed the courage of his troops. Boyer managed to extricate himself with great difficulty and moved to Drouillard to protect the city and rally his forces. Colonel Per sustained injuries during the engagement. Many officers died in this battle, including Commander Cantabres Pétion, who came from the South. However, the soldiers of the Magny division revolted and captured their general. They returned to Port-au-Prince with him, which led Christophe to lift the siege on June 12.
Pensez Y Bien[]
Morne Pensez Y-Bien {Pun-seh Zee-byen} (English: "Mount Think about it Carefully"), situated in the Port-au-Prince district and bordered by the communes of Croix-des-Bouquets, Grands Bois, and Mirebalais, is reliant on the Montagne du Canal. This area is known for its iron and copper mines. The local population has altered the name to Passe du Gibier.
One of the boundaries of the Port-au-Prince district extends through Pensez Y Bien, leading to the recognition of Fond-Diable. Its unwelcoming nature serves as a lasting reminder to travelers of the hardships they have endured. The path meanders around the desolate and rocky Morne Cabrit. On the adjacent heights, Pétion constructed a series of fortifications that Christophe, his formidable rival, never dared to attack.
- In March 1802, the French forces, traveling from Port Républicain to Mirebalais en route to Crête a Pierrot, traversed the hills of Pensez Y-Bien. General Boudet faced significant exhaustion during these marches, as the heat was stifling. The black and yellow soldiers of the 13th colonial regiment, under Pétion's command, ascended these hills with remarkable agility.
- On March 3, the adjutant-general d'Hénin arrived at the Trianon post, navigated the heights of the area, and entered the Trianon gorges.
- In March 1812, the troops of King Christophe, who were advancing to besiege Port-au-Prince, passed through Mirebalais and emerged into the Cul-de-Sac plain via the gorges of Pensez Y-Bien.