Port-Margot (Kreyòl: Pò Mago) is a commune on the Atlantic coast of Northern Haiti.
Founded in 1711 under the parish of Sainte-Margeurite (Saint-Margaret), this is where François Levasseur landed in 1640, sent by Philippe de Longvilliers de Poincy, lieutenant-general of the islands of Americas for the King of France. With the island of Tortuga, Port-Margot lays claim to being the first French settlement on the island of Hispaniola and is well-known for its colonial architecture, it's vast agricultural resources, as well as Atlantic Ocean beaches like Chouchou Bay, the Waka Basin, and Anaïse Basin.
Port-Margot is a green zone. It has huge agricultural and tourist resources. The town of Borgne's other half in the Borgne Arrondissement presents numerous rivers, beautiful beaches, and mountainous geography. The municipality is composed of six sections, namely Great Plains, Lower Petit Borgne, Coral, High-Petit Borgne, Lower Ward, and Left arm.
Overview[]
Port-Margot is home to about 37,000 people who are mostly of Protestant faith. Most of them live a simple life, relying heavily on the municipality's many rivers for their livelihood. Rich vegetation is the most beneficial use of the rivers of Port-Margot, resulting in the heavy production cocoa and coffee. Historically, the municipality was Saint Domingue's first French settlement. It is composed of several elementary schools and high schools, as well as a few health centers.
History[]
The origin of the name “Port-Margot” is unknown at this time. Port-Margot was the first French settlement in Saint Domingue and it already bore this name when the buccaneers came to settle in. As of 1630, the French, chased out of the island of Saint Christophe, had joined forces with the Pirates from Île de la Tortue to venture toward the coast of Port-Margot to establish dins, i.e. temporary establishments where they roasted meats or preserved them by smoking them.
Geography[]
Port-Margot is located at 19.7517° N, 72.4295° W. According to the IHSI, this commune has a total land area of 125.19 square kilometers (48.34 square miles), of which 62.46 sq.km (50%) is rural, 60.01 sq.km (48%) is suburban, and 2.72 sq.km (2%) is urban. Port Margot, one of the 19 municipalities in the Northern Department, is located 9 kilometers (6 miles) northwest of the city of Limbé and 20 kilometers (13 miles) east of the city of Borgne. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the north, the town of Bas-Limbé on the east, the cities of Limbé and Plaisance on the southeast, the town of Pilate on the southwest, and the city of Borgne on the west. It has two districts and six communal Sections. Apart from the Bayeux district and the Bas Quatier ('Lower District) 5th communal section which are coastal, all the rest of the commune is considered as inland. The relief of the commune is both plains and hills and its climate is fresh.
River[]
The city is crossed by the Rivière de Port-Margot. The Port-Margot River traverses the commune vertically. It begins from the hills of Margot, then snakes its way through Petit-Bourg, Grand Bourg, and ends up at the sea just east of Bayeux.
On its way to the sea, it connects with several other brooks that add to its strength. They are the river of Petit Bourg on the left; the river of Corail connected on the right by that of Corneille, and the river of Petit Borgne that merges upstream from that of Bayeux.
The Port-Margot river is on a flood zone. During the drought season it has only a thin filament of water, but in the rainy season, it terrorizes the whole region along its path.
Transportation[]
Though not accessible directly by a national highway, Route Nationale 1 passes through neighboring Limbé.
Demographics[]
The inhabitants call themselves Port Margotien/ne.
Year | Population | Change |
---|---|---|
1950 | 24,963 | |
1971 | 31,390 | +26% |
1982 | 33,395 | +6% |
1998 | 34,331 | +3% |
2009 | 45,360 | +32% |
2015 | 49,879 | +10% |
Economy[]
The local economy is generally based on agriculture and the cultivation of cocoa, coffee and fruit. Much of the shopping takes place at the main markets of Marche Landjiéz in the first section, Petit-Bourg in the third section, Zigne in the 4th section, Marie Congo in the 5th section and Mazambette in the 6th.
At the level of the economic and financial infrastructure, the municipality is very lightly endowed, with only a credit union and a marketing cooperative.
Around 1900-1980 unemployment was almost nonexistent. The fields were green and production had increased considerably. Each parcel of land was cultivated according to the needs of the community, and the surplus sold to the big cities. Unfortunately, what seemed to be the terrestrial paradise gradually and completely changed. The lands were devalued due to deforestation; the agrarian layer was diminishing daily and moving towards the sea, thus reducing cultivable space. Moreover, the frequent changes of the river's bed caused enormous losses to the population.
Infrastructure[]
Education
The Ministry of the National Youth and Sports Education is represented in the municipality by a School Inspection Office. Severalprimary schools, six secondary schools and four Literacy centers were inventoried in the municipality; However, there is no higher school nor university.
Health
As far as health is concerned, the municipality has no representation from the Ministry of Public Health and Population. On the other hand, three clinics were inventoried. The medical staff consists of: Doctors, a nurse, several auxiliary, dozens of certified Matrons and four laboratory technicians for a population of more than 35 000 inhabitants.
Utilities
For water availability, the municipality of Port Margot has six rivers, over one hundred sources, and two ponds which are mainly used for domestic services. In addition to these water points, dozens of single drills, faucets and Pumps supply water to households. The municipality of Port-Margot is partially electrified, only the city center and a part of Corail benefit from the electric current which is supplied by l'Electricity d'Haiti (ED? H).
Security
At the level of administrative and judicial infrastructure, the municipality has two Peace courts, one police station and two civil registry offices. There is no Prison.
Neighborhoods
PMG | Port-Margot | 49,879 | Localities | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
VPM | Ville de Port Margot | Urban | 14,528 | ||
QBY | Quartier De Bayeux | Urban | 3,028 | ||
QPM | Quartier Petit Bourg de Port-Margot | Urban | 3,824 | ||
GPN | 1ère Section De Grande Plaine | Rural | 1,892 | Grande Plaine, Guillette, La Coupe, Mazambi, Nantchen. | |
BPB | 2ème Section Bas Petit Borgne | Rural section | 4,115 | Aria, Fond Bois, Gué, Mathurin, Pierre-Michel, Potier. | |
CRL | 3ème Section De Corail | Rural | 8,303 | Centré, Corail, Corneille, Dame Piquant, Découvert, Dumazan, Dupin, Duplessis, Fauché, Ferrand, Garde Bance. | |
HPB | 4ème Section Haut Petit Borgne | Rural | 2,941 | Paillant, Redoute. | |
BQT | 5eme Section Bas Quartier | Rural Section | 6,750 | Bayeux, Bord de Mer Port-Margot, Chabet, Chevalier, Chouchou, Eau Noire, Gamelle, Gué, La Source, Legras, L'Ilet Port-Margot, Novion, Pioux, Redoute, Thébaudière, Verger. | |
BGC | 6eme Section Bras Gauche | Rural section | 4,498 | Dos Bobo, Garde Camp, Godino, Jeannette, Lacoman, Nan Marguerite, Petit-Bourg-de-Port-Margot, Poc, Quentin, Riol, Saint-Pierre. |
Culture[]
Religion
Almost thirty churches have been inventoried in the commune of Port Margot. Adventist churches are predominant (10 in total).
Organizations
Ten Popular organizations, four peasant groups, three Women's groups form political institutions and other organizations in the commune of Port Margot. We can only find a radio station Fantastic FM Radio Located at Rue Grégoire.
Communication
In terms of Communication, the municipality does not have a newspaper/magazine or a television station.
Leisure
As for Leisure, the municipality has a library, and no museum. There is a Theatre room, but no movie theater. Football (soccer) and volleyball are the only sports practiced in the commune. There is no night club, but twelve Gaguères have been listed.
Port-Margot is the location of some of the most captivating beaches in the country. It keeps its charm and abounds in activities that satisfy almost everyone. The most popular in the municipality, Chouchou, is known for its white sand and vast coral reef that can be reached and appreciated by divers and enthusiasts about 10 to 15 meters from the surface of the water.
Port-Margot has several sandy beaches, Anse à Chouchou Bay, Coco, Coup de sable, Cabaret and Pas Kannot, as well as the Waka Basin, which is located in the Novion area.
Other activities that can be done in Port-Margot are family picnics at l'Ilet and camping at Morne Coplan, where one can also enjoy a romantic sunset. The coastal municipality also has its share of annual festivals. Every 20th of July, Port-Margot residents celebrate the feast of Saint Marguerite, in honor of the town's patron saint.
Pomagobel is an initiative, through which local tourism is encouraged, and the public is informed about major events and the daily reality of the community.
References[]
Port-Margot past and present (ODEP)[1]
Michael Vedrine