Saint-Michel-de-l'Atalaye

Saint-Michel-de-l'Atalaye (Haitian Creole: Sen Michèl Latalay; Spanish: San Miguel de la Atalaya), also known as Saint-Michel du Nord, is a commune in the Marmelade Arrondissement, in the Artibonite department of Haiti. It is home to nearly 150,000 inhabitants.

About[]

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Saint-Michel, situated in the Central Plateau, presents numerous grand Christian churches, including one which has been there for more than half a century. This picturesque area is enveloped by fertile farmlands, plentiful water sources, and distant mountain ranges visible from all sides. The town offers exceptional privately-funded schools and a small residential community on the outskirts that was initially supported by the central government. Additionally, a recent collaboration with a Taiwanese partner has been initiated to provide the local community with training in bamboo crafts and goods manufacturing.

The local government has confirmed that this area has a very low risk of earthquakes. Additionally, there is a newly built city hall that combines modern construction techniques with classic architecture.

History[]

In 1768, Lieutenant Colonel José de Guzmán y Meléndez envisioned a prosperous community dedicated to enhancing the well-being and opportunities of the people of the Canary Islands. This led to the creation of the city of Saint-Michel de l'Attalaye, formerly San Miguel de la Atalaya. It was founded on the grounds of the Estancia Marigallega by Meléndez (who was later made Baron of San Miguel de la Atalaya by Charles III of Spain) and was populated by settlers from the Canary Islands.

Despite the demands arising from the Franco-Spanish war on the island, Lieutenant-Colonel Meléndez remained unfazed with a small population of less than a thousand inhabitants. In 1773, this city became the historic site where the Treaty of “San Miguel de la Atalaya” was signed between the governors of Santo Domingo (Spanish colony) and Saint-Domingue (French colony). This treaty ultimately defined the borders between the two colonies, using the rivers of Dajabón and Pedernales as reference points.

In 1782 the population reached 1,131 inhabitants.

Early History[]

• During the War of the First Coalition it was occupied by France in 1794. The following year, Spain officially gave its part of the island Hispaniola to France, under the Peace of Basel. In 1809, Spain regained its former possessions on the island.

In December 1821 and January 1822, Haiti took over parts of the central and northeastern areas of the island. In February 1822, the Santo Domingo City and the eastern side of the island were also taken over. In 1844, the Dominican Republic declared independence from Haiti, but their rule over Saint-Michel was not very effective. According to the 1939 border treaty between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the city was officially under Haitian control.

Modern Times[]

Throughout the years, Saint-Michel-de-l'Atalaye has maintained its reputation as an exquisitely beautiful city. Referred to as Sen Michèl Latalay in Kreyol, this tropical paradise is characterized by its majestic mountain ranges, fertile farmlands, and abundant water sources, providing a home for approximately 150,000 residents. One of the city's notable advantages is its geographical location outside the earthquake fault-line, which sets it apart from the less fortunate Port-au-Prince. Furthermore, Saint-Michel-de-l'Atalaye takes pride in its exceptional education system, which is privately funded,

In addition to being a sought-after destination for camping, sports, and agriculture, this remarkable city also showcases a landscape that tells the story of a redemptive community. St Michel de l'Atalaye annually hosts cultural events on May 8th, commemorating the prince-protector of the Salvation Army, St Michael the Archangel, its patron saint.

Geography[]

Saint-Michel 112918 — Saint-Michel-de-l'Atalaye

Saint-Michel is located at 19.3713° N, 72.3370° W. According to the IHSI, this commune has a total land area of 613.74 square kilometers (236.97 square miles), of which 309.46 km² (50%) is rural, 296.82 km² (48%) is suburban, and 7.46 km² (2%) is urban. It is bordered on the north by the city of Marmelade, on the northeast and east respectively by the Northern Department communes of Dondon and Saint-Raphaël, on the southeast by the Central Department town of Maïssade, on the southwest by the city of Dessalines, on the west by the city of Gonaïves, and on the northwest by the town of Ennery. Saint-Michel de l'Attalaye is Haiti's third largest municipality by land area, behind Aquin and Croix-des-Bouquets. It includes eight communal sections, which are subdivided further into least 284 localities and 117 neighborhoods. It also has a district, Mamont, which falls under the 7th communal section of the same name. The relief varies from plains to hills and plateaus, depending on where you are in the commune.

Saint-Michel MAP — Communal Map of Saint-Michel de L'Atalaye

Neighborhoods

STM	Saint-Michel-de-l'Atalaye		150,511
VSI	Ville de Saint-Michel	Urban	37,007
QMT	Quartier de Marmont	Urban	570
PTA	1ère Section Platana	Rural section	13,830	Alhadère, Bois Neuf, Désiré, Gaspard, Grande Mare, Grande Plaine, Koa, La Boudiac, La Castaigne, Le Canta, Le Romain, Lidialle, Maréchal, Nan Da, Nan Jean Louis, Nan Lamé, Nan Mouton, Palmarais, Platana, Roche Rameau.
CMA	2ème Section Camathe	Rural	11,130	Bonneau, Caïméite, Ca Marthe, Carrefour Sevère, Citron, Clerveaux, Coudrai, Dessources, Dompté, Dressic, Garde Sevère, Garrata, Grand Gouffre, Lagoman, Lagon Laverdure, Manzè Bonne, Nan Coq, Nan Gabeau, Peyrard, Savane Marc, Source Jean Pierre, Trou Cochon.
BDS	3ème Section Bas de Sault	Rural section	12,229	Bas de Sault, Ca Brûlé, Carrefour Bas-de-Sault, Domingue, Dos Corosse, Gauthier, Irlan, Jumeaux, Mathurin, Nan Erzulie, Pabre, Pomme, Rami, Sauterre, Tina, Trou Dauphin.
LLA	4ème Section Lalomas	Rural	16,916	Baille, Bédouet, Biaou, Blaise, Bois Chrétien, Bois Pin, Boucan, Boucan Giraumon, Boucan Laurrier, Gagnant, Giraumon, Haut de l'Eau, La Loma, Lamine, La Mine, Las Lomas, Liane Panier, Mapou, Marché Louverture, Mare Laurent, Moïse, Nan Dinde, Oulandou, Pang, Rameau, Sainte-Marthe, Saint-Francisque, Savane Canne, Savane Salée, Source Jumeau, Tony, Trois Bouteilles.
ERM	5éme Section L'Ermite	Rural	10,241	Bois Baraille, Boucan Sannite, Cabelle, Charlotte, Décid, Domeran, Ducheine, Eau Rameau, Grande Plaine, L'Ermite, L'Hermite, Lounou, Mapou, Mat Pam, Nan Ducheine, Saintilien, Terre Cassée, Tumba Calin.
LAD	6eme Section Lacedras	Rural	14,971	Bécanta, Bellevue, Caresse, Ca Tout Rond, Cazeau, Cercadille, Derrière Voûte, Derriez, Didi, En Bas Cahot, En Haute Garde, Garde Baptiste, Gros Voute, La Cide, La Cidras, La Sienne, La Tourte, Marché, Mataba, Nan Ananas, Nan Campèche, Nan Citadelle, Nan Cotros, Nan Croix, Nan Magloire, Nan Mapou, Nan Moulin, Nan Palmiste, Nan Rang, Orange Bénie, Sabocon, Saintac, Savane Belle-Mère, Savane Bois Pin, Savane Gomier, Savane Lannot, Savane Longue, Savane Mamelle.
MMT	7eme Section Marmont	Rural section	17,579	Barade, Bijon, Dave, Derrière Zorde, Grand Bois, Grande Plaine, Grande Savane, Grand Lagon, Jigote, La Boqué, Lan Jean Charles, L'Arabe, Mamont, Mare Bête, Monseigneur, Nan Diègue, Nan Grosse, Nan l'Etoile, Palmarite, Paré, Passe Caïmite, Paul, Platana, Savane Dossous, Tête Boeuf, Ti Fond.
ATT	8eme Section Saint Michel de L'Attalaye	Rural section	14,038	Aqueron, Bassin Cheval, Bassin Laurent, Boitide, Caille Encerclée, Calumette, Casséus, Dazilma, Débauché, Diguarang, D'Lo Contrée, Garde Sixième, Guillaume, Labissainthe, L'Atalaye, Madisse, Magny, Ma Toute, Nan Bois Pin, Nan Depot, Nan Guillaume, Nan Jules, Parque Orange, Passe Rio Poueque, Pierre Bernard, Qualandou, Roche Goupèye, Savane Diane, Savane Orange, Source Crabe, Terre Cassée, Usine, Vieux Bourg.

St Michel 112621 — Rue Saint-Fleur, Saint-Michel, Haiti

Demographics

The inhabitants are called Saint-Michelois and Saint-Micheloises. Other sources say Saint-Michelien and Saint-Micheliennes

In 2015, the gender ratio was estimated at 93 men per 100 women. This shortage of men was much more pronounced in urban areas (85 men for 100 women) than in rural areas (96 men for 100 women). Nearly 20% of the municipality's population lived in urban areas. The distribution of the municipality's population can be categorized by age as follows:

41.5% under 15 years old
53% aged 15-64
5.5% aged 65 and over.

Year	Population	+/-
1782	1,131
1890	12,000	_+961%
1950	42,750	_+256%
1969	68,813	+61%
1976	71,700	+4%
1982	82,281	+16%
1998	119,355	+44%
2003	95,216	-20%
2005	118,235	+24%
2009	137,592	+16%
2015	151,696	+10%

Hydrography

The Saint-Michel de l'Attalaye area is situated in the northeastern part of the Artibonite hydrological basin, in the Central Plateau. The Plateau, which has an average altitude of about 350 m (1,150 feet), is a gently rolling surface surrounded by mountains. It is drained by the Canoe and Bouyaha Rivers near St-Michel. These rivers are fed by springs and receive rainfall ranging from 1,400 to 2,000 mm (55 to 80 inches) per year. However, these rivers primarily carve out deep valleys within the land. Furthermore, the distribution of rainfall is uneven, with the average annual precipitation of 1,400 to 2,000 mm occurring mainly in the first months of the rainy season, while the rest of the year often remains dry.

Geology and soils

In the Saint-Michel area, there are both calcareous and non-calcareous mountainous terrains. Some smaller depressions form intramontane valleys. The most productive valleys are those formed by recent alluvium. Additionally, there are large stretches of recent alluvium that traverse the St-Michel area, with the main ones being associated with the Platana, Frio, and Canoe Rivers.

The soils of the Plateau present difficulties and depend on practices like fertilization, irrigation, and crop rotation for agricultural development. Despite this, the Plateau is a vast region with significant potential for exploitation. It offers opportunities for animal husbandry as well as agricultural cultivation on the alluvial surfaces surrounding the commune of Saint-Michel.

Economy[]

Saint-Michel-de-l'Atalaye thrives on a diverse agricultural sector, which serves as the foundation of Haiti's economy. The local economy is based on growing cotton, sugar cane and tobacco, while farmers in the region also yield an abundance of rice, mangoes, sugarcane, and various vegetables on lush expanses of land.

Copper mining and extraction contributes to the local economy. In terms of financial infrastructure, there is a hotel, four restaurants and two credit unions.

Tourism[]

St Michel de l'Attalaye is a vibrant city that attracts numerous tourists annually to admire its modern architecture and enjoy its pleasant weather. Situated on a 614 square kilometer piece of land, the city is surrounded by the Marmelade and Dondon mountain ranges to the north, and the Black Mountains to the west. St Michel de l'Attalaye serves as a melting pot of cultures, offering a warm welcome from its residents and a variety of culinary delights. The city provides a wide range of activities including sports, art, live music, fine dining, luxury hotels, and more. With 27,000 hectares of undivided flat land, it stands as the only city in the country with such vast expanses.

Infrastructure[]

The most recent projects to enhance Saint-Michel-de-l'Atalaye's infrastructure include a government-sponsored residential development and a vocational program focused on woodcrafts creation and manufacturing. urthermore, the city has also constructed a new City Hall, which is an eco-friendly building powered by green energy sources.

Education

The school district in the municipality is overseen by an inspector from the Ministry of National Education of Youth and Sports. There are a total of 132 schools in the commune, with 126 at the primary level and six at the secondary level. Around 87% of these schools are privately owned. Additionally, the commune has four literacy centers and five technical and professional institutions.

Health

The Ministry of Public Health and Population has an administrative office in the commune that oversees the healthcare services. There is a health center with a bed and three dispensaries in the commune. The healthcare team at these institutions consists of two doctors, a nurse trainee, seven assistants, and two laboratory technicians. Utilities

The municipality's water is supplied by at least five rivers, 62 springs and a lagoon. Water With Blessings supports the community by providing Sawyer water filters.

Security

Saint-Michel's Administrative and Judicial Infrastructures include a court of peace and a police station. There is also a prison.

Administration[]

As of Februrary 2022

Gueillant Dorcinvil Principal Mayor	Denis Chery Deputy Mayor	Merceda Jean Deputy Mayor
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Culture[]

STM 30552e — Saint-Michel-de-l'Atalaye, Haiti

Saint Michel de l'Attalaye is a diverse and culturally rich city, making it a true cultural haven and a city that promotes social inclusivity. It has numerous iconic places waiting to be explored. Each section of the city offers something unique and captivating for the entire family, creating unforgettable moments. These sections have their own distinct atmosphere and charm, which always captivates visitors seeking an authentic experience. And if the city's activities aren't enough, one can marvel at the breathtaking vetiver landscape that leads to the stunning Savane Dianne. Similarly, one can take a break at a gaguere to enjoy a cockfight show and indulge in a delicious plate of corn and duck in sauce or a simple "fritay," accompanied by a glass of the aphrodisiac, klerin 22.

Religion

There are approximately 167 churches belonging to different religious denominations in Saint-Michel-de-l'Atalaye. These include Adventist (5), Baptist (63), Catholic (25), Church of God (15), Nazarene (1), Pentecostal (56), Jehovah's Witnesses (1), and Methodist (1). Each religious group also operates a school that serves both society and the Church. These schools aim to develop the talents of individuals, enabling them to succeed in their professional lives while deepening their faith. The guiding principle of these schools is to train individuals for life and cultivate responsible citizens for the country.

Every year on May 8th, Saint-Michel-de-l'Atalaye celebrates the feast day of its patron, Saint Michel. In contrast, followers of Vodun, who have incorporated Christian beliefs into their theology, visit the nearby Grotto Saint Francis de Asis. There, they offer prayers and sacrifices to the various deities of their faith.

Organizations

In relation to political parties and organizations, the commune of Saint-Michel counted two political parties, three grassroots organizations, three peasant groups and an NGO, CODESMA.

Water With Blessings is a team that works to provide water filters for residents.

Reforestation is a project dedicated to agroforestry development, ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity protection. This diverse project supporting Saint-Michel-de-l'Attalaye has seen significant growth. Following the planting of 250,000 trees in 2020, project developers are now assisting Agrinotech in planting 500,000 trees to further reforestation efforts in northern Haiti.

Communication

The commune of Saint-Michel lacks newspapers, magazines, and a television station; however, it is home to a radio station called "Radio Saint-Michel" and additionally, "Radio Unité" located on Rue Guerrier, which operates with a limited staff.

Leisure

In terms of recreational activities, the town of Saint-Michel has two libraries, three theaters, a cinema, a public square, two nightclubs, 48 gagueres, and a soccer field.

Regarding cultural treasures, Saint-Michel is home to natural attractions such as caves and waterfalls. While there are no specific landmarks or temples, a group of Hougans and Mambos have been officially recognized for providing their services to a portion of the commune's population.

Twinning[]

• Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA

The Saint-Joseph Parish, located in the 4th section of Lalomas, is partnered with the Holy Spirit Parish through a twinning program. It is a way for neighbors to share their lives with each other and to help each other in times of need.

La premiere selection de BasketBall Feminine de l'ACASSMAH

References[]

MEN 10 PAS DLO LÈW SOT SAINT MICHEL (Ville Toussaint Louverture Ènri) [1]

FENAMH [2]

Weather and Climate - Saint-Michel de L'A, Haiti [3]

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