Croix-des-Bouquets
Croix-des-Bouquets
| |
|---|---|
| Coordinates: 18°34′34″N 72°13′37″W / 18.57611°N 72.22694°W | |
| Country | Haiti |
| Department | Ouest |
| Arrondissement | Croix-des-Bouquets |
| Area | |
• Total | 5.46 km2 (2.11 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 64 m (210 ft) |
| Population (2009) | |
• Total | 284,812 |
| • Density | 52,000/km2 (140,000/sq mi) |
Croix-des-Bouquets (/ˌkrwɑː deɪ buːˈkeɪ, -bʊ-/, French pronunciation: [kʁwa de bukɛ]; Haitian Creole: Kwadèbouke or Kwadèboukè) is a commune in the Ouest department of Haiti. It is located 12.9 kilometers (8.0 mi) to the northeast of Haiti's capital city, Port-au-Prince. Originally located on the shore, it was relocated inland after the 1770 Port-au-Prince earthquake. With a population density of 52,000/km2 (130,000/sq mi), Croix-des-Bouquets is one of the most densely populated cities in the world.
Croix-des-Bouquets was founded in 1749 by Royal Decree. Legend has it that the city takes its name from a tradition that had the Spaniards passing to deposit bouquets of flowers at the foot of a large cross that was on the land where the city was built. Croix des Bouquets pursues a tradition of beauty through the sculpture of iron, and the village of Noailles is at the heart of this tradition specifically in ode to Haitian artist and sculptor Georges Liautaud.