| Artibonite Department |
| Department |
| Country |
Haiti |
|
| Capital |
Gonaïves |
|
| Area |
4,984 km2 (1,924 sq mi) |
|
| Population |
1,168,800 (2002) |
|
|
|
Artibonite (Haitian Creole: Latibonit) is one of the ten departments (French: départements) of Haiti. With an area of 4,984 km² it is Haiti's largest department. Artibonite has a population of 1,168,800 (2002). The region is the country's main rice-growing area. The main cities are Gonaïves (the capital) and Saint-Marc. An insurgency tried unsuccessfully to declare Artibonite's independence in February 2004.
The department has been in a state of an economic decrease since the insurgencies and coups have reduced the nation's stability. Since the election of President René Garcia Préval, the production of rice and other crops has been on an increase.
Deschapelles, in the Artibonite valley, is the location of the Hospital Albert Schweitzer Haiti.
[edit] Arrondissements & Communes
Coordinates: 19°27′00″N 72°41′00″W / 19.45°N 72.6833°W / 19.45; -72.6833
