South America Capitals Quiz
Can you match South American countries with their capitals?
🇭🇹 Haiti
Capital: Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince – Haiti’s capital on the Gulf of Gonâve.
Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of Haiti, located on the Gulf of Gonâve in the country’s Ouest Department. Founded during the French colonial period, the city became the capital of Saint-Domingue before Haitian independence and later remained the political and administrative center of the independent country. Port-au-Prince is also a major center for Haitian art, music, markets, education, government, and commerce. The city has faced repeated earthquakes, political instability, and severe gang violence, which has disrupted transportation, public services, businesses, and daily life in many neighborhoods.
📜 Timeline of Port-au-Prince
1749: The French establish Port-au-Prince as a colonial settlement on the Gulf of Gonâve.
1770: Port-au-Prince becomes the capital of the French colony of Saint-Domingue.
1804: Haiti declares independence from France, and Port-au-Prince continues as one of the country’s main political centers.
1915–1934: During the U.S. occupation of Haiti, government administration becomes further concentrated in Port-au-Prince.
2010: A magnitude 7.0 earthquake near the capital causes widespread destruction and heavy loss of life across the metropolitan area.
Today: Port-au-Prince remains Haiti’s national capital and main administrative center, although prolonged insecurity has severely affected many parts of the metropolitan area.
📊 City Stats
Founded
1749
Colonial Capital Since
1770
Official Languages
Haitian Creole and French
Currency
Haitian Gourde (HTG)
Geography
Gulf of Gonâve, western Haiti, on the island of Hispaniola
Time Zone
EST (UTC−5); EDT (UTC−4) during daylight saving time
Calling Code
+509
Driving Side
Right-hand traffic
🏛️ Iconic Landmarks
Marché en Fer
Also known as the Iron Market, this historic market in central Port-au-Prince has long been associated with local produce, crafts, household goods, and everyday commerce.
Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien
A national museum near the Champ de Mars devoted to Haitian independence, national history, political figures, art, and cultural heritage.
Champ de Mars
A central public area surrounded by monuments and government institutions and closely connected with the political and civic history of Port-au-Prince.
Port-au-Prince has served as Haiti’s main political center for much of the country’s history. Its markets, museums, government district, artistic traditions, and densely populated neighborhoods remain central to Haitian national life, while recent insecurity has placed severe pressure on residents and public institutions.
