Saint-Michel-de-l'Attalaye
Sen Michèl Latalay | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 19°22′0″N 72°20′0″W / 19.36667°N 72.33333°W | |
Country | Haiti |
Department | Artibonite |
Arrondissement | Marmelade |
Founded in | 1768 |
Founded by | José de Guzmán y Meléndez, Viscount of San Rafael de la Angostura |
Elevation | 420 m (1,380 ft) |
Population (7 August 2003)[1] | |
• Total | 95,216 |
Saint-Michel-de-l'Attalaye (Haitian Creole: Sen Michèl Latalay; Spanish: San Miguel de la Atalaya) is a commune in the Marmelade Arrondissement, in the Artibonite department of Haiti. It has 95,216 inhabitants. It is the second largest city geographically after Port-au-Prince, the national capital. Located in the Central Plateau, it is home to several large Christian churches including one which has been there for over 50 years. It is a scenic locale, surrounded by rich farmland, abundant water resources and distant mountain peaks in every direction. There are excellent schools which are privately funded and a current (2011) small residential development outside of the main town area which is near completion which was originally sponsored by the central government. There is a new joint venture nearing completion with a Taiwanese partner that plans to bring bamboo crafts and goods manufacturing skills training to the local people.
The area is one of the least prone to earthquakes according to local government expertise. There is a new city hall nearing completion with excellent modern construction techniques and classic architecture (summer 2011).