Haiti Photos : Crossing the Artibonite at Deslandes

Haiti Photos: Crossing the Artibonite at Deslandes

The Artibonite River is a 320 km long river in Haiti. It is the longest as well as the most important river in Haiti and the longest on the island of Hispaniola. Forming part of the international border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the river’s sources are in the Cordillera Central in the Dominican Republic, however most of its length lies in Haiti. The river empties into the Gulf of Gonâve.

As namesake for the surrounding Artibonite Valley and Haitian Artibonite Department, the river is used for irrigation and the Peligre Hydroelectric Dam situated on it produces the country’s supply of hydroelectricity. In October 2010, following a fatal choleraoutbreak (the first in generations) in the Haitian headwaters of the river, locals were alerted that drinking untreated water from this river may spread the disease.

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