Tiburon Peninsula

This article is about the peninsula in Haiti. For the landmass in California, see Tiburon Peninsula (California).

Location of the Tiburon Peninsula, shaded in green

The Tiburon Peninsula (French: Péninsule de Tiburon), or The Xaragua Peninsula, simply "the Tiburon" (le Tiburon), is a region of Haiti encompassing most of Haiti's southern coast. It starts roughly at the southernmost point of the Haiti-Dominican Republic border and extends westward near Cuba, forming a large headland. Three of Haiti's ten departments are located entirely within the region. They are the departments of Grand'Anse, Nippes and Sud.

Etymology

The words Tiburon and Xaragua are linked to the Taino natives who were the region's first inhabitants. The region is often referred to as the Great South, le Grand-Sud (French), or Nansid (Haitian).

Administrative divisions

The Tiburon is 1 of the 4 regions of Haiti, administrated through 4 departments and 1 arrondissement. Half of Sud-Est is also located within the Tiburon Peninsula. A large part of Ouest department is also located in the region, with the capital, Port-au-Prince serving as the line of demarcation between central Haiti and the south.

• Nippes Department
• Grand'Anse department
• Sud Department
• Sud-Est Department
• Léoganes Arrondissement

Geography

The region is the southern and westernmost point of Haiti. It is bordered by the Gulf of Gonave to the north and the Caribbean sea to the south making it the region with the longest coastline.

Geology

The region is crossed from west to east by the Enriquillo-Plantain-Garden fault line, one of the longest fault lines in the country and responsible for the 2010 Earthquake in Léoganne and the 2021 Earthquake in Cayes-Jérémi.

Mountain Ranges

Two main mountain ranges form the region, the Massif de la Hotte reaching its highest point in Pic Macaya, and the Massif de la Selle the highest point in the country in Pic La Selle.

Coastal Line

The region has the longest coastline in Haiti. Along the coast, multiple bays follow each other in series forming lush green plains and valleys.

Island

The Xaragua counts multiple islands, cays, and reefs, some inhabited seasonally by local fishermen.

• Isle-à-Vaches and its cays
• Les Cayemites and its cays
• The Flamands Islands
• The Baradères Peninsula and its cays
• La Navase
• Rochelois reefs

River

Multiple rivers flow from the mountains to the coast

• Monance
• Nippes
• Grand'Anse
• Voldrogue
• Ravine du Sud
• Cavaillon
• Bainet
• Jacmel

Hurricane

This region is often affected by hurricanes.

Demography

Due to its isolation and the large presence of mountains instead of plain, unlike the Marien and Artibonite. The population of this region has always been more diverse with a high concentration of white and mixed-race.

Type	Name	Capital	Population	Land Area (km2)	Other notable cities
Departement	Nippes	Miragoanes	342 525	1383	Anse-à-Veaux, Petit-Trou, Fond-des-Nègres, Baradères
Departement	Grand'Anse	Jeremi	468 301	1800	Anse-d'Ainealt, Les Irois, Corail
Departement	Sud	Les Cayes	774 976	2454	Aquin, Tiburon, Camp-Perrin, Port-Salut
Departement	Sud-Est	Jacmel	632 601	2215	Bainet, Marigot, Belle-Anse, Cayes-Jacmel
Arrondissement	Ouest-Méridional	Léoganes	509 280	1663	Petit-Goave, Grand-Goave

Economy

Agriculture

The Cayes region is the biggest plain in the region. Many farmers grow vetivè making Haiti the first producer of essential oils. Jérémi is known for its production vivrière, making it the hub of roots-vegetables.

Fishing

Many families in the region fish for local consumption.

Tourism

Due to its coastline, Xaragua is reputated for some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Lack of investment there are no resorts but a multitude of family own hotels that accommodate local and international tourists.

Forts

Like much of the country this region has a large collection of forts

• Marfranc
• Platons
• Ogé
• Oliviers
• Oranger

Mining

The town of Miragoanes has long been exploited by Reynold Co. for bauxite and aluminum. Studies have shown the presence of iridium in the Jacmel area although no exploitation licenses have been issued.