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Jérémie

Jérémie is a commune and coastal city in southwestern Haiti, serving as the capital of the Grand'Anse department.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jérémie is a commune and coastal city in southwestern Haiti, serving as the capital of the Grand'Anse department. It is known for its literary tradition and is often called the “City of Poets.”

History

Jérémie was founded in 1756 and became an important port town after its harbour opened in 1807. Britannica notes that the city later declined sharply after the Duvalier government closed its port in 1964.

Geography

The city is in southwestern Haiti on the northern shore of Pointe de Tiburon, facing the Gulf of Gonâve. It is the main city of the Grand'Anse department.

Economy

Historically, Jérémie served as a market and port for produce from its fertile hinterland, including cacao, coffee, sugarcane, bananas, mangoes, logwood, and hides.

Culture

Jérémie is widely known as the “City of Poets” because of its literary and artistic community. Sources describe it as a place associated with writers, poets, and historians.

Key facts

  • Jérémie is the capital of Haiti’s Grand'Anse department.
  • It is located on Haiti’s southwestern coast.
  • The town was founded in 1756 and its port opened in 1807.
  • Jérémie developed as a market and port for agricultural produce from the surrounding region.
  • It is associated with a strong literary and artistic tradition.

Frequently asked questions

What is Jérémie?
Jérémie is a commune and city in southwestern Haiti and the capital of the Grand'Anse department.
Why is Jérémie called the City of Poets?
It earned the nickname because of its notable literary and artistic community.
When was Jérémie founded?
It was founded in 1756.
What is Jérémie’s population?
A 2015 census put the population at about 134,317.
Where is Jérémie located?
It is on Haiti’s southwestern coast, on the northern shore of Pointe de Tiburon and the Gulf of Gonâve.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Jeremie
    Supports: Founding date, port opening, location, historical role, decline after 1964, City of Poets nickname.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%A9r%C3%A9mie
    Supports: Designation as commune and capital city of Grand'Anse, population figure, Haitian Creole name.
  3. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%A9r%C3%A9mie
    Supports: City in southwest Haiti, capital of Grand'Anse, City of Poets nickname.