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.[1] 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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
The region has the longest coastline in Haiti. Along the coast, multiple bays follow each other in series forming lush green plains and valleys.
The Xaragua counts multiple islands, cays, and reefs, some inhabited seasonally by local fishermen.
Multiple rivers flow from the mountains to the coast
This region is often affected by hurricanes.
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 |
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.
Many families in the region fish for local consumption.
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.
Like much of the country this region has a large collection of forts
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.