Photos Of The Day: Pras, La Gonave, Lewis Hamilton

 

A local market in Haiti’s largest island La Gonave (pop 120,000)

Photo Credit: Roots of DevelopmentGonâve Island: is an island of Haiti located west-northwest of Port-au-Prince in the Gulf of Gonâve. It is the largest of the Hispaniolan satellite islands. The island is an arrondissement (La Gonâve Arrondissement) in the Ouest Department and includes the communes of Anse-à-Galets and Pointe-à-Raquette. The indigenous Taínos called the island Guanabo.

Brief History: In 1925, U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Faustin E. Wirkus (1897-1948) was proclaimed by the residents of the island as King Faustin II. His “reign” lasted until 1929, when he returned to the United States. In the mid-1980s, British singer Cliff Richard recorded a song “La Gonave” for relief aid for the people of the island. The docks of the island were damaged by the 2010 Haiti earthquake of 12 January 2010. In the wake of the damage, supplies have been airlifted in to the 1,800-foot dirt strip.