<P> The city of Port - au - Prince is on the Gulf of Gonâve : the bay on which the city lies , which acts as a natural harbor , has sustained economic activity since the civilizations of the Arawaks . It was first incorporated under French colonial rule in 1749 . The city 's layout is similar to that of an amphitheatre ; commercial districts are near the water , while residential neighborhoods are located on the hills above . Its population is difficult to ascertain due to the rapid growth of slums in the hillsides above the city ; however , recent estimates place the metropolitan area 's population at around 3.7 million , nearly half of the country 's national population . The city was catastrophically affected by a devastating earthquake in 2010 , with large numbers of structures damaged or destroyed . Haiti 's government estimated the death toll to be 230,000 . </P>
<P> The city of Port - au - Prince is on the Gulf of Gonâve : the bay on which the city lies , which acts as a natural harbor , has sustained economic activity since the civilizations of the Arawaks . It was first incorporated under French colonial rule in 1749 . The city 's layout is similar to that of an amphitheatre ; commercial districts are near the water , while residential neighborhoods are located on the hills above . Its population is difficult to ascertain due to the rapid growth of slums in the hillsides above the city ; however , recent estimates place the metropolitan area 's population at around 3.7 million , nearly half of the country 's national population . The city was catastrophically affected by a devastating earthquake in 2010 , with large numbers of structures damaged or destroyed . Haiti 's government estimated the death toll to be 230,000 . </P>
where is port au prince located in haiti
where is port au prince located in haiti
on the Gulf of Gonâve
on the Gulf of Gonâve