Massif du Nord

The Massif du Nord, also known as the Northern Massif, is a significant mountain range in Haiti located in the northern part of the country. It is one of the prominent mountainous regions of Haiti and plays an essential role in the country's geography, ecology, and culture.

The range is the western extension of the Cordillera Central that runs through the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola. A narrow northern coastal plain lies north of the range on the Caribbean Sea. The Guayamouc River flows south from the range.

The Massif du Nord hosts the National History Park, which consists of the ruins of the Citadel Laferrière, Sans-Souci Palace, and the buildings of Ramiers.

The mountain range is about 100 km long and 30 km wide, and it reaches an elevation of 2,664 m (8,740 ft) at Pic Pictet, the highest peak in the range. Other peaks include Morne Noir at 2,634 m (8,641 ft) and Morne à Roche at 2,620 m (8,595 ft).

The Massif du Nord is a geologically diverse region. The mountains are composed of a variety of rocks, including limestone, shale, and volcanic rock. The range is also home to a number of caves and waterfalls.

Biodiversity

The Massif du Nord is a global biodiversity hotspot. It is home to over 900 species of plants, including 123 species of orchids.

The range is also home to 31 species of frogs, 27 species of reptiles, and 73 species of birds. New species of amphibians, reptiles, and other organisms continue to be discovered in Macaya.

The mountain range is home to a number of endemic species, meaning that they are found nowhere else in the world. Some of the notable endemic species found in the Massif du Nord include:

• Hispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus)
• Hispaniolan parrot (Amazona ventralis)
• Hispaniolan emerald (Chlorostilbon swainsonii)
• Hispaniolan woodcock (Scolopax dominicensis)
• Hispaniolan hutia (Plagiodontia aedium)

Ecosystems

The cloud forest is the most biodiverse ecosystem in the Massif du Nord. It is found at elevations above 1,500 m (4,900 ft). The cloud forest is characterized by its high humidity and cool temperatures. The trees in the cloud forest are covered in moss and epiphytes, such as orchids and ferns.

Some of the notable plant species found in the cloud forest of the range include:

• Hispaniolan pine (Pinus occidentalis)
• Hispaniolan oak (Quercus hispaniolana)
• Hispaniolan mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni)
• Tree ferns (Cyathea sp.)
• Orchids (Orchidaceae sp.)

The dry forest is found at lower elevations in the Massif du Nord. It is characterized by its dry climate and thorny vegetation. Some of the notable plant species found in the dry forest of the Massif du Nord include:

• Guayacan (Guaiacum officinale)
• Logwood (Haematoxylum campechianum)
• Cactus (Cactaceae sp.)
• Agaves (Agavaceae sp.)

Some of the notable animal species found in the dry forest of the Massif du Nord include:

• Hispaniolan hutia (Plagiodontia aedium)
• Hispaniolan rock iguana (Cyclura cornuta)
• Hispaniolan woodpecker (Melanerpes striatus)
• Hispaniolan parrot (Amazona ventralis)

In addition to the cloud forest and dry forest, the Massif du Nord also includes a variety of other ecosystems, such as coastal mangrove forests and marine ecosystems.