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Tortue Island
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Map of the Caribbean region highlighting Tortue Island, located just off the northern coast of Haiti. The map shows surrounding countries including Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and part of Central and South America, with Tortue Island labeled in orange. An inset globe in the upper right corner provides global context for the island's location.
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Island, New Caledonia.
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French:
Île de la Tortue
Spanish:
Isla de la Tortuga
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Map of the Caribbean region highlighting Tortue Island, located just off the northern coast of Haiti. The map shows surrounding countries including Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and part of Central and South America, with Tortue Island labeled in orange. An inset globe in the upper right corner provides global context for the island's location.
Tortue Island

Tortue Island

island, Haiti
Also known as: Île de la Tortue, Isla de la Tortuga
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History

Tortue Island, Caribbean island off the northern coast of Haiti opposite Port-de-Paix. European adventurers settled Tortue in 1629, in conjunction with trying to establish a foothold on the neighboring island of Hispaniola (now comprising Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Known as filibusters and buccaneers, these “Brethren of the Coast” harassed Spanish shipping. The English, French, and Spanish in turn dominated Tortue until the French gained permanent possession in 1665.

In the 1880s France, Britain, and the United States considered the island, which is 20 miles (32 km) long by 3 miles (5 km) wide, strategically important, but thereafter it became of little value either in international affairs or in the Haitian economy. On its highest point is the small village of Palmiste.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Mindy Johnston.
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