nged in grids. As a legacy of the United States' occupation of Haïti
from 1915 to 1934, Cap-Haïtien's north-south streets were renamed as single
letters (beginning with Rue A, a major avenue) and going to "Q" and
its east-west streets with numbers from 1 to 26; the system is not followed
outside the central city. The historic city has numerous markets, churches, and
low-rise apartment buildings (of three–four storeys), constructed primarily
before and during the U.S. occupation, with much of the infrastructure in need
of repair. Many such buildings have balconies on the upper floors, which overlook
the narrow streets below. With people eating outside on the balconies, there is
an intimate communal atmosphere during dinner hours
