About Haiti

The native Taino Amerindians - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when it was discovered by Columbus in 1492 - were virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola. In 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island, which later became Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean but only through the heavy importation of African slaves and considerable environmental degradation. 


In the late 18th century, Haiti's nearly half million slaves revolted under Toussaint L'OUVERTURE. After a prolonged struggle, Haiti became the first black republic to declare independence in 1804. The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history. After an armed rebellion led to the forced resignation and exile of President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE in February 2004, an interim government took office to organize new elections under the auspices of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). 


Continued violence and technical delays prompted repeated postponements, but Haiti finally did inaugurate a democratically elected president and parliament in May of 2006. A massive magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti in January 2010 with an epicenter about 15 km southwest of the capital, Port-au-Prince. An estimated 2 million people lived within the zone of heavy to moderate structural damage. The earthquake was assessed as the worst in this region over the last 200 years. It is estimated that over 300,000 people died in the quake.


Haiti is the second largest Caribbean Island, it is situated 77 km southeast of Cuba. Haiti occupies the western third of the island it shares with the Dominican Republic and has 1530 km of coast line. Mountainous land between the Atlantic Ocean in the North and the Caribbean Sea in the South, Haiti also comprises several islands surrounding the main territory. Haiti is slightly smaller than the state of Maryland and has a tropical climate. Its terrain is mostly rough and mountainous. Haiti used to be known as “The Jewel of the Antilles” and was the richest colony in the world. It was one of the most beautiful places on earth. Now due to deforestation and gross mismanagement of resources, it has become a polluted, rugged place to live. Entire areas are turning to desert as a result of the destruction of the ecosystem that existed hundreds of years ago. The country is in the middle of the hurricane belt and has had several massive hurricanes that have accelerated the soil erosion occurring as a result of the deforestation.


Haiti has nearly 10 million people. The life expectancy at birth is roughly 62.51 years and the infant mortality rate is over 52.44 deaths for every 1,000 births. The maternal mortality rate is 300 deaths in every 100,000 live births. The country has a significant AIDS problem that has led to higher infant mortality, an increased death rate and unusually low population growth. Approximately 95% of the population is black with the remaining 5% is mulatto and white. The primary religions are Roman Catholic and Voodoo, It is estimated that only 52.9% of the population is lliterate. Haiti has one of the highest rates of illiteracy in the world. The official languages are French & Creole, but the vast majority of people speak Creole.


Approximately 80% of the population lives in abject poverty. Approximately two-thirds of the people that work are employed by small-scale subsistence farming. The economy has been shrinking over the last few years as Per capita income is less than $100 US per month resulting in one of the poorest countries on earth.


The infrastructure of Haiti is barely adequate and includes an unreliable national telephone and electric system and virtually no maintained roads in the entire country. There are regular blackouts in the major cities that can last for days and weeks. There is virtually no infrastructure outside of the major cities.


Source CIA World Factbook April 2012