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Haiti
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Haiti is a country in the Caribbean. The main religion is Christianity. The main languages are French and Creole. Haiti became independent from France in 1804. The country is a presidential republic where despite democratic structures there is no fair chance for the opposition.
The native Arawak 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, and in 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island - 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 and after a prolonged struggle, became the first black republic to declare its independence in 1804. Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history since then, and it is now one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Over three decades of dictatorship followed by military rule ended in 1990 when Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE was elected president. Most of his term was usurped by a military takeover, but he was able to return to office in 1994 and oversee the installation of a close associate to the presidency in 1996. ARISTIDE won a second term as president in 2000, and took office early in 2001.
On February 29, 2004, President Aristide left Haiti. He alleges he was kidnapped from Haiti by a group of Haitians and unidentified Americans; the US alleges that he requested rescue. The State department of the United States subsequently provided a chartered plane to the Central African Republic, where Aristide left with his own bodyguards and entourage. Pursuant to Haiti's constitution, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Boniface Alexandre, took over as interim president.
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| Official Name: |
Republic of Haiti |
| Area: |
27,749 square km (10,714 sq. miles) |
| Capital: |
Port-au-Prince |
| Nationality: |
Haitian |
| Official Language: |
Haitian Creole and French |
| Population: |
6,785,000 |
| Currency: |
Gourde |
| Exchange Rate: |
N/A |
| Time Zone: |
GMT -5 (no Daylight savings time) |
| Phone Code: |
Country code 509 + 7 digit local |
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