République d'Haïti Repiblik d Ayiti Republic of Haiti
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "L'Union Fait La Force"  (French) "Unity makes Strength"
Anthem: La Dessalinienne
Capital (and largest city)		Port-au-Prince 18°32′N, 72°20′W
Official languages		French, Haitian Creole
Demonym		Haitian
Government		Presidential republic
-	President	René Préval
-	Prime Minister	Jacques-Édouard Alexis
Formation
-	as Saint-Domingue	1697
-	Independence from France	January 1, 1804
Area
-	Total	27,750 km² (146th) 10,714 sq mi
-	Water (%)	0. The Flag of Haiti was adopted on February 25, 1986. The flag is divided into two Rectangles going across horizontally The coat of arms of Haiti was first introduced in 1807, and has appeared in its current form since 1986. A motto (from the Italian word motto, meaning witticism sentence is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history traditions and struggles of its people recognized either by a nation's La Dessalinienne (The Dessalines Song is the National anthem of Haiti, honoring Jean-Jacques Dessalines. Although Haiti averages approximately 250 people per square kilometer (650 per sq PortAuPrinceTapTapjpg|right|thumb|270px|A taptap (shared taxi in central Port-au-Prince An official language is a Language that is given a special legal status in a particular Country, State, or other territory French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people Haitian Creole language ( kreyòl ayisyen) often called simply Creole or Kreyòl ( pronounced) is a language spoken in Haiti A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a People or the inhabitants of a place Haiti ( English: ˈheɪ·tiː or haɪ·ˈjiː·tiː French Haïti a·i·ti Haitian Creole: For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. A presidential system is a System of government where an executive branch exists and presides (hence the term separately from the Legislature This page lists presidents and other heads of state of Haiti. René Garcia Préval ( IPA: /ʀəne pʀeval/ (born January 17, 1943) is a Haitian politician and Agronomist who has been The Prime Minister of Haiti is the Head of government of the country of Haiti. The recorded history of Haiti began on December 5, 1492 when the European navigator Christopher Columbus happened upon a large island in Saint-Domingue was a French Colony on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola from 1659 to 1804 when it became the independent nation of Independence is the Self-government of a Nation, Country, or State by its residents and population or some portion thereof generally exercising This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1804 ( MDCCCIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. To help compare Orders of magnitude of different geographical regions  Areas between 10000 km² and 100000 km² are listed here This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by total area. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. In Mathematics, a percentage is a way of expressing a number as a Fraction of 100 ( per cent meaning "per hundred" 7
Population
-	2007 estimate	8,706,497[1] (85th)
-	2003 census	8,527,817
-	Density	335/km² (38th) 758. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology List of countries by population in 2005|List of countries by population in 1907This is a list of countries ordered according to Population. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume List of countries and dependencies by Population density in inhabitants/km² 1/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2007 estimate
-	Total	$16. The purchasing power parity ( PPP) theory uses the long-term equilibrium Exchange rate of two currencies to equalize their Purchasing power. 51 billion (124th)
-	Per capita	$1,913 (153rd)
Gini (2001)		59. There are three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product (GDP (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head with Per meaning 'through' or 'by' This article includes three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product (GDP at Purchasing power parity (PPP Per capita The Gini coefficient is a measure of statistical dispersion most prominently used as a measure of inequality of income distribution or inequality of wealth 2 (high)
HDI (2007)		▲ 0. The Human Development Index ( HDI) is an index combining normalized measures of Life expectancy, Literacy, Educational attainment, and GDP 529 (medium) (146th)
Currency		Gourde (HTG)
Time zone		(UTC-5)
Internet TLD		.ht
Calling code		+509

Haiti (English pronounced /ˈheɪtiː/; French Haïti pronounced [aiti]; Haitian Creole: Ayiti), officially the Republic of Haiti (République d'Haïti ; Repiblik d Ayiti), is a French and Creole speaking Latin American country located on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic, in the Greater Antilles archipelago. This is a list of countries by Human Development Index as included in the United Nations Development Program 's Human Development Report 2007 A currency is a unit of exchange, facilitating the transfer of Goods and/or services It is one form of Money, where money is The gourde ( French) goud ( Kreyol) is the currency of Haiti. ISO 4217 is the International standard describing three-letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established A country This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people Haitian Creole language ( kreyòl ayisyen) often called simply Creole or Kreyòl ( pronounced) is a language spoken in Haiti French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people Haitian Creole language ( kreyòl ayisyen) often called simply Creole or Kreyòl ( pronounced) is a language spoken in Haiti The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting Hispaniola (from Spanish, La Española) is the second-largest and most populous Island of the Antilles, lying between the islands of The Dominican Republic ( Spanish: República Dominicana;) is a nation located in the Caribbean region and shares the island of Hispaniola with The Greater Antilles is one of three island groups in the Caribbean. An archipelago (ɑrkəˈpɛləgoʊ is a chain or cluster of Islands The word archipelago literally means "chief Sea " from Italian Ayiti (Land of Mountains) was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island. The Taínos were pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the northern Lesser Antilles. For indigenous peoples in the United States other than Hawaii and Alaska see also Native Americans in the United States. The country's highest point is Pic la Selle, at 2,680 metres (8,793 ft). Pic la Selle ( Kreyòl: Pik Lasel) also called Morne La Selle, is the highest peak in Haiti and the fourth highest in all the Caribbean The total area of Haiti is 27,750 square kilometres (10,714 sq mi) and its capital is Port-au-Prince. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. PortAuPrinceTapTapjpg|right|thumb|270px|A taptap (shared taxi in central Port-au-Prince

Derivation of the name of the country

The name Haiti comes from the Taino word for the entire island of Hispaniola, Ayiti, which means "Mountainous Land". The Taínos were pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the northern Lesser Antilles. Hispaniola (from Spanish, La Española) is the second-largest and most populous Island of the Antilles, lying between the islands of The French staked their claim on the entire island based on the settlement of Tortuga and Gonave Islands by French pirates in the 15th and 16th centuries. Tortuga may refer to a Spanish word meaning Tortoise the name of several islands La Tortuga Island in Gonâve Island (Île de la Gonâve is an island of Haiti located to the west-northwest of Port-au-Prince in the Gulf of Gonâve. The colony was officially incorporated by France in the early 1600s. By 1697, with the signing of the Treaty of Ryswick with Spain, the French took the western third of the island, which they named Saint-Domingue (a gallicization of the Spanish name, Santo Domingo ("Saint Dominic"). The Treaty of Ryswick was signed on 20 September 1697 and named after Ryswick (now known as Rijswijk) in the Dutch Republic. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. During this French colonial period, the colony earned the name “La Perle des Antilles” ("The Pearl of the Antilles") due to its economic prosperity and importance. The Spanish kept control of Santo Domingo on the eastern two-thirds of the island.

With the declaration of Saint-Domingue's independence from France on January 1, 1804, following the Haitian Revolution, Revolutionary leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines restored the original Taino name as a symbolic gesture of honor to the Taino people and as defiance against European rule. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1804 ( MDCCCIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a The Revolution (1791–1804 was the most successful of African Slave rebellions in the Western Hemisphere Jean-Jacques Dessalines ( September 20, 1758 – 17 October 1806 was a leader of the Haitian Revolution and the first ruler of an independent

History

Main article: History of Haiti

See also: Politics of Haiti, Elections in Haiti, National Assembly of Haiti, President of Haiti, 2004 Haitian rebellion, and United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti

Christopher Columbus reached the isle on December 5, 1492. The recorded history of Haiti began on December 5, 1492 when the European navigator Christopher Columbus happened upon a large island in Politics of Haiti takes place in a framework of a presidential Republic, pluriform multiparty system whereby the President of Haiti is Head of state Elections in Haiti gives information on Election and election results in Haiti. The National Assembly of Haiti (Assemblée Nationale constitutes the legislative branch of the Haitian government The President of Haiti is the Head of state of the Republic of Haiti. The 2004 Haiti coup was a regime overthrow that happened as the result of conflicts fought for several weeks in Haiti during February 2004 The United Nations Stabilization Mission In Haiti (Mission des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation en Haïti also known as MINUSTAH, an Acronym of the French Christopher Columbus (1451 &ndash May 20 1506 was an Italian Navigator, colonizer Events 63 BC - Cicero reads the last of his Catiline Orations. He named the island Hispaniola (Spanish for "Spanish Island"). He landed on the north coast of what is now Haiti in Mole Saint Nicolas, where he soon established a settlement called La Navidad. Môle Saint-Nicolas ( Mòlsennikola or Omòl in Haitian Creole) is a town in the Republic of Haiti. La Navidad was a settlement that Christopher Colombus and his men established in present day Haiti in 1492 from the remains of the Spanish Ship the Santa María A branch of the Arawaks, the Tainos, occupied the island before the arrival of the Spaniards. Their number at the end of the 15th century was estimated to be lower than 100,000. Following the destruction of La Navidad by the Amerindians, Columbus moved to the eastern side of the island and established La Isabela. La Isabela in the Dominican Republic is considered the first formal European settlement in the New World The Spaniards exploited the island for its gold, which was mined largely by the local Amerindians directed by the Spanish occupiers. For indigenous peoples in the United States other than Hawaii and Alaska see also Native Americans in the United States. Those refusing to work in the mines were slaughtered or forced into slavery. The few who evaded capture fled to the mountains and established independent settlements.

The Europeans brought chronic infectious diseases with them. Combined with ill treatment, malnutrition and a drastic drop of the birthrate, these decimated the indigenous population. The Spanish governors began importing enslaved Africans for labor. In 1517, Carlos V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, authorized the draft of the slaves. Charles V (24 February 1500 &ndash 21 September 1558 was Many enslaved Africans married Amerindians, forming a line of people known in Haiti as marabou. Marabou is a term of Haitian origin denoting multiracial ethnicity

The western part of Hispaniola soon was settled by French buccaneers. This article refers to the type of pirate For other uses see Buccaneer (disambiguation The buccaneers were Pirates who attacked Among them, Bertrand D'Ogeron succeeded in growing tobacco, which prompted many of the numerous buccaneers and freebooters to turn into a sedentary population. It was a population that did not submit to Spanish royal authority until the year 1660 and caused a number of conflicts.

17th c. settlement

Bertrand D'Orgeron attracted many colonists from Martinique and Guadeloupe, such as the Roy family (Jean Roy, 1625-1707), Hebert (Jean Hebert, 1624, with his family) and the Barre (Guillaume Barre, 1642, with his family), driven out by pressure on lands generated by extension of sugar plantations. Martinique is an Island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, having a land area of 1128 km² Guadeloupe is an island group or Archipelago located in the eastern Caribbean Sea at, with a land area of 1628 square kilometres (629  sq From 1670 to 1690, a drop in the tobacco markets affected the island, significantly reducing the number of settlers. Freebooters grew stronger, plundering settlements, such as those of Vera Cruz in 1683 and Campêche in 1686. Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Marquis de Seignelay, elder son of Jean-Baptiste Colbert and Minister of the Navy, brought back some order. Jean-Baptiste Antoine Colbert, Marquis de Seignelay ( 1 November, 1651 - 3 November, 1690) was a French Politician Jean-Baptiste Colbert ( August 29, 1619 — September 6, 1683) served as the French minister of finance from 1665 to 1683 under He ordered the establishment of indigo and sugar cane plantations. Indigo is the Color on the Electromagnetic spectrum between about 420 and 450 nm in Wavelength, placing it between Blue and violet Sugarcane ( Saccharum) is a genus of 6 to 37 species (depending on taxonomic interpretation of tall perennial grasses (family Poaceae tribe Andropogoneae The first windmill for processing sugar was created in 1685.

France and Spain settled hostilities on the island by the Treaty of Ryswick of 1697, which divided Hispaniola between them. The Treaty of Ryswick was signed on 20 September 1697 and named after Ryswick (now known as Rijswijk) in the Dutch Republic. France received the western third and named it Saint-Domingue. Saint-Domingue was a French Colony on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola from 1659 to 1804 when it became the independent nation of Many French colonists came and worked on plantations. From 1713 to 1787, 30,000 colonists, among them Pierre Nezat, immigrated from Bordeaux, France to the western part of the island. ( Gascon: Bordèu) is a port city in southwest France, with one million inhabitants in its metropolitan area at a 2008 estimate By about 1790, Saint-Domingue had greatly overshadowed its eastern counterpart in terms of wealth and population. It quickly became the richest French colony in the New World due to the immense profits of the sugar, coffee and indigo industries. The labor of thousands of enslaved Africans made it possible. Their lives were ruled by the Code Noir (Black Code), prepared by Colbert and enacted by Louis XIV. The Code Noir ( French language: The Black Code) was a decree passed by France 's King Louis XIV in 1685. Early years Birth and ancestry Louis XIV was born in the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye on September 5 1638 and bore the Heir apparent

The French Revolution

The French Revolution generated social upheavals in Saint-Domingue and the French West Indies. The French Revolution (1789–1799 was a period of political and social upheaval in the History of France, during which the French governmental structure previously an The term French West Indies ( Antilles françaises) refers to the four territories presently under French sovereignty in the Caribbean: the two overseas Most important was the revolt of the slaves which led in 1793 to the abolition of slavery by commissioners Sonthonax and Polverel. Léger-Félicité Sonthonax (1763 – 1813 was a French Jacobin and abolitionist during the French Revolution who controlled the 7000 French Étienne Polverel (1740&mdash1795 was one of two French Revolutionary Civil Commissioners who ended slavery in Saint-Domingue in 1793 during the This decision was endorsed and generalized to the whole of the French colonies by the Convention six months later. Toussaint Louverture was appointed Governor by France, after having restored peace in Saint-Domingue. François-Dominique Toussaint Louverture He had driven out the Spaniards and English invaders who threatened the colony. He restored prosperity by daring measures, renewing trading ties with Great Britain and the United States.

Independence

When Toussaint Louverture created a separatist constitution, Napoleon Bonaparte sent an expedition of 30,000 men under the command of his brother-in-law the General Charles Leclerc to retake the island. François-Dominique Toussaint Louverture Napoleon Bonaparte (15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821 was a French military and political leader who had a significant impact on the History of Europe. Charles Victor Emmanuel Leclerc ( Pontoise, Val-d'Oise, France, March 17, 1772 - Saint Domingue, November 2, Bonaparte was influenced by the Creole planters and traders. For the languages see Creole language. For other meanings see Creole (disambiguation. Leclerc was to oust Louverture and restore slavery. After some victories and the arrest and the deportation of Toussaint Louverture, the native leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines beat the French troops at the Battle of Vertières. Jean-Jacques Dessalines ( September 20, 1758 – 17 October 1806 was a leader of the Haitian Revolution and the first ruler of an independent The Battle of Vertières, the last major battle of the Second War of Haitian Independence, the final part of the Haitian Revolution. They had been led by Donatien Marie Joseph de Rochambeau. At the end of the double battle for emancipation and independence, former slaves proclaimed the independence of Saint-Domingue on 1 January 1804, under the name of Haiti. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1804 ( MDCCCIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Haiti was the first country in the western hemisphere to abolish slavery.

Dessalines was proclaimed governor for life by his troops. He exiled the remaining whites and ruled as a despot. He was assassinated on October 17, 1806. Events 539 BC - King Cyrus The Great of Persia marches into the city of Babylon, releasing the Jews from almost Year 1806 ( MDCCCVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The country was divided then between a kingdom in the north directed by Henri Christophe and a republic in the south directed by Alexandre Pétion. Henri Christophe ( October 6, 1767 – October 8, 1820) became a career officer and general in the military forces that became the Haïtian Army Alexandre Sabès Pétion ( April 2, 1770 &ndash March 29, 1818) was President of the southern Republic of Haiti from 1806 until Then president Jean Pierre Boyer reunified these two parts and conquered the east part of the island. Jean-Pierre Boyer (possibly February 15, 1776 &ndash July 9, 1850) a native of Saint-Domingue became a soldier one of the leaders in In July of 1825, the king of France Charles X sent a fleet of fourteen vessels and troops to reconquer the island. Events in July The traditional period known as "fence month" (the closed season for deer in England ended July 9 (date varied Year 1825 ( MDCCCXXV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Charles X may refer to Charles X Gustav of Sweden (1622–1660 Charles X of France (1757–1836 To maintain independence, President Boyer agreed to a treaty by which France recognized the independence of the country in exchange for an allowance of 150 million francs (the sum was reduced in 1838 to 90 million francs).

A long succession of coups followed the departure of Jean-Pierre Boyer. His authority did not cease being disputed by factions of the army, the mulatto and black elites, and the commercial class, now made up of numerous immigrants: Germans, Americans, French and English. The German people (Deutsche are an Ethnic group, in the sense of sharing a common German culture, descent and speaking the German language as The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Legal residents and citizens To be French according to the first article of the Constitution is to be a citizen of France regardless of one's origin race or religion ( The English people (from the adjective in Englisc) are a Nation and Ethnic group native to England who predominantly speak English

Twentieth century

The United States occupied the island from 1915 to 1934. From 1957 to 1986, the Duvalier family reigned as dictators. Duvalier is a surname and may refer to François Duvalier (nicknamed "Papa Doc" President of Haiti from 1957-1971 Simone Ovid Duvalier They created the private army and terrorist death squads known as Tonton Macoute. The Milice de Volontaires de la Sécurité Nationale (MVSN or (Militia of National Security Volunteers was commonly called the Tonton Macoutes. Many Haitians fled into exile in the United States and Quebec. Quebec (kwɨˈbɛk

The former priest Jean-Bertrand Aristide won the elections of December 1990. Jean-Bertrand Aristide (born July 15 1953 is a former Roman Catholic Priest who was President of Haiti in 1991 again from 1994 to 1996 and then The presidential election in Haïti in 1990 is often cited as the first democratic Election in the country's history His mandate began on February 7, 1991. Events 457 - Leo I becomes emperor of the Byzantine Empire. 1074 - Battle of Montesarchio in which the Prince Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. A coup d'état carried out by Raoul Cédras and supported by the business middle-class deposed him in September. Raoul Cédras (born Jérémie Haiti July 9, 1949) is a former Haitian military officer and leader of the military Junta from 1991 to 1994 In 1994, sparked by the Raboteau Massacre, Aristide returned to power with the backing of the United States' Clinton administration. Raboteau is a neighborhood by the sea in Gonaïves in north-west Haiti. William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III, August 19 1946 served as the forty-second President of the United States Aristide left the presidency in 1995 and was re-elected in 2000. Haiti 's general elections of 2000 featured elections for the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate on May 21 as well as a presidential race in November After several months of popular demonstrations and pressures exerted by the international community, especially by France, the USA and Canada, Aristide went into exile. He was escorted from the country by US soldiers on February 29, 2004. Leap years Although the modern calendar counts a year as 365 days a complete revolution around the sun takes approximately 365 days and 6 hours "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Armed forces consisting of opponents and former soldiers who controlled the north of the country had threatened to attack the capital Port-au-Prince. PortAuPrinceTapTapjpg|right|thumb|270px|A taptap (shared taxi in central Port-au-Prince

Boniface Alexandre, president of the Supreme Court of Appeal, assumed interim authority. Boniface Alexandre (born 31 July 1936) was the Acting president of Haïti from 2004 to 2006 In February 2006, following elections marked by uncertainties and thanks to the support of popular demonstrations, René Préval, close to Aristide and former president of the Republic of Haiti between 1995 and 2000, was elected. The 2006 Elections in Haiti, to replace the interim government of Gérard Latortue put in place after the 2004 Haiti rebellion, were delayed four René Garcia Préval ( IPA: /ʀəne pʀeval/ (born January 17, 1943) is a Haitian politician and Agronomist who has been

Presidential Palace in Port-au-Prince

The government of Haiti is a presidential republic, pluriform multiparty system whereby the President of Haiti is head of state directly elected by popular elections. A presidential system is a System of government where an executive branch exists and presides (hence the term separately from the Legislature A republic is a State or Country that is not led by a hereditary Monarch, but in which the people (or at least a part of its people have impact on its The President of Haiti is the Head of state of the Republic of Haiti. Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a Monarchic or Republican Nation-state Elections in Haiti gives information on Election and election results in Haiti. The Prime Minister acts as head of government and is appointed by the President from the majority party in the National Assembly. This article focuses on the cases where the Head of Government is a separate office from the Head of State Executive power is exercised by the President and Prime Minister who together constitute the government. In Political science and Constitutional law, the executive is the branch of government responsible for the day-to-day management of the State.

Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of the National Assembly of Haiti. A legislature is a type of representative Deliberative assembly with the power to create amend and change Laws The law created by a legislature is called Legislation For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. The National Assembly of Haiti (Assemblée Nationale constitutes the legislative branch of the Haitian government The government is organized unitarily, thus the central government delegates powers to the departments without a constitutional need for consent. A unitary state is a State whose three Organs of state are governed Constitutionally as one single unit with one Constitutionally created Central government or the national government (or in Federal states the Federal government) is the Government at the level of the Nation-state The current structure of Haiti's political system was set forth in the Constitution of Haiti on March 29, 1987. The Constitution of Haiti ( French: Constitution d'Haïti) most commonly refers to the present-day Constitution of Haiti, which was modeled after those Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) The current president is René Préval. René Garcia Préval ( IPA: /ʀəne pʀeval/ (born January 17, 1943) is a Haitian politician and Agronomist who has been

The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (also known as MINUSTAH) has been in the country since 2004. The United Nations Stabilization Mission In Haiti (Mission des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation en Haïti also known as MINUSTAH, an Acronym of the French

Haitian politics have been contentious. Most Haitians are aware of Haiti's history as the only country in the Western Hemisphere to undergo a successful slave revolution. The Revolution (1791–1804 was the most successful of African Slave rebellions in the Western Hemisphere France and the United States, have repeatedly interfered in Haitian politics since the country's founding, and this consciousness also permeates Haitian politics. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the On the other hand, the long history of oppression by dictators, including François Duvalier is also an influence. Oppression is the act of using power to empower and/or privilege a group at the expense of disempowering marginalizing silencing and subordinating another group Dr François Duvalier, known as " Papa Doc " ( April 14, 1907 – April 21, 1971) was the President of

Departments, arrondissements, and communes

Main article: Departments of Haiti

Further information: Arrondissements and communes of Haiti

Haiti is divided into 10 departments. The Republic of Haiti is divided administratively into ten departments ( Département in French) Haiti is divided into 41 Arrondissements and 133 communes Artibonite Department Dessalines Arrondissement The Republic of Haiti is divided administratively into ten departments ( Département in French) The departments are listed below, with the departmental capital cities in parentheses.

Departments of Haiti

1. Artibonite (Gonaïves)
2. Centre (Hinche)
3. Grand'Anse (Jérémie)
4. Nippes (Miragoâne)
5. Nord (Cap-Haïtien)
6. Nord-Est (Fort-Liberté)
7. Nord-Ouest (Port-de-Paix)
8. Ouest (Port-au-Prince) *national capital*
9. Sud-Est (Jacmel)
10. Sud (Les Cayes)

The departments are further divided into 41 arrondissements, and 133 communes which serve as second and third level administrative divisions. Artibonite redirects here For a river in Haiti see Artibonite River. Gonaïves ( Gonayiv in Kréyòl) is a city in northern Haiti, the capital of the Artibonite Department. Centre (Sant is one of the ten departments ( French: Départements ' of Haiti, located in the center of the country along the border Hinche ( Ench in Kréyòl) is a city in central Haiti, near the border with the Dominican Republic. Grand'Anse ( Haitian Creole: Grandans) is one of the ten departments ( French: Départements ' of Haiti. Nippes (Nip is the newest department ( French: Département) of Haiti, having been split from Grand'Anse Department Miragoâne (Miragwàn is a coastal town in western Haïti, in Nippes Department. Nord (North Nò is one of the ten departments ( French: Départements ' of Haiti. Cap-Haïtien ( Okap or Kapayisyen in Kréyòl) is a city of about 130000 people on the north coast of Haiti. Nord-Est (North-East Nòdès is one of the ten departments ( French: Départements ' of Haiti. Fort-Liberté (Kreyòl Fòlibète is the administrative centre of the Nord-Est Department, Haiti. Nord-Ouest (North-West Nòdwès is one of the ten departments ( French: Départements ' of Haiti as well as the northernmost one Port-de-Paix ( Pòdepè or Pòdpè in Kréyòl) is a city and the capital of the département of Nord-Ouest in Haïti on the Atlantic Ouest (West Lwès is one of the ten departments ( French: Départements ' of Haiti. PortAuPrinceTapTapjpg|right|thumb|270px|A taptap (shared taxi in central Port-au-Prince For the district of Botswana, see South-East District. Sud-Est (South-East Sidès is one of the ten departments ( Jacmel, ( Jakmèl in Kréyòl) also known by its indigenous name of Yaquimel, is a city in southern Haiti founded in 1698 Sud (South Sid is one of the ten departments ( French: Départements ' of Haiti. Les Cayes, formerly Aux Cayes (Okay is a town and Seaport in southwestern Haiti with a population of approximately 45904 people (1995 estimate An arrondissement is an Administrative division in some French or Dutch -speaking countries A township (or Municipality) is a settlement which has the status and powers of a unit of local government

Geography

Map of Haiti

Main article: Geography of Haiti

Haiti is situated on the western part of Hispaniola, the second largest island in the Greater Antilles. The Republic of Haiti comprises the western third of the Island of Ile d'Haiti, west of the Dominican Republic. Haiti is the third largest country in the Caribbean behind Cuba and the Dominican Republic (the latter shares a 360 kilometre (224 mile) border with Haiti). The Republic of Cuba (ˈkjuːbə or) consists of the island of Cuba (the largest and second-most populous island of the Greater Antilles) Isla de la The Dominican Republic ( Spanish: República Dominicana;) is a nation located in the Caribbean region and shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti at its closest point is only 80 kilometres (43 nmi) away from Cuba. Haiti's terrain consists mainly of rugged mountains interspersed with small coastal plains and river valleys.

The northern region consists of the Massif du Nord (Northern Massif) and the Plaine du Nord (Northern Plain). The Massif du Nord is an extension of the Cordillera Central in the Dominican Republic. It begins at Haiti's eastern border, north of the Guayamouc River, and extends to the northwest through the northern peninsula. The Guayamouc River, Riviere Guayamouc, is a river in central and eastern Haiti. The lowlands of the Plaine du Nord lie along the northern border with the Dominican Republic, between the Massif du Nord and the North Atlantic Ocean. The central region consists of two plains and two sets of mountain ranges. The Plateau Central (Central Plateau) extends along both sides of the Guayamouc River, south of the Massif du Nord. It runs from the southeast to the northwest. To the southwest of the Plateau Central are the Montagnes Noires, whose most northwestern part merges with the Massif du Nord.

Mangrove forest in Haiti

The southern region consists of the Plaine du Cul-de-Sac (the southeast) and the mountainous southern peninsula (also known as the Tiburon Peninsula). The Cul-de-Sac Depression is a lowland on the island of Hispaniola. The Tiburon Peninsula ( le tiburon in French) or simply "the Tiburon" is a region of Haiti encompassing all of Haiti's southern coast The Plaine du Cul-de-Sac is a natural depression which harbors the country's saline lakes, such as Trou Caïman and Haiti's largest lake Lac Azuei. Trou Caïman (literally " Caiman's Hole" in French) sometimes called Eau Gallée by locals is a saltwater Lake in Haiti Étang Saumâtre (also known as Lake Azuei) Haiti's largest Lake, is located at in southeastern Haiti, bordering the Dominican Republic. The Chaîne de la Selle mountain range, an extension of the southern mountain chain of the Dominican Republic (the Sierra de Baoruco), extends from the Massif de la Selle in the east to the Massif de la Hotte in the west. Chaîne de la Selle is the name of a Mountain chain in Haiti. The Massif de la Hotte is a mountain range in southwestern Haiti, on the far-western end of the Tiburon Peninsula. This mountain range harbors Pic la Selle, the highest point in Haiti at 2,680 metres (8,793 ft). Pic la Selle ( Kreyòl: Pik Lasel) also called Morne La Selle, is the highest peak in Haiti and the fourth highest in all the Caribbean

The country's most important valley in terms of crops is the Plaine de l'Artibonite, which is oriented south of the Montagnes Noires. This region supports the country's (also Hispaniola's) longest river, the Riviere l'Artibonite which begins in the western region of the Dominican Republic and continues most of its length through central Haiti and onward where it empties into the Golfe de la Gonâve. The Artibonite River is a 320 km long river in Haiti (estuary located at about) The Dominican Republic ( Spanish: República Dominicana;) is a nation located in the Caribbean region and shares the island of Hispaniola with Gulf of Gonâve (Golfe de la Gonâve is a large gulf along the western coast of Haiti, at. The eastern and central region of the island is a large elevated plateau. Haiti also includes several offshore islands. The historically famous island of Tortuga (Île de la Tortue) is located off the coast of northern Haiti. Tortuga may refer to a Spanish word meaning Tortoise the name of several islands La Tortuga Island in The arrondissement of La Gonâve is located on the island of the same name, in the Golfe de la Gonâve. An arrondissement is an Administrative division in some French or Dutch -speaking countries Gonave may refer to Gulf of Gonâve Island of Gonâve SpecialShortpages Gulf of Gonâve (Golfe de la Gonâve is a large gulf along the western coast of Haiti, at. Gonave Island is moderately populated by rural villagers. Île à Vache (Island of Cows) is located off the tip of southwestern Haiti. Île à Vache (also expressed Île-à-Vaches) (Cow Island is a small island lying off the south-west peninsula of Haiti near the town of Les Cayes It is a lush island with many beautiful sights. Also part of Haiti are the Cayemites and Ile de Anacaona. The Cayemites are a pair of islands located in the Gulf of Gonâve off the coast of southwest Haiti.

Ecology

In 1925, Haiti was lush, with 60% of its original forest covering the lands and mountainous regions. Since then, the population has cut down all but an estimated 2% of its original forest cover, and in the process has destroyed fertile farmland soils, contributing to desertification. Desertification is the degradation of land in arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting primarily from human activities and influenced by climatic variations ^[2] Erosion has been severe in the mountainous areas. Most Haitian logging is done to produce charcoal, the country's chief source of fuel. Charcoal' is the blackish residue consisting of impure Carbon obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from Animal and Vegetation The plight of Haiti's forests has attracted international attention, and has led to numerous reforestation efforts, but these have met with little success to date. Despite the large environmental crises, Haiti retains a very high amount of biodiversity in proportion to its small size. Biodiversity is the variation of Life forms within a given Ecosystem, Biome or for the entire Earth. The country is home to more than 6,000 plants, of which 35% are endemic; and 220 species of birds, of which 21 species are endemic. The country's high biodiversity is due to its mountainous topography and fluctuating elevations in which each elevation harbors different microclimates and its own specific native fauna and flora. The country's varied scenery include lush green cloud forests (in some of the mountain ranges and the protected areas), high mountain peaks, arid desert, mangrove forest, and palm tree-lined beaches. A cloud forest, also called a fog forest, is a generally Tropical or Subtropical evergreen Montane moist forest characterized by a Arecaceae or Palmae (also known by the name Palmaceae, which is taxonomically invalid or commonly palm tree) the palm family is a family of Flowering ^[3]

2004 Haiti flood

Environmental issues

In addition to soil erosion, deforestation has caused periodic flooding, as seen on 17 September 2004. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Tropical storm Jeanne skimmed the north coast of Haiti, leaving 3,006 people dead in flooding and mudslides, mostly in the city of Gonaïves. Hurricane Jeanne was the tenth named storm, the seventh hurricane, and the fifth major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. Gonaïves ( Gonayiv in Kréyòl) is a city in northern Haiti, the capital of the Artibonite Department. ^[4] Earlier that year in May, floods killed over 3,000 people on Haiti's southern border with the Dominican Republic. ^[5]

The country is working to implement a biofuel solution to its energy problems. ^[6]

Economy

Main article: Economy of Haiti

Haiti has remained the least-developed country in the Americas. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere; however its potential for leaving its long-associated status is growing The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World, consisting of the Continents of North America and South America Comparative social and economic indicators show Haiti falling behind other low-income developing countries (particularly in the hemisphere) since the 1980s. Haiti now ranks 146th of 177 countries in the United Nations Human Development Index (2006). The Human Development Index ( HDI) is an index combining normalized measures of Life expectancy, Literacy, Educational attainment, and GDP About 80% of the population were estimated to be living in poverty in 2003. ^[1] Haiti is the only country in the Americas on the United Nations list of Least Developed Countries. The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security Least Developed Countries ( LDCs or Fourth World countries are Countries which according to the United Nations exhibit the lowest Economic growth was negative in 2001 and 2002, and flat in 2003.

Bas-Ravine, in the northern part of Cap-Haitien. Cap-Haïtien ( Okap or Kapayisyen in Kréyòl) is a city of about 130000 people on the north coast of Haiti.

About 66% of all Haitians work in the agricultural sector, which consists mainly of small-scale subsistence farming,^[1] but this activity makes up only 30% of the GDP. The country has experienced little formal job creation over the past decade, although the informal economy is growing. In Economics, the term informal economy (or second economy in the South African context refers to all economic activities that fall outside the formal Mangoes and coffee are two of Haiti's most important exports. ^[1] It has consistently ranked among the most corrupt countries in the world on the Corruption Perceptions Index. Since 1995, Transparency International has published an annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI ordering the countries of the world according to "the degree

Foreign aid makes up approximately 30%-40% of the national government's budget. The largest donor is the United States followed by Canada, and the European Union also contribute. Venezuela and Cuba also make various contributions to Haiti's economy, especially after alliances were renewed in 2006-7.

U. S. aid to the Haitian government was completely cut off in 2001-2004 after the 2000 election was disputed and President Aristide was accused of various misdeeds. Jean-Bertrand Aristide (born July 15 1953 is a former Roman Catholic Priest who was President of Haiti in 1991 again from 1994 to 1996 and then After Aristide's departure in 2004, aid was restored, and the Brazilian army led the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti peacekeeping operation. The United Nations Stabilization Mission In Haiti (Mission des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation en Haïti also known as MINUSTAH, an Acronym of the French

Education

Of Haiti's 8. 7 million inhabitants, just below half are illiterate. traditional definition of literacy is considered to be the ability to read and write or the ability to use Language to read, write, listen, The literacy rate of 52. 9% is the lowest in the region. Haiti counts 15,200 primary schools, of which 90% are non-public and managed by the communities, religious organizations or NGOs. ^[7] The enrollment rate for primary school is 67%, of which less than 30% reach 6th grade. Secondary schools enroll 20% of eligible-age children.

The educational system of Haiti is based on the French system. The French educational system is highly centralized organised and ramified Higher education is provided by universities and other public and private institutions. It is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education. ^[8]

A list of universities in Haiti includes:

• Université Caraïbe (CUC)
• Université d'État d'Haïti (UEH)
• Université Notre Dame d'Haïti (UNDH)
• Université Chrétienne du Nord d'Haïti (UCNH)
• Université Lumière / MEBSH
• Université Quisqueya (UNIQ)
• Université Roi Henri Christophe
• Université Publique de l'Artibonite aux Gonaïves (UPAG)
• Université Publique du Nord au Cap-Haïtien (UPNCH)
• Université Publique du Sud au Cayes (UPSAC)

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Haiti

Although Haiti averages approximately 250 people per square kilometer (650 per sq. A university is an institution of Higher education and Research, which grants Academic degrees in a variety of subjects The University of Caraibe (Université Caraïbe is a university located in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Haiti's most important institution of Higher education in the 1980s was the State University of Haiti. The University Notre Dame of Haiti ( French: Université Notre Dame d'Haïti, UNDH) is a Roman Catholic university located in Port-au-Prince, Although Haiti averages approximately 250 people per square kilometer (650 per sq mi. ), its population is concentrated most heavily in urban areas, coastal plains, and valleys. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology A coastal plain is an area of flat low-lying land adjacent to a seacoast and separated from the interior by other features In Geology, a valley (also called a vale, dale, glen or strath and near or in Appalachia, a draw) is About 95% of Haitians are of predominantly African descent. The influential remainder of the population vary in ethnic groups from mulattoes, and Arabs (primarily Syrian and Lebanese people) to Europeans. Mulatto is a term used to describe a person with one white parent and one black parent or a person whose Ancestry is a mixture of black and white In Haiti, exists a small yet visible number of Haitians that are of Middle-Eastern stock or trace their origins to Arab descendants. Syrians today are an overall indigenous Levantine people closely related to their immediate neighbours like the Lebanese and (to a lesser extent Jordanians The Lebanese people ( الشعب اللبناني, el shaab el libnene) are a Middle Eastern people originating in the country of Lebanon The European peoples are the various Nations and Ethnic groups of Europe. Mulatto descended Haitians are chiefly of French, Spanish, German, Polish, or Italian heritage mixed with African There is a very small percentage within the minority who are of Asian or pure Caucasion descent. Legal residents and citizens To be French according to the first article of the Constitution is to be a citizen of France regardless of one's origin race or religion ( The German people (Deutsche are an Ethnic group, in the sense of sharing a common German culture, descent and speaking the German language as The Polish people, or Poles, (Polacy) are a Western Slavic Ethnic group of Central Europe, living predominantly in Poland. The' Italian people' are a Southern European Ethnic group located primarily in Italy, Switzerland, France and by virtue of a wide-ranging Asian or Asiatic is a Demonym for people from Asia. However the use of the term varies by country and person often referring to people from a particular

Haitian diaspora

As with many other poor Caribbean nations, there is a large diaspora, which includes many, often illegal, immigrants in nearby countries. Millions of Haitians live abroad, chiefly in the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Cuba, Canada, France, Venezuela, Belgium, and the United States. The Dominican Republic ( Spanish: República Dominicana;) is a nation located in the Caribbean region and shares the island of Hispaniola with The Bahamas, officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an independent sovereign English -speaking country consisting of two thousand Cays and The Republic of Cuba (ˈkjuːbə or) consists of the island of Cuba (the largest and second-most populous island of the Greater Antilles) Isla de la Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Venezuela (ˌvɛnəˈzweɪlə) officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish República Bolivariana de Venezuela) is a country on the The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those The United States of America —commonly referred to as the

In the United States

There is a significant Haitian presence in South Florida, specifically the Miami enclave of Little Haiti. Little Haiti or La Petite Haïti, is a neighborhood in the City of Miami, Florida. New York City also has a thriving émigré community with the second largest population of Haitians of any state in the United States. The City of New York A lesser yet considerable number reside in Boston, Massachusetts. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States.

Languages

The official languages of Haiti are French and Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen)^[1] Virtually all Haitians speak the latter natively, a French-based creole language that harbors significant African influence, along with influence from Spanish, and Taíno to a lesser extent. French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people Haitian Creole language ( kreyòl ayisyen) often called simply Creole or Kreyòl ( pronounced) is a language spoken in Haiti French, however, is the principal written and administrative language, spoken by many educated Haitians.

Spanish is spoken near the border with the Dominican Republic.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Haiti

"Tap tap" bus in Port-Salut. The Culture of Haiti encompasses a variety of Haitian traditions from native Taino customs to practices imported during French colonisation and Spanish Port-Salut is a coastal town in the Sud Department of Haiti and the hometown of Haiti's deposed president Jean-Bertrand Aristide who was born there in

Haiti has a long and storied history and therefore retains a very rich culture. Haitian culture is a mix of primarily French and African elements, with some lesser influence from the colonial Spanish as well as minor influences from the native Taíno. The Taínos were pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the northern Lesser Antilles. The country's customs essentially are a blend of cultural beliefs that derived from the many ethnic groups that inhabited the island of Hispaniola. In nearly all aspects of modern Haitian society however, the European and African element dominate.

Haiti is famous for its distinctive art, notably painting and sculpture. Brilliant colors naive perspective and sly humor characterize Haitian art

Religion

Roman Catholicism is the official state religion in which the majority, approximately 80-85%, of the population professes. An estimated 15-20% of the population follows the teachings of various Protestant churches. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. A Russian Orthodox Church has a presence in Port au Prince [1]. See also Eastern Orthodox Church Structure and organization The Slavic Orthodox Church is organized in a hierarchical structure PortAuPrinceTapTapjpg|right|thumb|270px|A taptap (shared taxi in central Port-au-Prince The New World syncretistic Afro-diasporic religion of Vodou is also practiced by a considerable number of the population, mostly in rural areas. The New World is one of the names used for the non-Eurasian/non-African parts of the Earth specifically the Americas and Australia. Syncretism consists of the attempt to reconcile disparate or contradictory beliefs often while melding practices of various schools of thought Afro-American religions (also African diasporic religions) are a number of related Religions that developed in the Americas among African vodoo, vodun, or vodoun may refer to any of West African vodun, a west African religion Haitian vodou, mostly derived The religion is very similar to other regional variations such as Brazilian Candomblé, Cuban Santería, and Espiritismo of Puerto Rico. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld Candomblé (pronounced /kɐ̃dõˈblɛ/is an African-originated or Afro-Brazilian religion practiced chiefly in Brazil. The Republic of Cuba (ˈkjuːbə or) consists of the island of Cuba (the largest and second-most populous island of the Greater Antilles) Isla de la Santería, also known as La Regla de Lukumi (Lukumi's Rule and The Way of the Saints is an Afro-Cuban religious tradition derived from traditional beliefs Espiritismo ( Spanish for "Spiritism" is the Latin American and Caribbean belief that good and evil Spirits can affect Puerto Rico (ˌpwertoˈriko officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ("Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico" {{lang-en|"Associated Free State of Puerto Rico"}} Some practitioners of vodou practice their faith with elements of Catholicism. Most strict Catholics however dismiss vodou practice as false.

Carnival

Haitian revelers atop a carnival float in Port-au-Prince. (2007)

Haiti has a vibrant and large carnival season; referred to as Mardi Gras or Carnaval in French and Kanaval in Haitian Creole. Carnival is a festival season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February and March " Mardi Gras " ( French for Fat Tuesday) is the day before Ash Wednesday. French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people Haitian Creole language ( kreyòl ayisyen) often called simply Creole or Kreyòl ( pronounced) is a language spoken in Haiti It is held every year on the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays The Jacmel Carnival is well known for its culturally appealing displays of costumes and masks. Jacmel, ( Jakmèl in Kréyòl) also known by its indigenous name of Yaquimel, is a city in southern Haiti founded in 1698 While it is a rather large carnival, it is dwarfed by the much larger Carnival of Port-au-Prince; the national parade which draws thousands of people annually. Vivid floats that are sponsored by the country's popular brand name products host some of the country's most well known musicians. Carnival season is a joyous event which is attended by both locals as well as those from abroad, which include the diaspora and foreigners. The term Diaspora (in Greek, διασπορά &ndash " a scattering or sowing of seeds " refers any population sharing common ethnic During this time, the country is engulfed by music and raucous celebration, a scene which is in dramatic contrast to the temporarily-forgotten troubles that plague the country.

Music

Main article: Music of Haiti

Haiti's most well-known music style is compas, a vibrant music and dance genre similar to that of their Cuban neighbors but with a reminiscence of jazz. The Music of Haiti is influenced most greatly by European colonial ties and African migration (through Slavery) Compas often employs African drumming, modern guitars/synthesized sounds, saxophones, and lyrics sung in Haitian Creole. Haitian Creole language ( kreyòl ayisyen) often called simply Creole or Kreyòl ( pronounced) is a language spoken in Haiti Merengue of the Dominican Republic is also popular in Haiti. Merengue is a type of music and dance that comes from the Dominican Republic. The origins of merengue are unclear and the origins vary depending on who tells the story. Many Haitians believe it is an offshoot variant of Haitian Méringue, a similar-sounding style. Méringue, also spelled "mereng" in Creole, is a music genre native to Haiti (West Hispaniola) Nonetheless, Haitians enjoy both sounds.

Rasin and kadans are two other popular genres in the country. Kadans is a Haitian Creole Music genre, which started off in Haïti and developed in the French islands Other popular genres in Haiti include Salsa music, soca and zouk, a derivation of compas, originating from the French Antilles. Salsa music is a diverse and predominantly Latin American Caribbean genre that is popular across Latin America and among Latinos abroad Zouk is a style of rhythmic Music originating from the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. The term French West Indies ( Antilles françaises) refers to the four territories presently under French sovereignty in the Caribbean: the two overseas

Cuisine

Haitian cuisine.

Haitian Cuisine is influenced by the methods and foods of French cuisine as well as by staples originating from Africa and the local environment (the cuisine of the native Taino), such as cassava (kasav), yam, and maize (mayi). The cuisine of Haiti originates from several culinary styles from the various historical ethnic groups that populated the western portion of the island of Hispaniola French cuisine is a style of cooking derived from the nation of France. The Taínos were pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the northern Lesser Antilles. The cassava, yuca, manioc, or mandioca ( Manihot esculenta) is a woody Shrub of the Euphorbiaceae (spurge family native Maize (ˈmeɪz ( Zea mays L. ssp mays) known as corn in some countries is a cereal grain domesticated in Mesoamerica Haitian food, though with unique characteristics, shares much with other cuisines of the Caribbean. Haitian food tends to be mildly spicy. The cuisine features several varieties of rice and beans, the de facto national dish. Rice and beans (called arroz y habas, arroz con habichuelas, arroz con frijoles or similar in Spanish, arroz e feijão or

References

Notes

Resources

• Paul Butel. Histoire des Antilles Françaises XVIIe - XXe siècle, Perrin 2002 ISBN 978-2-2620154-0-6
• Noam Chomsky. Avram Noam Chomsky (noʊm ˈtʃɑmski born December 7 1928 is an American linguist, Philosopher, cognitive scientist, Political U. S. & Haiti. Z magazine, April 2004 Accessed 2008-05-07.
• Wade Davis The Serpent and The Rainbow. Edmund Wade Davis (born December 14 1953) is a noted Canadian anthropologist, ethnobotanist, author and photographer whose work has New York: Simon and Schuster, 1985
• Michael Deibert. Notes from the Last Testament: The Struggle for Haiti. Seven Stories Press, New York, 2005. ISBN-10: 1583226974.
• Jared Diamond. TemplateInfobox writer --> Jared Mason Diamond (b 10 September, 1937) is an American Evolutionary biologist 2005. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. Collapse How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed is a 2005 book by Jared M New York: Viking. ISBN 0-670-03337-5.
• Paul Farmer. Paul Farmer (born October 26, 1959) is an American anthropologist and physician the Presley Professor of Medical Anthropology in Pathologies of Power: Health, Human Rights, and the New War on the Poor. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2003, 2005 edition. ISBN 978-0-520-24326-2.
• Paul Farmer. The uses of Haiti. Monroe, Maine: Common Courage Press 2003. ISBN 1-56751-242-9
• Carolyn E. Fick. The Making of Haiti: The Saint Domingue Revolution from Below. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press. first ed edition (February 1, 1990). Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) ISBN-10: 0870496670, ISBN-13: 978-0870496677
• Alroy Fonseca. Aristide's Second Fall, April 2006
• Robert Debs Heinl and Nancy Gordon Heinl. Written in Blood: The Story of the Haitian People 1492-1995. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, 1996. ISBN 0761831770
• C. L. R. James. Cyril Lionel Robert James ( 4 January 1901 &ndash 19 May 1989) was an Afro- Trinidadian Journalist The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L’Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution. Vintage, 1938. ISBN 0-679-72467-2.
• J. Christopher Kovats-Bernat. J Christopher Kovats-Bernat (Born 1970 is an American Cultural anthropologist, and the author of Sleeping Rough in Port-au-Prince An Ethnography of Street Sleeping Rough in Port-au-Prince: An Ethnography of Violence and Street Children in Haiti. University Press of Florida, 2006. ISBN 0-8130-3009-9
• Mark Kurlansky. Mark Kurlansky (born 7 December 1948 in Hartford Connecticut) is a highly-acclaimed American Journalist and Writer of general interest A Continent of Islands: Searching for the Caribbean Destiny. Addison-Wesley Publishing, 1992. ISBN 0-201-52396-5.
• Elizabeth McAlister. Rara! Vodou, Power, and Performance in Haiti and its Diaspora. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2002. ISBN 0-520-22823-5.
• Melinda Miles and Eugenia Charles, eds. Let Haiti Live: Unjust U. S. Policies Toward Its Oldest Neighbor. 2004.
• Jack Claude Nezat. Jack Claude Nezat is an American author His works have been written in English German and French The Nezat And Allied Families 1630-2007 Lulu 2007 ISBN 978-2-9528339-2-9, ISBN 978-0-6151-5001-7
• Randall Robinson. Randall Robinson ( 6 July, 1941 -) is an African-American Lawyer, Author and Activist, noted as the founder of An Unbroken Agony: Haiti, from Revolution to the Kidnapping of a President. New York: Perseus Books Group, 2007. ISBN 0465070507.
• Martin Ros. Night of Fire - The Black Napoleon and the Battle for Haiti. New York: DaCapo Press, 1993. ISBN 0-9627613-8-9

External links

• http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0302-08.htm
• Haiti: Current events, news, politics, nonprofit
• Embassy of Haiti to the United States, in Washington, DC
• Library of Congress - A Country Study: Haiti
• VOA kreyol
• Encyclpaedia Britannica - Haiti's country page
• International Action: Fighting the Water Crisis in Haiti
• Hope for Haiti: Education and grassroots development in rural Haiti
• Search engine for the.ht tld (in french)
• Official website of The National Telecommunications Council, Conatel (in French)
• National Archives of Haiti materials in the Digital Library of the Caribbean