Haïti

Republic of Haiti République d'Haïti (French)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité (French)
Anthem: La Dessalinienne
Capital and largest city	Port-au-Prince
Official languages	French, Haitian Creole
Government	Unitary semi-presidential republic
Area
• Total	27,750 km2 (10,710 sq mi) (143rd)
Population
• 2021 estimate	11,123,178
• Density	401/km2 (1,038.6/sq mi)
Currency	Haitian gourde (HTG)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
Driving side	right
Calling code	+509
ISO 3166 code	[[ISO 3166-2:HT |HT ]]
Internet TLD	.ht

Haiti (

French

République d'Haïti

Template:Lang-ht) is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea. It occupies the western three-eighths of the island, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. To its south lies the Caribbean Sea, to its west is the Windward Passage, which separates it from Cuba, and to its north is the Atlantic Ocean.

History

Haiti has a rich and complex history. The island of Hispaniola was originally inhabited by the Taíno people. In 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on the island, and it became a Spanish colony. The western part of the island was ceded to France in 1697, becoming the French colony of Saint-Domingue. In 1804, after a successful slave revolt led by Toussaint Louverture and later Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Haiti declared its independence, becoming the first independent nation of Latin America and the Caribbean, the first post-colonial independent black-led nation in the world, and the only nation whose independence was gained as part of a successful slave rebellion.

Geography

Haiti is the third largest country in the Caribbean by area, with a total area of 27,750 square kilometers. The country is mountainous, with the highest point being Pic la Selle at 2,680 meters. The climate is tropical, with some variation depending on altitude.

Government and Politics

Haiti is a semi-presidential republic. The President of Haiti is the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The country has a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

Economy

Haiti's economy is primarily based on agriculture, with coffee, mangoes, and cocoa being the main export products. The country also has a small manufacturing sector, which includes textiles and apparel. Despite its natural resources, Haiti remains one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Demographics

Haiti has a population of approximately 11 million people. The official languages are French and Haitian Creole. The majority of the population is of African descent, with a small percentage of mixed-race and European descent.

Culture

Haitian culture is a blend of African, French, and indigenous Taíno influences. The country is known for its vibrant art, music, and dance traditions, including Vodou, which is a syncretic religion combining elements of African spirituality and Catholicism.

Related Pages

• Port-au-Prince
• Hispaniola
• Toussaint Louverture
• Jean-Jacques Dessalines
• Saint-Domingue
• Caribbean