Haiti

Haiti
Conventional long name	Republic of Haiti
Capital	Port-au-Prince
Official languages	French, Haitian Creole
Government type	Unitary semi-presidential republic
Leader title1	President
Leader name1	(Vacant, Transitional Presidential Council)
Leader title2	Prime Minister
Leader name2	Garry Conille
Area km2	27,750
Population estimate	11.4 million
Population estimate year	2023
Currency	Haitian gourde
Drives on	right

Haiti. Officially the Republic of Haiti, it occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, sharing the landmass with the Dominican Republic. The nation's capital and largest city is Port-au-Prince. It is the first independent nation of Latin America and the Caribbean, the world's first black-led republic, and the only nation in the world established as a result of a successful slave revolt.

History

The island of Hispaniola was inhabited by the Taíno people prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, after which it became a Spanish colony. The western part of the island was ceded to France in 1697, becoming the wealthy colony of Saint-Domingue, a leading producer of sugar and coffee based on enslaved African labor. Inspired by the French Revolution, the Haitian Revolution began in 1791, led by figures like Toussaint Louverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines, culminating in independence from France in 1804. The 19th and early 20th centuries were marked by political instability, including the United States occupation of Haiti from 1915 to 1934. The brutal dictatorships of François Duvalier and his son Jean-Claude Duvalier dominated the mid-20th century. Recent history has been defined by natural disasters like the 2010 Haiti earthquake and chronic political crises, including the Assassination of Jovenel Moïse in 2021, leading to widespread gang violence and a collapse of state authority.

Geography

Located on the island of Hispaniola within the Greater Antilles, Haiti is characterized by rugged mountainous terrain, notably the Massif de la Selle and the Massif du Nord. Its highest peak is Pic la Selle. The country has a long coastline along the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, with the Gulf of Gonâve indenting its western shore. Major rivers include the Artibonite River, which is the longest on Hispaniola. The climate is tropical, with variations due to elevation. Haiti is ecologically degraded, having lost most of its forest cover, and is highly vulnerable to natural hazards such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes.

Government and politics

Haiti is a unitary semi-presidential republic, though its institutions have been severely weakened. Executive power is vested in the President of Haiti and the Prime Minister of Haiti, with legislative power exercised by the National Assembly. The Judiciary of Haiti is headed by the Court of Cassation. Following the assassination of Jovenel Moïse, a Transitional Presidential Council was established in 2024 to appoint a new government. The United Nations has authorized the Multinational Security Support mission. Political parties include Fanmi Lavalas, Haitian Tèt Kale Party, and Inite.

Economy

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with a low-income economy heavily reliant on agriculture and remittances from its diaspora. Key agricultural exports include mangoes, coffee, and cocoa. The manufacturing sector is centered on Port-au-Prince and includes textile and apparel assembly under trade preferences like the HOPE Act. The Haitian gourde is the national currency. The economy is severely hampered by political instability, widespread corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and vulnerability to natural disasters, leading to chronic food insecurity.

Demographics and culture

The population is predominantly of African descent, with a small minority of mixed European and African ancestry. The official languages are French and Haitian Creole, with the latter spoken by the entire population. Roman Catholicism is the majority religion, with significant influence from Haitian Vodou. Haitian culture is a rich fusion of African, French, and Taíno elements, expressed in vibrant art, music like kompa and rara, and literature. Notable cultural figures include author Edwidge Danticat and painter Hector Hyppolite. The Carnival and Fet Gede are major annual celebrations.

Infrastructure and services

Infrastructure is underdeveloped and has been devastated by disasters and conflict. The main international airport is Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince. The road network is largely unpaved and in poor condition. The state-owned electric utility, Électricité d'Haïti, provides unreliable power, leading to widespread reliance on private generators. Access to clean water and sanitation is limited. The healthcare system, including the Hôpital de l'Université d'État d'Haïti, is under-resourced and strained by outbreaks of cholera and other diseases. Telecommunications are primarily provided by companies like Digicel and Natcom.

Category:Haiti Category:Countries in the Caribbean Category:French-speaking countries and territories