Country Information on Haiti 

Terrain

Haiti consists of two large peninsulas, which are separated by the Golfe de la Gonâve. The country is dominated by mountain ranges, which are dissected by numerous narrow valleys. The country's highest peak, the Pic de la Selle, reaches an altitude of 2,680 m. The coastline is very rugged forming a large number of natural harbours. The longest river is the Artibonite, which is only partially navigable.

Climate

Haiti has a tropical climate. Along the coast there is an average temperature of 26.7°C. The annual precipitation averages 1,346 mm in Port-au-Prince, but only 508 mm in the north-west, where it only rains during the summer.

Fauna/Flora

Haiti's tropical vegetation was decimated by cultivation and deforestation. In the higher-lying mountainous regions, there are pine forests and in the valleys there are cedars, mahogany and oak trees. The country's flora also includes orange, breadfruit and mango trees. There are a total of 5,000 plant species in Haiti, two thirds of which are trees and shrubs; there are also 600 fern species and 300 different species of orchid. It is estimated that 35% of those plant species only exist in Haiti. Native cactus species grow in the desert-like areas. Only two of an original 28 species of mammal native to Haiti remain: the Hispaniolan hutia and the nez longue.

History/Politics

In 1697, Spain agreed in the Treaty of Rijswijk to hand over the western third of Hispaniola, which had been under Spanish rule since the beginning of colonization, to France. During the French Revolution slave rebellions were led by Toussaint Louverture. He succeeded in abolishing slavery in 1794; in 1798 he fought off British and Spanish attacks. Louverture vigorously opposed all attempts by France to reintroduce slavery and was arrested and deported to France, where he died in 1803. The same year, Jean Jaques Dessalines declared the island to be independent and proclaimed that he would be emperor. After his assassination in 1806 the Isle of Hispaniola was split in 1807 into two republics, the northern part of which would later become a kingdom.

These two parts were united by Jean Pierre Boyer in 1820, and he also succeeded in conquering Santo Domingo two years later. In 1844 the eastern part of the island (today's Dominican Republic) declared its independence. Continuous power struggles from as early as 1867 prompted US military intervention in 1915, and it was not until 1934 that the American troops finally withdrew. In 1939, the former Minister for Relations with the USA, Elie Lescot, was elected president. His period of office was prolonged by seven years in 1944. He was overthrown by the army two years later, and Dumarsais Estimé was elected president. In 1950, he was forced by the military to step down, and an intervening period of military rule followed.

In 1957, François Duvalier, also known as "Papa Doc", was elected president and the new constitution of 1964 stipulated that he was to be president for life. There were many uprisings against Duvalier's rule, but none of them were successful. A constitutional amendment in 1971 allowed for Duvalier's son Jean Claude ("Baby Doc") to be named his father's successor. Nineteen year-old Duvalier became the new president after his father's death in 1971. Jean Claude Duvalier consolidated his power during the early and mid seventies. However, there was constant political unrest under his rule as well. In 1986 Duvalier appointed a transitional government before being forced to flee to France. In January 1988, Leslie Manigat was elected president, only to be overthrown by the military in June. Lieutenant General Prosper Avril won the struggle for power that followed and became president, but owing to the country's poor economic situation, he was also forced to flee in 1990.

Jean Bertrand Aristide was elected president in 1990, only to be ousted in another coup the following year. Aristide went into exile in the USA, and in 1994 he returned to Haiti with the help of the USA. The 1995 presidential elections were won by René Préval, who considered the normalization of relations with the neighbouring Dominican Republic to be an important goal in foreign policy. In February 2001 Jean-Bertrand Aristide won the presidential elections once again. In 2004, popular discontent and accusations of corruption resulted in violent protests and Aristide was forced to resign and leave the country. Boniface Alexandre took charge as the interim president and is still in power now.

Economy

The people of Haiti have a very low standard of living. The country's economy is dominated by the agricultural sector; around 75% of the workforce is employed in agriculture. As a result of unfavourable climatic conditions (such as hurricanes), soil erosion, and the small size of areas of agricultural land, the country cannot meet its own demand for food. Major exports are sugar cane, coffee, sisal, and cocoa. The main crops grown for subsistence are maize, manioc, sweet potatoes, mangos, beans, rice, and bananas. Besides forestry, fishing is also a vital source of revenue. Industry is restricted to the processing of agricultural products. Some US companies (in the textiles and electronics industries) have started to transfer production to Haiti to take advantage of the low cost of personnel. The small industry (craft industry) produces wood carvings and masks. In 2003, the inflation rate reached 32.3% and the unemployment rate reached 70%.

Culture

Haitian art brings together African and Indigenous influences. Concerts with music and typical local dances often take place. Artists combine Christian and voodoo symbols in their work in a fascinating way. Haitian culture is a mix of African, French, and Caribbean elements. Although the Creole language created a social division in the part, it is now a welcome way of establishing an individual national culture that is used in literature, drama, music and dance, as well as in some governmental departments. Works of Haitian artists enjoy growing recognition worldwide.