Motto: |
L'UNION FAIT
LA FORCE (Unity is our strength) |
Location: |
Haiti, a 80% mountainous country, is located
on the Western half of the island previously
known as Hispaniola, 80 km east of Cuba and
750 miles south-east of Miami (Florida) The
Dominican Republic occupies the Eastern
two-thirds of Hispaniola
|
History: |
Columbus encountered the island of
Hispaniola, populated by Arawak Indians in
1492. In 1503 the Spanish brought the
first African slaves to the island, and in
1697 the colony was ceded to France. In
1791 a voodoo priest by the name of Boukman
started an uprising that was to be led by
Toussaint L'ouverture, who launched a
general slave revolt.
1 January 1804 Jean Jacques Dessalines
proclaimed the island independent.
Haiti is the world's first "Black Republic"
and the second oldest republic in the
Western Hemisphere. The power struggles and
political instability that marked Haitian
history throughout the 19th century ended in
US intervention that lasted from 1915-1934.
Elections in Haiti in 1990 brought Jean
Bertrand Aristide to the presidency. After
seven months in power, he was forced into
exile by a military coup on 30 September
1991. With the help of the international
community, Aristide was restored to power on
15 October 1994.
Following elections in 1995, Rene Preval
succeeded Jean Bertrand Aristide as
president.
In 2000, Jean Bertrand Aristide was once
more elected to the Office of President
|
Elections: |
Last elections May 2006. Next
elections due 2011
|
Ruling Party: |
Coalition government
drawn from six parties |
Major Political
Parties: |
LESPWA, Struggling
People's Organisation (OPL); Fusion of Socialist
Democrats (FUSION) /La Fanmi Lavalas; Union; LAA
ALYANS; MOCHRENAH, RESPE; RDNP
|
Economic Summary: |
Agriculture remains the key sector in the
economy, accounting for approximately
one-quarter of GDP. Forestry and fishing
account for a further 7%. The sector is
the principal source of employment for about
two-thirds of the population.
Coffee is by far the most important export
crop. Approximately 380,000 peasants are
engaged in its production. However,
performance has been on the decline;
production in 1995/96 was just 13,000 metric
tonnes, compared with 27,000 metric tonnes
in 1992/93. Earnings in 1995/96 were
US$10.2m, some 58% of total agricultural
export earnings.
Sugar and rice are also traditionally
important agricultural commodities.
However, they have both been facing stiff
competition from imported commodities.
The Assembly sub-sector is one of the
strongest growth areas in the manufacturing
sector. The upswing in this sub-sector is
also affording a growing employment level
which, at the end of 1998, was estimated at
30,000 with stronger growth projected for
1999.
The tourism sector offers much export
possibilities. The Caribbean Tourism
Organisation is assisting the Government
towards realising the full potential of this
sector.
|
Airport: |
Port-au-Prince
International |
Status: |
Independent Republic
- 31 December 1804 |
Capital: |
Port-au-Prince |
Head of Government: |
Rene
Garcia Preval, President
|
Area: |
27,750 square
kilometres (10,714 square miles) |
Population: |
7,482,000 (1997) |
Official Languages: |
French and Creole |
Currency: |
Gourde |
GDP Per
Capita(at current market prices): |
EC$530 million
(1996) |
Total Exports: |
EC$572.9 million
(1995) |
Total Imports: |
EC$3,546.5 million
(1995) |
Intra-Regional Exports: |
none |
Intra-Regional Imports: |
none |
Business Hours: |
Commercial:
08:00-17:00 hrs Monday to Friday
Government: 08:00-16:00 hrs Monday to Friday |
National
Holidays: |
Independence Day (01
January); Founding Fathers Day (02 January);
Agriculture and Labour Day (01 May); Flag and
University Day (18 May); Commemoration of the
Battle of Vertieres Day (18 November); Christmas
Day (25 December), Boxing Day (26 December) |
Date of CARICOM
Membership: |
July 2002 |
National Anthem: |
La
Dessalinienne
Pour le Pays
Pour les Ancetres
Marchons unies (bis)
Dans no rangs
Point de traitres,
Du notre sol
Soyons seulsmetres,
Marcons unies (bis)
Pour le Pays
Pour les Ancetres
Marchons Marchons
Marchons unies
Pour le Pays
Pour les Ancetres
Pour les Aieux,
Pour la Patrie,
Behons joyeux (bis)
Quand le champ fructific,
L'aime se fortifie,
Bechons joyeux
Pour les Aieux
Pour la Patrie.
Pour le Pays
Et Pour nos Peres,
Formons de Fils (bis)
Libres, firts et prosperes,
Toujours nous serons freres
Formons des Fils
Pour le Pays
Et pour nos Peres
Pour les Aieux,
Pour la Patrie,
O Dieun des Preux! (Bis)
Sous ta garde infinie.
Prends nos droits notre vie.
O Dieux des Preux,
Pour les Aieux,
Pour la Patrie
Pour le Drapeau,
Pour la Patrie
Mourir est beau (bis),
Notre passe nous crie:
Ayez l'ame aguerrie.
Mourir est beau,
Pour le Drapeau,
Pour la Patrie.
|
Highest National Award: |
L'Ordre National
Honneur et Merite, au grade de Grand-Croix;
Plaque d'Or |
Favourite Dish: |
Fried spiced Pork
with fried plantain; Rice and Red Beans |