Country Information on Haiti

Terrain Haiti consists of two large peninsulas, which are separated by the Golfe de la Gonâve. Characteristic are mountain ranges, which are dissected by numerous mostly narrow valleys. The highest point of the country, the Pic de la Selle, reaches an altitude of 2,680 m. The coastline is very rugged, so that there is a large number of natural harbours. The longest river is the Artibonite, which is partly navigable. Climate Haiti has a tropical climate. Average temperatures along the coast are at 26.7°C. The annual precipitation averages 1,346 mm in Port-au-Prince, but only 508 mm in the north-west. The rainy season is in summer. Fauna/Flora The tropical vegetation of Haiti was decimated by cultivation and deforestation for timber. In the higher-lying mountainous regions pine forests are found, in the valleys there are cedars, mahogany and oak trees. The country's flora includes orange and mango trees. All in all, there are 5,000 plant species in Haiti, of which two thirds are trees and shrubs. 600 fern species and 300 different kinds of orchids have their habitat in the country. It is estimated that 35% of the plant species only exist in Haiti. In the desert-like areas some Haitian cacti species grow. Common animal species are above all crocodiles and iguanas. There are only two remaining varieties of terrestrial mammals left in Haiti, the Hispaniolan hutia and the nez longue, of at least 28 known original species. History/Politics In 1697, Spain agreed in the Rijswijk peace treaty to cede the western third of Hispaniola (under Spanish rule right from the beginning of colonialization) to France. During the time of the French Revolution there were rebellions of the slaves, who were led by Toussaint Louverture. He succeeded in abolishing slavery in 1794, in 1798 he repelled the British and the Spanish. Louverture vigorously opposed all attempts by France to reintroduce slavery and was arrested and deported to France (where he died in 1803). In 1803, Jean Jaques Dessalines declared the independence of the island, proclaimed himself emperor and was assassinated in 1806. Due to internal conflict, the Isle of Hispaniola was split into a republic in the north (which was to become a kingdom afterwards) and another one in the south in 1807. These two parts were united by Jean Pierre Boyer in 1820 who also succeeded in conquering Santo Domingo two years later. In 1844 the eastern part of the island (today the Dominican Republic) declared its independence. Continuous struggle for power (already starting in 1867) prompted the USA to send in the military 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 in 1944 by seven years. 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 himself, with an intervening period of military rule to follow. In 1957, François Duvalier (also known as "Papa Doc") was elected president. According to the new constitution of 1964, Duvalier was to be president for life. Time and again, however, uprisings occurred, which were all doomed to failure. Through a constitutional amendment in 1971 Duvalier's son Jean Claude (also referred to as "Baby Doc") was granted succession to his father's office. 19-year-old Duvalier became the new president after his father's death in 1971. In the early and mid seventies Jean Claude Duvalier consolidated his power. Under his rule, too, there was ever-recurring political unrest. In 1986, Duvalier had to flee to France into exile after having appointed a transitional government. In 1988, Leslie Manigat was elected president and was overthrown in the same year by the military. From the following power struggle Lieutenant General Prosper Avril emerged as president. Owing to the problematic economic situation he was 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 to the USA into exile, and in 1994 he came back to Haiti with the help of the USA. The 1995 presidential elections were won by René Préval. An important goal of foreign policy was the normalization of relations with the Dominican Republic. Presidential elections in February 2001 again saw a victorious Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Economy The standard of living of the Haitian population is extraordinarily low. The country's economy is dominated by the agricultural sector. Around 75% of the workforce engage in agriculture. Owing to unfavourable climatic conditions (e.g. hurricanes), to soil erosion, and to the small size of the parcels of land, the country cannot meet its own demand for food. Major exports are sugar cane, coffee, sisal, and cocoa. For subsistence mainly maize, manioc, sweet potatoes, mangos, beans, rice, and bananas are grown. Besides forestry, fishing is a vital source of revenue, as well. Industry is basically restricted to the processing of agricultural commodities. Some US companies (among others from the textiles and electronics industries) have started to transfer production to Haiti owing to low personnel costs. The petite industrie (craft industry) produces wood carvings and masks. Culture In Haitian art African and Indian influences blend. Frequently, concerts of indigenous music and dances take place. In the artists' works Christian and voodoo symbols mingle in a fascinating way. The Haitian culture is a melange of African, French, and Caribbean elements. The Creole language, which in former times tended to widen the country's social gap, it is today a tool which helps find a national cultural identity. It is used in literature, drama, music and dance, as well as in some governmental departments. Works of Haitian artists enjoy growing recognition worldwide.