About Haiti

Haiti occupies one-third of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, lying west of the Dominican Republic and about 600 miles southeast of Florida. Originally inhabited by the Taino/Arawak Indians, Haiti was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492, opening the door for two centuries of Spanish rule and occupation. The Spaniards were a brutal regime and by 1550, the indigenous people were nearly eradicated from disease, forced labor, and killings. Driven by their desire to find gold and minerals, the Spanish brought slaves from West Africa to compensate for the loss of the indigenous labor force. However the hoped-for riches never materialized, and Haiti fell into neglect by the Spanish rulers.

In 1697, Spain ceded Haiti to France, who had established a permanent colony on the island of Tortuga in 1659 and a major settlement, Cap Francais, in Haiti in 1670. During this time of French rule, Haiti produced 60% of the world’s coffee and 40% of France’s sugar imports along with cotton and indigo. The French brought more slaves to the island, with numbers reaching a half million people. They retained possession of Haiti until January 1, 1804, when Haiti won its independence and became the first free black republic in the world.

Haiti’s history is one of occupation, uprisings and violence: Spain, France, and the United States have all occupied the small country, and Haiti has produced its own dictators as well. Today it has an elected government, with a president, prime minister and cabinet, although it is still a land of uncertainty, violence, and unrest.

Haiti’s name comes from the Taino/Arawak Indians and means "mountainous country." And it is indeed a rough and mountainous land. It has a tropical climate, except in those areas where the mountains cut off the trade winds and make the land semiarid. The island lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and so frequently experiences hurricanes and tropical storms. This climate along with deforestation have left Haiti with a severe erosion problem and a lack of potable water.

Today Haiti is classified as a fourth-world country and is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with approximately 80% of her population living in abject poverty.

To learn more about Haiti, go to  http://www.sun-sentinel.com and search for "Haiti: The Eroding Nation." and "HAITI A country in turmoil."

Location Caribbean Sea, island of Hispaniola

Area 10,714.33 sq miles (27,750 sq km; slightly smaller than Maryland)