Haiti (English pronounced /'he?ti?/; French Haïti
pronounced [aiti]; Haitian Creole: Ayiti), officially the Republic
of Haiti (République d'Haïti ; Repiblik d Ayiti), is
a French and Creole speaking Latin American country located in the
Greater Antilles archipelago on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola,
which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti (Land of Mountains)
was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island.
The country's highest point is Pic la Selle, at 2,680 metres (8,793
ft). The total area of Haiti is 27,750 square kilometres (10,714
sq mi) and its capital is Port-au-Prince.
Contents [hide]
1 Evolution of the name of the country
2 History
3 Politics
4 Departments, arrondissements, and communes
5 Geography
6 Ecology
6.1 Environmental issues
7 Economy
8 Education
9 Demographics
9.1 Haitian diaspora
9.2 In the United States
9.3 Languages
10 Culture
10.1 Religion
10.2 Carnival
10.3 Music
10.4 Cuisine
11 References
11.1 Notes
11.2 Resources
12 See also
13 External links
[edit] Evolution of the name of the country
By the Taïnos, Ayiti meant Earth of high mountains or the Mountain
in the sea. When the French, coming from the Island of the Tortoise
towards Grande Terre, occupied the Western part of the island of
Hispaniola, they gallicized the name used among Spaniards "Santo
Domingo" in Saint Domingue. From 1630 to 1664, this name remained
abstract until Colbert incorporated the colony of Saint Domingue
in the Company of the West Indies. The name of Saint Domingue will
be confirmed by the treaties of Ryswick (1697) and Basle (1795),
to indicate the Western part of Hispaniola which, during this French
colonial period, was also called “La Perle des Antilles”.
January 1, 1804, by declaring the independence of the country, Dessalines
gave again to Saint Domingue the Amerindian name of Haïti,
eager to break with French and Spanish names. Haïti is the
name given, in French, to the whole of Hispaniola. In Creole, the
country is called Ayiti.
[edit] History
This island of the Greater Antilles was discovered by Christopher
Columbus on December 5, 1492. He named it Hispaniola. The branch
of the Arawaks, the Tainos occupied the island before the arrival
of the Spaniards. Their number to the end of XVth century was estimated
to be lower than 100,000. The Spaniards exploited the island for
its gold. The Amerindians refusing to work in the mines were massacred
and forced into slavery; those that evaded capture found refuge
in the mountains, where they formed their own settlements. The infectious
diseases which arrived with the Europeans devastated the local population;
that along with ill treatment, malnutrition and a drastic drop of
the birthrate completed the debacle: the indigenous population was
decimated in a few decades. The Spaniards were then brought to make
come from Africa deported black slaves. In 1517, Charles Quint authorized
the draft of the slaves. African slaves that somehow managed to
escape the European reign of terror also fled to the mountains where
some encountered, befriended and intermarried with fugitive Amerindians,
consequently forming a line of zambos.
The western part of Hispaniola being neglected by the Spanish colonists,
French buccaneers settled there. Among them, Bertrand d' Ogeron
who supported the planting of tobacco, thus allowing to turn into
a sedentary population numbers of buccaneers and freebooters who
didn’t submit to the royal authority until the year 1660.
Bertrand d' Orgeron attracted also many colonists of Martinique
and Guadeloupe, like Roy (Jean Roy, 1625-1707), Hebert (Jean Hebert,
1624, and his family) and the Barre (Guillaume Barre, 1642, and
his family) driven out by the land pressure which was generated
by the extension of the sugar dwellings. But in 1670-1690 the crisis
of the tobacco intervened and a great number of places were abandoned.
The rows of the freebooting grew bigger, plundering, like those
of Vera Cruz in 1683 or of Campêche in 1686, became increasingly
commonplace and Jean-Baptist Colbert, Marquis de Seignelay, elder
son of Jean Baptist Colbert and at the time Minister of the Navy,
brought back some order by taking a great number of measures. Among
those appeared the creation of plantations of indigo and of cane
sugar. The first sugar windmill was created in 1685.
The treaty of Ryswick of 1697 divided Hispaniola between France
and Spain. Spain saw itself allotting the two-thirds of the island
and France the third remaining, located at the west. France officialized
the name of Saint Domingue for this part. Many French colonists
came and worked in plantations. From 1713 to 1787, 30,000 colonists,
among them Pierre Nezat, left Bordeaux, France, came to enlarge
the number of the colonists present in the western part of the island.
The wars burst in Europe and were prolonged on the seas to the Antilles
and the Caribbean. In 1756, trade was paralysed. A great number
of colonists and their families left Saint Domingue for Louisiana,
where they settled in Post established by France and managed by
soldiers. Thus the families Barre, Roy, Hebert and Nezat met again
in the territories of Attakapas and Opelousas (Indian tribes), where
they also met other French colonists from Paris or from Nova Scotia
(Alex Charles Barre, descendant of Guillaume Barre, founded in 1820
Port Barre). About 1790, Santo Domingo, had become the French richest
colony of all America thanks to the immense profits of the sugar
industry and of that of the indigo and thousands of Africans had
been brought like slaves to make these industries function. Their
fate was under the jurisdiction framed by the black code, prepared
by Colbert and enacted by Louis XIV. But the French revolution involved
serious social upheavals in the French West Indies and in Saint
Domingue too. Most important was the revolt of the slaves which
lead in 1793 to the abolition of slavery by the commissioners Sonthonax
and Polverel, (decision endorsed and generalized to the whole of
the French colonies by the Convention six months later). The Black
Toussaint Louverture, appointed Governor by France, after having
restored peace, having driven out the Spaniards and the English
who threatened the colony, restored prosperity by daring measures.
He went however too far promulgating a separatist constitution and
Napoleon Bonaparte, under the influence of the Creoles (French -
and Spaniards born on one of the islands of the Antilles, later
also in Louisiana) and of the traders, sent an expedition of 30,000
men under the orders of his brother-in-law the General Charles Leclerc.
He had the mission of ousting Louverture and of restoring slavery.
But, after some victories, the arrest and the deportation of Toussaint
Louverture, the French troops ordered by Donatien Marie Joseph de
Rochambeau finished by being beaten at the battle of Vertières
per Jean-Jacques Dessalines. At the end of a double battle for freedom
and for independence gained by former slaves over the troops of
Napoleon Bonaparte, the independence of the country was proclaimed
on January 1, 1804, under the name of Haiti. Haiti had become the
first country in the world to make effective the abolition of slavery.
Dessalines was proclaimed governor for life by his troops. He made
carry out the white remained on the island and controlled as a despot.
He was assassinated on October 17, 1806. The country was divided
then between a kingdom in the north, directed by Henri Christophe
and a republic in the south, directed by Alexandre Pétion.
Then president Jean Pierre Boyer reunified these two parts and conquered
the east part of the island. July 11, 1825, the king of France Charles
X threatened to reconquer the island and sent a fleet of 14 vessels.
Boyer had to sign a treaty according to that France recognized the
independence of the country only in exchange of an allowance of
150 million franks-or (the sum will be brought down in 1838 to 90
million franks).
A long succession of coups followed the departure of Jean Pierre
Boyer. The authority did not cease being disputed by factions of
the army, the mulatto and black elites, and the commercial class,
now made up of great number from abroad – Germans, Americans,
French and English). The country is impoverished, few State Heads
taking care of its development. As soon as the authority weakened,
armed revolts started, maintained by candidates to the succession.
At the beginning of the XXth century, the country was in a state
of quasi-permanent insurrection.
The United States occupied the island of 1915 to 1934. Thereafter,
from 1957 to 1986, Duvalier reigned as dictators. They had set up
the system of denouncement and death squads known as Tonton Macoute.
Many Haitians exiled themselves, in particular to the United States
and Quebec. The former priest Jean-Bertrand Aristide gained the
elections of December 1990. His mandate began on February 7, 1991,
but a coup d'etat carried out by Raoul Cédras supported by
the middle-class of businesses reversed him as of September. In
1994, he was restored to the authority under the pressure of the
administration of Bill Clinton (who threatened of a military intervention)
in the condition that he gave up recovering the years lost at the
time of the military interlude. He left the presidency in 1995 then
and was re-elected in 2000. After several months of popular demonstrations
and pressures exerted by the international community, more particularly
by France and the USA, Aristide was taken along in exile by US soldiers
on February 29, 2004, when forces armed made up with opponents and
former soldiers who controlled the North of the country threatened
to go on the capital Port-au-Prince.
Boniface Alexandre, president of the Supreme Court of appeal, ensured
then the authority by interim. In February 2006, following elections
marked by uncertainties on the calculation of the ballot papers,
and thanks to the support of popular demonstrations, Rene Préval,
near to Aristide and former president of the Republic of Haiti between
1995 and 2000, was elected.
[edit] Politics
Presidential Palace in Port-au-PrinceMain article: Politics of Haiti
The politics of Haiti takes place in a framework of a presidential
republic, pluriform multiparty system whereby the President of Haiti
is head of state directly elected by popular vote. The Prime Minister
acts as head of government, and is appointed by the President from
the majority party in the National Assembly. Executive power is
exercised by the President and Prime Minister who together constitute
the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government
and the two chambers of the National Assembly of Haiti. The government
is organized unitarily, thus the central government delegates powers
to the departments without a constitutional need for consent. The
current structure of Haiti's political system was set forth in the
Constitution of March 29, 1987.
[edit] Departments, arrondissements, and communes
Main article: Departments of Haiti
Further information: Arrondissements and communes of Haiti
Haiti is divided into 10 departments. The departments are listed
below, with the departmental capital cities in parentheses.
Departments of HaitiArtibonite (Gonaïves)
Centre (Hinche)
Grand'Anse (Jérémie)
Nippes (Miragoâne)
Nord (Cap-Haïtien)
Nord-Est (Fort-Liberté)
Nord-Ouest (Port-de-Paix)
Ouest (Port-au-Prince) *national capital*
Sud-Est (Jacmel)
Sud (Les Cayes)
The departments are further divided into 41 arrondissements, and
133 communes which serve as second and third level administrative
divisions.
[edit] Geography
Map of HaitiMain article: Geography of Haiti
Haiti is situated on the western part of the second largest island
in the Greater Antilles, Hispaniola. Haiti is the third largest
country in the Caribbean only behind Cuba and the Dominican Republic
respectively. Haiti at its closest point is only 80 kilometres (43
nmi) away from Cuba. Haiti's terrain consists mainly of rugged mountains
with small coastal plains and river valleys. The country's largest
crop-producing and one of Haiti's most fertile river valleys is
the Plaine de l'Artibonite. The east and central part of the island
is a large elevated plateau. The highest point in Haiti is Pic la
Selle at 2,680 metres (8,793 feet). The 360 kilometre (224 mile)
border is shared with the Dominican Republic. Haiti also contains
several islands. The famous island of Tortuga (Île de la Tortue)
is located off the coast of northern Haiti. The arrondissement of
La Gonâve is located on the island of the same name, in the
Gulf of Gonave. Gonave Island is moderately populated by rural villagers.
Île à Vache (Island of The Cow) is located off the
tip of southwestern Haiti. It is a rather lush island with many
beautiful sights. Also part of Haiti are the Cayemites and Ile de
Anacaona.
[edit] Ecology
In 1925, Haiti was a lush tropical paradise, with 60% of its original
forest covering the lands and mountainous regions. Since then, the
population has cut down all but 2% of its forest cover, and in the
process has destroyed fertile farmland soils, while contributing
to desertification.[1] Erosion has been severe in the mountainous
areas.}. Most Haitian logging is done to produce charcoal, the country's
chief source of fuel. The plight of Haiti's forests has attracted
international attention, and has led to numerous reforestation efforts,
but these have met with little success to date. Despite the large
environmental crises, Haiti retains a very high amount of biodiversity
in proportion to its small size. The country is home to more than
6,000 plants in which 35% are endemic and 220 species of birds in
which 21 species are endemic. The country's high biodiversity is
due to its mountainous topography and fluctuating elevations in
which each elevation harbors different microclimates and its own
endemic fauna and flora. The country's varied scenery include lush
green cloud forests (in some of the mountain ranges and the protected
areas), high mountain peaks, cactus-strewn desert landscapes (due
to the deforestation), and palm tree-lined beaches.[2]
2004 Haiti flood
[edit] Environmental issues
In addition to soil erosion, the deforestation has also caused periodic
flooding, as seen on 17 September, 2004. Tropical storm Jeanne skimmed
the north coast of Haiti, leaving 3,006 people dead in flooding
and mudslides, mostly in the city of Gonaïves.[3] Earlier that
year in May, floods killed over 3,000 people on Haiti's southern
border with the Dominican Republic. [4]
Currently the country is seeking to implement a biofuel solution
to its energy problems.[5]
[edit] Economy
Bas-Ravine, in the northern part of Cap-Haitien.Main article: Economy
of Haiti
Haiti remains the least-developed country in the Americas, largely
due to political instability and repeated episodes of violence.
Comparative social and economic indicators show Haiti falling behind
other low-income developing countries (particularly in the hemisphere)
since the 1980s. Haiti now ranks 146th of 177 countries in the United
Nations Human Development Index (2006). About 80% of the population
were estimated to be living in poverty in 2003.[6] Haiti is the
only country in the Americas on the United Nations list of Least
Developed Countries. Economic growth was negative in 2001 and 2002,
and flat in 2003.
About 66% of all Haitians work in the agricultural sector, which
consists mainly of small-scale subsistence farming, but this activity
makes up only 30% of the GDP. The country has experienced little
formal job creation over the past decade, although the informal
economy is growing. It has consistently ranked among the most corrupt
countries in the world on the Corruption Perceptions Index.
Foreign aid makes up approximately 30%-40% of the national government's
budget. The largest donor is the United States, and European nations
also contribute. Venezuela and Cuba also make various contributions
to Haiti's economy, especially after alliances were renewed in 2006-7.
U.S. aid to the Haitian government was completely cut off in 2001-2004
after the 2000 election was disputed and President Aristide was
accused of various misdeeds. After Aristide's departure in 2004,
aid was restored, and the Brazilian army led the United Nations
Stabilization Mission in Haiti peacekeeping operation.
[edit] Education
Of Haiti's 8.8 million inhabitants, just below half are illiterate.
The literacy rate is the lowest in the region with 52.9%. Haiti
counts with 15,200 primary schools, of which 90% are non-public
and managed by the communities, religious organizations or NGOs.[7]
The enrollment rate for primary school is 67%, of which less than
30% reach 6th grade, and for secondary school is 20%.
The educational system of Haiti is based of the French system.
Higher education is provided by universities and other public and
private institutions and is under the responsibility of the Ministry
of Education.[8]
A list of universities in Haiti includes:
Université Caraïbe (CUC)
Université Chrétienne du Nord d'Haïti (UCNH)
Université d'État d'Haïti (UEH)
Université Lumière / MEBSH
Université Notre Dame d'Haïti (UNDH)
Université Quisqueya (UNIQ)
Université Roi Henri Christophe
Université Publique de l'Artibonite aux Gonaïves (UPAG)
Université Publique du Nord au Cap-Haïtien (UPNCH)
Université Publique du Sud au Cayes (UPSAC)
[edit] Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Haiti
This section does not cite any references or sources.
Please improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources.
Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (December 2007)
Although Haiti averages approximately 250 people per square kilometer
(650 per sq. mi.), its population is concentrated most heavily in
urban areas, coastal plains, and valleys. About 95% of Haitians
are of predominantly African descent. The influential remainder
of the population vary in ethnic groups from mulattoes, mestizoes,
to Arabs (primarily Lebanese) and Europeans. White-descended Haitians
are mainly of French, Polish, Spanish, Italian, and German heritage.
There is also a small Asian (mostly Chinese) presence within the
minority.
[edit] Haitian diaspora
As with many other poor Caribbean nations, there is a large diaspora,
which includes many, often illegal, immigrants in nearby countries.
Millions of Haitians live abroad, chiefly in the Dominican Republic,
Bahamas, Cuba, French Guiana, the Lesser Antilles, Canada, France,
and the United States.
[edit] In the United States
There is a sizable community of Haitian émigrés residing
in Miami's "Little Haiti" section. In New York City, the
Brooklyn neighborhoods of Flatbush, Crown Heights, and Canarsie
is also home to a thriving émigré community. In the
neighboring Queens, communities can be found in Long Island as well
as Jamaica, Queens Village, Hollis, Rosedale and Cambria Heights
sections of that borough. Other cities where notable communities
have formed include Boston, Cambridge, Malden and Brockton (all
in Massachusetts), Providence, Rhode Island, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Washington D.C., Bridgeport, Connecticut, Chicago, Illinois, Tampa
and Orlando (both Florida), East Orange , Irvington and Newark (all
three in New Jersey), and New Rochelle and Spring Valley (both New
York State).[citation needed]
[edit] Languages
Please help improve this article or section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests
for expansion. (November 2007)
Haiti's official languages are French and Haitian Creole (Kreyòl
Ayisyen). Nearly all Haitians speak the latter natively, a creole
based primarily on French (90 percent of Haitian Creole vocabulary
is French in origin), with significant African influence along with
that of Spanish, Portuguese, and Taíno to a lesser extent.[citation
needed] French is however the principal written and administrative
language, used by many educated Haitians.
Spanish is spoken near the border with the Dominican Republic,
and is increasingly being spoken in more westward areas[citation
needed], as Venezuelan, Cuban, and Dominican trade influence Haitian
affairs, and Haiti becomes increasingly involved in Latin American
transactions. English is also a very popular language, due to its
position as an international language and Haiti's close ties with
the United States.
[edit] Culture
Main article: Culture of Haiti
"Tap tap" bus in Port-Salut.Haiti has a long and storied
history and therefore retains a rich culture. Haitian culture is
a mix of primarily French and African elements, with some lesser
influence from the colonial Spanish as well as minor influences
from the native Taíno. The country's customs essentially
are a blend of cultural beliefs that derived from the many ethnic
groups that inhabited the island of Hispaniola. In nearly all aspects
of modern Haitian society however, the European and African element
dominate.
Haiti is famous for its distinctive art, notably painting and sculpture.
[edit] Religion
Roman Catholicism is the official state religion in which the majority,
approximately 80-85%, of the population professes. An estimated
15-20% of the population follows the teachings of various Protestant
churches. Many Haitians, often Roman Catholics, also practice Vodou[9],
almost always in addition to traditional Catholic observances. Haitian
Vodou is very similar to other Afro-based faiths such as the Santería
practiced in Cuba and Puerto Rico, Espiritismo in Dominican Republic,
Obeah in Jamaica and Candomblé in Brazil.
[edit] Carnival
Haitian revelers atop a carnival float in Port-au-Prince. (2007)Haiti
has a vibrant and large carnival season; referred to as Mardi Gras
or Carnaval in French and Kanaval in Haitian Creole. It is held
every year on the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
The Jacmel Carnival is well known for its culturally appealing displays
of costumes and masks. While it is a rather large carnival, it is
dwarfed by the much larger Carnival of Port-au-Prince; the national
parade which draws thousands of people annually. Vivid floats that
are sponsored by the country's popular brand name products host
some of the country's most well known musicians. Carnival season
is a joyous event which is attended by both locals as well as those
from abroad, which include the diaspora and foreigners. During this
time, the country is engulfed by music and raucous celebration,
a scene which is in dramatic contrast to the temporarily-forgotten
troubles that plague the country.
[edit] Music
Main article: Music of Haiti
This section does not cite any references or sources.
Please improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources.
Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (February 2008)
Haiti's most well known music style is kompa, a vibrant music and
dance genre similar to that of their Cuban neighbors but with a
reminiscence of jazz. Kompa often employs African drumming, modern
guitars/synthesized sounds, saxophones, and lyrics sung in Haitian
Creole. Merengue of the Dominican Republic is also popular in Haiti.
The origins of merengue are unclear and the origins vary depending
on which country the story is from however many Haitians believe
it is an offshoot variant of Haitian Méringue, a similar-sounding
style. Nonetheless, Haitians enjoy both sounds. Rasin and kadans
are two other popular genres in the country. Other popular genres
in Haiti include Salsa music, Trinidadian Soca, and zouk (a combination
of kompa and music from the French Antilles), and Rara. Musicians
such as T-Vice, Djakout Mizik, Bonga, Zenglen, NuLook, K-dans, and
Carimi perform regularly in the United States and Québec.
Sweet Micky is a praised legend of Kompa music. One of the most
celebrated Haitian musical artists of today is Haitian-born rapper
and musician Wyclef Jean. On the synonomously named track by Canadian
band Arcade Fire, co-vocalist Régine Chassagne sings about
Haiti, the country of her ancestry.
[edit] Cuisine
Haitian cuisine.Haitian Cuisine is influenced in large part by the
methods and foods involved in French cuisine as well as by staples
originating from African and native Taíno cuisine, such as
cassava (kasav), yam, and maize (mayi). Haitian food, though unique
in its own right, shares much in common with that of the rest of
Latin America. Haitian food tends to be very mildly spicy and the
cuisine of the country encompasses several varieties of rice and
beans, the de facto national dish.
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