The Republic of Haiti is a country approximately the size of Maryland, with a diverse ecosystem and vibrant culture in the Caribbean Sea. Haiti occupies the western part of the island of Hispaniola, the largest island in the Greater Antilles, sharing the island with the Dominican Republic. The capital is Port-au-Prince with other major cities being Cap-Haïtien, Jérémie, Les Cayes, Hinche, Gonaïves, and Jacmel. Haiti has a warm, humid, and tropical climate with the average temperature at 83 degrees Fahrenheit, and average annual rainfall around 54 inches.
Haiti was the second country in the Americas, after the United States, to gain independence when they won their independence from France in 1804. Haiti, the third largest country in the Caribbean, has a population of 11.6 million with 94% being of African descent, almost entirely descended from enslaved African people. Haitian Creole and French are the two official languages of Haiti, with school being taught in French.
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with four-fifths of the population living in absolute poverty, and three-fifths unemployed. The majority of Haitians work in the ‘informal’ sector, meaning working odd jobs, street vending, or working abroad. Education is mandatory for children, but with a lack of facilities and resources, only a small portion of Haitian children attend school. Three-fifths of the adult population literate, that rate lower in the countryside versus the city.
Contemporary Haitian culture is a blend of African and French influence, as well as Spanish and English Caribbean, all coming together to create a unique and distinctive blend with innovative art, music, dance, and literature.
Haitian cuisine is influenced by French and African flavors, the most celebrated food is Soup Joumou (pumpkin soup), eaten on New Year’s Day or Haiti’s Independence Day in celebration of freedom from slavery.
Haiti’s history has been marred by conflict. After years of occupation by France, and then the United States, followed by dictatorial regimes, Haiti held their first free election in 1990. Only a year later, that leader was ousted in a military coup. Conflict continued, and in 2010, Haiti was hit by a devasting and powerful earthquake that claimed over 250,000 lives. A mix of natural disasters and civil unrest, Haiti today is still faced by destruction and plagued by gang violence.
