République d'Haïti Repiblik d Ayiti Republic of Haiti
Flag Coat of arms
Motto "L'Union Fait La Force"  (French) "The Union Makes Strength"
Anthem La Dessalinienne
Capital (and largest city)		Port-au-Prince 18°32′N, 72°20′W
Official languages		French, Haitian Creole
Government		Republic
-	President	René Préval
-	Prime Minister	Jacques-Edouard Alexis
Formation
-	as Saint-Domingue	1697
-	Independence from France	January 1, 1804
Area
-	Total	27,750 km² (147th) 10,714 sq mi
-	Water (%)	0.7
Population
-	July 2005 estimate	8,528,0001 (88th)
-	1982 census	5,053,792
-	Density	292.7 /km² (36th) 758.1 /sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2005 estimate
-	Total	$12.94 billion (124th)
-	Per capita	$1,600 (148th)
GDP (nominal)		2005 estimate
-	Total	$4.211 billion (134th)
-	Per capita	$478 (151st)
Gini? (2001)		59.2 (high)
HDI (2004)		0.482 (low) (154th)
Currency		Gourde (HTG)
Time zone		(UTC-5)
-	Summer (DST)	(UTC-4)
Internet TLD		.ht
Calling code		+509
1	Note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected.

Haiti (Haïti in French; Ayiti in Haitian Creole; Hayti in nineteenth century English), officially the Republic of Haiti, occupies one-third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, sharing it with the Dominican Republic. Haiti also includes many smaller islands such as La Gonâve, La Tortue (Tortuga), Les Cayemites, Île de Anacaona, and La Grande Caye. The uninhabited island of Navasse is claimed by both Haiti and the United States. 'Ayiti' (Haiti) was the indigenous Taíno name for the island. Its highest point is Chaine de la Selle, at 2,680 meters. The total area of Haiti is 27,750 km² (10,714 sq mi) and its capital is Port-au-Prince. Image File history File links Flag_of_Haiti. ... Image File history File links Haiti_COA.svg‎ Coat of arms of Haiti Extraced from Image:Flag_of_Haiti. ... Flag ratio: 3:5 Haiti flag, 1964-1986. ... Coat of arms of Haiti The coat of arms of Haiti was first introduced in 1807, and has appeared in its current form since 1986. ... A motto (from Italian) is a phrase or a short list of words meant formally to describe the general motivation or intention of an entity, social group, or organization. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is evoking and eulogizing the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nations government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... La Dessalinienne (The Dessalines Song) is the national anthem of Haiti, honoring Jean-Jacques Dessalines. ... Image File history File links LocationHaiti. ... This article is about a city that serves as a center of government and politics. ... Although Haiti averages approximately 250 people per square kilometre (650 per sq. ... Categories: Caribbean geography stubs | Capitals in North America | Haiti ... An official language is a language that is given a unique legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... Haitian Creole (kreyòl ayisyen) is a creole language It is spoken in Haiti by about 8. ... Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A republic is a form of government maintained by a state or country whose sovereignty is based on popular consent and whose governance is based on popular representation and control. ... This page lists presidents and other heads of state of Haiti. ... René Garcia Préval (born January 17, 1943 in Port-au-Prince) is currently the President of Haïti. ... Category: ... Jacques-Edouard Alexis (born 21 September 1947 in Gonaïves) was nominated by President René Préval on 21 May 2006 as the next prime minister of Haïti. ... The recorded history of Haiti began in December 5th 1492 when the European navigator Christopher Columbus happened upon a large island in the region of the western Atlantic Ocean that later came to be known as the Caribbean Sea. ... Saint-Domingue was a French colony from 1697 to 1804 that is today the independent nation of Haiti. ... Events September 11 - Battle of Zenta, Prince Eugene of Savoy crushed Ottoman army of Mustafa II September 20 - The Treaty of Ryswick December 2 – St Pauls Cathedral opened in London Peter the Great travels in Europe officially incognito as artilleryman Pjotr Mikhailov Use of palanquins increases in Europe Christopher... January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 1804 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Area is a physical quantity expressing the size of a part of a surface. ... To help compare orders of magnitude of different geographical regions, we list here areas between 10,000 km² and 100,000 km². See also areas of other orders of magnitude. ... This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... A percentage is a way of expressing a proportion, a ratio or a fraction as a whole number, by using 100 as the denominator. ... This is a list of sovereign states and other territories by population, using the most recently available official figures. ... Population density by country, 2006 Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. ... Population density by country, 2006 List of countries and dependencies by population density in inhabitants/km². The list includes sovereign states and self-governing dependent territories that are recognized by the United Nations. ... The Purchasing power parity (PPP) theory was developed by Gustav Cassel in 1920. ... One thousand million (1,000,000,000) is the natural number following 999,999,999 and preceding 1,000,000,001. ... Map of world GDP (PPP) by country using the IMF list for 2005 There are three lists of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year). ... Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head. ... Map of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita, based on the 2005 IMF data. ... This article includes a list of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP), the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. ... Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head. ... Map of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita. ... Graphical representation of the Gini coefficient The Gini coefficient is a measure of inequality of a distribution. ... World map indicating Human Development Index (2004). ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Coloured world map indicating Human Development Index (2004) This is a list of countries by Human Development Index as included in the United Nations Development Programmes Human Development Report 2006, compiled on the basis of 2004 data. ... 25 gourdes banknote overprinted after the fall of the Duvailer regime The gourde is the currency of Haiti. ... ISO 4217 is the international standard describing three letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ... A time zone is a region of the Earth that has adopted the same standard time, usually referred to as the local time. ... Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is a high-precison atomic time standard. ... Though DST is common in Europe and North America, most of the worlds people do not use it. ... Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is a high-precison atomic time standard. ... A country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is a top-level domain used and reserved for a country or a dependent territory. ... .ht is the Internet country code top-level domain ( ccTLD) for Haiti. ... This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E.164. ... Haitian Creole (Kreyòl ayisyen) is a creole language based on the French language. ... West Indian redirects here. ... Early map of Hispaniola The island of Hispaniola (from Spanish, La Española) is the second-largest island of the Antilles, lying between the islands of Cuba to the west, and Puerto Rico to the east. ... Gonave Island from space, February 1994 The reef-fringed Gonave Island is located to the west-northwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti in the Gulf of Gonave (). Made up of mostly limestone, the island of Gonave is 60 km (37 miles) long and 15 km (9 miles) wide and covers... A map of Haiti with ÃŽle de la Tortue to the north. ... The Cayemites are a pair of islands located in the Gulf of Gonâve off the coast of southwest Haiti. ... Navassa Island map from The World Factbook Navassa Island - NASA NLT Landsat 7 (Visible Color) Satellite Image Navassa Island (La Navase in French, Lanavaz in Haitian Kreyòl) is a small, uninhabited island in the Caribbean Sea. ... The reconstruction of Taino village, Cuba The Taíno are pre-Colombian indigenous inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and some of the Lesser Antilles. ... Chaîne de la Selle is the name of a mountain chain in Haiti. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Categories: Caribbean geography stubs | Capitals in North America | Haiti ...

A former French colony, Haiti became the first independent black republic and the only nation ever to form from a successful slave rebellion. Haiti became the second non-native country in the Americas (after the United States) to declare its independence, on January 1, 1804. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A slave rebellion is an armed uprising by slaves. ... World map showing the Americas The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere historically considered to consist of the continents of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions. ... January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 1804 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

Haiti has recently undergone a state of transition following the forced ousting of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on February 29, 2004. The circumstances surrounding his departure from office are disputed, with Aristide stating that he was kidnapped by US government agents who forcibly put him onto a plane and flew him out of the country. He had been re-elected in 2000 by a strong majority, with most of his support coming from Haiti's poor masses, which comprise a large majority of the country's population. René Préval was elected president in his place on February 7, 2006, and took office in May of that year. This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... February 29th, or bissextile day, is the 60th day of a leap year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 306 days remaining. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... René Garcia Préval (born January 17, 1943 in Port-au-Prince) is currently the President of Haïti. ... February 7 is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

History

Main article: History of Haiti

The island of Hispaniola, of which Haiti occupies the western third, was originally inhabited by the Taíno Arawak people. Christopher Columbus landed at Môle Saint-Nicolas on December 5, 1492, and claimed the island for Spain. Nineteen days later on Christmas Eve, 1492, the Santa Maria ran aground near the present site of Pen-island Cap-Haitien and Columbus was forced to leave 39 men, founding the settlement of La Navidad . Ayiti, which means "mountainous land", is a name used by its early inhabitants, the Taino-Arawak people, who also called it Bohio, meaning "rich villages", and Quisqueya, meaning "high land". The recorded history of Haiti began in December 5th 1492 when the European navigator Christopher Columbus happened upon a large island in the region of the western Atlantic Ocean that later came to be known as the Caribbean Sea. ... Early map of Hispaniola The island of Hispaniola (from Spanish, La Española) is the second-largest island of the Antilles, lying between the islands of Cuba to the west, and Puerto Rico to the east. ... The reconstruction of Taino village, Cuba The Taíno are pre-Colombian indigenous inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and some of the Lesser Antilles. ... The term Arawak (from aru, the Lokono word for cassava flour), was used to designate the Amerindians encountered by the Spanish in the Caribbean. ... Christopher Columbus (1451 – May 20, 1506) was a navigator and maritime explorer credited as the discoverer of the Americas. ... Môle Saint-Nicolas (Mòlsennikola or Omòl in Haitian Creole) is a city in the Republic of Haiti. ... December 5 is the 339th day (340th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Not to be confused with 1492: Conquest of Paradise. ... A functional sailing replica of the Santa Maria found in Funchal, Madeira Islands, Portugal. ... Cap-Haïtien (or Le Cap) is a city of about 500,000 people on the north coast of Haiti. ... La Navidad was the colony Columbus and his men and some help from Guacanagari built in 1492. ...

The Taínos were a seafaring branch of the South American Arawaks. Taíno means "the good" or "noble" in their language. A system of cacicazgos (chiefdoms) existed, called Marien, Maguana, Higuey, Magua and Xaragua, which could be subdivided. The cacicazgos were based on a system of tribute, consisting of the food grown by the Taíno. Among the cultural signs that they left were cave paintings around the country, which have become touristic and nationalistic symbols of Haiti. Xaragua is modern day Leogane, a city in the southwest. Cacique may be in reference to: Cacique is one the finest brands of rum produced in Venezuela. ... A chiefdom is any community led by an individual known as a chief. ... A tribute (from Latin tribulum, contribution) is wealth one party gives to another as a sign of respect or, as was often case in historical contexts, of submission or allegiance. ... Leogane is a coastal town in Ouest Department, Haïti. ...

One of the earliest leaders to fight off Spanish conquest was Queen Anacaona, a Taino princess from Xaragua who married Chief Caonabo, a Taino king (cacique) from Maguana. The two fought hard against the Europeans; she was captured by the Spanish and executed in front of her people. Other noted Taino leaders from Haiti are Chief Guacanagari, Chief Guama and Chief Hatuey (who later fled to Cuba and helped fight the Spaniards there). Cacique Henri, another Taino chief, fought victoriously against the Spaniards in the Bahoruco to gain freedom for himself and his people. The town associated with this history is Anse a Pitres, near the south-eastern town of Jacmel. Most of the Taino-Arawak people are extinct, the few survivors having mixed with African slaves and European conquerors. Anacaona, also called the Golden Flower, was an Indian queen, wife of Caonabo, one of the five caciques who possessed the island of Santo Domingo when the Spaniards discovered it and settled there in 1492. ... Cacique may be in reference to: Cacique is one the finest brands of rum produced in Venezuela. ... Guacanagari was one of the five native kings of Hispaniola. ... Hatuey was a Taíno chief who lived on the island of Hispaniola in the early sixteenth century. ... Jacmel is a city in southern Haïti. ...

Colonial rule

Main article: Saint-Domingue

Enslavement, harsh treatment of the natives, and especially epidemic diseases such as smallpox caused the Taino population to plummet over the next quarter-century. In response, the Spanish began to import African slaves to search for gold on the island. Spanish interest in Hispaniola waned after the 1520s, when vast reserves of gold and silver were discovered in Mexico and South America. Saint-Domingue was a French colony from 1697 to 1804 that is today the independent nation of Haiti. ...

Fearful of pirate attacks, the king of Spain in 1609 ordered all colonists on Hispaniola to move closer to the capital city, Santo Domingo. However, this resulted in British, Dutch and French pirates establishing bases on the island's abandoned northern and western coasts. French settlement of the island began in 1625, and in 1664 France formally claimed control of the western portion of the island. By the 1697 Treaty of Ryswick, Spain ceded the western third of Hispaniola to France. France named its new colony Saint-Domingue. Santo Domingo de Guzmán, population 2,061,200 (Metro) (2003), estimated 2,253,437 (Metro) in 2006, is the capital and the largest city of the Dominican Republic. ... The Treaty of Ryswick was signed on 20 September 1697 and named after Ryswick (also known as Rijswijk) in the United Provinces (now the Netherlands). ... Saint-Domingue was a French colony from 1697 to 1804 that is today the independent nation of Haiti. ...

While the Spanish side of the island was largely neglected, the French side prospered and became the richest colony in the Western Hemisphere, exporting large amounts of sugar and coffee. French colonial society contained three population groups: Europeans (about 32,000 in 1790) who held political and economic control; the gens de couleur, some 28,000 free blacks (about half of which had mulatto background) who faced second-class status; and the slaves, who numbered about 500,000.^[1] (Living outside French society were the maroons, escaped ex-slaves who formed their own settlements in the highlands.) At all times, a majority of slaves in the colony were African-born, as the very brutal conditions of slavery prevented the population from experiencing growth through natural increase.^[2] African cultures thus remained strong among slaves until the end of French rule. The geographical western hemisphere of Earth, highlighted in yellow. ... Magnification of grains of sugar, showing their monoclinic hemihedral crystalline structure. ... A cup of coffee Workers sorting and pulping coffee beans in Guatemala Coffee is a widely consumed beverage prepared from the roasted seeds — commonly referred to as beans — of the coffee plant. ... Gens de couleur is a French term meaning people of color. ... Dame Kelly Holmes is half Black (Jamaican) and half White (English). ... Body of Djuka Maroon child brought before a medicine man, Suriname 1955 A Maroon (from the word marronage or American/Spanish cimarrón: wild, savage, fugitive, runaway, lit. ...

Revolution

Jean Jacques Dessalines became Haiti's first emperor in 1804.

Unofficially leading the nation politically during the revolution, Toussaint L'Ouverture is considered the father of Haiti.

Main article: Haitian revolution

Inspired by the French Revolution, the gens de couleur pressed the colonial government for expanded rights. In October 1790, 350 revolted against the government. On May 15, 1791, the French National Assembly granted political rights to all blacks and mulattoes who had been born free - but did not change the status quo regarding slavery. On August 22, 1791, slaves in the north rose against their masters near Cap-Français (now Cap-Haïtien). This revolution spread rapidly and came under the leadership of Toussaint L'Ouverture. He is commonly referred to as the "Black Napoleon." He soon formed alliances with the gens de couleur and the maroons, whose rights had been revoked by the French government in retailiation for the uprising.^[3] Image File history File links Download high resolution version (590x784, 126 KB) Jean-Jacques Dessalines. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (590x784, 126 KB) Jean-Jacques Dessalines. ... Jean-Jacques Dessalines (September 20, 1758 - October 17, 1806) was a leader of the Haitian slave rebellion and an Emperor of Haiti (1804 - 1806 under the name of Jacques I). ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (450x642, 198 KB)From a group of engravings done in post-Revolutionary France. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (450x642, 198 KB)From a group of engravings done in post-Revolutionary France. ... François-Dominique Toussaint LOuverture François-Dominique Toussaint LOuverture, also Toussaint Bréda, Toussaint-Louverture (c. ... Combatants Haiti France Commanders Toussaint LOuverture, Jean-Jacques Dessalines Charles Leclerc, vicomte de Rochambeau, Napoleon Bonaparte Strength Regular army: <55,000, Volunteers: <100,000 Regular army: 60,000, 86 warships and frigates Casualties Military deaths: unknown, Civilian deaths: <100,000 Out of the 60,000 men sent betweeen Feb. ... The French Revolution (1789–1815) was a period of political and social upheaval in the political history of France and Europe as a whole, during which the French governmental structure, previously an absolute monarchy with feudal privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, underwent radical change to forms based on... May 15 is the 135th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (136th in leap years). ... 1791 (MDCCXCI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day-slower Julian calendar). ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      The National Assembly is either a legislature, or the lower house of a bicameral legislature in some countries. ... August 22 is the 234th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (235th in leap years), with 131 days remaining. ... Looking into Cap-Haïtien from the northern edge of downtown Cap-Haïtien (or Le Cap) (Okap or Kapayisyen in Kréyòl) is a city of about 111,094 people (2003 census) on the north coast of Haiti. ... François-Dominique Toussaint LOuverture François-Dominique Toussaint LOuverture, also Toussaint Bréda, Toussaint-Louverture (c. ...

Toussaint's armies defeated the French colonial army, but then joined forces with it in 1794, following a decree by the revolutionary French government that abolished slavery. Under Toussaint's command, the Saint-Domingue army then defeated invading Spanish and British forces. This cooperation between Toussaint and French forces ended in 1802, however, when Napoleon sent a new invasion force designed to subdue the colony; many islanders suspected the army would also reimpose slavery. Napoleon's forces initially were successful at fighting their way onto the island, and persuaded Toussaint to a truce. He was then betrayed, captured and died in a French prison. This backfired on the French, as it motivated Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Henri Christophe, leaders of separate military factions, to resume the rebellion. Napoleon's forces were outsmarted by the combination of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Henri Christophe, and Alexandre Petion, the "Generals of the Revolution." Napoléon I, Emperor of the French (born Napoleone di Buonaparte, changed his name to Napoléon Bonaparte)[1] (15 August 1769; Ajaccio, Corsica – 5 May 1821; Saint Helena) was a general during the French Revolution, the ruler of France as First Consul (Premier Consul) of the French Republic from... Jean-Jacques Dessalines Jean-Jacques Dessalines (September 20, 1758–October 17, 1806) was a leader of the Haitian Revolution and an Emperor of Haiti (1804–1806 under the name of Jacques I). ... Portrait as King Henry I. Henri Christophe (October 6, 1767 – October 8, 1820) was a career officer and general in the Haïtian Army. ...

Independence

Dessalines's armies defeated the French forces at the Battle of Vertières on November 18, 1803. On January 1, 1804 the nation declared its independence, securing its position as the second independent country in the New World, and the only successful slave rebellion in world history.^[4] Dessalines was its first ruler. The name Haiti was chosen in recognition of the old Arawak name for the island, Ayiti. The Battle of Vertières, the last major battle of the Haitian Revolution (or Haitian War of Independence) was fought between Haitian rebels and French expeditionary forces on November 18, 1803 at Vertières. ... November 18 is the 322nd day of the year (323rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1803 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... 1804 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Frontispiece of Peter Martyr dAnghieras De orbe novo (On the New World). Carte dAmérique, Guillaume Delisle, 1722. ... A slave rebellion is an armed uprising by slaves. ... Jean-Jacques Dessalines Jean-Jacques Dessalines (September 20, 1758–October 17, 1806) was a leader of the Haitian Revolution and an Emperor of Haiti (1804–1806 under the name of Jacques I). ...

The new State of Haiti supported the abolitionist cause wherever possible. Haiti aided Simón Bolívar, allowing him refuge and supporting his revolutionary efforts under the condition he free Latin America's slaves. The slaveholding powers surrounding Haiti isolated the new nation under a cordon sanitaire, fearing slave revolutions of their own. The Haitian Revolution is thought to have inspired numerous slave revolts in the Caribbean and United States. The blockade was virtually total. The Vatican withdrew its priests from Haiti, and did not return them until 1860. France refused to recognize Haiti's independence until it agreed to pay an indemnity of 150 million francs, to compensate for the losses of French planters in the revolutions, in 1833. Payment of this indemnity brought the government deeply in debt and crippled the country's economy. This article is about the abolition of slavery. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Cordon sanitaire derives from the French for quarantine line, and is usually a barrier that is implemented to stop a disease or something undesirable from spreading and gaining momentum. ...

In 1806, Dessalines, by now Emperor, was murdered in a power struggle with political rivals who thought him a tyrant. The nation divided into two parts, a southern republic founded by Alexandre Pétion (mulatto), becoming the first black-led republic in the world and the first Caribbean state to achieve independence,^[5] and a northern kingdom under Henri Christophe. The idea of liberty in the southern republic was as license, a fondness for idleness shared by elite and peasant. Christophe believed that liberty was the opportunity to show the world that a black nation might be equal, if not better than the white nations. Consequently, he worked the field hands under the same unrelenting military system he developed under Toussaint. He also built for himself eight palaces, including his capital Sans Souci and the massive Citadelle Laferrière, the largest fortress in the Western hemisphere. Alexandre Sabès Pétion (April 2, 1770 – March 29, 1818) was President of the southern Republic of Haiti from 1806 until his death. ... Flag Capital Cap-Haïtien Government Monarchy King  - 1811-1820 Henry I History  - Established March 28, 1811  - Disestablished October 8, 1820 The Kingdom of Haiti was the state established by Henri Christophe on March 28, 1811 when he was proclaimed King Henry I having previously ruled as president. ... Portrait as King Henry I. Henri Christophe (October 6, 1767 – October 8, 1820) was a career officer and general in the Haïtian Army. ... The Sans-Souci Palace was the royal residence of King Henri I (better known as Henri Christophe) of Haiti. ... View from the roof of the Citadelle Laferrière, looking into the valleys of northern Haiti The Citadelle Laferrière is a large mountaintop fortress located in northern Haiti, approximately 17 miles south of the city of Cap-Haïtien and five miles uphill from the town of Milot. ...

In August 1820, King Henri I (Henri Christophe) suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. When the news spread of his infirmities, the whispers of rebellion, deceit and treachery began. On October 2, 1820, the military garrison at St. Marc led a mutiny that sparked a revolt. The mutiny preempted a conspiracy of some of Christophe's most loyal generals. Some of his trusted aides took him from the palace of Sans-Souci up to his Citadel, to await the inevitable confrontation with the rebels. Christophe ordered his attendants to dress him in his formal military uniform and for two days desperately tried to raise the strength to lead out his troops. Finally, he ordered his doctor to leave the room. Shortly after he left, Christophe raised his pistol and shot himself dead through the heart.^[6] Stroke is the clinical designation for a rapidly developing loss of brain function due to an interruption in the blood supply to all or part of the brain. ... October 2 is the 275th day (276th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 90 days remaining. ... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

Following Christophe's death, the nation was reunited as the Republic of Haiti under Jean-Pierre Boyer, Petion's successor. Boyer invaded the Spanish colony of Santo Domingo and united the entire island of Hispaniola under Haitian rule, until 1844 when the Dominican Republic declared its independence from Haiti.

American occupation

Throughout the nineteenth century, the country was ruled by a series of presidents, most of whom remained in office only briefly. Meanwhile, the country's economy was gradually dominated by foreigners, particularly from Germany. Concerned about German influence, and disturbed by the lynching of President Guillaume Sam by an enraged crowd, the United States invaded and occupied Haiti in 1915. The United States imposed a constitution (written by future president Franklin D. Roosevelt) and applied an old system of compulsory corvée labor to everyone. Previously this system had been applied only to members of the poor, black majority. The occupation had many long-lasting effects on the country. United States forces built schools, roads and hospitals, and launched a campaign that eradicated yellow fever from the island. Seventeenth century print of the execution, by hanging, drawing and quartering, of the members of the Gunpowder plot. ... Jean Vilbrun Guillaume Sam was President of Haiti from March 4 to July 27, 1915. ... The United States occupation of Haiti began on July 28, 1915 and ended in mid-August, 1934. ... FDR redirects here. ... Corvée, or corvée labor, is a term used in feudal societies. ...

As their occupation resulted in the centralization of government and industry from the provinces to the capital, destroying the socio-economic fabric of the country and launching an exodus from the countryside, some nationalist rebels, called the Cacos, waged a strong guerilla warfare, headed by Charlemagne Péralte and later Dominique Batraville. As a consequence, the U.S.-controlled government created a National Guard which in future decades would become the Armée d'Haiti and be said to commit many atrocities against its own people. The occupation ended in 1934.^[7] Charlemagne Masséna Péralte was a Haitian leader that opposed the US Invasion of his country in 1915. ...

The Duvaliers

The Americans left Haiti in the hands of the mulatto minority, but in 1946 Dumarsais Estimé became the country's first black president since the American occupation began. His efforts at reform sparked disorder, and when he attempted to extend his term of office in 1950 (as most previous presidents had done) there was a coup, followed by the second formal Military Council of Government led by Paul Magloire. Dame Kelly Holmes is half Black (Jamaican) and half White (English). ... Dumarsais Estimé (1900 - July 20, 1953) was a Haitian political figure. ... Paul Eugène Magloire (July 19, 1907 - July 12, 2001) was a Haitian military ruler from 1950 to 1956. ...

In 1957, Dr. François Duvalier ("Papa Doc") came to power in the country's first universal suffrage election; many believed this outcome was manipulated by the army. In 1964, he declared himself president for life. Duvalier maintained control over the population through his secret police organization, the Volunteers for National Security - nicknamed the Tonton Macoutes ("bogeymen") after a folkloric villain. This organization drew international criticism for its harsh treatment of political adversaries, both real and suspected.^[8] Upon Duvalier's death in 1971, he was succeeded by his nineteen year-old son Jean-Claude Duvalier (nicknamed "Baby Doc") as Haiti's new president for life. The younger Duvalier regime became notorious for corruption, and was deposed in 1986, ushering in a new period of upheaval.^[9] This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Elections Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      Universal suffrage (also general suffrage or common suffrage) consists of the extension of the right to vote to all adults, without distinction as to race, sex, belief, intelligence, or economic or social status. ... The Tonton Macoutes (singular Tonton Macoute referring to a member thereof; or Ton Ton Macoute) was a Haitian militia force under the control of François Papa Doc Duvalier. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Roman Catholic pro-democratic movement

The unravelling of the Duvalier regime began with a popular movement supported by the local church and set in motion by the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1983, who before embarking his plane gave a rousing speech ending with an angry exclamation: "Things must change here!"^[10] In 1984, anti-government riots broke out throughout the nation and the Haitian Catholic Bishops' Conference initiated a literacy program designed to prepare the Haitian public for participation in the electoral process.^[11] Coat of Arms of Pope John Paul II. The Letter M is for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to whom he held strong devotion Pope John Paul II (Latin: , Italian: Giovanni Paolo II, Polish: Jan PaweÅ‚ II) born   [] (May 18, 1920, Wadowice, Poland – April 2, 2005, Vatican City) reigned as...

Aristide

Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a former Roman Catholic priest, first became President of Haiti in 1991. He would remain President for three terms until he was deposed in 2004 in a violent revolt.

The charismatic leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected president in 1991, but was deposed in a coup shortly after. There followed three years of brutal control by a military junta led by Raoul Cedras, before a second American invasion and occupation in 1994 returned Aristide to power. One of the first acts of the re-installed government of Aristide was to disband the army, to great popular acclaim.^[12] Image File history File links J_B_Aristide_AP.jpg‎ Summary Photo by Themba Hadebe, Associated Press Fair Use as Publicity Photo as per http://en. ... Image File history File links J_B_Aristide_AP.jpg‎ Summary Photo by Themba Hadebe, Associated Press Fair Use as Publicity Photo as per http://en. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Raoul Cédras (born 1949) ruled Haiti from 1991 to 1994 after a coup which ousted elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. ...

Aristide was succeeded by a close ally and former prime minister, René Préval, in 1996. While Aristide was the first democratically elected president in Haitian history, Préval's administration was most notable for the fact that he was the first person in Haiti's history to constitutionally succeed a president and then serve a complete term, leaving office voluntarily at the prescribed time. Every previous president had either died in office, been assassinated, been deposed, overstayed his prescribed term, or been installed by a foreign power. A prime minister is the most senior minister of a cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ... René Garcia Préval (born January 17, 1943 in Port-au-Prince) is currently the President of Haïti. ...

MINUSTAH in 2006.
(photo by Patrick-André Perron)

Aristide returned to office in 2001 after elections that were boycotted by many of his opponents, who accused his party, Fanmi Lavalas, of counting votes improperly in a previous senatorial election, as well as threatening critics. Aristide denied the charges and accused his opponents of accepting U.S. assistance, and plotting to overthrow his government. The opposition mostly denied this, but many of its members continually called for his early resignation. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 453 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (484 × 640 pixel, file size: 49 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Riot Over Petion-Ville Je suis lauteur de cette photo (Janvier 2006) http://www. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 453 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (484 × 640 pixel, file size: 49 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Riot Over Petion-Ville Je suis lauteur de cette photo (Janvier 2006) http://www. ... The neutrality of this article is disputed. ... Fanmi Lavalas is a populist social democracy political party in Haiti. ...

In February 2004, violence spread through Haiti, involving conflicts between the government and various rebel groups. Under pressure from both foreign governments and internal sources, Aristide left the country for the Central African Republic on February 29. Aristide claimed that he had been kidnapped by agents of the United States government, while the United States claimed that Aristide had agreed to leave the country willingly and that it had escorted him to Africa for his own protection ^[13]. As Aristide departed the country, many members of his government fled or went into hiding, and the United States again sent Marines into Port-au-Prince. After Aristide's departure, Supreme Court Chief Justice Boniface Alexandre succeeded to the presidency appointed by a council of elders and supported by the United States, Canada, and France. The 2004 Haiti rebellion was a conflict fought for several weeks in Haiti during February 2004 that resulted in the premature end of President Jean-Bertrand Aristides second term, and the installment of an interim government led by Gerard Latortue. ... Boniface Alexandre Boniface Alexandre (b. ...

In the months following the February Coup, the country was engulfed in violence between the interim government's forces and Lavalas supporters, and many members of the Lavalas party were sent to jail, exiled, or killed. Much of the violence began after police of the interim force began shooting at peaceful Lavalas demonstrations in mid 2004. Over 10,000 workers in Haitian civil enterprises lost their jobs following the coup. A study published in the British medical journal "The Lancet" found through single spatial sampling that 8,000 murders and 35,000 sexual assaults occurred in the greater Port-au-Prince area during the period of the interim regime. http://globalpolicy.igc.org/security/issues/haiti/2006/0831abusesurvey.pdfPDF (230 KiB) Portable Document Format (PDF) is a file format created by Adobe Systems in 1993 for desktop publishing use. ... A kibibyte (a contraction of kilo binary byte) is a unit of information or computer storage, commonly abbreviated KiB (never kiB). 1 kibibyte = 210 bytes = 1,024 bytes The kibibyte is closely related to the kilobyte, which can be used either as a synonym for kibibyte or to refer to...

Elections were held in February 2006, and René Préval was again elected president. Preval has promised to bring peace and stability to the country. See Haitian elections, 2006. René Garcia Préval (born January 17, 1943 in Port-au-Prince) is currently the President of Haïti. ... The 2006 Elections in Haiti, to replace the interim government of Gerard Latortue put in place after the 2004 Haiti rebellion, were delayed four times after having been originally scheduled for October and November 2005. ...

Politics

Main article: Politics of Haiti

The politics of Haiti takes place in the framework of a presidential republic, and of a pluriform multi-party system, whereby the President of Haiti is the head of state, while the Prime Minister is head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of the National Assembly of Haïti. Haiti is officially a presidential republic, although it is often claimed to be authoritarian in practice. ... A presidential system, also called a congressional system, is a system of government where the executive branch exists and presides (hence the term) separate from the legislature, to which it is not accountable, and which cannot in normal circumstances dismiss it. ... Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A republic is a form of government maintained by a state or country whose sovereignty is based on popular consent and whose governance is based on popular representation and control. ... Steve ruled the world The President of Haiti is the head of state of the Republic of Haiti. ... Queen Elizabeth II, is the Head of State of 16 countries including: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Jamaica, New Zealand and the Bahamas, as well as crown colonies and overseas territories of the United Kingdom. ... The Head of Government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. ... Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the executive is the branch of a government charged with implementing, or executing, the law. ... A legislature is a governmental deliberative body with the power to adopt laws. ... The bicameral National Assembly of Haïti (Assemblée Nationale) has two houses: The Chamber of Deputies of Haïti has eighty three members which are elected for four-year terms. ...

Departments, arrondissements, and communes

Departments of Haiti

Main article: Administrative divisions of Haiti

Haiti is divided into 10 départements: Image File history File links Haiti_departments_numbered. ... Image File history File links Haiti_departments_numbered. ... Departments of Haiti Arrondissements of Haiti Communes of Haiti Haiti is divided into 10 departments (French:départements), 41 arrondissements, and 133 communes. ... Haiti is divided into nine departments (départements): Artibonite Centre GrandAnse Nord Nord-Est Nord-Ouest Ouest Sud Sud-Est Categories: Lists of subnational entities | Haiti | Departments of Haiti ...

1. Artibonite
2. Centre
3. Grand'Anse
4. Nippes
5. Nord
6. Nord-Est
7. Nord-Ouest
8. Ouest
9. Sud-Est
10. Sud

The departments are further divided into 41 arrondissements, and 133 communes. Artibonite is one of the nine departments (french: départements) of Haiti. ... Centre is one of the nine departments (french: départements) of Haiti, located in the center of the country, along the border with the Dominican Republic. ... GrandAnse is one of the ten departments (french: départements) of Haiti. ... Nippes is the newest department of Haiti, having been split from GrandAnse in 2003. ... Nord (English: North) is one of the nine departments (french: départements) of Haiti. ... Nord-Est (English: North-East) is one of the nine departments (french: départements) of Haiti. ... Nord-Ouest (English: North-West) is one of the nine departments (french: départements) of Haiti. ... Ouest (English: West) is one of the nine departments (french: départements) of Haiti. ... Sud-Est (English: South-East) is one of the nine departments of Haiti. ... Sud (English: South) is one of the nine departments (french: départements) of Haiti. ... An arrondissement is an administrative division in some French- or Dutch-speaking countries: // Main article: Municipal arrondissement in France Main article: Arrondissements of Paris The city of Paris, in France is divided into 20 arrondissements. ... A municipality is an administrative entity composed of a clearly defined territory and its population and commonly referring to a city, town, or village, or a small grouping of them. ...

Geography

Main article: Geography of Haiti

Haiti's terrain consists mainly of rugged mountains with small coastal plains and river valleys. The east and central part is a large elevated plateau. The highest point in Haiti is Chaine de la Selle at 2,680 m (8,793 feet). The 360-km (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. Map of Haiti. ... Map of Haiti. ... Chaîne de la Selle is the name of a mountain chain in Haiti. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... A mile is a unit of length, usually used to measure distance, in a number of different systems, including Imperial units, United States customary units and Norwegian/Swedish mil. ... A map of Haiti with ÃŽle de la Tortue to the north. ... An arrondissement is an administrative division in some French- or Dutch-speaking countries: // Main article: Municipal arrondissement in France Main article: Arrondissements of Paris The city of Paris, in France is divided into 20 arrondissements. ... Gonave may refer to: Gulf of Gonave Island of Gonave This is a disambiguation page, a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ... Gulf of Gonâve seen from space (false color) Gulf of Gonâve (French: ) is a large gulf along the western coast of Haiti, at . ... ÃŽle à Vache (also expressed ÃŽle-à-Vaches) is a small island lying of the south-west peninsula of Haiti near the town of Les Cayes. ... The Cayemites are a pair of islands located in the Gulf of Gonâve off the coast of southwest Haiti. ...

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.^[14] Erosion has been severe in the mountainous areas. Pictures from space glaringly show the stark difference in forestation between Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic. 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. This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Charcoal is the blackish residue consisting of impure carbon obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. ...

In addition to soil erosion, the deforestation has also caused periodic flooding, as seen on September 17, 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.^[15] September 17 is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years). ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Hurricane Jeanne was the tenth named storm, the seventh hurricane, and the fifth major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. ... Gonaïves (Gonayiv in Kreyòl) is a city in northern Haiti, the capital of Artibonite department. ...

Jared Diamond attributes many of Haiti's political problems to its mismanagement of its ecosystems, particularly deforestation; see Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. Jared Mason Diamond (b. ...

There has been a dispute between the United States and Haiti about Navassa Island (Navasse), which both countries claim. The Haitian claim relies on documentation that Navassa became part of Haiti after a 1697 agreement between France and Spain that gave France the western third of Hispaniola plus nearby islands, including Navassa Island. The United States claims the island pursuant to its own Guano Islands Act of 1856. Navassa Island map from The World Factbook Navassa Island - NASA NLT Landsat 7 (Visible Color) Satellite Image Navassa Island (La Navase in French, Lanavaz in Haitian Kreyòl) is a small, uninhabited island in the Caribbean Sea. ... The Guano Islands Act was federal legislation passed by the U.S. Congress on August 18, 1856 enabling citizens of the U.S. to take possession of islands containing guano deposits. ...

Economy

Main article: Economy of Haiti

Haiti remains one of the least-developed countries in the Western Hemisphere (along with Bolivia), and one of the poorest in the world. Comparative social and economic indicators show Haiti falling behind other low-income developing countries (particularly in the hemisphere) since the 1980s. Haiti now ranks 154th of 177 countries in the UN’s Human Development Index (2006). About 80% of the population lives in abject poverty, ranking the country second-to-last in the world for that metric. However, since the recent presidential seating, Haiti's economy has been increasing, and may be on the upsurge. // Since the demise of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986, international economists have urged Haiti to reform and modernize its economy. ... The geographical western hemisphere of Earth, highlighted in yellow. ...

Nearly 70.5% of all Haitians depend on the agricultural sector, which consists mainly of small-scale subsistence farming. 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. Overview of the index of perception of corruption, 2006 Since 1995, Transparency International has published an annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)[1] ordering the countries of the world according to the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among public officials and politicians.[2] The organization defines corruption as...

Under the second Aristide administration and the Alexandre-Latortue administration, difficulty in reaching agreements with international sponsors denied Haiti badly needed budget and developmental assistance. In addition to these geopolitical obstacles, another major impediment to development during the last twenty years has been the repeated episodes of violence that have rocked the country. While there was relative calm under the governments of Fanmi Lavalas, this may not have been sufficiently long-lived to convince foreign investors to commit significant capital to Haiti. Fanmi Lavalas is a populist social democracy political party in Haiti. ...

However, Haiti has benefited in a rather solid economic partnership with Venezuela. This recently-forged friendship between Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and Haitian president Rene Preval has resulted in various economic agreements. 4 power plants (a 40 megawatt, a 30 megawatt, and two 15 megawatts) are set to be constructed in Haiti. An oil refinery is also scheduled to be installed in the country, with a production capacity of 10,000 barrels of oil per day. Venezuela's assistance to Haiti is founded upon a historic act where the newly-independent Haiti welcomed and tended to Simón Bolívar and provided military power to aid Bolivar's cause in liberating much of South America. Haiti's Latin American alliance provides the country with much of its needed aid. Cuba has thanked Haiti for consistently voting in the United Nations General Assembly against the embargo put upon Cuba by the United States. Since Preval's induction, the economy has been on a sizeable increase. President Hugo Chávez Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías (born July 28, 1954) has been the President of Venezuela since 1999. ... René Préval (born January 17, 1943) was the President of Haiti from February 7, 1996 to February 7, 2001. ... A power station (also power plant) is a facility for the generation of electric power. ... View of Shell Oil Refinery in Martinez, California. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ... The United Nations General Assembly (GA) is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations. ... For delayed access after publication, see Embargo (academic publishing). ...

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Haiti

According to the World Fact Book 95% of Haitians are of predominantly African descent. The rest 5% are White or Mulatto descent, with some of Levantine, Spanish or mestizo heritage. A moderate amount of the population is said to have some Taíno ancestry as well, however the number of native-descended Haitians is not known. There is a very small percentage within the minority who are of Japanese or Chinese origin. Although Haiti averages approximately 250 people per square kilometre (650 per sq. ... ... World map showing location of Africa A satellite composite image of Africa Africa is the worlds second_largest continent in both area and population, after Asia. ... Dame Kelly Holmes is half Black (Jamaican) and half White (English). ... The Levant is an approximate historical geographical term referring to a large area in Southwest Asia south of the Taurus Mountains, bounded by the Mediterranean Sea in the west, and in the east, the north Arabian Desert and Mesopotamia. ... Mestizo (Portuguese, Mestiço; French, Métis: from Late Latin mixticius, from Latin mixtus, past participle of miscere, to mix) is a term of Spanish origin used to designate people of mixed European and indigenous non-European ancestry. ...

Haitian diaspora

As with many other poor Caribbean nations, there is a large diaspora, which includes a lot of illegal immigration to nearby countries. Millions of Haitians live abroad, chiefly in the Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Canada, France, and the United States.

In the United States

There are large numbers of Haitians who inhabit the "Little Haiti" section of Miami. In New York City, the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Flatbush, Crown Heights, and Canarsie are home to many Haitians. In the Borough of Queens, Jamaica, Queens Village and Cambria Heights have large Haitian populations. Many successful Haitians move east to Long Island, where Elmont and other towns have seen many new residents. Other enclaves that contain Haitians include Cambridge, Massachusetts and Chicago, Illinois.

Jean-Baptiste Pointe du Sable is a Haitian man who in 1779 built the first permanent settlement at the mouth of the river just east of the present Michigan Avenue Bridge on the north bank of Chicago. Other notable Americans of Haitian descent include: W.E.B. DuBois the famous civil rights activist, whose father was Haitian born; Wyclef Jean, the rapper/producer; Jimmy Jean-Louis, actor and model; Garcelle Beauvais, actress; DJ Whoo Kid, official DJ for G-Unit;Tony Yayo, rapper for G-Unit; David Jolicoeur, better known as Trugoy the Dove of the Rap Group, De La Soul; Edwidge Danticat, author; Jean-Michel Basquiat, artist; CEO of Czar Entertainment, Jimmy "Henchmen" Rosemond. Jean-Baptiste Pointe du Sable (c. ... W. E. B. Du Bois William Edward Burghardt Du Bois (pronounced ) (February 23, 1868 – August 27, 1963) was a civil rights activist, sociologist, educator, historian, writer, editor, poet, and scholar, and socialist. ... Nelust Wyclef Jean (IPA pronunciation: ) (born October 17, 1972) is a Grammy Award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated Haitian-rapper, reggae artist, producer, and member of the superstar hip hop trio The Fugees, known popularly for a series of low-profile singles in the 1990s but respected within the hip... Jimmy Jean-Louis is a Haitian actor and model best known for his role as The Haitian on the NBC television series Heroes. ... Garcelle Beauvais (sometimes credited as Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon; born November 26, 1966 in St. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... G-Unit is a rap group which consists of 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Young Buck, (The) Game, R & B singer Olivia and, most recently, Spider Loc. ... Tony Yayo (born Marvin Bernard on March 31, 1978 in Port of Prince, Haiti)[1] is an American hip-hop artist who is signed to the G-Unit Records label. ... G-Unit is a rap group which consists of 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, Young Buck, (The) Game, R & B singer Olivia and, most recently, Spider Loc. ... De La Soul is a Grammy-award winning hip hop group from Long Island, New York. ... Edwidge Danticat (pronunciation Ed-WEEDJ Dan-tih-CAH) (b. ... Image:Jean1. ... Czar Entertainment is a management company which was founded by Jimmy Rosemond and Bryce Wilson. ...

Culture

Main article: Culture of Haiti

The Culture of Haiti encompasses a variety of Haitian traditions, from native customs to practices imported during French colonisation. ...

Language

Haiti's official languages are French and Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen). Nearly all Haitians speak the latter, a creole based primarily on French and African languages, with some English, Taíno, Portuguese and Spanish influences. Spanish is spoken near the border with the Dominican Republic, and is increasingly being spoken in more westward areas, as Venezuelan, Cuban, and Dominican trade influence Haitian affairs, and Haiti becomes increasingly involved in Latin American transactions. Haitian Creole (kreyòl ayisyen) is a creole language It is spoken in Haiti by about 8. ... The word Creole is an adaptation of the Castillian-Spanish word criollo, which came into English from French between 1595 and 1605. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... The reconstruction of Taino village, Cuba The Taíno are pre-Colombian indigenous inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and some of the Lesser Antilles. ...

Tourism

Due to recent political instability, tourism - once a significant industry - has suffered in Haiti, with the exception of Labadee, a port located on the country's northern coast. Labadee is a resort owned by Royal Caribbean International. Although sometimes described in advertisements as an island in its own right, it is actually contiguous with the rest of Hispanola. Labadee is fenced off from the surrounding area. The cruise ships anchor offshore, and passengers are tendered to the resort. Attractions include a Haitian Flea Market, traditional Haitian dance performances, numerous beaches, watersports, and a waterpark. Labadee is a port located on the northern coast of Haiti. ... U.S. headquarters in Miami, Florida. ...

Religion

Roman Catholicism is the state religion, which the majority of the population professes. An estimated 20 percent of the population practices Protestantism. A large percentage of the population in Haiti also practices the religion of Vodou (Voodoo), almost always alongside Roman Catholic observances (in most sects, it is required to become Roman Catholic first). Many Haitians deny the recognition of Vodou as a stand alone religion and some claim it is a false religion. The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Voodoo redirects here. ... Voodoo (Vodou, Vodoun, Vudu, or Vudun in Benin, Togo, southeastern Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Senegal; also Vodou in Haiti) is a name attributed to a traditionally uten West African spiritual system of faith and ritual practices. ...

Music and art

The music of Haiti is easily distinguished from other styles. It includes kompa, twobadou, rasin and kadans. Other musical genres popular in Haiti include Trinidadian Soca, merengue (originating in the Dominican Republic), and zouk (a combination of kompa and music from the French Antilles). Musicians such as T-Vice and Carimi perform regularly in the United States and Québec. Sweet Micky is inarguably one of the greatest legends of Kompa music, he is called the President of Kompa. The most successful and well known Haitian artist of today is Wyclef Jean, who is internationally recognized for being one of the first Haitian artists to find commercial success. Kompa (sometimes written Compas Direct, konpa direk, konpa or compa) is a musical genre as well as a dance that originates from Haïti. ... Kadans is a French Creole music genre, which started off in Haiti and developed in the French islands. ... Trinidad (Spanish, Trinity) most commonly refers to the larger island of the nation Trinidad and Tobago, the subject of this article. ... See: Soca River (pronounced Socha River), ( Slovenian original reka So&#269;a). ... Merengue is a type of lively, joyful music and dance that comes from the Dominican Republic. ... Zouk is a style of rhythmic music originating from the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. ... Kompa (sometimes written Compas Direct, konpa direk, konpa or compa) is a musical genre as well as a dance that originates from Haïti. ... During the 1960s, a terrorist group known as the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) launched a decade of bombings, robberies and attacks on government offices. ... Michel Martelly, better known as Sweet Micky, is a musician born in Port-au-Prince who has brought incredible energy, passion and sensitivity to the world of Haitian compas music. ... Nelust Wyclef Jean (IPA pronunciation: ) (born October 17, 1972) is a Grammy Award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated Haitian-rapper, reggae artist, producer, and member of the superstar hip hop trio The Fugees, known popularly for a series of low-profile singles in the 1990s but respected within the hip...

Cuisine

Haitian cuisine.

The cuisine of Haiti is influenced in large part by French cuisine as well as by some native staples originating from African and 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. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 587 KB) I took this photo of Haitian cuisine Jan 19, 2007. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 587 KB) I took this photo of Haitian cuisine Jan 19, 2007. ... French cuisine is considered to be one of the worlds most refined and elegant styles of cooking, and is renowned for both its classical (haute cuisine) or grande cuisine and provincial styles. ... World map showing location of Africa A satellite composite image of Africa Africa is the worlds second_largest continent in both area and population, after Asia. ... The reconstruction of Taino village, Cuba The Taíno are pre-Colombian indigenous inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and some of the Lesser Antilles. ... Binomial name Manihot esculenta Crantz The cassava, casava, or manioc (Manihot esculenta) is a woody shrub of the Euphorbiaceae (spurge family) native to South America that is extensively cultivated as an annual crop in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrate. ... Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ...

References

For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 15 is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... Edwidge Danticat (pronunciation Ed-WEEDJ Dan-tih-CAH) (b. ...

Further reading

• Paul Farmer, The uses of Haiti, Common Courage Press 2003, ISBN 1-56751-242-9
• C. L. R. James: The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L’Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution (1938, Vintage, ISBN 0-679-72467-2)
• Martin Ros: Night of Fire - The Black Napoleon and the Battle for Haiti, DaCapo Press, New York 1993, ISBN 0-9627613-8-9
• Wade Davis: The Serpent and The Rainbow
• Kurlansky, Mark. 1992. A Continent of Islands: Searching for the Caribbean Destiny. Addison-Wesley Publishing. ISBN 0-201-52396-5.
• Fick, Carolyn E., The Making of Haiti: The Saint Domingue Revolution from Below, University of Tennessee Press; first ed edition (February 1, 1990), ISBN-10: 0870496670, ISBN-13: 978-0870496677
• Jared Diamond. 2005. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. New York: Viking. ISBN 0-670-03337-5.
• Elizabeth McAlister, Rara! Vodou, Power, and Performance in Haiti and its Diaspora, University of California Press, 2002, ISBN 0-520-22823-5.

Dr. Paul Farmer (born October 26, 1959) is an American professor and physician, currently the Presley Professor of Medical Anthropology at Harvard University and an attending physician at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. ... Cyril Lionel Robert James (4 January 1901–19 May 1989) was a journalist, socialist theorist and writer. ... February 1 is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... MCMXC redirects here; for the Enigma album, see MCMXC a. ... Jared Mason Diamond (b. ...

See also

Haiti Portal

• Public holidays in Latin America

Image File history File links Flag_of_Haiti. ... Freeport Tortuga was a freeport project by Dupont Caribbean Inc. ... Early map of Hispaniola The island of Hispaniola (from Spanish, La Española) is the second-largest island of the Antilles, lying between the islands of Cuba to the west, and Puerto Rico to the east. ... Little Haiti (Le Petite Haiti) is an unincorporated neighborhood in Miami, Florida. ... The Caribbean or the West Indies is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. ... West Indian redirects here. ... Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ... // The capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, have had two urban railroad eras: a horsecar network between 1878 and 1888, and a second system which started with steam locomotives in 1897 and ended with internal combustion engines in 1932. ... // Railroads -section has been moved to Railroads of Haiti Road from Miragoane to Port-au-Prince, Haiti Highways: All of the major transportation systems in Haiti are located near or run through the capital. ... // Haitian immigrants certainly constitute a very visible segment of contemporary American society. ... // Early History Haiti’s legacy of debt began shortly after gaining independence from France in 1804. ... This article or section seems not to be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia entry. ... Cite Soleil, 2002 Cite Soleil, 2002 Cite Soleil, 2002 Cite Soleil, 2002 Cite Soleil, 2002 Sign for a Cite Soleil womens group, 2002. ... This is a list of notable people from Haiti and persons of Haitian ancestry living abroad (including Haitian-Americans and Haitian-Canadians). ... This is the list of holidays by country. ...

External links

Find more information on Haiti by searching Wikipedia's sister projects
	Dictionary definitions from Wiktionary
	Textbooks from Wikibooks
	Quotations from Wikiquote
	Source texts from Wikisource
	Images and media from Commons
	News stories from Wikinews
	Learning resources from Wikiversity

History http://www.haitianarawak.com - informations on Haiti's indigenous heritage and the descendants of the Haitian Arawaks. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Image File history File links Wikibooks-logo. ... Image File history File links Wikiquote-logo. ... Image File history File links Wikisource-logo. ... Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Image File history File links WikiNews-Logo. ... Image File history File links Wikiversity-logo-Snorky. ...

• Key Dates in Haitian History - Embassy of Haiti
• People in Haitian History - Founders and heroes of Haiti
• Bob Corbett's Haitian History Page - in-depth information about Haitian history and literature
• Napoleon's secret orders to General Leclerc
• 1937 massacre - information about the 1937 massacre of 18,000 Haitians by Dominican President Rafael Trujillo
• Library of Congress - A Country Study: Haiti
• The Louverture Project - Haitian History Wiki
• Institut de la Maison Imperiale d'Haiti
• The Imperial and Military Order of Saint Faustin (Ordre Imperial et Militaire de la Croix de Saint-Faustin)
• 1987 Constitution of Haiti - unofficial translation by Georgetown University
• Embassy of Haiti in Washington D.C.
• Haiti Paper Money

Culture

• Music and Video of Rara Festivals in Haiti and New York
• Video: Sculpture marks abolition of slave trade anniversary

The Flag of Haiti
The flag of Haiti was redesigned after the slave revolution over a colonial France. The flag was changed from black and yellow to blue and red.

News

• Yahoo! News Full Coverage
• Encyclpaedia Britannica - Haiti's country page
• Radio Metropole
• Television Nationale d'Haiti
• Telehaiti-Television d'Haiti
• Radio Kiskeya
• VOA kreyol
• Haiti Progre - Lavalas news in several languages
• AlterPresse news briefs in several languages
• IFEX independent news
• Haiti News
• Haiti-news list, Haitian news
• Le Nouvelliste Online, political, social, economics, culture and entertainment, sports news
• IPS Inter Press Service Independent news reports and features about Haiti

Films

• BelFim - Haiti's Internet Movie Database
• Pote Mak Sonje (the Raboteau Trial) (2003)
• Aristide and the Endless Revolution by Nicolas Rossier (2005)

Books

• Let Haiti Live (2004)
• Pathologies of Power (2003)

Haitian events

• Why they had to Crush Aristide, The Guardian
• Operation Zero in Haiti, New Left Review
• Haitian Inspiration, Radical Philosophy
• Haiti 1804 as an Event - Fidelity to Freedom, Why has it been so difficult to achieve?

Advocacy

• Coalition of Organizations in US for Haiti justice
• A 'Child Alert' issued by UNICEF for the country of Haiti
• Articles and News Focusing in on Canada's Role in Haiti
• Website of Haitian Populat Movement Fanmi Lavalas
• Articles and News Focusing in on Canada's Role in Haiti
• Invisible Violence: Ignoring Murder in Post-Coup Haiti
• ZMag analysis on current situation in Haiti
• Half-Hour for Haiti Action Alerts to promote justice in and for Haiti
• Haiti Justiceblog

Health Care

• Meds & Food for Kids - Stop malnutrition in Haiti before it takes another life.
• International Child Care - Christian health development organization in Haiti & Grace Children's Hospital
• Konbit Sante A New England based Health Partnership with the people of Cap-Haitien
• Haiti Help Med Plus - Haitian medical aid organization
• Zanmi Lasante - Public health NGO Partners in Health

NGOs

• Hope for Haiti - Educational and grassroots development in rural Haiti.
• Autorite Aeroportuaire Nationale d'Haiti (AAN)
• Fondation Sequin- Advocay for the Ecology of Seguin
• Haiti Innovation - Markets sustainable, development projects in Haiti to an active community of Haiti enthusiasts and aid donors
• Pwof Ansanm - educational initiative in Haiti
• Lambi Fund of Haiti - sustainable grassroots development and reforestation for economic justice
• Akolad.com - home of Haitian community online
• HaitiXchange.com - Haitian people, news, and culture
• Haiti Action
• Haiti Democracy Project
• Haiti Support Group
• Hastings Human Rights Project for Haiti - A student led project which lodged a complaint on behalf of former PM Yvon Neptune
• Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti - News and human rights activism for Haiti with weekly newsletter
• National Coalition for Haitian Rights
• National Palace
• Sakapfet Online
• Second Generation Haitian-American (Interview)

Community

• Pouchons.com Haitian Website Community
• EchodHaiti.com Haitian Cultural Community
• HaitianDiaspora.com Haitian-American Diaspora Community

International membership

v • d • e Latin Union Andorra · Angola · Argentina · Bolivia · Brazil · Cape Verde · Chile · Colombia · Costa Rica · Côte d'Ivoire · Cuba · Dominican Republic · Ecuador · El Salvador · France · Guatemala · Guinea-Bissau · Haiti · Holy See · Honduras · Italy · Mexico · Moldova · Monaco · Mozambique · Nicaragua · Panama · Paraguay · Peru · Philippines · Portugal · Romania · San Marino · São Tomé and Príncipe · Senegal · Sovereign Military Order of Malta · Spain · Timor-Leste · Uruguay · Venezuela The Latin Union is an international organization of nations that use a Romance language. ... Motto: n/a Anthem: Independência total Capital (and largest city) São Tomé Portuguese Government Republic  - President Fradique de Menezes  - Prime Minister Tomé Vera Cruz Independence from Portugal   - Date 12 July 1975  Area  - Total 964 km² (183rd) 372 sq mi   - Water (%) 0 Population  - 2005 estimate 157,000 (188th)  - Density... The Knights Hospitaller (the or Knights of Malta or Knights of Rhodes) is a tradition which began as a Benedictine nursing Order founded in the 11th century based in the Holy Land, but soon became a militant Christian Chivalric Order under its own charter, and was charged with the care... The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor, is an island nation in Southeast Asia, consisting of the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecussi-Ambeno, a political exclave of East Timor situated on the western side of... v • d • e Member states and observers of La Francophonie Members Albania · Andorra · Belgium · Benin · Bulgaria · Burkina Faso · Burundi · Cambodia · Cameroon · Canada (New Brunswick • Quebec) · Cape Verde · Central African Republic · Chad · Cyprus1 · Comoros · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Republic of the Congo · Côte d'Ivoire · Djibouti · Dominica · Egypt · Equatorial Guinea · Republic of Macedonia2 · France (including French Guiana • Guadeloupe • Martinique • St. Pierre and Miquelon) · Gabon · Ghana1 · Greece · Guinea · Guinea-Bissau · Haiti · Laos · Luxembourg · Lebanon · Madagascar · Mali · Mauritania · Mauritius · Moldova · Monaco · Morocco · Niger · Romania · Rwanda · St. Lucia · São Tomé and Príncipe · Senegal · Seychelles · Switzerland · Togo · Tunisia · Vanuatu · Vietnam The Francophonie is an international organisation of French-speaking countries and governments. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_La_Francophonie. ... Motto: Spem reduxit (Hope restored) BC AB SK MB ON QC NB PE NS NL YT NT NU Capital Fredericton Largest city Saint John Official languages English, French (the only constitutionally bilingual province in the country) Government - Lieutenant-Governor Herménégilde Chiasson - Premier Shawn Graham (Liberal) Federal representation in... Motto: Je me souviens (French: I remember) Capital Quebec City Largest city Montreal Official languages French Government - Lieutenant-Governor Lise Thibault - Premier Jean Charest (PLQ) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 75 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area Ranked 2nd - Total 1,542,056 km² - Water... Motto Justice – Paix – Travail(French) Justice – Peace – Work Anthem Debout Congolais Capital (and largest city) Kinshasaa Official languages French Government Semi-Presidential Republic  -  President Joseph Kabila  -  Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga Independence  -  from Belgium June 30, 1960  Area  -  Total 2,344,858 km² (12th) 905,351 sq mi   -  Water (%) 3. ... Motto Unité, Travail, Progrès(French) Unity, Work, Progress Anthem La Congolaise Capital (and largest city) Brazzaville Official languages French Kituba (national) Lingala (national) Government Republic  -  President Denis Sassou Nguesso  -  Prime Minister Isidore Mvouba Independence from France   -  Date 15 August 1960  Area  -  Total 342,000 km² (64th) 132,047 sq... For an explanation of terms related to Macedonia, see Macedonia (terminology). ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Motto The Land, The People, The Light Anthem Sons and Daughters of Saint Lucia Royal anthem: God Save the Queen Capital (and largest city) Castries Official languages English Government (constitutional monarchy)  -  Monarch Queen Elizabeth II  -  Governor-General Dame Pearlette Louisy  -  Prime Minister Sir John Compton Independence  -  22 February 1979  Area... Motto: n/a Anthem: Independência total Capital (and largest city) São Tomé Portuguese Government Republic  - President Fradique de Menezes  - Prime Minister Tomé Vera Cruz Independence from Portugal   - Date 12 July 1975  Area  - Total 964 km² (183rd) 372 sq mi   - Water (%) 0 Population  - 2005 estimate 157,000 (188th)  - Density... Observers Armenia · Austria · Croatia · Czech Republic · Georgia · Hungary · Lithuania · Mozambique · Poland · Serbia · Slovakia · Slovenia · Ukraine Anthem Serbia() on the European continent() Capital (and largest city) Belgrade Official languages Serbian language 1 Recognised regional languages Hungarian, Croatian, Slovak, Romanian, Rusyn 2 Albanian, English 3 Government Parliamentary republic  -  President Boris Tadić  -  Prime Minister Vojislav KoÅ¡tunica Establishment  -  Formation 8th century   -  First unified state c. ... 1 Associate member.    2 Known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. v • d • e Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Members Antigua and Barbuda · Bahamas1 · Barbados · Belize · Dominica · Grenada · Guyana · Haiti1 · Jamaica · Montserrat2 · St. Kitts and Nevis · St. Lucia · St. Vincent and the Grenadines · Suriname · Trinidad and Tobago Associate members Anguilla · Bermuda · Cayman Islands · British Virgin Islands · Turks and Caicos Islands Observers Aruba · Colombia · Dominican Republic · Mexico · Netherlands Antilles · Puerto Rico · Venezuela 1 Member of the Community but not of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).   2 British overseas territory awaiting entrustment to join the CSME.