Why Haiti
The Republic of Haiti is a country situated on the western third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola and also includes the smaller islands of La Gonâve, La Tortue (Tortuga), Les Cayemites, Île à Vache, La Grande Caye, and Navasse. Haiti shares Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. The total area of Haiti is 10,714 square miles (27,750 sq km) and its capital is Port-au-Prince.
A former French colony, Haiti became the second independent country in the Americas (after the United States) when it declared its independence in 1804. It was also the first independent black republic in the world. Despite its longevity, it is the most impoverished nation in the Western Hemisphere.
Haiti is currently in a state of transition following a coup ď état in February 2004 when President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was overthrown by a small group of armed rebels. These rebels were led by former members of the army, which Aristide's government had disbanded, and were loosely allied with the political opposition. As Aristide departed the country, his entire government fled or went into hiding, and the U.S. sent Marines into Port-au-Prince. Fanning out through the capital, the U.S. troops encountered violence and chaos that was severe even for turbulent Haiti.
After Aristide's departure, Haiti's Supreme Court Chief Justice Boniface Alexandre succeeded to the Presidency in accordance with the stipulations of the 1987 constitution.
U.S. and international occupation gave way to a U.N. mission that was notable in its controversy among the Haitian people. The previous mission to Haiti, in the 1990's, had been seen as having a calming effect. But the new mission, charged with among other things, disarming the two warring sides, had very little success and was frequently accused of complicity in the deaths of innocent bystanders to a confrontation. The U.N. claimed most of these alleged incidents were misunderstandings about what had transpired. Nonetheless, among Aristide's supporters (still thought to number the majority of the poorest Haitians), there was near-universal condemnation of the U.N. mission opposing the Aristide partisans and favoring the conservative groups.
The first elections since the coup were held on February 8, 2006. René Préval was declared the winner of the race for President.
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 8,793 feet (2,680m). The 224-mile (360km) border is shared with the Dominican Republic.
In 1925, Haiti was a lush tropical paradise, with 60% of its original forest covering the lands and mountainous regions. Over the years, the population cut down 95% of its trees and in the process destroyed fertile farmland soils. 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. Charcoal production has accounted for the bulk of Haitian logging.
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.
Demographics of Haiti
Although Haiti averages about 758 people per square mile (293sq km), its population is concentrated most heavily in urban areas, coastal plains, and valleys. About 95% of Haitians are of predominant African descent. The rest of the population is mostly mulatto, or mixed Caucasian-African, ancestry. A few are of European or Levantine heritage. About two thirds of the population lives in rural areas. The largest city in Haiti is its capital, Port-au-Prince. With a metropolitan population of over 2.5 million, it is followed by Cap-Haïtien with 600,000 and Gonaïves with a population of at least 200,000.
