| Motto:
|
L'UNION
FAIT LA FORCE (Unity is our strength) |
|
| Location: |
Haiti, a 80% mountainous country, is located on
the Western half of the island previously known
as Hispaniola, 80 km east of Cuba and 750 miles
south-east of Miami (Florida) The Dominican Republic
occupies the Eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola
|
| History: |
Haiti is the world's first "Black Republic"
and the second oldest republic in the Western
Hemisphere. The power struggles and political
instability that marked Haitian history througnout
the 19th century ended in US intervention that
lasted from 1915-1934. A new period of political
upheavals after the departure of the US troops
opened the way to a 30-year long dictatorship
by the Duvalier family. On
7 February 1986 a popular uprising put an end
to the dictatorship. The first free elections
in the history of Haiti in 1990 brought Jean
Bertrand Aristide to the presidency. After seven
months in power, he was forced into exile by
a military coup on 30 September 1991. With the
help of the international community, Aristide
was restored to power on 15 October 1994.
Following
the second free elections in 1995, Rene Preval
succeeded Jean Bertrand Aristide as president.
In
2000, Jean Bertrand Aristide was once more elected
to the Office of President
|
| Elections: |
Last elections May 2000. Next elections due 2005 |
| Ruling
Party: |
La Fanmi Lavalas |
| Major
Political Parties: |
La
Fanmi Lavalas and Convergence Democratique (an
alliance of 15 political parties) |
| Economic
Summary: |
Agriculture
remains the key sector in the economy, accounting
for approximately one-quarter of GDP. Forestry
and fishing account for a further 7%. The sector
is the principal source of employment for about
two-thirds of the population.
Coffee is by far the most important export crop.
Approximately 380,000 peasants are engaged in
its production. However, performance
has been on the decline; production in 1995/96
was just 13m tonnes, compared with 27 tonnes
in 1992/93. Earnings in 1996/96 were US$10.2m,
some 58% of total agricultural export earnings.
Sugar
and rice are also traditionally important agricultural
commodities. However, they have both been facing
stiff competition from imported commodities.
The
Assembly sub-sector is one of the strongest
growth areas in the manufacturing sector. The
upswing in this sub-sector is also affording
a growing employment level which, at the end
of 1998, was estimated at 30,000 with stronger
growth projected for 1999.
The
tourism sector offers much export possibilities.
The Caribbean Tourism Organisation is assisting
the Government towards realising the full potential
of this sector.
|
| Airport: |
Port-au-Prince International |
| Status: |
Independent Republic - 31 December 1804 |
| Capital: |
Port-au-Prince |
| Area: |
27,750
square kilometres (10,714 square miles) |
| Population: |
7,482,000 (1997) |
| Official
Language |
French
and Creole |
| Currency: |
Gourde |
| GDP
Per Capita (at current prices): |
EC$530
million (1996)
|
| Total
Exports: |
EC$572.9 million (1995) |
| Total
Imports: |
EC$3,546.5 million (1995) |
| Intra-Regional
Exports: |
none |
| Intra-Regional
Imports: |
none |
| Business
Hours: |
Commercial:
08:00-17:00 hrs Monday to Friday
Government: 08:00-16:00 hrs Monday
to Friday |
| National
Holidays: |
Independence
Day (01 January); Founding Fathers Day (02 January);
Agriculture and Labour Day (01 May); Flag and
University Day (18 May); Commemoration of the
Battle of Vertieres Day (18 November); Christmas
Day (25 December), Boxing Day (26 December) |
| National
Anthem: |
La
Dessalinienne
Pour le Pays
Pour les Ancetres
Marchons unies (bis)
Dans no rangs
Point de traitres,
Du notre sol
Soyons seulsmetres,
Marcons unies (bis)
Pour le Pays
Pour les Ancetres
Marchons Marchons
Marchons unies
Pour le Pays
Pour les Ancetres
Pour les Aieux,
Pour la Patrie,
Behons joyeux (bis)
Quand le champ fructific,
L'aime se fortifie,
Bechons joyeux
Pour les Aieux
Pour la Patrie.
Pour le Pays
Et Pour nos Peres,
Formons de Fils (bis)
Libres, firts et prosperes,
Toujours nous serons freres
Formons des Fils
Pour le Pays
Et pour nos Peres
Pour les Aieux,
Pour la Patrie,
O Dieux des Preux! (Bis)
Sous ta garde infinie.
Prends nos droits notre vie.
O Dieux des Preux,
Pour les Aieux,
Pour la Patrie
Pour le Drapeau,
Pour la Patrie
Mourir est beau (bis),
Notre passe nous crie:
Ayez l'ame aguerrie.
Mourir est beau,
Pour le Drapeau,
Pour la Patrie. |
| Highest
National Award: |
L'Ordre National Honneur et Merite, au grade de
Grand-Croix; Plaque d'Or |
| Favourite
Dish: |
Fried
spiced Pork with fried plantain; Rice and Red
Beans |
| Date
of CARICOM Membership: |
2 July 2002 |
| Government
web page: |
http://www.haiti.org
(Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Washington)
|
|