INTRODUCTION TO HAITI

About Haiti

• Haiti, the first Caribbean state to achieve independence occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola.
• Haiti is the third largest country in the Caribbean, after Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
• Most of Haiti is mountainous; the country's name comes from an Indian word that means “high ground”.
• Haiti has two official languages; French and the recently standardized Haitian Creole. French is the principal language used in schools and in business sectors.
• Haiti is just 700 miles from Miami and 1,500 miles from New York.
• In 2010, Haiti endured a powerful earthquake that killed hundreds of thousands and left millions homeless.

Agriculture in Haiti

• Nearly 70% of the Haiti’s population depends on agriculture and is engaged in small scale subsistence farming; the country’s major imports consist of rice and other food grains.
• Only about a quarter of Haiti's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is attributed to agriculture.
• Mangoes and Coffee are two of Haiti's most important exports.
• The US is Haiti’s biggest trading partner for both imports and exports; Dominican Republic and Canada finish a distant 2nd and 3rd.
• Vulnerable to imported food prices, Haiti imports close to 400,000 tons of rice annually; less than a quarter of the rice consumed in Haiti is homegrown.
• In Haiti fruits are the most profitable crop for the local farmers.
• Globally, mangoes have become one of the biggest agricultural exports.

Haiti’s Promising Future

• Tourism is a promising sector in Haiti with year round sunshine and pristine beaches.
• Haiti’s growing textile industry is assisting in the development of the country’s working class.
• Despite all the adversity Haitians have endured over the years, the country has maintained a welcoming and proud spirit.
• The youth of Haiti are ready and willing to learn, all they need is the opportunity and guidance.

MAP OF HAITI

HISTORICAL SITES

Barbancourt Rum Distillery Founded in 1862 the Barbancourt Rum Distillery makes rum from sugarcane juice pressed from local, hand-cut sugarcane.

Bassin Bleu Hidden in the hills above the beautiful town of Jacmel, Bassin Bleu is a natural wonder of Haiti. It is a series of natural rock waterfalls that pour into crystal blue resting water. 

The Citadelle Laferrière With walls over 130 ft. tall and 350 cannons on site, Citadelle Laferrière is the largest fortress in the Western Hemisphere. It was named a World Heritage Site in 1982. 

Fort Crète-à-Pierrot One of the most important battles in the Haitian Revolution, the battle of Crête-à-Pierrot took place at Fort Crète-à-Pierrot located in Petite Riviere d´Artibonite. Both sides claimed victory but the loses sustained by the French forced their eventual withdraw from the war.

The Iron Market The Iron Market was built in Paris in the 1890's and according to legend was originally intended for a railway station in Cairo. After being bought by then Haitian President Florvil Hyppolite, the Iron Market has become the commercial hub and historical landmark in Haiti. 

Musée de la Canne (Sugar Cane Museum) Located in Port-au-Prince, Musée de la Canne was one of the most popular colonial sugarcane production sites in Haiti. It has since been transformed into a museum and open-air theater.

Negre Marron Seen as a iconic symbol of freedom to the Haitian people, in Port-au-Price the Nègre Marron can be seen holding a machete with a broken chain on the ankle. The conch shell to the lips was used as a trumpet by the revolting army to assemble it’s people. 

Palais aux 365 Portes (365-Door Palace) Holding significant reverence in Haiti’s history, Palais aux 365 Portes located in Petite Riviere d´Artibonite is a forgotten monument of King Henri Christophe’s building prowess.

Sans-Souci Palace Despite a considerable part of the palace being destroyed by an earthquake in 1842, the Sans-Souci Palace is acknowledged by many as one of the most famous landmarks in Haiti and in the Caribbean. Sans-Souci Palace was designated a World Heritage Sites in 1982.

Saut d’Eau One of Haiti’s most mystic and adored beauties: this spectacular 100-foot waterfall is a site where Catholic saint Our Lady of Mount Carmel is believed to have appeared in a nearby palm tree.

Saut Mathurine Waterfall One of the most beautiful wonders in the Caribbean, Saut Mathurine waterfall near Camp Perrin is the biggest in Haiti. Flowing out of mountains and surrounded by lush vegetation, this breathtaking waterfall is a natural beauty for all to see.

 

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