For other uses, see, State of Haiti, Kingdom of Haiti and the Republic (18061820), Loss of the Spanish portion of the island, The National Assembly currently has zero members, with all 30 seats in the Senate and all 119 seats in the Chamber of Deputies vacant since all previous members have served their terms as prescribed by the, M. Degros, Cration des postes diplomatiques et consulaires, Revue d'histoire diplomatique, 1986; in French, J-F. Brire, Hati et la France, 18041848: le rve bris, Paris, Karthala 2008; in French. [90], The independence of Saint-Domingue was proclaimed under the native name 'Haiti' by Jean-Jacques Dessalines on 1 January 1804 in Gonaves[91][92] and he was proclaimed "Emperor for Life" as Emperor Jacques I by his troops. [66] The French set about creating sugar and coffee plantations, worked by vast numbers of slaves imported from Africa, and Saint-Domingue grew to become their richest colonial possession. Toussaint Louverture International Airport, located ten kilometers (six miles) north-northeast of Port-au-Prince proper in the commune of Tabarre, is the primary transportation hub regarding entry and exit into the country. Office of the Historian, U.S. Government. [160][22], In September 1994, the United States negotiated the departure of Haiti's military leaders and the peaceful entry of 20,000 US troops under Operation Uphold Democracy. [178][22] In November 1994, Hurricane Gordon brushed Haiti, dumping heavy rain and creating flash flooding that triggered mudslides. [120] Rivire-Hrard was removed from office by the mulatto hierarchy and replaced with the aged general Philippe Guerrier, who assumed the presidency on 3 May 1844. Haiti's pig population was slaughtered following an outbreak of swine fever in the late 1970s, causing hardship to rural communities who used them as an investment. Haiti ranked last among North American countries in the World Economic Forum's Network Readiness Index (NRI) an indicator for determining the development level of a country's information and communication technologies. Sign Up. [134][136] Fearing possible foreign intervention, or the emergence of a new government led by the anti-American Haitian politician Rosalvo Bobo, President Woodrow Wilson sent U.S. Marines into Haiti in July 1915. [25] The first Europeans arrived on 5 December 1492 during the first voyage of Christopher Columbus, who initially believed he had found India or China. [122] After this campaign, Britain and France intervened and obtained an armistice on behalf of the Dominicans, who declared independence as the Dominican Republic.[122]. Overall, about 9095% of Haitians only speak Haitian Creole/French fluently, with over half only knowing Creole.[363]. [213][214] The 20182021 Haitian protests are demonstrations in cities throughout Haiti that began on 7 July 2018, in response to increased fuel prices. Since the end of the Duvalier era Haiti has been transitioning to a democratic system.[22]. Log In. [184][22] The precise nature of the events are disputed; some, including Aristide and his bodyguard, Franz Gabriel, stated that he was the victim of a "new coup d'tat or modern kidnapping" by U.S. In December of that year, Geffrard defeated the Imperial Army and seized control of most of the country. [22] Relations with the native peoples, initially good, broke down and the settlers were later killed by the Tano. On 6 April, Azua fell to the 18,000-strong Haitian army, with a 5,000-man Dominican counterattack failing to oust them. Galleries and museums in the United States and France have exhibited the works of the better-known artists to have come out of Haiti. [239], Haiti is home to four ecoregions: Hispaniolan moist forests, Hispaniolan dry forests, Hispaniolan pine forests, and Greater Antilles mangroves. 1 (National Highway One), originates in Port-au-Prince, winding through the coastal towns of Montrouis and Gonaves, before reaching its terminus at the northern port Cap-Hatien. Haiti is subject to periodic droughts and floods, made more severe by deforestation. Another theory on the name Haiti is its origin in African tradition, in Fon language one of the most spoken by the bossales (Haitians born in Africa to differentiate from the creoles or Haitians born in Haiti (St-Domingue) in early Haiti, Ayiti-Tom means: From nowadays this land is our land. The northern region or Marien Region consists of the Massif du Nord (Northern Massif) and the Plaine du Nord (Northern Plain). The USSWashington, under Rear Admiral Caperton, arrived in Port-au-Prince in an attempt to restore order and protect U.S. interests. *Nap kontinye devlope Boulpam epi pote plis fonksyonalite pou ou nan jou kap vini yo* What's New. Facebook. [80][81] More than 25,000 surviving free people of color left the island as refugees. [258] Similarly, after the Haitian Army folded in 1995, the Haitian National Police (HNP) gained sole power of authority on the Haitian citizens. In March Rivire-Hrard attempted to reimpose his authority, but the Dominicans put up stiff opposition and inflicted heavy losses. [39] As of February 2023 Haiti has no elected government officials and has been described as a failed state. [21], Many Catholics and Protestants in Haiti denounce Vodou as devil worship, but do not deny the power of such spirits. [202], General elections had been planned for January 2010 but were postponed due to the earthquake. [412][413], Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Haiti with hundreds of small football clubs competing at the local level. President Geffrard was overthrown in a coup in 1867,[123] as was his successor, Sylvain Salnave, in 1869. [25][50] Amongst these early settlers were the Ciboney peoples, followed by the Tano, speakers of an Arawakan language, elements of which have been preserved in Haitian Creole. Carnival week is traditionally a time of all-night parties. [368][369] Many influential early American settlers and black freemen, including Jean Baptiste Point du Sable and W. E. B. Explore. [270][271][272][273], In 2012 and 2013, 150 HNP officers received specialized training funded by the US government, which also contributed to the infrastructure and communications support by upgrading radio capacity and constructing new police stations from the most violent-prone neighborhoods of Cit Soleil and Grande Ravine in Port-au-Prince to the new northern industrial park at Caracol.[271]. led to the dismantlement of the largest kidnapping ring in the country with the use of an advanced software program developed by a West Point-trained Haitian official that proved to be so effective that it has led to its foreign advisers to make inquiries. [96] Reportedly, people with connections to officers in the Haitian army were also spared, as well as the women who agreed to marry non-white men. [22] It begins at Haiti's eastern border, north of the Guayamouc River, and extends to the northwest through the northern peninsula. [379], Upon successful graduation of secondary school, students may continue into higher education. [234], Haiti has no currently active volcanoes. [329] These vehicles for hire are often privately owned and extensively decorated. [citation needed] Port-au-Prince became the first Caribbean city to have a phone service with automatic dialling. [388] The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in Haiti is more than ten times as high as in the rest of Latin America. [122] In 1858 a revolution began, led by General Fabre Geffrard, Duke of Tabara. The government of Haiti is a semi-presidential republic, a multiparty system wherein the president of Haiti is head of state and elected directly by popular elections held every five years. [330], In August 2013, the first coach bus prototype was made in Haiti. [22] In the September 1957 election Dr. Franois Duvalier was elected President of Haiti. More of the free people of color lived in the south of the island, near Port-au-Prince, and many intermarried within their community. In addition to the yearly recruits, the Haitian National Police (HNP) has been using innovative technologies to crack down on crime. Refused aid by the French Legation, Faustin was taken into exile aboard a British warship on 22 January 1859, and General Geffrard succeeded him as president. The most festive time of the year in Haiti is during Carnival (referred to as Kanaval in Haitian Creole or Mardi Gras) in February. [22] Also in this valley lies Haiti's second largest lake, Lac de Pligre, formed as a result of the construction of the Pligre Dam in the mid-1950s. [40], Haiti (also earlier Hayti)[b] comes from the indigenous Tano language, in which it means "land of high mountains"[41] and named[c] the entire island of Hispaniola. According to CIA 2015 World Factbook, Haiti's literacy rate is now 60.7% (est. [349] Making up 5% of the nation's population, mulattoes have retained their preeminence, evident in the political, economic, social and cultural hierarchy in Haiti. [249] The AU was reported to be planning to upgrade Haiti's status from observer to associate at its June 2013 summit[250] but the application had still not been ratified by May 2016.[251]. There are over 260 species of bird, 31 of these being endemic to Hispaniola. [166] Demonstrations occurred in Gonaves in 1985 which then spread across the country; under pressure from the United States, Duvalier left the country for France in February 1986. 20 Feb. 2017. [241] Various whale and dolphin species can also be found off Haiti's coast. Watch. Haiti's dry season occurs from November to January. by force, a process that was deeply resented by ordinary Haitians. [22][165] The opposition became more vocal, bolstered by a visit to the country by Pope John Paul II in 1983, who publicly lambasted the president. ", "Biographies: Franois Duvalier (19071971)", REPORT ON THE SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN HAITI, The More things change-- human rights in Haiti, "Ex-Ruler of Haiti Faces Human Rights Suit in U.S.", "For Aristide's Followers, Every Step Is a Dance, Every Cheer a Song", "Exclusive: Aristide and His Bodyguard Describe the U.S. Role In His Ouster", "The long history of troubled ties between Haiti and the US", "Haitian Gangs Seek Truce That Would Ease Elections", "Will the United Nations' legacy in Haiti be all about scandal? Haiti relies upon imports for half its food needs and 80% of its rice. During this time, the slaves and the affranchis were given limited opportunities toward education, income, and occupations, but even after gaining independence, the social structure remains a legacy today as the disparity between the upper and lower classes have not been reformed significantly since the colonial days. [159] However as the economy continued to decline Baby Doc's grip on power began to weaken. [236], Haiti's forests covered 60% of the country as recently as 50 years ago, but that has been halved to a current estimate of 30% tree cover, according to more recent environmental analysis. [384] Most people have no transportation or access to Haitian hospitals. Roughly 75% of Haitian households lack running water. [86] President Ption also gave military and financial assistance to the revolutionary leader Simn Bolvar, which were critical in enabling him to liberate the Viceroyalty of New Granada. Reasons for this may include its location away from volatile and congested Port-au-Prince, as well as its central location relative to numerous Haitian cities. [380], In the past, children's vaccination rates have been low as of 2012[update], 60% of the children in Haiti under the age of 10 were vaccinated,[381][382] compared to rates of childhood vaccination in other countries in the 9395% range. With its deteriorating economic situation, as well as recent calls by the IMF to cut fuel subsidies,[38] Haiti has been experiencing a socioeconomic and political crisis marked by riots and protests, widespread hunger, and increased gang activity. After 1986, Haiti began attempting to establish a more democratic political system. The inmates are forced to create makeshift hammocks from the wall and ceilings. Such companies include: Caribintair (defunct), Sunrise Airways and Tortug' Air (defunct). [21] Unemployment is high and many Haitians seek to emigrate. [237] Haiti had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 4.01/10, ranking it 137th globally out of 172 countries. [120] Soulouque decided to invade the new Republic before the French Government could ratify the treaty. Mezanmi men KONPAYL ak tout RALE BOUL ( Ral ), tiraj MIDI 5 MAI 2019 lan rale. There were an estimated 881,500 people of Haitian ancestry in the United States in 2015,[338] while in the Dominican Republic there were an estimated 800,000 in 2007. 2013). [22] Executive power is exercised by the president and prime minister who together constitute the government.