Quick
Facts and Figures Official
Name Republic of Haiti Population 8,490,200 Capital City Port-au-Prince Languages French
(official), French Creole (official) Official
Currency Gourde Religions Catholic
(80%), others Latitude/Longitude
18 54N, 72 34W Land Area 27,400
sq km (10,569 sq miles)
President
of Haiti René Garcia Préval
The island of
Hispaniola is the second largest island in the Caribbean, at 29,273 sq miles,
(75,843 sq km). Haiti occupies about 1/3 of the island, while the Dominican
Republic controls the balance of land.
Details The island
of Hispaniola, the second largest island in the Caribbean, contains two separate
countries; the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Columbus claimed Hispaniola in
1492, and it later became the major launching base for the Spanish conquest of
the Caribbean, as well as the American mainland. Subsequently, disease and
slavery were introduced by the Spanish conquistadors, and the indigenous
peoples were destroyed.
The native Taino
Amerindians - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when it was discovered by
COLUMBUS in 1492 - were virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25
years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on
Hispaniola. In 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island,
which later became Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related
industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean but only through the
heavy importation of African slaves and considerable environmental degradation.
In the late 18th century, Haiti's nearly half million slaves revolted under
Toussaint L'OUVERTURE. After a prolonged struggle, Haiti became the first black
republic to declare independence in 1804. The poorest country in the Western
Hemisphere, Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its
history. After an armed rebellion led to the forced resignation and exile of
President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE in February 2004, an interim government took
office to organize new elections under the auspices of the United Nations
Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Continued violence and technical
delays prompted repeated postponements, but Haiti finally did inaugurate a
democratically elected president and parliament in May of 2006.
Geography ::Haiti Location:
Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean
Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N,
72 25 W
Map references: Central America
and the Caribbean
Area: total: 27,750 sq km country
comparison to the world: 147 land: 27,560 sq km water: 190 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly
smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries: total: 360 km
border countries: Dominican Republic 360 km
Freshwater withdrawal
(domestic/industrial/agricultural): total: 0.99 cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%) per capita:
116 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards: lies in the
middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October;
occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared
for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable
water
Environment - international
agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes
Geography - note: shares island
of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern
two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)
People ::Haiti Population:
9,035,536 country comparison to the world: 88 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, higher death
rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.1%
(male 1,735,917/female 1,704,383) 15-64 years: 58.5% (male 2,621,059/female
2,665,447) 65 years and over: 3.4% (male 120,040/female 188,690) (2009 est.)
Median age: total: 20.2 years
male: 19.8 years female: 20.7 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.838%
(2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Birth rate: 29.1 births/1,000
population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Death rate: 8.65 deaths/1,000
population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Net migration rate: -2.07
migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Urbanization: urban population:
47% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.5% annual rate of change
(2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years
and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total:
59.69 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 37 male: 66.18
deaths/1,000 live births female: 53.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total
population: 60.78 years country comparison to the world: 181 male: 59.13 years
female: 62.48 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.81
children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
2.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 28
HIV/AIDS - people living with
HIV/AIDS: 120,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 7,200 (2007
est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Major infectious diseases: degree
of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea,
hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and
malaria water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality: noun: Haitian(s)
adjective: Haitian
Ethnic groups: black 95%, mulatto
and white 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 80%,
Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%,
other 3% note: roughly half of the population practices voodoo
Languages: French (official),
Creole (official)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and
over can read and write total population: 52.9% male: 54.8% female: 51.2% (2003
est.)
Education expenditures: 1.4% of
GDP (1991) country comparison to the world: 175
Government ::Haiti Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Haiti conventional short form: Haiti local
long form: Republique d'Haiti/Repiblik d' Ayiti local short form: Haiti/Ayiti
Government type: republic
Capital: name: Port-au-Prince
geographic coordinates: 18 32 N, 72 20 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as
Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first
Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions: 10
departments (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand 'Anse,
Nippes, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est
Independence: 1 January 1804
(from France)
National holiday: Independence
Day, 1 January (1804)
Constitution: approved March 1987
note: suspended June 1988 with most articles reinstated March 1989;
constitutional government ousted in a military coup in September 1991, although
in October 1991 military government claimed to be observing the constitution;
returned to constitutional rule in October 1994; constitution, while technically
in force between 2004-2006, was not enforced; returned to constitutional rule in
May 2006
Legal system: based on Roman
civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age;
universal
Executive branch: chief of state:
President Rene PREVAL (since 14 May 2006) head of government: Prime Minister
Jean-Max BELLERIVE (since 7 November 2009) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime
minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by
popular vote for a five-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election
last held 7 February 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by
the president, ratified by the National Assembly election results: Rene PREVAL
elected president; percent of vote - Rene PREVAL 51%
Legislative branch: bicameral
National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consists of the Senate (30 seats;
members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every
two years) and the Chamber of Deputies (99 seats; members are elected by popular
vote to serve four-year terms); note - in reestablishing the Senate, the
candidate in each department receiving the most votes in the last election
serves six years, the candidate with the second most votes serves four years,
and the candidate with the third most votes serves two years elections: Senate -
last held 21 April 2006 with run-off elections on 3 December 2006 (next regular
election, for one third of seats, to be held in 2008); Chamber of Deputies -
last held 21 April 2006 with run-off elections on 3 December 2006 and 29 April
2007 (next regular election to be held in 2010) election results: Senate -
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - L'ESPWA 11, FUSION 5, OPL 4, FL
3, LAAA 2, UNCRH 2, PONT 2, ALYANS 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by
party - NA; seats by party - L'ESPWA 23, FUSION 17, FRN 12, OPL 10, ALYANS 10,
LAAA 5, MPH 3, MOCHRENA 3, other 10; results for six other seats contested on 3
December 2006 remain unknown
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or
Cour de Cassation
Political parties and leaders:
Artibonite in Action or LAAA [Youri LATORTUE]; Assembly of Progressive National
Democrats or RDNP [Leslie MANIGAT]; Convention for Democratic Unity or KID
[Evans PAUL]; Cooperative Action to Build Haiti or KONBA [Evans LESCOUFALIR];
Democratic Alliance or ALYANS [Evans PAUL] (coalition composed of KID and PPRH);
Effort and Solidarity to Create an Alternative for the People or ESKAMP [Joseph
JASME]; For Us All or PONT [Jean-Marie CHERESTAL]; Front for Hope or L'ESPWA
[Rene PREVAL] (alliance of ESKAMP, PLB, and grass-roots organizations Grand-Anse
Resistance Committee, the Central Plateau Peasants' Group, and Kombit Sudest);
Haitian Christian Democratic Party or PDCH [Osner FEVRY and Marie-Denise
CLAUDE]; Haitian Democratic and Reform Movement or MODEREH [Dany TOUSSAINT and
Pierre Soncon PRINCE]; Heads Together or Tet-Ansanm [Dr. Gerard BLOT];
Independent Movement for National Reconciliation or MIRN [Luc FLEURINORD];
Justice for Peace and National Development or JPDN [Rigaud DUPLAN]; Fanmi
Lavalas or FL [Rudy HERIVEAUX]; Liberal Party of Haiti or PLH [Gehy MICHEL];
Merging of Haitian Social Democratic Parties or FUSION or FPSDH [Serge GILLES]
(coalition of Ayiti Capable, Haitian National Revolutionary Party, and National
Congress of Democratic Movements); Mobilization for Haiti's Development or MPH [Samir
MOURRA]; Mobilization for National Development or MDN [Hubert de RONCERAY];
Movement for National Reconstruction or MRN [Jean Henold BUTEAU]; Movement for
the Installation of Democracy in Haiti or MIDH [Marc BAZIN]; National Christian
Union for the Reconstruction of Haiti or UNCRH [Marie Claude GERMAIN]; National
Front for the Reconstruction of Haiti or FRN [Guy PHILIPPE]; New Christian
Movement for a New Haiti or MOCHRENA [Luc MESADIEU]; Open the Gate Party or PLB
[Anes LUBIN]; Popular Party for the Renewal of Haiti or PPRH [Claude ROMAIN];
Struggling People's Organization or OPL [Edgard LEBLANC]; Union of Nationalist
and Progressive Haitians or UNITE [Edouard FRANCISQUE]
Political pressure groups and
leaders: Autonomous Organizations of Haitian Workers or CATH [Fignole ST-CYR];
Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH; Federation of Workers Trade Unions or
FOS; General Organization of Independent Haitian Workers [Patrick NUMAS]; Grand-Anse
Resistance Committee, or KOREGA; National Popular Assembly or APN; Papaye
Peasants Movement or MPP [Chavannes JEAN-BAPTISTE]; Popular Organizations
Gathering Power or PROP; Protestant Federation of Haiti; Roman Catholic Church
Diplomatic representation in the
US: chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond JOSEPH chancery: 2311 Massachusetts
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090 FAX: [1] (202)
745-7215 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, San Juan
(Puerto Rico) consulate(s): Orlando (Florida)
Diplomatic representation from
the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth H. MERTEN embassy: Tabarre 41,
Route de Tabarre, Port-au-Prince mailing address: use mailing address telephone:
[509] 229-8000 FAX: [509] 229-8028
Flag description: two equal
horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing
the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons
above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength);
the colors are taken from the French Tricolor and represent the union of blacks
and mulattoes
Economy ::Haiti Economy -
overview: Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 80% of the
population living under the poverty line and 54% in abject poverty. Two-thirds
of all Haitians depend on the agricultural sector, mainly small-scale
subsistence farming, and remain vulnerable to damage from frequent natural
disasters, exacerbated by the country's widespread deforestation. While the
economy has recovered in recent years, registering positive growth since 2005,
four tropical storms in 2008 severely damaged the transportation infrastructure
and agricultural sector. US economic engagement under the Haitian Hemispheric
Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act, passed in December
2006, has boosted apparel exports and investment by providing tariff-free access
to the US. HOPE II, passed in October 2008, has further improved the export
environment for the apparel sector by extending preferences to 2018; the apparel
sector accounts for two-thirds of Haitian exports and nearly one-tenth of GDP.
Remittances are the primary source of foreign exchange, equaling nearly a
quarter of GDP and more than twice the earnings from exports. Haiti suffers from
high inflation, a lack of investment because of insecurity and limited
infrastructure, and a severe trade deficit. In 2005, Haiti paid its arrears to
the World Bank, paving the way for reengagement with the Bank. Haiti is expected
to receive debt forgiveness for about $525 million of its debt through the
Highly-Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative by mid-2009. The government
relies on formal international economic assistance for fiscal sustainability.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$11.53 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 $11.38 billion
(2007 est.) $11 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$6.943 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 1.3%
(2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 3.4% (2007 est.) 2.3% (2006
est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,300
(2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 $1,300 (2007 est.) $1,300 (2006
est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 28% industry: 20% services: 52% (2004 est.)
Labor force: 3.643 million
country comparison to the world: 92 note: shortage of skilled labor, unskilled
labor abundant (2007)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 66% industry: 9% services: 25% (1995)
Unemployment rate: NA% note:
widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than two-thirds of the labor
force do not have formal jobs
Population below poverty line:
80% (2003 est.)
Household income or consumption
by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.7% highest 10%: 47.7% (2001)
Distribution of family income -
Gini index: 59.2 (2001) country comparison to the world: 8
Investment (gross fixed): 28.9%
of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Budget: revenues: $967.5 million
expenditures: $1.162 billion (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
15.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 8.5% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending
rate: 17.81% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 2 46.99% (31
December 2007)
Stock of money: $NA (31 December
2008) $704.7 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money: $NA (31
December 2008) $1.561 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit: $NA (31
December 2008) $1.537 billion (31 December 2007)
Imports: $2.107 billion (2008
est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $1.618 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities: food,
manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials
Imports - partners: US 34%,
Dominican Republic 23.1%, Netherlands Antilles 10.6%, China 4.5% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and
gold: $708 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
$555 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external: $1.817 billion
(31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $1.475 billion (31
December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates: gourdes (HTG) per
US dollar - 39.216 (2008 est.), 37.138 (2007), 40.232 (2006), 40.449 (2005),
38.352 (2004)
Communications ::Haiti Telephones
- main lines in use: 108,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 142
Telephones - mobile cellular: 3.2
million (2008) country comparison to the world: 105
Telephone system: general
assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is among the least developed in
Latin America and the Caribbean; domestic facilities barely adequate;
international facilities slightly better; mobile-cellular telephone services are
expanding rapidly due, in part, to the introduction of low-cost GSM phones in
2006 domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay trunk service
international: country code - 509; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 41,
FM 26, shortwave 0 (1999)
Television broadcast stations: 2
(plus a cable TV service) (1997)
Internet country code: .ht
Internet hosts: 9 (2009) country
comparison to the world: 222
Internet users: 1 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 90
Transportation ::Haiti Airports:
14 (2009) country comparison to the world: 151
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2009)
Roadways: total: 4,160 km country
comparison to the world: 155 paved: 1,011 km unpaved: 3,149 km (2000)
Ports and terminals: Cap-Haitien
Military ::Haiti Military
branches: no regular military forces - small Coast Guard; the regular Haitian
Armed Forces (FAdH) - Army, Navy, and Air Force - have been demobilized but
still exist on paper until or unless they are constitutionally abolished (2009)
Manpower available for military
service: males age 16-49: 2,047,083 females age 16-49: 2,047,953 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military
service: males age 16-49: 1,518,840 females age 16-49: 1,530,043 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures: 0.4% of
GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 167
Transnational Issues ::Haiti
Disputes - international: since 2004, about 8,000 peacekeepers from the UN
Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) maintain civil order in Haiti; despite
efforts to control illegal migration, Haitians cross into the Dominican Republic
and sail to neighboring countries; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island
Illicit drugs: Caribbean
transshipment point for cocaine en route to the US and Europe; substantial bulk
cash smuggling activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit
financial transactions; pervasive corruption; significant consumer of cannabis.
Flags
of Haiti 1697-1986
From
the 1987 Constitution,Article 3:
The
emblem of the Haitian Nation shall
be a flag with the following description:
A)
Two (2) equal-sized horizontal bands:
a blue one on top and a red one underneath;
B)
The coat of arms of the Republic shall be placed in the center on a white
square;
C)
The coat of arms of the Republic are: a Palmette surrounded by the liberty cap,
and under the palms a trophy with the legend: In Union there is Strength (L'Union
Fait la Force).
1697 Since
1697 and the Treaty of Ryswick by which Spain formally recognized French control
of the western third of the island, until February 1803, the French flag rules
over the French colony of Saint-Domingue. In 1793, Toussaint Louverture, black
leader, and precursor to Haiti's independence, aligns with the French
tri-colored flag. In 1801, Louverture is nominated governor of the entire
island, and with the Constitution of July 8, 1801 becomes governor for life. In
June 1802, Toussaint Louverture is captured by Napoléon Bonaparte and deported
to, and jailed in France where he dies.
1803 In
Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, chief of the black
rebels, and Alexandre Pétion, leader of the mulattos, decide in February 1803
to stop fighting alongside the French. During the Arcahaie Congress, Dessalines,
on May 18, 1803, removes the white band from the French flag - which was used
in Haiti during the French rule, and thereby creates the first Haitian flag,
symbol of the alliance of blacks and mulattos in their fight for freedom.
Dessalines, who orders that the phrase "Freedom or Death" be inscribed on
the flag, is soon nominated General of the Insurrection. A relative of his,
Catherine Flon, is entrusted with the task of sewing back together the blue
(hoist side) and red bands of fabric to form the new Haitian flag.
1804 On
November 18, 1803, French troops capitulate in Vertières; Haiti is independent.
On January 1, 1804 the generals of the revolution decide to change the flag so
that the bands are now horizontal. This is the first flag of the free and
independent republic. This new bi-colored flag is confirmed by article 192 of
the Constitution of 1843.
1805 On
October 8, 1804, Dessalines proclaims himself Emperor and takes the name
Jacques I. On May 20, 1805 he adopts a new flag of two vertical bands; one
black, for Death, and one red, for Freedom.
1806 After
the assassination of Dessalines at Pont Rouge on October 17, 1806, the country
is divided in two for 14 years; the north ruled by Henri Christophe and the
south and west ruled by Alexandre Pétion. Pétion immediately reverts to the
blue and red flag of 1804, to which he adds the inscription "L'union fait la
force (strength in unity). At the center, the coat of arms of the Republic,
adorned with the Phrygian hat (liberty cap), is placed on a white square
background. This flag will be hoisted at the National Palace for 158 years,
until 1964.
1811 On
December 27, 1806 General Henri Christophe becomes president and is recognized
in the North, North West, and in 1807, Artibonite Departments. On March 28,
1811, he proclaims himself king and takes the name Henri I (1811-1820).
The self-made monarch keeps the colors of the imperial flag of the Kingdom of
the North (1805), but changes it slightly; red in the hoist and black in the fly
with, at the center, a shield with a phoenix under gold five-pointed stars, all
on a blue background; the shield bears a crown and the Latin inscription 'Ex
Cineribus Nascitur' (« From the ashes we will arise »). In 1818,
Henri and his kingdom are vanquished by Alexandre Pétion's conquest of the
North. Pétion, who had been proclaimed president on March 19, 1807, imposes the
horizontal blue and red flag to the North. On October 8, 1920 he is succeeded by
Jean-Pierre Boyer who maintains the same flag.
1822 In
February 1822, Jean-Pierre Boyer annexes the Spanish part of the island (present
day Dominican Republic), which a few months earlier, on November 30, 1821, had
proclaimed its independence from Spain under the name of "Republica del
Haiti Espanol" (Spanish Republic of Haiti), as well as declared its
alliance with Colombia. The flag of the Spanish Republic of Haiti is raised in
the early weeks of 1822, but the new Republic will soon be dissolved by Boyer.
1849 An
attempt to reinstate the black and red flag fails in 1844. In 1847, Faustin
Soulouque is elected president, but proclaims himself Emperor under the name
Faustin I (1849-1859). The 1849 Constitution keeps the blue and red flag but
replaces the coat
of arms by the shield. The Empire of Faustin I ends on January 15, 1859
and the coat
of arms of the Republic regains its original position at the center of
the flag.
1964 In
1957, François Duvalier, Papa Doc, is elected president, and in 1960 seizes all
powers. In 1963, he establishes a single party system and a new Constitution is
adopted on May 25, 1964. The new Constitution returns to the black and red flag,
although this time the coat of arms of the Republic remains. This flag becomes
official on June 21, 1964. On April 21, 1971 Duvalier dies and is replaced by
his son Jean-Claude, who is proclaimed president for life. Following a popular
uprising, Jean-Claude is removed from office in February 1986.
1986 On
February 17, 1986, 10 days after the departure of Jean-Claude Duvalier, the
Haitian nation reverts to the blue and red flag, which is ratified a year later
by the official adoption of the March 29, 1987 Constitution.
Key Dates in Haiti's
History
1492
Christopher
Columbus lands and claims the island of Hispaniola for Spain. The
Spanish
build the New World's first settlement at La Navidad on Haiti's north
coast.
1697
Spanish
control over the colony ends with the Treaty of Ryswick, which divided the
island
into French-controlled St. Domingue and Spanish Santo Domingo.
For
over 100 years the colony of St. Domingue (known as the Pearl of the Antilles)
was
France's most important overseas territory, which supplied it with sugar, rum,
coffee,
cotton, indigo, exotic wood and lumber. At the height of slavery, near the end
of
the 18th century, some 500,000 people, mainly of western African origin, were
enslaved
by the French.
1791-1803
A
slave rebellion is launched by the Jamaican-born Boukman leading to a protracted
13-year
war of liberation against St. Domingue's colonists and later, Napoleon's
army
which was also assisted by Spanish and British forces. The slave armies were
commanded
by General Toussaint Louverture who was eventually betrayed by the
French
and subsequently exiled to France where he died.
1803
The
Haitian blue and red flag is devised at Arcahie, by taking the French tricolor,
turning
it in its side and removing the white band. The Battle of Vertières in
November
marks the ultimate victory of the former slaves over the French.
1804
The
hemispere's second Republic is declared on January 1, 1804 by General Jean-
Jacques
Dessalines. Haiti, or Ayiti in Creole, is the name given to the land by
the
former
Taino-Arawak people, meaning "mountainous country."
1806
Emperor
Jean-Jacques Dessalines is assassinated.
1807-1820
Civil
war racks the country, which divides into the northern kingdom of Henri
Christophe
and the southern republic governed by Alexandre Pétion. Faced with a
rebellion
by his own army, Christophe commits suicide, paving the way for Jean-
Pierre
Boyer to reunify the country and become President of the entire republic in
1820.
1821
President
Boyer invades Santo Domingo following its declaration of independence
from
Spain. The entire island is now controlled by Haiti until 1844.
1838
France
recognizes Haitian independence in exchange for a financial indemnity of 150
million
francs. Most nations including the United States shunned Haiti for almost
forty
years, fearful that its example could stir unrest there and in other
slaveholding
countries.
Over the next few decades Haiti is forced to take out loans of 70 million
francs
to repay the indemnity
and gain international recognition.
1862
The
United States finally grants Haiti diplomatic recognition sending noted
abolitionist
Frederick Douglass as its Consular Minister.
1915
President
Woodrow Wilson orders the U.S. Marines to occupy Haiti and establish
control
over customs-houses and port authorities. The Haitian National Guard is
created
by the occupying Americans. The Marines force peasants into corvée labor
building
roads. Peasant resistance to the occupiers grows under the leadership of
Charlemagne
Péralte, who is betrayed and assassinated by Marines in 1919.
1934
The
U.S. withdraws from Haiti leaving the Haitian Armed Forces in place throughout
the
country.
1937
Thousands
of Haitians living near the border of the Dominican Republic are
massacred
by Dominican soldiers under the orders of President General Trujillo.
1957
After
several attempts to move forward democratically ultimately fail,
militarycontrolled
elections
lead to victory for Dr. François Duvalier, who in 1964 declares
himself
President-for-Life and forms the infamous paramilitary Tonton Makout. The
corrupt
Duvalier dictatorship marks one of the saddest chapters in Haitian history
with
tens of thousands killed or exiled.
1971
"Papa-Doc"
Duvalier dies in office after naming his 19 year-old son Jean-Claude as
his
successor.
1972
The
first Haitian "boat people" fleeing the country land in Florida.
1976
Widespread
protests against repression of the nation's press take place.
1970s-1980s
"Baby-Doc"
Duvalier exploits international assistance and seeks to attract investment
leading
to the establishment of textile-based assembly industries. Attempts by
workers
and political parties to organize are quickly and regularly crushed.
1980
Hundreds
of human rights workers, journalists and lawyers are arrested and exiled
from
the country.
1981
International
aid agencies declare Haitian pigs to be carriers of African Swine Fever
and
institute a program for their slaughter. Attempts to replace indigenous swine
with
imported breeds largely fail.
1983
Pope
John Paul II visits Haiti and declares publicly that, "Things must change
here."
1984
Over
200 peasants are massacred at Jean-Rabel after demonstrating for access to
land.
The Haitian Bishops Conference launches a nation-wide (but short-lived)
literacy
program. Anti-government riots take place in all major towns.
1985
Massive
anti-Government demonstrations continue to take place around the country.
Four
schoolchildren are shot dead by soldiers, an event which unifies popular protest
against
the régime.
1986
Widespread
protests against "Baby Doc" lead the U.S. to arrange for Duvalier and
his
family
to be exiled to France. Army leader General Henri Namphy heads a new
National
Governing Council.
1987
A
new Constitution is overwhelmingly approved by the population in March. General
elections
in November are aborted hours after they begin with dozens of people shot
by
soldiers and the Tonton Makout in the capital and scores more around the
country.
1988
Military
controlled elections - widely abstained from - result in the installation of
Leslie
Manigat as President in January. Manigat is ousted by General Namphy four
months
later and in November General Prosper Avril unseats Namphy.
1989
President
Avril, on a trade mission to Taiwan, returns empty-handed after
grassroots-based
democratic sectors inform Taiwanese authorities that the Haitian
nation
will not be responsible for any contracts agreed to by Avril. Avril orders
massive
repression against political parties, unions, students and democratic
organizations.
1990
Avril
declares a state of siege in January. Rising protests and urging from the
American
Ambassador convince Avril to resign. A Council of State forms out of
negotiations
among democratic sectors, charged with running a Provisional
Government
led by Supreme Court Justice Ertha Pascal-Trouillot.
U.S.
Vice-President Dan Quayle visits Haiti and tells Army leaders, "No more
coups."
Assistance
is sought from the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United
Nations
(UN) to help organize general elections in December.
In
a campaign marred by occasional violence and death, democratic elections finally
take
place on December 16, 1990. Father Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a parish priest,
well
known throughout the country for his support of the poor, is elected President
with
67.5% of the popular vote. The "U.S. favorite" Marc Bazin finishes a
distant
second
with 14.2%
1991
Duvalierist
holdover and Tonton Makout Dr. Roger Lafontant attempts a coup d'état
to
prevent Father Aristide's ascension to power. The Armed Forces quickly remove
him
from the National Palace following massive popular protest.
President
Aristide is inaugurated on February 7th, five years after Duvalier's fall from
power.
A Government is formed by Prime Minister René Préval promising to uproot
the
corruption of the past. Over $500 million is promised in aid by the
international
community.
In
September President Aristide addresses the UN General Assembly. Three days
after
his return military personnel with financial backing from neo-Duvalierist
sectors
and
their international allies unleash a coup d'état, ousting President Aristide.
Over
1,000
people are killed in the first days of the coup.
The
OAS calls for a hemisphere-wide embargo against the coup régime in support of
the
deposed constitutional authorities.
1992
Negotiations
between the Washington, D.C. based exiled Government, Haiti's
Parliament
and representatives of the coup régime headed by General Raoul Cédras
lead
to the Washington Protocol, which is ultimately scuttled by the coup régime.
U.S.
President George Bush exempts U.S. factories from the embargo and orders
U.S.
Coast Guard to interdict all Haitians leaving the island in boats and to return
them
to Haiti.
The
OAS embargo fails as goods continue to be smuggled through neighboring
Dominican
Republic. Haiti's legitimate authorities ask the United Nations to support a
larger
embargo in order to press the coup leaders to step down. The UN pledges to
support
efforts by the OAS to find a solution to the political crisis.
1993
President
Aristide asks the Secretaries-General of the OAS and the UN for the
deployment
by the United Nations and OAS of an international civilian mission to
monitor
respect for human rights and the elimination of all forms of violence.
In
June Haiti requests an oil and arms embargo from the UN Security Council in
order
to pressure the coup régime to give up power.
In
July, President Aristide and General Raoul Cédras sign the Governors Island
Accord,
which inter alia called for the early retirement of Gen. Cédras, the
formation
and
training of a new civilian police force, and the return of the President on
October
30,
1993. Representatives of political parties and Parliament sign the New York Pact
pledging
support for President Aristide's return and the rebuilding of the nation.
A
contingent of U.S. and Canadian trainers aboard the U.S.S. Harlan County arrives
in
Haitian waters in October and is recalled because of right-wing demonstrations,
setting
back the Governors Island agreement. General Cédras refuses to step down
as
promised.
President
Aristide's Justice Minister Guy Malary, responsible for the formation of a
civilian
police force is shot dead in Port-au-Prince weeks after local businessman and
Aristide
supporter Antoine Izmery is executed outside of a local church.
The
UN calls for "strict implementation" of the embargo against the de
facto
authorities.
The Civilian Mission's human rights observers are allowed to return in
small
numbers.
1994
In
May additional sanctions were levied against the régime through a naval
blockade
supported
by Argentine, Canadian, French, Dutch and U.S. warships.
Tensions
increase as human rights violations continue. The Civilian Mission is told by
the
de facto authorities to leave the country.
The
UN Security Council passes Resolution 940 authorizing the Member States to
form
a 6,000 multinational force and "to use all necessary means" to
facilitate the
departure
of the military régime.
On
September 15th, U.S. President Clinton declares that all diplomatic initiatives
were
exhausted and that the US with 20 other countries would form a multinational
force.
On September 19th these troops land in Haiti after the coup leaders agree to
step
down and leave the country.
On
October 15th, President Aristide and his Government-in-exile return to Haiti.
1995
In
June Haiti hosts the annual OAS General Assembly at Montrouis.
Legislative
elections take place that month and in December the presidential contest
is
won by former Prime Minister René Préval. (President Aristide is precluded by
the
Constitution
from succeeding himself).
In
November Prime Minister Smarck Michel steps down and Foreign Minister
Claudette
Werleigh becomes President Aristide's fourth Prime Minister.
1996
President
Préval is inaugurated in February. A Government is formed under Prime
Minister
Rosny Smarth. Agricultural production, administrative reform, and economic
modernization
are announced as the Goverment's priorities.
2000
Municipal
and legislative elections end in disarray because of a flawed vote count,
alleged
irregularities and fraud charges. The controversy triggers a boycott of the
presidential
elections later that year, won by Aristide.
2004
The
crisis sparked by the allegedly fraudulent election deepens amid a failure of
international
mediation efforts, a floundering economy and growing political violence.
A
few weeks after the nation celebrates its 200th anniversary in January, a rebel
movement
seizes control of a number of towns in an uprising that leads to the
resignation
of Aristide on Feb. 29, 2004 and his exile to the Central African Republic.
Boniface
Alexandre, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, assumed interim authority
as
acting President until the February 2006 elections.
2006
René
Préval, former President of the Republic of Haiti between 1995 and 2000, wins
the
2006 presidential elections.
2008
On
April 12, the Government of Prime Minister, Jacques Edouard Alexis, received a
vote
of no confidence from Parliament and resigned. The resignation follows
increased
popular discontent over the government's economic policy and riots again
the
rising price of food commodities.
On
July 18, Michèle Pierre-Louis' nomination as Prime Minister was accepted by
Parliament.
She is the second female Prime Minister is Haiti's history.
List
of Haitian Heads of State
President:
Year(s)
in Office:
Notes
about term:
Jean
Jacques Dessalines, Governor
1804
-
Jean
Jacques Dessalines, Emperor
1804-1806
assassinated
Henri
Christophe, President
1807
- 1811
-
Henri
Christophe, King
1811-1820
suicide
Alexander
Petion
1807
- 1818
died
in office
Jean
Pierre Boyer
1818
- 1843
overthrown
Riviere
Riviere-Herard
1843
- 1844
overthrown
Philippe
Guerrier
1844
- 1845
died
in office
Jean
Louis Pierrot
1845
- 1846
overthrown
Jean
Baptiste Riche
1847
- 1847
died
in office
Faustin
Soulouque, President
1847
- 1849
-
Faustin
Soulouque, Emperor
1849-1859
overthrown
Fabre
Nicholas Geffrard
1859
- 1867
overthrown
Sylvain
Salnave
1867
- 1869
executed
Nissage
Saget
1870
- 1874
full
term
Michel
Domingue
1874
- 1876
overthrown
Boisrond
Canal
1876
- 1879
overthrown
Lysius
Felicite Salomon
1879
- 1888
overthrown
Francois
Legitime
1888
- 1889
overthrown
Florvil
Hyppolite
1889
- 1896
died
in office
Tiresias
Simon Sam
1896
- 1902
full
term
Nord
Alexis
1902
- 1908
overthrown
Antoine
Simon
1908
- 1911
overthrown
Cincinnatus
Leconte
1911
- 1912
died
in office
Tancrede
Auguste
1912
- 1913
died
in office
Michel
Oreste
1913
- 1914
overthrown
Oreste
Zamor
1914
overthrown
Davilmar
Theodore
1914
- 1915
overthrown
Vilbrun
Sam
1915
assassinated
Sudre
Dartiguevave
1915
- 1922
full
term (1st US Occupation)
Louis
Borno
1922
- 1930
full
term (1st US Occupation
Eugene
Roy*
1930
(1st
US occupation)
Sternio
Vincent
1930
- 1941
full
term (occupation until 1934)
Élie
Lescot
1941
- 1946
overthrown
Franck
Lavaud
1946
-
Dumarsais
Estimé
1946
- 1950
overthrown
Paul
Eugène Magloire
1950
- 1956
overthrown
Joseph
Nemours Pierre-Louis*
1956
- 1957
-
Franck
Sylvain*
1957
-
Executive
Government Council
1957
-
Antonio
Thrasybule Kebreau (Chairman of the Military Council)
Official
Name Republic of Haiti
Since
1697 and the Treaty of Ryswick by which Spain formally recognized French control
of the western third of the island, until February 1803, the French flag rules
over the French colony of Saint-Domingue. In 1793, Toussaint Louverture, black
leader, and precursor to Haiti's independence, aligns with the French
tri-colored flag. In 1801, Louverture is nominated governor of the entire
island, and with the Constitution of July 8, 1801 becomes governor for life. In
June 1802, Toussaint Louverture is captured by Napoléon Bonaparte and deported
to, and jailed in France where he dies.
In
Petite Rivière de l'Artibonite, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, chief of the black
rebels, and Alexandre Pétion, leader of the mulattos, decide in February 1803
to stop fighting alongside the French. During the Arcahaie Congress, Dessalines,
on May 18, 1803, removes the white band from the French flag - which was used
in Haiti during the French rule, and thereby creates the first Haitian flag,
symbol of the alliance of blacks and mulattos in their fight for freedom.
Dessalines, who orders that the phrase "Freedom or Death" be inscribed on
the flag, is soon nominated General of the Insurrection. A relative of his,
Catherine Flon, is entrusted with the task of sewing back together the blue
(hoist side) and red bands of fabric to form the new Haitian flag.
On
November 18, 1803, French troops capitulate in Vertières; Haiti is independent.
On January 1, 1804 the generals of the revolution decide to change the flag so
that the bands are now horizontal. This is the first flag of the free and
independent republic. This new bi-colored flag is confirmed by article 192 of
the Constitution of 1843.
On
October 8, 1804, Dessalines proclaims himself Emperor and takes the name
Jacques I. On May 20, 1805 he adopts a new flag of two vertical bands; one
black, for Death, and one red, for Freedom. 
After
the assassination of Dessalines at Pont Rouge on October 17, 1806, the country
is divided in two for 14 years; the north ruled by Henri Christophe and the
south and west ruled by Alexandre Pétion. Pétion immediately reverts to the
blue and red flag of 1804, to which he adds the inscription "L'union fait la
force (strength in unity). At the center, the coat of arms of the Republic,
adorned with the Phrygian hat (liberty cap), is placed on a white square
background. This flag will be hoisted at the National Palace for 158 years,
until 1964.
On
December 27, 1806 General Henri Christophe becomes president and is recognized
in the North, North West, and in 1807, Artibonite Departments. On March 28,
1811, he proclaims himself king and takes the name Henri I (1811-1820).
The self-made monarch keeps the colors of the imperial flag of the Kingdom of
the North (1805), but changes it slightly; red in the hoist and black in the fly
with, at the center, a shield with a phoenix under gold five-pointed stars, all
on a blue background; the shield bears a crown and the Latin inscription 'Ex
Cineribus Nascitur' (« From the ashes we will arise »). In 1818,
Henri and his kingdom are vanquished by Alexandre Pétion's conquest of the
North. Pétion, who had been proclaimed president on March 19, 1807, imposes the
horizontal blue and red flag to the North. On October 8, 1920 he is succeeded by
Jean-Pierre Boyer who maintains the same flag.
In
February 1822, Jean-Pierre Boyer annexes the Spanish part of the island (present
day Dominican Republic), which a few months earlier, on November 30, 1821, had
proclaimed its independence from Spain under the name of "Republica del
Haiti Espanol" (Spanish Republic of Haiti), as well as declared its
alliance with Colombia. The flag of the Spanish Republic of Haiti is raised in
the early weeks of 1822, but the new Republic will soon be dissolved by Boyer.
An
attempt to reinstate the black and red flag fails in 1844. In 1847, Faustin
Soulouque is elected president, but proclaims himself Emperor under the name
Faustin I (1849-1859). The 1849 Constitution keeps the blue and red flag but
replaces the 
In
1957, François Duvalier, Papa Doc, is elected president, and in 1960 seizes all
powers. In 1963, he establishes a single party system and a new Constitution is
adopted on May 25, 1964. The new Constitution returns to the black and red flag,
although this time the coat of arms of the Republic remains. This flag becomes
official on June 21, 1964. On April 21, 1971 Duvalier dies and is replaced by
his son Jean-Claude, who is proclaimed president for life. Following a popular
uprising, Jean-Claude is removed from office in February 1986.