HAITI

Geography

Area 27,400 sq. km. Western third of the island of Hispaniola, shared with the Dominican Republic.

Population

One of the most densely populated countries in the Americas. Many Haitians have fled or emigrated to the USA.

2000        8,222,025

2010        9,669,191 (est)

2025      11,988,232 (est) 

Peoples

Afro-Caribbean 90%. Mulatto (Eurafrican) 9.9%. Euro-American 0.1%. Literacy 48% but functional literacy may be as low as 20%. Official language is French but only 10% speak it. The common language is Haitian Creole.

Economy

The poorest state in the Western Hemisphere, aggravated by over-population, soil erosion, pollution, drought and famine. The imposition of sanctions by the Organization of American States, including the USA, severely crippled the already struggling economy with particularly disastrous effects on the poor. The lack of a viable government since 1994 has worsened the situation. The major sources of income are remittances from expatriate Haitians and foreign aid. Unemployment 50-70%. 75% live in abject poverty. Income/person $310 (1.2% of USA).

Politics

A slave revolt against the French in 1804 created the first black republic in the world. Since then, there has been a troubled history of bloodshed and dictatorships. The deposing of the Duvaliers in 1986 ended a particularly brutal dictatorship. A succession of coups and military governments aborted all attempts at introducing democracy. The coup in 1991, in response to increasing anarchy, led to the US intervention in 1994 to reintroduce democratic government, but the whole democratic process has been discredited by multiple delays in calling elections, and a rigged election when it finally took place in 2000.

Religion

The Roman Catholic Church's role as the State Church ended in 1987. An estimated 75% of Catholics are also actively involved in Voodoo, a development of West African spiritism and witchcraft. There is freedom of religion. Evangelical Christians have increasingly and openly stood against voodooism and the Satanic dedication of the country in 1791 by slaves plotting revolt against the French. (Satan was seen to be opposed to the Christian religion of their French oppressors). In 1997, Vision Haiti, with a widely supported prayer and fasting movement, has been seen by many as a turning point in the ending of this curse.

Demographic information from "Operation World".