Haiti

 

Quick Facts

• Continental region – North America
• Currency symbol of Haiti-Haitian gourde, G
• Capital City –Port-au-Prince
• Official languages – Haitian Creole, French
• Population – 11.12 million (2018)
• Country dialling code  –  (+509 )
• Official website – Haiti
• Top 3 biggest industries  –Agriculture, Tourism, Mining
• Google Maps link –Haiti
• Where is it? –Haiti is a Caribbean country that shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic to its east. Though it’s still recovering from a 2010 earthquake, many of Haiti’s landmarks dating to the early 19th century remain intact.

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HAITI In Pictures

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Haiti History

• How did the country get its first name? –The name Haiti (or Hayti) comes from the indigenous Taíno language which was the native name given to the entire island of Hispaniola to mean, “land of high mountains.”
• How did the country get its current name? –The name Haiti (or Hayti) comes from the indigenous Taíno language which was the native name given to the entire island of Hispaniola to mean, “land of high mountains.” The h is silent in French and the ï in Haïti has a diacritical mark used to show that the second vowel is pronounced separately, as in the word naïve.
• When and by whom the country was first discovered? -Native Americans from Central or South America have inhabited the island of Hispaniola since 5000 BC, with farming villages traced to around 300 BCE. The Arawak and others followed later. Christopher Columbus was the first European to land on the island 6 December 1492. 
• Who were the first Inhabitants? – The original inhabitants of the island of Hispaniola (now Haiti/Dominican Republic) were the indigenous Taíno, an Arawak-speaking people who began arriving by canoe from Belize and the Yucatan peninsula between 6000 and 4000 BC.
• When it was first recognized as a country? –The United States recognized Hayti (Haiti) on July 12, 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln commissioned Benjamin F. Whidden  to act as a U.S. diplomatic representative to Hayti under the title “commissioner and consul-general.”
• Who was the first leader of the country? –Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Emperor of Hayti (Haitian Creole: Jan-Jak Desalin; French pronunciation: ​[ʒɑ̃ ʒakdɛsalin]; 20 September 1758 – 17 October 1806) was a leader of the Haitian Revolution and the first ruler of an independent Haiti under the 1805 constitution.

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Five Significant Events 

1. 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. (http://www.travelinghaiti.com/timeline-of-historical-events/)
2. 1804: The hemisphere’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 peoples, meaning “mountainous country.” (http://www.travelinghaiti.com/timeline-of-historical-events/)
3. 1862: The United States finally grants Haiti diplomatic recognition sending Frederick Douglass as its Consular Minister. (http://www.travelinghaiti.com/timeline-of-historical-events/)
4. 1934: The U.S. withdraws from Haiti leaving the Haitian Armed Forces in place throughout the country. (http://www.travelinghaiti.com/timeline-of-historical-events/)
5. 1983: Pope John Paul II visits Haiti and declares publicly that, “Things must change here.” (http://www.travelinghaiti.com/timeline-of-historical-events/)

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Five Places to Visit in HAITI

1. Bassin Bleu: Bassin Bleu is a blissfully secluded waterfall on the hills of Jacmel, Haiti. Travelers can follow a trail to the basin and spend a day jumping from the waterfalls, swimming in the turquoise water and enjoying the cool cover of the lush vegetation. The privacy of the spot makes it feel like paradise. (https://theculturetrip.com/caribbean/haiti/articles/the-top-10-most-beautiful-places-in-haiti/)
2. Labadee: Labadee is a private port, and a secluded piece of paradise. Owned by the Royal Caribbean International cruise company, the white sandy beaches and crystal water here make it one of the most enchanting destinations on the island. Besides relaxing on the beach by the blue sea, visitors can shop from a selection of Haitian vendors, participate in watersports or try their hand at a zipline. (https://theculturetrip.com/caribbean/haiti/articles/the-top-10-most-beautiful-places-in-haiti/)
3. Kokoye Beach: Kokoye beach is the idyllic Caribbean haven replicated in holiday brochures worldwide, with fine white sand, turquoise waters and tall, luscious palm trees swaying lazily in the warm breeze. The beach is a top spot for snorkelling, and is a good choice for those wanting to avoid a tumult of tourists; access is only possible via boat or by hiking. (https://theculturetrip.com/caribbean/haiti/articles/the-top-10-most-beautiful-places-in-haiti/)
4. Gelee Beach: Gelee Beach is the longest and most romantic stretch of sand in Haiti, with fishing boats bobbing on the horizon and the sweet smell of coconuts in the air. A number of excellent seafood restaurants offer daily deals nearby, and during August the place is packed with enthusiastic dancers and musicians for the Fete Notre Dame festival. A few meters beyond Gelee lie open pasturelands, so don’t be surprised to see a roaming cow or two. (https://theculturetrip.com/caribbean/haiti/articles/the-top-10-most-beautiful-places-in-haiti/)
5. Saut-Mathurine: The largest waterfall in the area, Saut-Mathurine is an alluring cascade in the southwest region of Haiti. The Rivière de Cavaillon provides the source for the waterfall’s stream, and its aqua waters are easily accessible for paddling and swimming. The drive to Saut-Mathurine offers beautiful views of the country and the lush greenery on all sides. (https://theculturetrip.com/caribbean/haiti/articles/the-top-10-most-beautiful-places-in-haiti/)

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References:

• http://www.travelinghaiti.com/timeline-of-historical-events/
• https://theculturetrip.com/caribbean/haiti/articles/the-top-10-most-beautiful-places-in-haiti/
• https://www.britannica.com/place/Haiti