Haiti

Haiti

Introduction

Background

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. A massive magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti in January 2010 with an epicenter about 15 km southwest of the capital, Port-au-Prince. An estimated 2 million people lived within the zone of heavy to moderate structural damage. The earthquake was assessed as the worst in this region over the last 200 years and massive international assistance will be required to help the country recover.

Geography

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: 148 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

Coastline

1,771 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:to depth of exploitation

Climate

tropical

semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds

Terrain

mostly rough and mountainous

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point:Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m

Natural resources

bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower

Land use

arable land: 28.11%
permanent crops:11.53%
other:60.36% (2005)

Irrigated land

920 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

14 cu km (2000)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.99cu km/yr (5%/1%/94%)
per capita:116cu 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 and Society

Nationality

noun: Haitian(s)
adjective:Haitian

Ethnic groups

black 95%, mulatto and white 5%

Languages

French (official), Creole (official)

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

Population

9,719,932 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87 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

Age structure

0-14 years: 35.9% (male 1,748,677/female 1,742,199)
15-64 years:60.1% (male 2,898,251/female 2,947,272)
65 years and over:3.9% (male 170,584/female 212,949) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 21.4 years
male:21.1 years
female:21.6 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.787%
country comparison to the world: 136 note:the preliminary 2011 numbers differ significantly from those of 2010, which were strongly influenced by the demographic effect of the January 2010 earthquake

the latest figures more closely correspond to those of 2009 (2011 est.)

Birth rate

24.4 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66

Death rate

8.21 deaths/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 94 note:the preliminary 2011 numbers differ significantly from those of 2010, which were strongly influenced by the demographic effect of the January 2010 earthquake

the latest figures more closely correspond to those of 2009 (July 2011 est.)

Net migration rate

-8.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205

Urbanization

urban population: 52% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:3.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

PORT-AU-PRINCE (capital) 2.143 million (2010)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.011 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.62 male(s)/female
total population:0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

300 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 44

Infant mortality rate

total: 54.02 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 42 male:58.16 deaths/1,000 live births
female:49.83 deaths/1,000 live births
note:the preliminary 2011 numbers differ significantly from those of 2010, which were strongly influenced by the demographic effect of the January 2010 earthquake

the latest figures more closely correspond to those of 2009 (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 62.17 years
country comparison to the world: 181 male:60.84 years
female:63.53 years
note:the preliminary 2011 numbers differ significantly from those of 2010, which were strongly influenced by the demographic effect of the January 2010 earthquake

the latest figures more closely correspond to those of 2009 (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.07 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62

Health expenditures

6% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 105

Physicians density

0.25 physicians/1,000 population (1998)
country comparison to the world: 146

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2007)
country comparison to the world: 131

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 71% of population
rural: 55% of population
total: 63% of population
unimproved:
urban: 29% of population
rural: 45% of population
total: 37% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 24% of population
rural: 10% of population
total: 17% of population
unimproved:
urban: 76% of population
rural: 90% of population
total: 83% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

1.9% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

120,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37

HIV/AIDS – deaths

7,100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29

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)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

18.9% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 39

Education expenditures

NA

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:52.9%
male:54.8%
female:51.2% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

NA

Government

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:no DST planned for 2011

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

civil law system strongly influenced by Napoleonic Code

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

non-party state to the ICCt

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Michel MARTELLY (since 14 May 2011)
head of government:Prime Minister Garry CONILLE (since 18 October 2011)
cabinet:Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (may not serve consecutive terms)

election last held on 28 November 2010

runoff scheduled for 16 January 2011 (next to be held in 2015)

prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by the National Assembly
election results:Michel MARTELLY wins the runoff election held on 20 March 2011 with 67.6% of the vote against 31.7% for Mirlande MANIGAT

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 elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

note – in reestablishing the Senate in 2006, 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 on 28 November 2010 with run-off elections scheduled for 16 January 2011 (next regular election, for one third of seats, to be held in 2012)

Chamber of Deputies – last held on 28 November 2010 with run-off elections schedule for 16 January 2011 (next regular election to be held in 2014)
election results:2010 election results are not final

2006 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

2006 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

Assembly of Progressive National Democrats or RDNP [Mirlande MANIGAT]

Christian and Citizen For Haiti’s Reconstruction or ACCRHA [Chavannes JEUNE]

Convention for Democratic Unity or KID [Evans PAUL]

Cooperative Action to Rebuild Haiti or KONBA [Jean William JEANTY]

December 16 Platform or Platfom 16 Desanm [Dr. Gerard BLOT]

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]

Fanmi Lavalas or FL [Maryse NARCISSE]

For Us All or PONT [Jean-Marie CHERESTAL]

Grouping of Citizens for Hope or RESPE [Charles-Henri BAKER]

Haiti in Action or AAA [Youri LATORTUE]

Haitian Youth Democratic Movement or MODEJHA [Jean Hector ANACACIS]

Haitians for Haiti [Yvon NEPTUNE]

Independent Movement for National Reconstruction or MIRN [Luc FLEURINORD]

Lavni Organization or LAVNI [Yves CRISTALIN]

Liberal Party of Haiti or PLH [Jean Andre VICTOR]

Love Haiti or Renmen Ayiti [Jean-Henry CEANT and Camille LEBLANC]

Merging of Haitian Social Democratics or FUSION [Victor BENOIT] (coalition of Ayiti Capable, Haitian National Revolutionary Party, and National Congress of Democratic Movements)

Mobilization for National Development or MDN [Hubert de RONCERAY]

Mobilization for Progress in Haiti or MPH [Samir MOURRA]

National Coalition of Nonaligned Political Parties or CONACED [Osner FEVRY]

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]

Peasant’s Response or Repons Peyizan [Michel MARTELLY]

Platform Alternative for Progress and Democracy or ALTENATIV [Victor BENOIT and Evans PAUL]

Platform of Haitian Patriots or PLAPH [Dejean BELISAIRE and Himler REBU]

Popular Party for the Renewal of Haiti or PPRH [Claude ROMAIN]

Strength in Unity or Ansanm Nou Fo [Leslie VOLTAIRE]

Struggling People’s Organization or OPL [Harry MARSAN]

Union [Chavannes JEUNE]

Union of Haitian Citizens for Democracy, Development, and Education or UCADDE [Jeantel JOSEPH]

Union of Nationalist and Progressive Haitians or UNPH [Edouard FRANCISQUE]

Unity or Inite [Rene PREVAL] (coalition that includes Front for Hope or L’ESPWA)

Vigilance or Veye Yo [Lavarice GAUDIN]

Youth for People’s Power or JPP [Rene CIVIL]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Autonomous Organizations of Haitian Workers or CATH [Fignole ST-CYR]

Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH

Economic Forum of the Private Sector or EF [Reginald BOULOS]

Federation of Workers Trade Unions or FOS

General Organization of Independent Haitian Workers [Patrick NUMAS]

Grand-Anse Resistance Committee, or KOREGA

The Haitian Association of Industries or ADIH [Georges SASSINE]

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

International organization participation

ACP, AOSIS, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, PetroCaribe, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Louis Harold 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

National symbol(s)

Hispaniolan trogon (bird)

National anthem

name: “La Dessalinienne” (The Dessalines Song)
lyrics/music:Justin LHERISSON/Nicolas GEFFRARD
note:adopted 1904

the anthem is named for Jean-Jacques DESSALINES, a leader in the Haitian Revolution and first ruler of an independent Haiti

Economy

Economy – overview

Haiti is a free market economy that enjoys the advantages of low labor costs and tariff-free access to the US for many of its exports. Poverty, corruption, and poor access to education for much of the population are among Haiti’s most serious disadvantages. Over the longer term, Haiti needs to create jobs for its young workforce and to build institutional capacity. Haiti’s economy suffered a severe setback when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake destroyed much of its capital city, Port-au-Prince, and neighboring areas in January 2010. Already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 80% of the population living under the poverty line and 54% in abject poverty, the damage to Port-au-Prince caused the country’s GDP to contract an estimated 5.1% in 2010. 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. 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 duty-free access to the US. Congress voted in 2010 to extend the legislation until 2020 under the Haitian Economic Lift Act (HELP)

the apparel sector accounts for three-quarters of Haitian exports and nearly one-tenth of GDP. Remittances are the primary source of foreign exchange, equaling nearly 20% of GDP and more than twice the earnings from exports. Haiti suffers from a lack of investment, partly because of limited infrastructure and a lack of security. In 2005, Haiti paid its arrears to the World Bank, paving the way for reengagement with the Bank. Haiti received debt forgiveness for over $1 billion through the Highly-Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative in mis-2009. The remainder of its outstanding external debt was cancelled by donor countries in early 2010 but has since risen to about $400 million. The government relies on formal international economic assistance for fiscal sustainability, with over half of its annual budget coming from outside sources.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$11.48 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146 $12.09 billion (2009 est.)
$11.75 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$6.632 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

-5.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212 2.9% (2009 est.)
0.8% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$1,200 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204 $1,200 (2009 est.)
$1,200 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 25%
industry:16%
services:59% (2010 est.)

Labor force

4.81 million
country comparison to the world: 76 note:shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (2010 est.)

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 38.1%
industry:11.5%
services:50.4% (2010)

Unemployment rate

40.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186 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)

25% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61

Budget

revenues: $1.291 billion
expenditures:$1.43 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

19.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.1% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160 0% (2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

17.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35 17.3% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$833.1 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144 $784.4 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$3.269 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133 $2.462 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.728 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134 $1.664 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Agriculture – products

coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum

wood

Industries

textiles, sugar refining, flour milling, cement, light assembly based on imported parts

Industrial production growth rate

-4.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161

Electricity – production

650 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155

Electricity – consumption

309 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168

Electricity – exports

NA kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180

Oil – consumption

12,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149

Oil – exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178

Oil – imports

13,480 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146

Current account balance

-$1.102 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137 -$626.6 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$536.6 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165 $551 million (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

apparel, manufactures, oils, cocoa, mangoes, coffee

Exports – partners

US 90.2%, Canada 4%, France 1.5% (2010)

Imports

$2.778 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144 $2.032 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

food, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials

Imports – partners

US 51%, Dominican Republic 19%, China 11% (2010 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.108 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132 $789.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$504.1 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164 $1.362 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

gourdes (HTG) per US dollar -
40.15 (2010)
42.02 (2009)
39.216 (2008)
37.138 (2007)
40.232 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

14 (2010)
country comparison to the world:149

Airports – with paved runways

total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:3 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 10
914 to 1,523 m:2
under 914 m:8 (2010)

Roadways

total: 4,160 km
country comparison to the world: 155 paved:1,011 km
unpaved:3,149 km (2001)

Ports and terminals

Cap-Haitien, Gonaives, Jacmel, Port-au-Prince

Military

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: 2,398,804
females age 16-49:2,415,039 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,666,324
females age 16-49:1,704,364 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 115,246
female:115,282 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

0.4% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 165

Transnational Issues

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