Haiti is a country with many hidden charms: beautiful beaches, waterfalls, interesting architecture, scrumptious food, magnificent villas that overlook breathtaking views and best of all the friendliest most accommodating people on earth. Republic of Haiti
Flag
Motto: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité [1]
Anthem: La Dessalinienne
The Dessalines Song
Capital
(and largest city) Port-au-Pr
ince
18°32′N 72°20′W / 18.533°N 72.333°W / 18.533; -72.333
Official language(s) French
Haitian Creole
Ethnic groups 95% black, 5% mulatto and white[2]
Demonym Haitian
Government Unitary semi-presidential republic
- President Michel Martelly
- Prime Minister Garry Conille
Formation
- French colony declared
(Treaty of Ryswick) 30 October 1697
- Independence declared 1 January 1804
- Independence recognized from France 17 April 1825
Area
- Total 27,750 km2 (140th)
10,714 sq mi
- Water (%) 0.7
Population
- 2011 estimate 9,719,932[2] (87th)
- Density 350.27/km2
907.22/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2010 estimate
- Total $11.477 billion[3] (139th)
- Per capita $1,164[3]
GDP (nominal) 2010 estimate
- Total $6.632 billion[3] (134th)
- Per capita $673[3]
Gini (2001) 59.2[4] (very high)
HDI (2010) ▼ 0.404[5] (low) (145th)
Currency Gourde (HTG)
Time zone (UTC-5)
Drives on the right
Internet TLD .ht
Calling code 509
Haiti (French: Haïti; Haitian Creole: Ayiti), officially the Republic of Haiti (French: République d'Haïti; Haitian Creole: Repiblik d Ayiti) is a country on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola; the other country on the island is the Dominican Republic. It has a tropical climate, and is called in French "La Perle des Antilles" (The pearl of the Antilles), because of its natural beauty. It is very mountainous, but is no longer covered with forests, as it once was. It is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. There are two official languages, French and Haitian creole, or "Kreyol". There are many holidays; the largest and most important is the Mardi Gras.
