HAITI

Geography
Haiti is a country in the Caribbean sea that includes the
western side of the island Hispaniola and some smaller
islands such as Gonâve, Tortuga, Grande Caye, and Vache.
It is a small tropical island and has many mountain ranges
including Massif du Nord, the Cordillera Septentrional, the
Matheux Mountains and the Massif de la Selle. The
country's mountains are mostly limestone, although
the Massif du Nord is comprised of some volcanic
formations. The land is 75% mountains and its highest
point is 2,680m above sea level.
Due to where it is situated; Haiti has been hit by four major
hurricanes and multiple floods from 2002-2007.
History
The recorded history of Haiti began on 5 December 1492, when the
European navigator Christopher Columbus came across a large
island in the west of the Atlantic Ocean that later came to be
known as the Caribbean. In 1711, the city Cap Francais was
established by Louis XIV and took over as capital of the colony.
In 1726, the city of Les Cayes was founded on the Southern coast
which became the biggest settlement in the south. In 1749, the
city of Port-au-Prince was established on the West coast, which in
1770 took over as the capital of the colony from Cap-Francais
Prior to the Seven Years' War. The economy gradually expanded,
with sugar and, later, coffee becoming important export crops.
The outbreak of revolution in France in the summer of 1789 had a
powerful effect on the colony. While the French settlers debated
how new revolutionary laws would apply, civil war broke out in
1790 when the free-men of colour claimed they too were French
citizens. In Paris, a group led by Julien Raimond and Vincent
Oge, unsuccessfully petitioned the white planter delegates to
support mulatto claims for full civil and political rights. After his
demands were refused, he attempted to incite a revolt. Oge and
Jean Baptiste Chavennes, a veteran attempted to attack Cap
Francais. However, the rebels refused to arm or free their slaves,
or to challenge the status of slavery, and their attack was defeated.
Afterwards, they fled. they were captured, returned to the French
authorities, and both were executed in February 1791.
Tourism
-One million visitors visit Haiti every year. 600,000 are
cruise ship passengers.
-In 2017, Haiti made 460 million US dollars from tourism,
down from 511 in 2016.
-Popular tourist destinations in Haiti:
• Labadee, a port located on the northern coast where the
Dragon's breath zipline is located. Tourists can also take
part in the range of water sports.
• The iron market: Vendors and goods in historical iron
halls opened in 1891. It was damaged by a fire in 2008,
damaged by an earthquake in 2010, and two of its halls
burned down in 2018, but it was restored each time.
• Bassin Bleu, natural pools of water very popular to
swim in. It is located not far from the city Jacmel.
Culture
The culture of Haiti is a blend of African and European traditions.
Faith – most Haitians identify as Christian due to the island
previously being a French colony. Although Haitians also practice the
cultural practice of vodou which centres in on the idea about bad
spirits and cleansing them in order to bring peace to the island.
Music and Dance – music and dance is a big part of Haiti's culture. It
draws upon the Caribbean, French, African, and Spanish influences.
Dance is seen as a way of life and can be part of the religious practice
of Haitian vodou.
Family - Haitians value family over anything else and children as
seen as 'a gift from god'. Extended family is important because
everyone in the family is seen as a unit for raising the children.
Mythology & Folklore – Haitian folktales often centre around
mischievous characters or ways to appease the “loa” or bad spirits in
Haitian vodou. Traditional Haitian folklore has been passed down
from generation to generation.