In 1954 Haiti experienced the Duvalier dictatorship which fell in 1986 following an uprising. In 2004 Haiti went through another period of popular revolt that led to the resignation of Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who had already been removed in 1991 following another civil war and his departure from the country. The majority of the population of Haiti is of color and lives in poverty. Haiti, in fact, is one of the poorest countries on the planet. In 2004 and 2010 the island sadly experienced two environmental disasters. In the summer of 2004, Hurricane Jeanne struck Haiti, bringing destruction to an already precarious socioeconomic situation. On January 12, 2010, Haiti experienced one of the worst disasters of recent centuries, a destructive earthquake that leveled, causing a very high number of victims, many homes in the country, particularly in the capital Port-au-Prince. The official language of Haiti is French but Haitian Creole is also spoken on the island. The predominant religion is Catholicism with a Protestant minority.
Haiti at a Glance
- Country: Haiti
- Area: 27,700 sq km
- Capital: Port-au-Prince
- Population: 5,053,792 (estimate 2003)
- Language: Creole and French (official)
- Religion: Catholics 68.6%, Protestants 22.8%, others 8.6% (in April 2003 voodoo was officially recognized by the Government as an official religion)
- Government System: Parliamentary Monarchy
- Major Cities: Georgetown, Thimeri, New Amsterdam
Useful information about Haiti
- Currency: Gourde
- International dialing code: 00509
- International license plate: RH
- Driving side: right
- Entry documents: Passport with visa
- Required vaccination: No
- Electric current: 110V
- Measurement units: metric decimal
- Time zones: – 4 hours (Italian time)
- Average temperatures: 27°C (in winter 25.5%, in summer 28.5%)
- Climate : the climate is hot and humid, tempered by altitude. Night temperature variation of about 10°. Hurricane season is between June and November.
- Transport:there is no direct connection from Italy to Port au Prince. Connection with regular flight via Miami.
- Airports: Georgetown, Thimeri, Port-au-Prince
