Haiti (pronounced /ˈheɪtiː/; French Haïti, pronounced: [a.iti]; Haitian Creole: Ayiti), officially the Republic of Haiti (République d'Haïti ; Repiblik Ayiti), is a Creole- and French-speaking Caribbean country. Along with the Dominican Republic, it occupies the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago. Ayiti (Land on high) was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the mountainous western side of the island. The country's highest point is Pic la Selle, at 2,680 metres (8,793 ft). The total area of Haiti is 27,750 square kilometres (10,714 sq mi) and its capital is Port-au-Prince.
Haiti's regional, historical, and ethnolinguistic position is unique for several reasons. It was the first independent nation in Latin America, the first post-colonial independent black-led nation in the world, and the only nation whose independence was gained as part of a successful slave rebellion. Haiti is the only predominantly Francophone independent nation in the Americas, and one of only two (along with Canada) which designate French as an official language; the other French-speaking countries are all overseas départements or collectivités of France.
Contents
- 1 History
- 2 Politics
- 3 Departments, arrondissements, and communes
- 4 Geography
- 5 Environment
- 6 Economy
- 7 Education
- 8 Demographics
- 9 Religion
- 10 Culture
- 11 See also
- 12 References
- 13 Further reading
- 14 External links
Republic of Haiti République d'Haïti
Repiblik AyitiFlag Coat of arms Motto: "L'Union Fait La Force" (French)
"Strength Through Unity "Anthem: La Dessalinienne Capital
(and largest city)Port-au-Prince
18°32′N 72°20′W / 18.533°N 72.333°WOfficial languages French, Haitian Creole Ethnic groups Black 95%;
Mulatto & white 5%[1]Demonym Haitian Government Presidential republic - President René Préval - Prime Minister Michèle Pierre-Louis Formation - as Saint-Domingue 1697 - Independence from France
1 January 1804Area - Total 27,751 km2 (140th)
10,714 sq mi- Water (%) 0.7 Population - 2009 estimate 9,035,536 (72nd) GDP (PPP) 2008 estimate - Total $91.562 billion[2] - Per capita $1,318[2] GDP (nominal) 2008 estimate - Total $12.952 billion[2] - Per capita $570[2] Gini (2001) 59.2 (high) HDI (2007) ▲ 0.529 (medium) (120th) Currency Gourde ( HTG
)Time zone (UTC-5) Drives on the right Internet TLD .ht Calling code 509
No comments:
Post a Comment