Haiti, a 80% mountainous country, is located on the Western half of the island previously known as Hispaniola, 80 km east of Cuba and 750 miles south-east of Miami (Florida)  The Dominican Republic occupies the Eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola 

Columbus encountered the island of Hispaniola, populated by Arawak Indians in 1492.   In 1503 the Spanish brought the first African slaves to the island, and in 1697 the colony was ceded to France.  In 1791 a voodoo priest by the name of Boukman started an uprising that was to be led by Toussaint L'ouverture, who launched a general slave revolt.

1 January 1804 Jean Jacques Dessalines proclaimed the island independent. 

Haiti is the world's first "Black Republic" and the second oldest republic in the Western Hemisphere.  The power struggles and political instability that marked Haitian history throughout the 19th century ended in US intervention that lasted from 1915-1934. 

 

Elections in Haiti  in 1990 brought Jean Bertrand Aristide to the presidency.  After seven months in power, he was forced into exile by a military coup on 30 September 1991.   With the help of the international community, Aristide was restored to power on 15 October 1994. 

Following  elections in 1995, Rene Preval succeeded Jean Bertrand Aristide as president.

In 2000, Jean Bertrand Aristide was once more elected to the Office of President
 

Agriculture remains the key sector in the economy, accounting for approximately one-quarter of GDP.  Forestry and fishing account for a further 7%.   The sector is the principal source of employment for about two-thirds of the population.

Coffee is by far the most important export crop.  Approximately 380,000 peasants are engaged in its production.  However, performance has been on the decline; production in 1995/96 was just 13,000 metric tonnes, compared with 27,000 metric tonnes in 1992/93.   Earnings in 1995/96 were US$10.2m, some 58% of total agricultural export earnings.

Sugar and rice are also traditionally important agricultural commodities.   However, they have both been facing stiff competition from imported commodities.

The Assembly sub-sector is one of the strongest growth areas in the manufacturing sector.  The upswing in this sub-sector is also affording a growing employment level which, at the end of 1998, was estimated at 30,000 with stronger growth projected for 1999.

The tourism sector offers much export possibilities.  The Caribbean Tourism Organisation is assisting the Government towards realising the full potential of this sector.