Haiti
 

Republic of Haiti

National name: République d'Haïti

Area: 10,714 sq mi (27,750 sq km)

Population (2004 est.): 7,656,166 (growth rate: 1.7%); birth rate: 33.8/1000; infant mortality rate: 74.4/1000; life expectancy: 51.8; density per sq mi: 715

Capital: Port-au-Prince

Monetary unit: Gourde

Languages: Creole and French (both official)

Ethnicity/race: black 95%, mulatto and white 5%

Religions: Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), other 3%, none 1%. Note: roughly half the population practices Vaudou.

Literacy rate: 53% (2003 est.)

Natural resources: bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower. Exports: $321 million (f.o.b., 2003 est.): manufactures, coffee, oils, cocoa. Imports: $1.028 million (f.o.b., 2003 est.): food, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials. Major trading partners: U.S., Dominican Republic, Canada, Colombia.

International disputes: despite efforts to control illegal migration, destitute Haitians continue to cross into Dominican Republic; claims U.S.-administered Navassa Island.

Symbolism of Flag

The blue represents the union of blacks and mulattoes in Haiti and the red symbolizes the blood shed during Haiti’s pursuit of freedom.

Geography

Haiti, in the West Indies, occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. About the size of Maryland, Haiti is two-thirds mountainous, with the rest of the country marked by great valleys, extensive plateaus, and small plains.

Government

Republic with an elected government.

National Anthem

For our country,
For our forefathers,
United let us march.
Let there be no traitors in our ranks!
Let us be masters of our soil.
United let us march
For our country,
For our forefathers.

For our forebears,
For our country
Let us toil joyfully.
May the fields be fertile
And our souls take courage.
Let us toil joyfully
For our forebears,
For our country.