Haiti
Key facts
Date of Membership in CARICOM: 1 Jul 2002
Also Known as:The Pearl of the Caribbean
Status of Independence:Independent 2001/12/13
Area: 27,750 square kilometres (10,714 square miles)
Capital City: Port-au-Prince
Population: 10.32 million (2013)
Currency: Gourde dollars
Highest National Award: (National order of Honour and Merit of the Grand Cross and Golden Plaque)
Economy
GDP: 21,177Mn (2012)
GDP Growth: 2.8% 2013 - 14
GNI: : 17.7 billion PPP dollars (2013)
GNI PC: US4 1,730
GDP per Capita: EC$530 million (1996)
Key dates in history
1492 Arrival of Columbus on island called `Quisqueya’ by Tiano (Arawak) Indians; renames its `Isla Hispaniola’
1697 Island divided, western one third originally called AYITI (Land of high ground) by Arawaks and Caribs; ceded to France – called `Ste Domingue’
1791 Slave revolt begins against France
1804 Independence achieved. Jean-Jacques Dessalines, first ruler; renames it Haiti, based on original name
1915- 34 American invasion and occupation
1957 Dr Francois Duvalier (Papa Doc) elected President
1986 Era of Dr. Francois Duvalier’s dictatorship ends
1990 First free presidential elections, Fr. Jean-Bertrand Aristide elected
1991 Aristide overthrown by army
1994 Aristide returned to power under US and CARICOM protection
