haiti flag

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
haiti-presidnet--cyr
H.E. FLaurent Saint Cyr, President Transitional Presidential Council (TPC)