Haiti

 

I  have written about some countries in the Caribbean area but will do a few more, the Caribbean is comprised of 13 independent island nations: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago, These nations are recognized for their shared cultural heritage and location within the Caribbean region. There are 12 dependencies and 7 overseas territories as well various disputed territories.

This week we will look at Haiti which is a country located in the Caribbean. It shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, located to its east. While it was once a plantation colony of France based upon slavery of Africans, Haiti gained its independence in the year 1804.

The population is 11.77millon, Haiti has two official languages, Haitian Creole and French, everyone in Haiti speaks Haitian Creole. Some scholars estimate that approximately 90-95% of the population is monolingual, speaking Haitian Creole.

The Haitian Gourde (HTG) is the official currency of Haiti, a nation located on the western part of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean.

Haiti’s capital city is Port-au-Prince, it sits on the Gulf of Gonâve. The Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien honours the nation’s history and founding fathers. The Iron Market, a large 1891 covered bazaar, has produce and handicraft vendors. Nearby is the immense Notre Dame de l'Assomption Cathedral, reduced to a ruin by a 2010 earthquake. Colourful gingerbread-style houses from the turn of the 19th century dot the city.

The Haitian flag is a bicolour flag with two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red (bottom). In the centre, there is a white rectangle containing the Haitian coat of arms. The coat of arms includes a palm tree topped with the liberty cap, surrounded by cannons, flags, and other weaponry. The motto "L'Union Fait La Force" ("Unity Makes Strength") is displayed on a banner below the coat of arms.