# Haiti

> country in the Caribbean Sea

**Wikidata**: [Q790](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q790)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/haiti

## Summary

Haiti is a country located in North America[1]. It was established on January 1, 1804. The nation has an area of 28k[2] and a population of 11.0M as of 2017[3]. Its time zone is UTC−05:00 and America/Port-au-Prince[4]. The head of government is Alix Didier Fils-Aimé[5].

## Summary

Haiti is a sovereign state and island country located in the Caribbean Sea, geographically part of the North American continent and the region of Latin America. Established on January 1, 1804, it succeeded the colony of Saint-Domingue and is situated on the island of Hispaniola, sharing a border with the Dominican Republic. The nation operates as a republic with a capital in Port-au-Prince, utilizing both French and Haitian Creole as its official languages.

## Key Facts

- **Classification:** Sovereign state, island country, and distinct territorial body (country).
- **Location:** Caribbean Sea, North America (continent), Latin America (region).
- **Capital:** Port-au-Prince.
- **Inception:** January 1, 1804.
- **Area:** 27,750.0 square kilometres.
- **Population:** Approximately 10.98 million (2017 estimate); time-series data available from 1960 to 2022.
- **Government:** Republic with an executive body (Government of Haiti) and legislative body (Parliament of Haiti).
- **Current Leadership:** Head of State is the Transitional Presidential Council (as of April 25, 2024); Head of Government is Acting Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé (as of November 11, 2024).
- **Currency:** Haitian gourde (since 1813); previously the Haitian livre.
- **Languages:** Official languages are French and Haitian Creole; Haitian Vodoun Culture Language is also used.
- **International Codes:** ISO 3166-1 alpha-2: HT; alpha-3: HTI; numeric: 332. ITU letter code: HTI.
- **Top-level Domain:** .ht.
- **Telephone Code:** +509.

## FAQs

**What are the official symbols and mottos of Haiti?**
The national anthem is "La Dessalinienne," and the flag features the country's coat of arms. The mottos include "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity) and "L'Union fait la force" (Unity makes strength). The tourism slogan is "Experience It!"

**What demographic trends are visible in Haiti?**
Haiti has a population with a birth rate of 23.146 per 1,000 (2022) and a death rate of 8.48 per 1,000 (2022). The life expectancy at birth was 64 years in 2022. The population is split almost evenly by sex, with a slightly higher number of females (5.84 million) than males (5.73 million) in 2022.

**Who are Haiti's key international partners?**
Haiti maintains diplomatic relations with nations including the United States, France, Canada, Brazil, Taiwan, and the Dominican Republic. It is a member of the United Nations (since 1945), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, and the World Trade Organization.

**What are the physical characteristics of the country?**
Haiti occupies an area of 27,750 square kilometres. Its highest point is Pic la Selle at 2,674 metres, and its lowest point is the Caribbean Sea at sea level. The country's coordinates range from approximately 18.02° to 20.08° North latitude and 71.62° to 74.45° West longitude.

## Why It Matters

Haiti holds a distinct place in geopolitical and historical contexts as the successor to Saint-Domingue and a nation founded in 1804. Its political landscape is currently managed by a Transitional Presidential Council and an acting Prime Minister, reflecting ongoing governance changes. The country's economy is monitored through indices like the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI), indicating its development challenges and trajectory. Culturally, the nation preserves a unique heritage through the Haitian Vodoun Culture Language and the widespread use of Haitian Creole alongside French. Its strategic location in the Caribbean and membership in international organizations like the UN and CARICOM make it a relevant actor in regional and global diplomacy.

## Notable For

- **Independence:** Officially inceptioned on January 1, 1804, succeeding Saint-Domingue.
- **Linguistic Heritage:** Utilizes Haitian Creole and French as official languages, with a recognized Haitian Vodoun Culture Language.
- **Unique Governance:** Currently led by a Transitional Presidential Council established in April 2024.
- **Geographic Extremes:** Home to Pic la Selle (2,674m), one of the highest peaks in the Caribbean.
- **Cultural Motto:** Shares the motto "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" with France, alongside its national motto "L'Union fait la force."
- **International Presence:** One of the original members of international bodies like the UN (joined 1945) and long-standing member of the Universal Postal Union (joined 1881).

## Body

### Geography and Location
Haiti is an island country and sovereign state situated in the Caribbean Sea. Geographically, it is assigned to the continent of North America and is part of the Latin America region. The nation occupies 27,750.0 square kilometres. It shares a land border with the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola.
- **Coordinates:** The geographic center is approximately 19°N, -72.8°W.
- **Extremes:**
  - Northernmost point: 20.08°N, -72.8°W.
  - Southernmost point: 18.02°N, -73.87°W.
  - Easternmost point: 19.21°N, -71.62°W.
  - Westernmost point: 18.49°N, -74.45°W (near Anse-d'Hainault).
- **Topography:** The highest point is Pic la Selle (2,674 metres), while the lowest point is sea level at the Caribbean Sea.
- **Infrastructure:** Haiti drives on the right side of the road. The electrical mains voltage is 110 volts at 60 Hz, utilizing NEMA 1-15 and NEMA 5-15 plug types. Emergency telephone numbers include 114 or 122 for police, 115 for the fire department, and 116 for emergency medical services.

### Government and Politics
Haiti is a republic with an executive body known as the Government of Haiti and a legislative body called the Parliament of Haiti. The Central Bank is the Bank of the Republic of Haiti.
- **Head of State:** The office is President of Haiti. Notable recent officeholders include:
  - Michel Martelly (2011–2016)
  - Jocelerme Privert (2016–2017)
  - Jovenel Moïse (2017–2021)
  - Ariel Henry (Acting, 2021–2024)
  - Transitional Presidential Council (Current, starting April 25, 2024)
- **Head of Government:** The office is Prime Minister of Haiti (since 1988). Recent officeholders include:
  - Jack Guy Lafontant (2017–2018)
  - Jean-Henry Céant (2018–2019)
  - Joseph Jouthe (2020–2021)
  - Ariel Henry (Acting, 2021–2024)
  - Garry Conille (Acting, June 2024 – November 2024)
  - Alix Didier Fils-Aimé (Acting, starting November 11, 2024)
- **Electoral Data:** The marriageable age is 18 for all genders. Compulsory education runs from ages 6 to 11.
- **Political Indices:**
  - Democracy Index: 4.22 (2020).
  - BTI Status Index: 3.34 (2022).
  - BTI Governance Index: 2.94 (2022).

### Demographics and Society
Haiti has a recorded population history dating back to 1887 (960,000). The population reached 10,981,229 in 2017 (preferred value). By 2022, the population was estimated at approximately 11.58 million (sum of male/female data).
- **Population Distribution (2022):**
  - Male: 5,738,710
  - Female: 5,846,285
  - Urban: 6,814,295
  - Rural: 4,770,701
- **Vital Statistics (2022):**
  - Birth Rate: 23.146 per 1,000.
  - Death Rate: 8.48 per 1,000.
  - Life Expectancy: 64 years.
  - Total Fertility Rate: 3.033 (2014 estimate).
- **Culture and Language:** The culture is designated as "culture of Haiti." Demonyms include Haitian (English), Haïtien/Haïtienne (French), and Ayisyen (Haitian Creole). The official languages are French and Haitian Creole.

### Economy
The economy is tracked through several key indicators.
- **Currency:** Haitian gourde (start time 1813).
- **Nominal GDP:**
  - 2021: $20.87 billion USD.
  - 2022: $20.25 billion USD.
- **Other Indicators:**
  - Unemployment Rate: 7% (2014).
  - VAT Rate: 10%.
  - Gini Coefficient: 41.1 (2012).
  - Human Development Index (HDI): 0.535 (2021).
  - Inequality-adjusted HDI: 0.327 (2021).

### International Relations
Haiti is a member of numerous international organizations.
- **United Nations:** Member since October 24, 1945.
- **Regional Bodies:** Caribbean Community (since 2002), Organisation of American States (since 1948), Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (since 1970).
- **Global Bodies:** World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund (IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA), UNESCO (since 1946), WHO, Interpol (since 1957).
- **Diplomatic Relations:** Maintains relations with the United States, France, Canada, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Israel, Taiwan, Germany, Venezuela, and Bangladesh.
- **Treaties:** Party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.voanews.com/a/haiti-s-president-chooses-jean-henry-ceant-as-country-s-next-pm/4515170.html)
2. [Spirit Airlines flight to Haiti diverted after being reportedly hit by gunfire. 2024](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/11/spirit-haiti-flight-gunfire)
3. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/haiti)
4. [Source](https://rulers.org/rulh.html#haiti)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/northamerica)
7. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
8. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Americas/HAITI)
9. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
10. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/haiti)
11. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
12. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
13. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=142)
14. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
15. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/haiti)
16. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
17. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
18. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parties_to_the_Treaty_on_the_Non-Proliferation_of_Nuclear_Weapons)
19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
20. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
21. FIPS 10-4
22. MusicBrainz
23. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
24. World Bank Open Data
25. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
26. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
27. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
28. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
29. The National Terminology Database for Irish
30. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
31. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
32. [Source](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/haiti/summaries/#geography)
33. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
34. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
35. BabelNet
36. [International Numbering Resources Database](http://www.itu.int/net/itu-t/inrdb/e129_important_numbers.aspx)
37. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
38. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
39. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
40. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
41. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
42. [Gazetteer](https://github.com/EnvironmentOntology/gaz/blob/master/src/ontology/gaz_countries.csv)
43. iNaturalist
44. 2020 Democracy Index
45. KBpedia
46. [Source](https://www.bti-project.org)
47. [Source](https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-dashboard/HTI)
48. GF WordNet
49. [HAITI latest news & coverage](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/topic/haiti)
50. museum-digital