World Country Guide

General Information

Area
27,750 sq km (10,714 sq miles).

Population
8,132,000 (official estimate 2001).

Population Density
293 per sq km.

Capital
Port-au-Prince. Population: 917,112 (official estimate 1997).

Geography
Haiti is situated in the Caribbean and comprises the forested mountainous western end of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Its area includes the le de la Gonve, in the Gulf of the same name; among other islands is La Tortue off the north peninsula. Haiti’s coastline is dotted with magnificent beaches, between which stretches lush subtropical vegetation, even covering the slopes which lead down to the shore. Port-au-Prince is a magnificent natural harbour at the end of a deep horseshoe bay.

Government
Republic. Gained independence from France in 1804. Head of State: Interim President Boniface Alexandre sworn in in 2004. Head of Government: Prime Minister Gerard Latortue.

Language
The official languages are French and Creole. English is spoken in tourist areas.

Religion
The official religions are Roman Catholicism (75 per cent) and Voodooism (70 per cent); most Haitians practise both. Voodooism is a polytheistic folk religion, manifested by a series of complex ritual drawings, songs and dances. It is an African religion, and not incompatible with a shared belief in Christianity. There are Protestant minorities.

Time
GMT - 5.

Electricity
110 volts AC, 60Hz.

Communications

Telephone
IDD available. Country code: 509. There are no area codes. The internal service, operated by Telecommunications d’Hati (Teleco), is reasonable. There are telephone booths in the towns which take cards.

Mobile telephone
The GSM network is run by Hatel. Handsets can be hired locally.

Internet
Internet cafes can be found in towns and cities. ISPs include Compa, Hintelfocus and Netcom.

Post
Airmail to Europe takes up to one week. The main post office in Port-au-Prince, Cit de l’Exposition, is in place d’Italie. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-2000, Sat 0830-1200. Letters posted after 0900 will not be despatched until the following working day.

Press
The two main dailies, Le Matin and Le Nouvelliste, are published in French. Haiti Progres, also in French, is published weekly.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.