Facts About Haiti

Haiti is a country in the West Indies, about 600 miles southeast of Florida. It shares the islands of Hispaniola with it's neighbor, the Dominican Republic.

Area-almost 11,000 square miles. About the same size as Maryland.

Population-almost 7millon people . Capital City-PORT-AU-PRINCE

National Flag-the flag has two sideways strips blue and red.In the center of the flag is the nation coat of arms,which has palms on it. National Dance- wooden leg dance

History of Haiti

Haiti has along history of problems with its government. But did you know that it was the first country where African slaves fought for their freedom? It was, and it has been a free country ever since. In the past there have been many problems with different groups trying to control Haiti. One family ruled Haiti for a long time and they were very cruel to the people. That is part of the reason many people in Haiti like my Dad left to come to America.

The first known residents of Haiti were the ciboney Indian people who originated in central or south America and migrated to the Caribbean region about 2000 B.C.

The island of Hispaniola where Haiti is located was discovered by Christopher Columbus. Much later the French would colonize Haiti and turn it in to one vary large sugar plantation. Many slaves were brought to Haiti to work in the plantations. That is why some Haitian people have light skin (they are descendents of the French colonists) and why others have dark skin (they are descendents of the African slaves).