Haiti is located in the Caribbean and comprises the western part of Hispaniola, featuring mountainous terrain and a history of hurricanes. The country's recorded history began with Christopher Columbus in 1492, leading to its development as a French colony with significant economic impacts from the sugar and coffee industries and a complex history of civil rights struggles. Tourism plays a key role in its economy, with popular destinations including Labadee and the Iron Market, while Haitian culture reflects a mix of African and European traditions, including a strong emphasis on family and the practice of Vodou.

1. HAITI

2. Geography
Haiti is a country in the Caribbean sea that includes
the western side of the island Hispaniola and some
smaller islands such as Gonâve, Tortuga, Grande
Caye, and Vache.
It is a small tropical island and has many mountain
ranges including Massif du Nord, the Cordillera
Septentrional, the Matheux Mountains and
the Massif de la Selle. The country's mountains are
mostly limestone, although the Massif du Nord is
comprised of some volcanic formations. The land is
75% mountains and its highest point is 2,680m
above sea level.
Due to where it is situated; Haiti has been hit by
four major hurricanes and multiple floods from
2002-2007.

3. History
The recorded history of Haiti began on 5 December 1492,
when the European navigator Christopher Columbus
came across a large island in the west of the Atlantic
Ocean that later came to be known as the Caribbean. In
1711, the city Cap Francais was established by Louis XIV
and took over as capital of the colony.
In 1726, the city of Les Cayes was founded on the Southern
coast which became the biggest settlement in the south.
In 1749, the city of Port-au-Prince was established on
the West coast, which in 1770 took over as the capital of
the colony from Cap-Francais Prior to the Seven Years'
War. The economy gradually expanded, with sugar and,
later, coffee becoming important export crops. The
outbreak of revolution in France in the summer of 1789
had a powerful effect on the colony. While the French
settlers debated how new revolutionary laws would
apply, civil war broke out in 1790 when the free-men of
colour claimed they too were French citizens. In Paris, a
group led by Julien Raimond and Vincent Oge,
unsuccessfully petitioned the white planter delegates to
support mulatto claims for full civil and political rights.
After his demands were refused, he attempted to incite
a revolt. Oge and Jean Baptiste Chavennes, a veteran
attempted to attack Cap Francais. However, the rebels
refused to arm or free their slaves, or to challenge the
status of slavery, and their attack was defeated.
Afterwards, they fled. they were captured, returned to
the French authorities, and both were executed in
February 1791.

4. Tourism
-One million visitors visit Haiti every year. 600,000
are cruise ship passengers.
-In 2017, Haiti made 460 million US dollars from
tourism, down from 511 in 2016.
-Popular tourist destinations in Haiti:
• Labadee, a port located on the northern coast
where the Dragon's breath zipline is located.
Tourists can also take part in the range of water
sports.
• The iron market: Vendors and goods in
historical iron halls opened in 1891. It was
damaged by a fire in 2008, damaged by an
earthquake in 2010, and two of its halls burned
down in 2018, but it was restored each time.
• Bassin Bleu, natural pools of water very popular
to swim in. It is located not far from the city
Jacmel.

5. Culture
The culture of Haiti is a blend of African and European
traditions.
Faith – most Haitians identify as Christian due to the island
previously being a French colony. Although Haitians also
practice the cultural practice of vodou which centres in on
the idea about bad spirits and cleansing them in order to
bring peace to the island.
Music and Dance – music and dance is a big part of Haiti's
culture. It draws upon the Caribbean, French, African, and
Spanish influences. Dance is seen as a way of life and can
be part of the religious practice of Haitian vodou.
Family - Haitians value family over anything else and
children as seen as 'a gift from god'. Extended family is
important because everyone in the family is seen as a unit
for raising the children.
Mythology & Folklore – Haitian folktales often centre
around mischievous characters or ways to appease the
“loa” or bad spirits in Haitian vodou. Traditional Haitian
folklore has been passed down from generation to
generation.