Haiti faces many challenges including poverty, lack of infrastructure, and natural disasters. Some key contrasts between Haiti and the Dominican Republic are that Haiti has a lower GDP per capita and less arable land, though they have similar populations. Haiti also struggles with high population density, lack of clean water and sanitation, and deforestation from energy needs. Rural areas face more severe poverty than cities due to lack of resources and government services concentrated in urban centers.

1. A Story Told by Contrast HAITI

2. Haiti is a difficult country to chart The country has only had five censuses in its 200+ years The greatest problem has been the 2010 7.1 magnitude earthquake No statistics here are before 2001 Many statistics have some level of estimation to them All of this means: No one really knows Haiti I made for myself this rule: If I didn’t come across a statistic at least twice, I withdrew it. Many of these statistics are actually much worse… Prefatory Note:

3. Haiti

4. At the economic base of the pyramid, several systems battle each other for leverage These battles tell a story…

5. Haiti vs. Dominican Republic Columbus discovered Hispaniola in 1492 The French took the West side of the island from Spain and imported African slaves Haiti was the crown jewel of the French Empire Haiti abused its resources—massive amounts of Haitian timber was exported to France. Haiti was once the largest exporter of timber in the Western Hemisphere Haiti has always been more densely populated than its neighbor, almost equal population, (9 million) except Haiti is half the size Per capita GDP $5,464 vs. $1,338 GDP $50.874 vs. $11.976 Billion Dominican Republic has more arable land and more rain Genocide of Haitian immigrants by Trujillo/ El Tiempo de Mariaposas

6. Haiti is disproportionately female—especially in urban areas 50-70% of households in Port-au-Prince are headed by women—30% in rural areas Haitian women participate in the workforce to a far greater extent than in neighboring countries 75% of the assembly industry is female 70% of the services sector is female Most common marital relationship (85%) is a plasaj: an agreement between families—not a marriage A man or a woman may have a number of plasaj-relationships in their lifetime, and children with different people. The elite look down on plasajarrangements Marriage, which is expensive, gives social prestige Women’s issues are strong and growing, very little gender discrimination Male vs. Female

7. Haiti is a disproportionately young society 33% of Haiti is school age ( 5-18 years old) 40% of the population is under age 15 Unsafe water, unsanitary conditions make it hard to get old Life expectancy: 59.2 2010 estimates are horrific: Life expectancy at birth: total population: 29.93 years male: 29.61 years female: 30.25 years Young vs. Old

8. Haiti is 95% Black and 5% Mulatto/White 1791-1803: Haitian Revolution/ Black uprising, destruction of Mulatto/White property, and mass murder of Mulatto/Whites In 1804: Haiti declared independence—2nd oldest republic after U.S. 1915: U.S. occupies Haiti for 19 years after government executes 150 political prisoners Black majority and ruling Mulattoes have always been in conflict Black Nationalism has not helped Haiti: Francois Duvalier Haitians in Dominican Republic typically shun their African heritage The Dominican Republic does not view black Haitians favorably Black vs. Mulatto

9. Almost all government services are exclusively available in cities Port-au-Prince has: 52% of country’s hospital beds, 73% of it’s physicians, and 67% of its nurses Almost all foreign aid goes directly to cities—especially the capital For this reason, rural poverty is more severe than urban poverty Growth in urban areas results from an inability to live in rural areas Heavy deforestation comes from energy needs/rapid urbanization: wood in rural areas and charcoal made from wood in urban areas—fossil fuel consumption is the lowest in the Western Hemisphere Haiti remains the most rural country, as well as the most densely populated country, in the Western Hemisphere Much travel is done in Tap-Taps, which means Quick-Quick. These are trucks that have been converted to hold several passengers. Riding in one is crowded and dangerous, but often necessary. Rural vs. Urban

10. Haiti has two prevalent languages—Creole is the national language as of 1987 9 out of 10 Haitians only speak Creole 1 out of 20 is fluent in both Fluency in French is an indicator of elite status In Creole the phrase “to speak French” means “to be a hypocrite” School textbooks are generally written in French, although teaching is generally done in Creole Talking has a high cultural value Emigration to U.S. and Dominican Republic has resulted in Haitians using English and Spanish French vs. Creole

11. Roman Catholicism is the official religion of Haiti Interestingly, Haiti has had a priest as president Voodoo, which originates from Haiti, is practiced in conjunction with Catholicism by Haitians Historically, the church and state have tried to persecute voodoo, to no avail Voodoo transcends class and race. It is the result of African slaves holding onto their indigenous religious beliefs after being forcefully converted to Christianity Past presidents have employed Voodoo priests as counselors and advisors Roman Catholicism vs. Voodoo

12. Cash crops: coffee and sugar cane (cocoa and cotton)—competitive and speculative Food crops: legumes, rice, bananas( banana trees are easily destroyed by tropical storms), beans, corn, potatoes (tubers increase soil erosion) Agriculture is declining as population is increasing Tropical storms, floods, droughts, and hurricanes are common Only 7% of the land is suitable for farming due to mountainous terrain, yet 48% of the land is cultivated Fishing is done mostly for consumption, not commercial, needs Haiti exports significant amounts of coral, sea turtles, and aquarium fish directly to the United States Cash Crops vs. Food Crops

13. On November 28 2010: A fraudulent election March 20th: A run-off election will be held to decide Haiti’s next president Ms. MirlandeManigat vs. Mr. Michel Martelly Haiti’s Interim Reconstruction Commission, chaired by ex- U.S. president Bill Clinton, is awaiting the results Aid to Haiti- several millions- has been frozen pending this election Haiti’s future hangs in the balance

14. Globalization has left Haiti behind. Without much natural wealth, Haiti can do little else but react to the future One large impact of technology on Haiti has been mobile giving Climate change means a more violent and unpredictable hurricane season

15. Haiti’s importance on the worlds stage is like an accordion…it expands and shrinks Haiti was in serious trouble long before the earthquake