Haiti - Basic Facts

Official Name

Republic of Haiti

Location and Area

Western part of the island of Hispaniola with an area of 27,750 square Km (10,714 square miles); 50 mi. east of Cuba; 800 mi. southeast of Miami

Capital

Port-au-Prince

Official Languages

Creole, French

Flag

Haiti has two official national flags -- a state flag and a civil flag.

Shown here is the state flag with a large detail of the coat of arms to its right. This state flag is flown on government buildings.
(For larger view, click here or on the flag.)

The flag consists of two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto "L'union fait la Force" (Union Makes Strength).

The civil flag that is flown by private citizens does not include the coat-of-arms.

Population

7,527,817 million with a growth rate of 1.8% per annum; 95% African descent, 5% mixed

Government

Republic type of government with a President directly elected by the people; a Prime Minister designated by the President from the majority party in the two-chamber Parliament, or in the absence of a majority, in consultation with the legislative leadership. President,Jean-Bertrand Aristide; Prime Minister : Yvon Neptune.

Currency

Gourde; US$ 1 = Gdes 40 (October 2003)

Minimum wage

90 gourdes per day

Time zone

EST; GMT-5

Climate

Temperature is warm, ranging year-round from 70-93° F in the coastal regions, and 50-75 in the mountainous areas; rainy seasons are April-May and August-October.

Source: http://www.haiti.org/haiti_glance.htm, retrieved 10/9/04