Haiti

Quick Facts

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Capital

Port-au-Prince

Population

9,296,000 (2005 est.)^[1]

Government

Elected government

Religions

Christianity (Catholic, Protestant)

Languages

French, Creole

Calling Code

+509

Nationality

Haitian

Local name

French: Haïti, Creole: Ayiti

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Introduction

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Nestled alongside the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola, Haiti's favourable location in the heart of the Caribbean promises a fine getaway. Promises, but does not necessarily deliver. While the wealthy suburb of Petionville presents a palette of fine dining, luxurious hotels and modern shopping centres, neighbouring slum areas reveal the disturbing inequality of Haitian society. For visitors, this means that extra caution must be taken. It is recommended that slum areas such as these are not ventured into.

Of course, for those visitors able to overlook Haitian social injustice, the island promises much of the standard Caribbean attraction: nice beaches and great diving. And interesting places such as Jacmel, an old coffee port boasting French colonial architecture, make Haiti a destination of cultural merit.

Departments

Haiti is made up of 10 departments.

• Artibonite Department
• Centre Department
• Grand'Anse Department
• Nippes Department
• Nord Department
• Nord-Est Department
• Nord-Ouest Department
• Ouest Department is home to the national capital Port-au-Prince
• Sud-Est Department
• Sud Department

Cities

• Port-au-Prince - The capital
• Cap-Haïtien
• Port-de-Paix
• Hinche
• Les Cayes
• Saint-Marc
• Jacmel
• Gonaïves

Getting there

Plane

Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) near the capital Port-au-Prince serves as the gateway to and from Haiti. Air D'Ayiti operates several flights in the Caribbean and to Miami. Other airlines have flights to New York, Montreal, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Curacao and Air France flies to Cayenne in French Guiana.

Boat

Currently there are no international boat services to and from Haiti.

Getting around

Plane

Tortugair has domestic flights in Haiti. Destinations include Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, Cap Haitien, Les Cayes and Port-de-Paix.

Boat

Several of the islands of the coast of Haiti are served by regular ferries, among which those from the capital Port-au-Prince.