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| Countries of the World |
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| AREA |
27,750
sq km (10,714 sq miles). |
| POPULATION |
7,492,000 (1997). |
| POPULATION DENSITY |
270.0 per sq km. |
| CAPITAL |
Port-au-Prince. |
| CAPITAL
POPULATION |
846,247 (1995). |
| GEOGRAPHY |
Haiti is situated in
the Caribbean and comprises the forested
mountainous western end of the island of
Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican
Republic. Its area includes the Île
de la Gonâve, in the Gulf of the same
name; among other islands is La Tortue off
the north peninsula. Haiti's coastline is
dotted with magnificent beaches, between
which stretches lush subtropical vegetation,
even covering the slopes which lead down
to the shore. Port-au-Prince is a magnificent
natural harbour at the end of a deep horseshoe
bay. |
| GOVERNMENT |
Republic. Gained independence
from France in 1804. Head of State: President
René Préval since 1996. Head
of Government: Prime Minister Jacques Eduard
Aléxis since 1999. |
| LANGUAGE |
The official languages
are French and Creole. English is widely
spoken in tourist areas. |
| RELIGION |
The official religion
is Roman Catholic (75%) with Protestant
minorities. Voodooism (an African religion)
is still found in Haiti, despite the largely
Christian population. Voodooism is a folk
religion, manifested by a series of complex
ritual drawings, songs and dances. |
| STANDARD TIME |
GMT - 5 (GMT - 4 from
first Sunday in April to Saturday before
last Sunday in October). |
| ELECTRICITY |
110 volts AC, 60Hz. |
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