HAITIANS—
THEIR
HISTORY AND CULTURE
REFUGEE FACT SHEET NO.10 |
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CONTENTS | PREFACE | INTRODUCTION | LAND | PEOPLE | ECONOMY | HISTORY | EDUCATION | LANGUAGE | HEALTH | FAMILY | RELIGION | CULTURE | HOLIDAYS | PROVERBS | HAITIAN CREOLE | CONCLUSION | BIBLIOGRAPHY | ORDER A PRINT COPY | ||||
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The name Haiti derives from the word ayti or hayti, which in the indigenous Taino/Arawak Indian language means "mountainous." |
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The Land Haiti occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola, known in Spanish as La Isla Española; the Dominican Republic makes up the rest of the island. Approximately 700 miles southeast of Florida, the island is located between the islands of Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. The name Haiti derives from the word ayti or hayti, which in the indigenous Taino/Arawak Indian language means "mountainous." At 10,000 square miles, Haiti is approximately the size of Maryland. Five mountain ranges divide the country into northern, central, and southern regions. Haiti is shaped like a horseshoe on its side, with northern and southern peninsulas; the Île de la Gonâve is located between the peninsulas. Haiti's climate is generally tropical, both hot and humid. There are two rainy seasons: April through June and August through mid-November. Annual rainfall averages 56–80 inches, with very uneven distribution. Rainfall is heaviest in the southern peninsula and parts of the northern mountains, while the western coast is relatively dry. Temperatures in the summer vary from 85–95° F in the coastal lowlands to 65–70° F in the interior highlands. Haiti was once covered with virgin forests, but much of the natural vegetation has been destroyed by agriculture, grazing, and exploitation of timber. Indeed, Haiti is in an alarming state of environmental devastation due to deforestation and soil erosion. Only 11% of the land is arable, and that figure is declining at a rapid rate. Haiti is in the process of becoming a desert. Viewed from the air, the state of Haiti's environment presents a harsh contrast to the Dominican Republic. For the moment, however, pines, ferns, orchids, and other tropical trees and flowers can still be found. But the deterioration of natural vegetation has affected wildlife, which has lost its habitat. Once-common wild boars, guinea fowls, and wild ducks are now scarce, though caimans, flamingos, egrets, and small tropical birds can still be seen.
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