68 Important Facts About Haiti

Last updated on June 24th, 2024

51. Sanitation and water supply are two major challenges for Haitians. Pollution from human and other waste is prevalent in most of the Haitian rivers. Diseases including typhoid and hookworm are common in the region.

52. Anaemia is common among small children between the ages of six months and five years. Read the full report here. 

53. Haitian children are prone to deaths, as more than 10% of them die before reaching the age of five. Half of its children are unvaccinated.

54. Smallpox was also detected for the first time in Haiti in 1507. At that time, the country was known as Hispaniola.

55. The sixth-largest death toll in history happened in Haiti in 1963, when Hurricane Flora hit it, causing almost 8000 deaths.

56. A cholera outbreak in the country in 2010 caused the death of more than 8,900 people, and affected 733,000 others, lasting until 2015.

57. Corruption is another potential threat to the country and its citizens. According to the 2023 report, it was ranked at the 172th spot out of 180 countries listed by Transparency International. Somalia is the most corrupt country in the world and sits at the 180th spot.

58. Haiti is also known for its illegal drug business with its clients spread all over Central and South America, Europe and the United States. Human trafficking, especially of children, is also prevalent.

59. Haiti was once a haven for pirates from the Caribbean. Haiti had gold mines and easy escape routes for the pirates, and they (Haitians) also served as local laborers for mining and plantation work by the pirates.

60. Slaves were sold by Haiti to other countries, which brought them great wealth at the time.

61. Christopher Columbus is also buried in Haiti in the Cathedral of Santa Maria.

62. Haiti’s Carnival, particularly in Port-au-Prince, is a vibrant celebration featuring colorful parades, music, dance, and elaborate costumes. The celebration spans from January to February or March. It involves festivities every Sunday in the major cities and a big parade during Trois Jours Gras amongst marching bands and large floats with several musical groups.

63. Known for its vibrant art scene, Jacmel is a hub for local artists and hosts an annual carnival celebrating traditional art, crafts, and colorful paper-mâché masks. The city incorporates Caribbean traditions in its art, which helps promote its culture. It is also home to the country’s leading film school, the Cine Institute.

64. Les Cayes, in southwestern Haiti, dazzles visitors with its diverse natural wonders. Bordered by picturesque Caribbean beaches. It provides serene sands and clear waters perfect for relaxation and water sports.

65. Pétionville, a Port-au-Prince suburb in Haiti, boasts a lively culture, upscale areas, and panoramic city views. Hosting colorful markets, local art galleries, and cultural events, Pétionville draws both locals and tourists. Its elevated location provides a cooler climate, making it a sought-after spot for those seeking urban living, cultural richness, and stunning vistas of Port-au-Prince.

66. Gonaïves, situated on Haiti’s northern coast, holds significant historical and cultural importance as the birthplace of Haiti’s independence. Gonaïves was where the first significant slave rebellion began in 1791, sparking the fight for freedom from French colonial rule.

67. Located in southwestern Haiti, Pic Macaya National Park sprawls across 59,300 acres, and it was established in 1983 to safeguard unique habitats like cloud forests and pine forests, along with rare flora and fauna. Endangered species like the black-capped petrel, Hispaniolan trogon, and critically endangered La Hotte glanded frogs seek refuge here, making it an irresistible destination for both nature enthusiasts and researchers.

68. Labadie, a remote village, offers access to Labadee Beach, a serene coastal stretch known for its clear waters, coral reefs, and exclusive access to cruise ships. Developed by a cruise line as a private port, Labadie offers visitors a glimpse into Haitian life through cultural experiences, artisan markets showcasing local crafts, and opportunities for water activities like snorkelling and beachside relaxation.

About the flag of Haiti

Haiti has a bi-color flag of blue and red horizontal sections. At the center is the coat of arms inside a white box. Below the coat of arms is the motto: L’Union Fait La Force (Unity is Strength).

A historic brief about the flag of Haiti will shed some insights.

The Origin of the Haitian Flag

The first flag was revealed by the first president and founding father, Alexandre Petion in 1806.

It was designed by Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the first Haitian ruler under the 1805 constitution who led the Haitian Revolution. One legend claims that he ripped the white part of the French flag and stitched the blue and red parts to make a new flag for Haiti on 18th May 1803. Dessalines’ goddaughter, Catherine Flon, helped him to sew the two pieces together, which were vertical.

The color blue represented African residents who lived in Haiti while red spoke for citizens of mixed descent (European-African). The two hues signified the unity of mulattos and blacks as they fought for freedom. In other historical accounts, Dessalines’ choice of color was inspired by the Vodun religion because he designed the flag while at the temple in Merote. So, the two colors represented Ogou, the god of war. The palm tree and weapons of the modern flag also symbolize Vodun, but they are associated with freedom in other contexts.

The celebration of Flag Days in Haiti started between 1915 and 1934, though in secrecy when the US occupied the island.

Other Flags

On 1st January 1804, the generals changed the vertical bands to horizontal. This was the first flag to mark an independent and free republic of Haiti. The design is affirmed in the 1843 constitution article number 192.

When Dessalines became emperor in 1805, he changed the colors to black (death) and red (freedom). He ordered an inscription of the slogan “Freedom or Death” on the flag.

Following Dessalines’ assassination on 17th October 1806 at Pont Rouge, Haiti split into two for the next 14 years. Then, Alexandre Pétion, the mulattos leader in the south, introduced the blue and red colors of today’s flag. He also ordered the addition of the “L’union fait la force” inscription and the coat of arms, which was further adorned with a liberty cap.

An attempt was made to bring back the black and red banner, but it failed. However, a self-proclaimed president, Faustin Soulouque, who took over power in 1849 maintained the blue and red flag but introduced a shield to replace the coat of arms. The coat of arms regained its position when his empire ended on 15th January 1859.

Other leaders may have changed the Haitian flag severally, but the nation reverted to the blue and red form. Overall, the flag was transformed about 10 times before its inauguration on 26th February 1986. It was reintroduced in 2012 and every 18th of May is Haiti’s Flag Day.

Haiti’s Flag Meaning

The coat of arms is the preeminent symbol on the flag of Haiti. It includes a royal palm tree and weaponry supported by a hilltop. The hillside features a white ribbon with the Unity is Strength motto. The weapons showcase Haiti’s passion for defending its freedom while the palm tree is a mark of independence. Behind the emblem, the white background enhances the vibrancy and brightness of the elements.

Haiti – the country at a glance