Demographics and 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

Population: 8 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: H.E. René G. Préval Prime Minister: Gérard Latortue

Currency: Gourde; US$ 1 = Gdes 39 (January 2007)

Minimum Wage: 36 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.

Highways: The highway system includes 4,050 km (2,515.5 miles) of roads; 950 km (590 miles) paved; 950 km (590 miles) otherwise improved; 2150 km (1,335 miles) unimproved.

Ports: Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien are the two major ports. Other ports include Miragoâne and St. Marc.

Airports: Maïs Gaté International Airport in Port-au-Prince; served by the following carriers: ALM, Air Canada, Air France, American Airlines, COPA, Haiti Trans-Air, Halisa Air, Air Jamaica

Telecommunications: 55,000 telephone lines; 49 AM/FM radio stations; 5 television stations in Port-au-Prince (cable television from Canada and the United States is also available); 1 Atlantic Ocean satellite station. {To call Haiti from the United States dial : 011 (Access Code) + 509 (Country Code) + Local Phone Number (6-digit number).}

Trade: The United States is the main commercial partner of Haiti. It accounts for about 60% of the flows of exports and imports. Primarily Haiti exports coffee, mangoes, sisal and essential oils, while it imports petroleum products, foods, beverages and fats.