countries of the Caribbean beckon excellent climate and convenient location with access to the sea, and the ocean.But it's not all that distinguishes the local government.For example, the Republic of Haiti - original country of which you can tell a lot of interesting things.Where is it located and what is it worth knowing?
Geographical location
To find Haiti on the world map, it is enough to discover the Caribbean Sea.It is located between the continents of North and South America.There you will find a big point - the island of Hispaniola.The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern part of it.All the west belongs to the state of Haiti.The northern part of the island of the same name by the Atlantic Ocean and south - the Caribbean Sea.On the territory of the state from east to west are the mountain ranges with an average altitude of one thousand meters.The largest peak is the peak of La Celle.He stands on two thousand six hundred and eighty meters above sea level.The water basin of the country consists mainly of mountain rivers, which do not differ impressive length.The largest lakes are Pligr state, it freshwater and Somatr filled with salt water.
history of Haiti
The island was discovered by the Spanish in 1492, Columbus and his sailors founded a settlement here.Then this piece of land was the name of Navidad.A year later, the travelers returned, but the settlers were dead.Who killed them, remained a mystery.From the seventeenth century, the country became a French colony, but gained independence in 1804.Mark the Haitian people on the world map have helped democratic sentiment that emerged after the revolution in Paris.The independence happened here just after the United States.As a result, the country became the first in the world with the rule of blacks.However, the situation now and then turns out to be unstable - due to poor living conditions here are frequent uprisings and strikes.
Climatic conditions
What interests the traveler in the first place?Of course, the weather, which distinguishes the island of Haiti, where the state of the same name!This area is characterized by a tropical climate, exposed to the trade winds.It is ideal for those who love the warm and humid weather.Moreover, it remains the same all three hundred sixty five days in a row.The average temperature for the year is equal to twenty-five degrees Celsius, the fluctuations during the month are insignificant.In the capital, under the name of Port-au-Prince, the annual minimum - plus fifteen degrees Celsius, while the maximum is almost forty.The Republic of Haiti can not boast of the length of the territories, and within it there are different variations of climate.The main difference - in the amount of rainfall, caused the terrain - mountain and coastal areas may not be the same in this regard.In the valleys of the annual rainfall of about five hundred millimeters, and in the highlands can happen up to five times more - up to two and a half thousand.The main rainfall occur during the rainy season, which falls between April to June and from September to November.Rest of the year characterized by dry and warm weather.Can happen powerful tropical storms, they usually come in the period from June to September.Arriving in Haiti is recommended only during periods when the wind is much weaker.
Haitian money
Interesting fact - in the country there are several options for the currency.The official name is Gourde and is one hundred centimes.In the course of banknotes denominated in a thousand, five hundred, two hundred and fifty, one hundred, fifty, twenty-five, and ten.There are coins of five and one Gourde and fifty, twenty, ten and five centimes.The official international designation - HTG.Unofficially, in the country are so-called "Haitian dollar".In addition, the widely used and the money of the United States.They can be used in the market or in private institutions.The official currency of Haiti can be obtained in numerous exchange offices of the capital, but the terms of the transaction and the amount of fees can be very different.There is a black market.The course of informal money changers can be very profitable, but it could end robbery, so that foreigners using them is not recommended.Pay with a credit card can be used almost anywhere, but easy to get cash in the capital alone - found in the province of ATM is often very difficult.The conditions of poverty and unemployment, local residents are simply not needed.
culture and beliefs of the population
State of Haiti was formerly a French colony that was still noticeable in many areas of local life.For many here communicate in Creole.A common not only in Haiti, the Creole language is French with a splash of Spanish and English.That dialect used by the majority of citizens.In the classic French talks about fifteen percent of the population.The Republic of Haiti is a Christian country.Most consider themselves Catholics, much less on the island of Protestants.Local residents managed to combine traditional religion with pagan beliefs voodoo - to believe these practices every other citizen of the country.
Arts of the Republic of Haiti
original religious preference, which the Republic of Haiti is different, interesting not only for the unusual combination of a common Christianity here, but also the manifestations of art to which they lead.For special ritual music played on drums, making the country known to the whole world.Here you can also see the stunning architecture - the remains of the palace of Sanssouci is the most famous in the Caribbean.The ruins of the enigmatic structure included in the list of cultural heritage sites by UNESCO.At the construction site of the palace worked black slaves, and today this place attracts lovers of architecture.Special mention deserves the Haitian painting.It is called naive or intuitive, but it does not mean that the level of performance of children's drawings, or lack of skill.Filled with color and emotions of the famous local artist Hector Hippolyte in the twentieth century conquered the connoisseurs of art in the United States.Other significant creators are Rigaud Benoit, Jean-Baptiste Bottle, Joseph Jean-Gilles and Custer Basile.Traditional Sculpture countries also deserve interest.Best sculptors of this country is Albert Mangoes.
parsley war
repression of Haitians that have occurred in the thirties during the time of the Dominican dictatorship of Trujillo, are unusual name associated with harmless herbs.What is the reason of the name "parsley massacre"?The fact is that this repression, which is the number of victims, according to various sources, from five to twenty-five thousand men, accompanied by a special method for determining the Haitians.From Dominicans distinguish them quite difficult, but early childhood speak French Creole dialect, while the latter prefer Spanish.This results in a significant difference in the pronunciation.That is why the Dominicans showed the alleged victim a sprig of parsley and offered to call her.If you utter a word in the Spanish way, a man released, and if the French, he disguised himself and for further violence seized the soldiers.So it was that ordinary parsley tied up in Haiti's history with such sinister events still terrifying local residents.
Interesting facts
State of Haiti is located in a very warm climate, so in the hottest hour of the day, all it is often closed.For example, banks are open from nine in the morning until five in the evening with a two-hour break for lunch - from an hour to three.Some open on Saturdays, but by mid-day had stopped operations.Shops also have lunch breaks.Such traditions are reminiscent of the Spanish siesta.Separate tags deserve interest - here they are written in three currencies, the dollar and the Haitian gourde, as well as in United States currency.Often foreigners are confused and can not figure out exactly how much they need to pay.
dangerous states
Haiti has a high level of life, so to study it in detail for a foreigner is not possible.Residents of other countries are forbidden to go to the slums, which are located on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitien.The locals are friendly and welcoming enough, but more than eighty percent of the people live below the poverty line, so the crime rate is still quite high in some areas, so you can stay only Haitians.In addition, the country still exotic diseases - malaria and typhoid.Safe area only at the port of Labadee.In Haiti, it is not recommended even to drink water from the tap - it is not sufficiently cleaned, and even local prefer it to boil.
National flag
main symbol of the country has a traditional rectangular shape.The panel is divided into two horizontal bands of equal size.Top Haiti flag dark blue, and the bottom - rich red.In the center is the coat of arms.The sides are to each other at a ratio of five to three.The red cloth is intended to symbolize the local population - mulatto.Blue is a sign of black residents.Both repeat the colors of the flag of France, indicating that the country's history, for a long time with the status of a colony.The combination of contrasting colors is an indication of a peaceful union of the inhabitants of the state, originating from different countries - in the neighbor just two opposite people.
State Emblem
emblem used on the flag.The symbol representing the coat of arms of Haiti, appeared in 1807.In the center is the image of palm trees.Above it is a symbol of freedom - a Phrygian cap of two-colored fabric.Palma is surrounded by a variety of military trophies - cannonballs, anchors, guns, axes and guns.The background is a green field on which are placed pieces of gold chains - a kind of reference to the colonial past.Palma is surrounded with six battle flags in the national colors of local residents.At the foot of the tree is the white tape, which shows the motto of the state, sounding like "Union makes strength."
