Haiti

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

a republic on the island of Republic, Atlantic Ocean, and Caribbean Sea; area 11,072 1 square miles; Pop. about 2,500,000; Port-au-Prince, capital (1919) 101,272; other important towns 000), Gonaïves (30,000), Port de Paix are: Cape Haïtien (19,000), Cayes (12,- (10,000). Topography. The country is mounrange, which sends out lateral spurs, tertainous , being being traversed by a volcanic minating in headlands on the coast. Cibao, the loftiest peak, reaches an altitude of 7,000 feet. The rivers are small The lakes are quite numerous, and the and few in number and unnavigable. salt lake of Henriquillo, near the S. its tides, subterranean connection with shore, is remarkable for showing, by the Caribbean Sea. is semi-tropical, but tempered by the sea Climate and Productions. - The climate breezes, and this , with its well-watered soil, makes Haiti the most fertile of the are mainly agricultural, coffee being the West Indies. The industries of Haiti principal product . Cocoa, cotton, sugar, and tobacco are grown, and considerable rum, and other spirits distilled. The mineral resources are undeveloped, but are known to be of considerable importance. Copper, iron, nickel, gypsum, limestone, and porphyry are found in the N. Commerce. Imports in 1918 were valued at $10,500,000; exports $11,000,coffee, cocoa, logwood, cotton, hides, skins, 000. The exports consist principally of corn, mahogany, and honey. The import trade is carried on principally with the and Spain. In 1917 the external debt of United States, Great Britain, France, Haiti was 120,912,060 francs, the internal debt 3,368,705 francs. of a republic. The constitution dating Government. The government is that from June 14, 1867, was revised in 1918. tional Assembly, divided into two cham- The legislative authority rests in a Nabers, the Senate and the House of Repfor 2 years, 1 for every 60,000 popularesentatives. The deputies are elected elected by popular vote for a term of tion. The Senate consists of 15 members six years. The executive power is vested in the president, elected by the National Assembly for a term of four years. The administration is carried on under the president by 5 secretaries. President in 1919 (elected in 1915), M. Philippe S. Dartiguenave. Religion and Education. - The authorized religion is nominally Roman Catholic. Instruction in elementary grades is free, and supported by the government to the extent of $1,000,000 annually. Education was made compulsory in 1910. In 1918 there were 886 schools with about 66,500 students. History. Haiti was a French colony previous to 1804 when it was proclaimed independent. Several insurrections have taken place, and attempts have been made to annex it to the United States. The inhabitants are mostly negroes or mulattoes, speaking either French or a dialect known as Creole French. An armed conwas established in 1910 constabulary stabulary sisting of 110 officers and 26,888 men. In 1912 the United States Government used its influence to prevent a war between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In 1914 owing to insurrections and threatened international complications the United States landed marines, occиpied the fort, took charge of the customs and practically assumed a protectorate over Haiti. In July, 1918, the republic declared war against the Central Powers.