Slide 1Slide 2Slide 3Slide 4Slide 5Slide 6Slide 7Slide 8Slide 9Slide 10Slide 11Slide 12Slide 13Slide 14Slide 15Slide 16Slide 17Slide 18Slide 19Slide 20Slide 21Slide 22Slide 23Slide 24Slide 25Slide 26Slide 27Slide 28Slide 29Slide 30Slide 31Slide 32World Regional GeographyWorld Regional GeographyJanuary 20, 2010January 20, 2010Reading: Marston Chapter 1Website:http://www.colorado.edu/geography/class_homepages/geog_1982_s10/HaitiHaiti•Brief History of HaitiBrief History of Haiti•Brief Geography of HaitiBrief Geography of Haiti•Human / SocialHuman / Social•PhysicalPhysical•January 12January 12thth Earthquake Earthquake•What happened….What happened….•Social implicationsSocial implications•International responseInternational response•How are geographers helping?How are geographers helping?•How does this affect the world?How does this affect the world?Haiti: LocationHaiti: LocationColonial HistoryColonial History14921492: Columbus lands on Hispaniola, Spanish : Columbus lands on Hispaniola, Spanish colonize Island shortly thereafter.colonize Island shortly thereafter.16971697: Eastern 1/3 of Hispaniola ceded to : Eastern 1/3 of Hispaniola ceded to France by Spain (Saint-Domingue).France by Spain (Saint-Domingue).17911791: Slave revolts begin.: Slave revolts begin.18041804: Haiti achieves independence.: Haiti achieves independence.HistoryHistory18251825: After several failed attempts to retake : After several failed attempts to retake the country, France officially recognizes Haiti.the country, France officially recognizes Haiti.19141914: British, German, and US forces enter : British, German, and US forces enter Haiti to ‘protect their citizens”.Haiti to ‘protect their citizens”.1915-19341915-1934: US occupation of Haiti.: US occupation of Haiti.19371937: Parsley Massacre.: Parsley Massacre.HistoryHistory19911991: Elected leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide fleas the : Elected leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide fleas the country following a successful coup.country following a successful coup.19941994: Aristide returns with international support.: Aristide returns with international support.2004:2004: Following his re-election in 2000, Aristide is Following his re-election in 2000, Aristide is again overthrown amidst corruption charges. US again overthrown amidst corruption charges. US Marines “evacuate” Aristide.Marines “evacuate” Aristide.2006:2006: Current President Rene Preval elected. Current President Rene Preval elected.Instability & EmigrationInstability & EmigrationSince achieving independence in 1804 the sitting Since achieving independence in 1804 the sitting Haitian government has been overthrown Haitian government has been overthrown 3232 times. times.As a result hundreds of thousands have fled HaitiAs a result hundreds of thousands have fled HaitiDominican Republic (800,000)Dominican Republic (800,000)United States (600,000)United States (600,000)•New York CityNew York City•Miami (Little Haiti)Miami (Little Haiti)Canada (100,000)Canada (100,000)•MontrealMontrealFrance (80,000)France (80,000)Bahamas (80,000)Bahamas (80,000)Haiti: Interesting FactsHaiti: Interesting Facts•Only nation in the world born of a slave revolt.Only nation in the world born of a slave revolt.•First independent nation in Latin America.First independent nation in Latin America.•First black-led post-colonial independent nation in the First black-led post-colonial independent nation in the world.world.•Only French-speaking independent nation in the Only French-speaking independent nation in the Americas.Americas.•Strong connection to Louisiana Creole population.Strong connection to Louisiana Creole population.•1717thth century haven for pirates. century haven for pirates.Tortuga and the “Brethren of the Coast”Tortuga and the “Brethren of the Coast”HaitiHaitiThe PeopleThe People•Population: 9,035,536 Population: 9,035,536 •EthnicityEthnicityAfrican Decent: 95%African Decent: 95%White / Mulatto: 5%White / Mulatto: 5%•Religion*Religion*Roman Catholic: 80%Roman Catholic: 80%Protestant: 16%Protestant: 16%None: 1%None: 1%Other: 3%Other: 3%•Official LanguagesOfficial LanguagesFrenchFrenchCreoleCreole* It is estimated that roughly 50% of the population actually practices * It is estimated that roughly 50% of the population actually practices Haitian Vodou, which merges Catholicism and West African religions.Haitian Vodou, which merges Catholicism and West African religions.Population CharacteristicsPopulation Characteristics•Demographic differences related to stages of Demographic differences related to stages of development. development. •““Demographic Transition”Demographic Transition”Population DensityPopulation DensitySocial/Vital CharacteristicsSocial/Vital Characteristics•Highest fertility rate in the western hemisphere. Highest fertility rate in the western hemisphere. •Ranks 149Ranks 149thth out of 182 countries in U.N. Human out of 182 countries in U.N. Human Development Index.Development Index.Economic CharacteristicsEconomic CharacteristicsHaiti is the poorest country in the Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.Western Hemisphere. * Nearly 2/3 of the population is not formally employed.Socio- Economic CharacteristicsSocio- Economic Characteristics•PovertyPovertyMost Haitians live on less than $2 per day.Most Haitians live on less than $2 per day.80% of the population lives below the poverty line. 80% of the population lives below the poverty line. 54% live in “abject poverty”.54% live in “abject poverty”.Poverty has forced some 225,000 children into virtually Poverty has forced some 225,000 children into virtually slavery (unpaid servants).slavery (unpaid servants).•Labor ForceLabor ForceLack of skilled labor, and opportunities for skilled laborers.Lack of skilled labor, and opportunities for skilled laborers.2/3 of population relies on small-scale agriculture 2/3 of population relies on small-scale agriculture (subsistence), which is extremely vulnerable to natural (subsistence), which is extremely vulnerable to natural hazards.hazards.•EducationEducationBrain-drain: 80% of Haitian college graduates have left the Brain-drain: 80% of Haitian college graduates have left the country to find work.country to find work.•InequalityInequality50% of the nations wealth is owned by 1% of the population.50% of the nations