Haiti
Haiti and his Environment
Haiti is the most densely populated country in the Caribbean and makes up 27,750 sq km (10,714 sq mi) of the western third of Hispaniola, the second-largest island in the Caribbean. It's near the center of the West Indies, about 960km (594mi) south of Florida and 450km (280mi) north of Venezuela.
Haiti contains a few remaining cloud-forested mountains and some fertile river valleys, although much of the countryside suffers from desertification and erosion. It has two large peninsulas, the northern and southern claws, which are separated by the Golf de la Gonâve. Here, the largest of Haiti's offshore islands, “L’ïle de la Gonâve” is easily accessible.
The name Haiti comes from the Arawak word means “mountainous land,” indeed, 60% of all terrain is on gradients of 20% or higher. Major mountain ranges include the Massif de la Hotte on the southern claw, boasting the 2347m-high (7700ft-high) Pic Macaya; the Massif de la Selle, running west to east just southeast of Port-au-Prince, peaking out at Pic La Selle (2674m, 8770ft); and in the north, the spectacular Chaine du Bonnet, visible from the Citadelle. Numerous mountain streams burble down the hillsides, but the only navigable river is the broad Artibonite, which begins at the Dominican border and empties just north of St Marc.
Most Haitians, beset by rolling 20-hour electricity blackouts, rely on wood for cooking and many other activities. The resulting deforestation has left only 2% of Haiti untouched, and much rich topsoil has washed into the sea, where it chokes the reefs and marine life. In an effort to save the remaining virgin forest, four national parks struggle to survive: “Forêt des Pins”, in the southeast next to the Dominican Republic border; “Park La Visite” with limestone caves and rainforests 40km southwest of Port-au-Prince; “Park Macaya” at the western end of Haiti's southern claw; and “Park Historique La Citadelle” in the center of the “Massif du Nord” near “Cap-Haïtien.”
Haiti boasts astounding biodiversity, thanks in part to the nine distinct biomes ranging from sea level to almost Alpine heights. The 5000 plant species include more than 600 ferns and 300 varieties of orchids, as well as several native cacti. More than 25 species of bird are endemic, with many others overnighting here during travels between the continents. Only two native mammals survive: the “Hispaniolan hutia” which looks like a small mole, and the solendon, a rodent locally known as “nez longue” (long nose) for its prominent proboscis.
Haiti's climate is generally hot and humid, and temperatures vary more over the course of a day than from season to season. Highs are generally around 30°C (85°F), while nighttime lows can reach 20°C (65°F).
The Seasons in Haiti
The Seasons in Haiti
Spring in Haiti comes first to “Grand-Anse” but fall comes late. The rainy season varies: Along the northern coast, it runs from October to May, while the southern claw can expect rain from May to October.
Fall (September through November)
During the fall, the island stretches out under a flawlessly blue sky, cattle and horses graze peacefully in fields surround by the fall, good smell of the “Jasmines” and some few purple Miscanthus purpurascens and, lower down the slopes of Jacmel, yellow tangerines, mandarins and papayas flourish the market. In spite of the isolate view of threes from the higher up of the mountain, the yellow of the ripped mangoes offer unexcelled late-fall viewing. For the out door sportsmen there is pheasant hunting and fall is also the time the people on the island engage in many cultural activities.
Haiti's four-month-long hurricane season is summed up in this popular rhyme: 'June - too soon, July - stand by, August - a must, September - remember.' Of course, August isn't always the season's peak; the last Hurricane Jeanne, which rolled through Hispaniola there were already 1,514 people Haitians dead with another 1240 missing. In addition, there were some 300,000 people left homeless most of them in the District of Artibonite by Jeanne's tropical rainfall, more tan US$5.4 billion in damages, within both Republics which share the island in 2004. But, Haiti was the most affected due to its poor emergency policies.
In Conclusion
Haiti's political strife, poverty and environmental degradation are too well known; this portrait of Hispaniola's mountainous western region is accurate, but incomplete. The modern world's first black-led republic, it boasts a unique culture and an incredible artistic tradition.
The language, dance and music of the Haitian people reflect synchronization between the spiritual and material worlds that shouldn't be missed.
Voodoo, long misunderstood but not recommended to practice, is a richly textured religion, smuggled from Africa and hidden among the Catholic rituals of European missionaries. Haiti's colonial architecture, all gingerbread and plazas, is alive with the music of Africa.
Its surprisingly fine cuisine, of Caribbean ingredients prepared according to classical French methods, attracts gourmets from the other side of the island. And, though human need has torn down much of Haiti's forests and jungles, there is still unspoiled nature that ecotourism can yet preserve.
Public Holidays
January 1 - Independence Day (Jou d'lan)
January 2 - Ancestry Day
April 7 - Death of Toussaint Louverture
August 15 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
October 17 - Death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines
November 1 - All Saints
November 2 - All Souls
November 18 - Vertières Day
December 5 - Discovery of Haiti
December 25 - Christmas Day
Summer (June to August) conventionally, uses to be slightly hotter than the winter, while temperatures drop markedly at higher elevations. Summer starts with about three weeks of rain. Farmers are then kept busy with the management of their crops, the bananas as well as harvesting such crops as corn and “Petit-mil”. Slowly, the weather warms and when full-scale summer sets-in, the flamboyant change the view of some nice towns.
Winter (December through February)
Haiti's winters are far to be cold like winters on other countries in North America. With a very sunny winter, during the nights, the island becomes cold, but not enough to have snow.
