Haiti

Haiti is a country on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea. It shares the island with the Dominican Republic. Haiti was the first country in the Americas where enslaved people won their freedom. French Creole and French are spoken there.

Land and People

About 12 million people live in Haiti. The capital is Port-au-Prince. Haiti has mountains, tropical forests, and warm beaches. The name Haiti means 'land of high mountains' in the Taino language.

Map showing Haiti and the countries next to it.
Map showing Haiti and the countries next to it. (VOA / Wikimedia Commons)

Culture and Fun Facts

Haitian art is bright and colorful. Music styles like kompa get people dancing. Rice and beans with fried plantains is a common meal. Haitian Creole is a mix of French and African languages that almost everyone speaks.

Fun Facts

  • Haiti became independent in 1804, making it the first free Black republic.
  • The Citadelle Laferriere is the biggest fortress in the Americas.
  • Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic.

Did You Know?

Haiti made history in 1804 when it became the first country where enslaved people freed themselves and started their own nation. The Haitian Revolution inspired freedom movements all around the world.