Haiti is a country located in the Caribbean region of North America, sharing the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. The capital and largest city is Port-au-Prince. Haiti has a rich and complex history, with influences from the indigenous Taíno people, African slaves brought over by French colonizers, and French colonial rule.

Haiti is known for its vibrant culture, including music, dance, art, and cuisine. The country is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the National History Park – Citadel, Sans Souci, Ramiers and the historic center of Cap-Haïtien.

Tourism is an important industry in Haiti, with attractions such as its beaches, waterfalls, and natural parks. Some popular destinations include Labadee, a private resort owned by Royal Caribbean, the beaches of Jacmel, and the Citadelle Laferrière, a mountaintop fortress.

However, Haiti also faces significant challenges, including poverty, political instability, and natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. Visitors to Haiti should take precautions for their safety and security, including staying aware of their surroundings, avoiding large crowds, and following local guidance.

Telephone Code
509

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 118; Police: 114

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds

Currency (Code)
Gourdes (HTG)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
110 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B

Major Languages
French, Creole

Major Religions
Protestant/Methodist/Adventist/Jehovah's Witness 51.8%, Roman Catholic 35.4%, Vodou 1.7%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in Haiti, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
National History Park (includes Sans-Souci Palace, Citadelle Laferriere, Ramiers); Bassin Bleu; Île-à-Rat; Musée du Panthéon National; Promenade du Bord de Mer

Major Sports
Soccer, basketball

Cultural Practices
Whistling and pointing are considered rude.

Tipping Guidelines
Restaurant staff should be tipped around 10% of the bill. Taxi drivers can be given a discretionary tip if they are helpful and efficient.

Souvenirs
Straw hats, metalwork sculptures, papier-mache items, woodcrafts, voodoo items

Traditional Cuisine
Griot (or Griyo) — pork shoulder marinated in citrus, which is braised and then fried; often served with diri ak pwa wouj (red beans and rice)

Geography
Area
total: 27,750 sq km
land: 27,560 sq km
water: 190 sq km

Climate
tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds

Natural resources
bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower, arable land

People and Society
Population
11,470,261 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Black 95%, mixed and White 5%

Languages
French (official), Creole (official)

Religions
Catholic 55%, Protestant 29%, Vodou 2.1%, other 4.6%, none 10% (2018 est.)

Population growth rate
1.18% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
semi-presidential republic

Capital
name: Port-au-Prince

Economy
Economic overview
small Caribbean island economy and OECS-member state; extreme poverty; enormous income inequalities; destabilization due to recent presidential assassination; US preferential market access; deteriorating human capital and infrastructure investments

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$32.856 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$2,900 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
sugar cane, cassava, mangoes/guavas, plantains, bananas, yams, avocados, maize, rice, vegetables

Industries
textiles, sugar refining, flour milling, cement, light assembly using imported parts

Exports
$1.241 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
United States 81%, Canada 7% (2019)

Exports - commodities
clothing and apparel, eels, essential oils, perfumes, mangoes, cocoa beans (2019)

Imports
$5.222 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
United States 39%, China 22%, Turkey 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, rice, clothing and apparel, palm oil, poultry meats (2019)