The Island
* Haiti is located on an island named Hispaniola shared with the Dominican Republic
* Originally inhabited by the indigenous Taíno people
* Hispaniola is the 22nd-largest island in the world
* Second largest island in the Caribbean after Cuba
* Haiti covers 10,714 square miles (27,750 square kilometers)
* Population: 10.83 million (2015)
Haitian Revolution
* December 5, 1492 -- Hispaniola discovered by Christopher Columbus
* 1789 - Start of the French Revolution
* August 21, 1791 - Ignited by a voodoo ceremony slaves rebel against the planters, the revolt is carried on by Toussaint L'Ouverture
* February 4, 1794 -- Radifaction of Decree of the National Convention of Abolishing Slavery in all the Colonies
* January 1, 1804 -- Jean Jacques Dessalines declares Haiti's independance from France and renames the country Haiti
* July 1915 -- U.S. forces occupy Haiti until 1934
* September 1957 -- Francois Duvalier elected president
* February 7, 1991 -- Installation of first democratically elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide
* January 12, 2010 -- 7.0 magnitude earthquake leaves acording to official estimates, 316,000 people killed, 300,000 injured and 1.3 million displaced
* February 7, 2016 -- President Michel Martelly completes his constitutional term of 5 years
Culture
* Capital: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
* Official Languages: French & Haitian Creole
* Official Religions: Catholique, Protestant and Vodou
* Music: Compas
* Traditional Meals & Staples: Pumpkin Soup, riz national (red beans and rice), griot (fried porc), yams, sweet potatoes, manioc, corn, and coffee
* Festivities: Carnaval and Rara bands
* Major Holidays: Jan 1 - Independence Day, May 18 - Flag Day
* Haitian Arts: Vibrant colors
