Haiti at a glance

Second largest Caribbean Island, Haiti is situated 77 km southeast of Cuba. Haiti occupies the western third of the island it shares with the Dominican Republic and has 1530 km of coast line. Mountainous land between the Atlantic Ocean in the North and the Caribbean Sea in the South, Haiti also comprises several islands surrounding the main territory: La Gonâve, la Tortue, l'Ile-à-Vache, la Navase, etc.

Capital city: Port-au-Prince
Superficies: 27,750 km2
Location: between 71°20' and 74°30' West longitude and 18°0' and 20°6' North latitude.
Climate: average temperature between 25° C and 30° C at sea level and 15° C and 20° C in the mountains.
Average rainfall: 1,400 mm
Rainy season: between November and March (North), and between May and October (South)
Dry season: between December and March-July
Population: 10,804,812 (2015 estimate*)
Official languages: French, Creole
Main religions: Catholicism, Protestantism, Voodoo
Currency: Gourde (many businesses accept US dollars)
Time zone: GMT -5
Electricity: 110 volts (American power outlets)

Key Development Indicators (2005)

Population, mid-year (millions) 8.5
Surface area (thousand sq.km) 27.750
Population growth(%) 1.4
GDP (US$ millions) 4,300
GDP growth(%) 1.8
GDP per capita growth%) 0.2

Most recent estimates: (2000-2005)

Poverty headcount ratio at $1 a day (PPP, %) 54
Poverty headcount ratio at 2$ a day (PPP, %) 78
Life expectancy at birth (years) 52
Infant mortality (per 1,000 live births) 76
Child malnutrition (%of children under 5) 17
Access to an improved water source (% of population) 54
Access to improved sanitation facilities (% of population) 30
Agriculture (% of GDP) 25.6
Industry 16.0
Manufacturing 8.3
Services 51.1
Exports of goods and services 14.0
Imports of goods and services 41.0

Balance of payments and trade (2005)

Total merchandise exports (f.o.b) 458.9
Total merchandise imports (f.o.b) 1,308.5
Net trade in goods and services -1,162.7
Workers' remittances and compensation of employees (net) 925
Current account balance as a % of GDP -6.3

Environment (2004)

Agricultural land %of land area) 58
Forest area (% of land area, 2002 and 2005) 3.8
Nationally protected areas (% of land area) 0.4
Freshwater resources per capita (cu. meters) 1,548
Freshwater water withdrawal (% of internal resources) 7.6
CO2 emissions per capita (mt) 0.22
Energy use per capita (kg of oil equivalent) 270

Source: The World Bank