--- title: Haiti — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 4 description: Wikipedia's «Haiti», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Haiti, officially the Republic of Haiti, is a country in the Caribbean on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, east of Cuba and Jamaica and south of The Bahamas. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Haiti/page/4/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Haiti # Haiti · page 4 From Wikipedia, [«Haiti»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Haiti/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Haiti/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Haiti/page/3/) **4** [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Haiti/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Haiti/page/6/) [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Haiti/page/7/) Amidst the continuing political chaos, a series of natural disasters hit Haiti.[249](../../249/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2004, [Tropical Storm Jeanne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Jeanne#Haiti) skimmed the north coast, leaving 3,006 people dead in flooding and mudslides, mostly in Gonaïves.[\[197\]](../../page/7/#ref-197 "note 197")[250](../../250/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2008, Haiti was again struck by tropical storms; [Tropical Storm Fay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Storm_Fay_%282008%29), [Hurricane Gustav](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Gustav), [Hurricane Hanna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Hanna_%282008%29) and [Hurricane Ike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Ike) all produced heavy winds and rain, resulting in 331 deaths and about 800,000 in need of humanitarian aid.[\[198\]](../../page/7/#ref-198 "note 198")[251](../../251/ "tree and pragmatics") The state of affairs produced by these storms was intensified by already high food and fuel prices that had caused a food crisis and political unrest in April 2008.[\[199\]](../../page/7/#ref-199 "note 199")[\[200\]](../../page/7/#ref-200 "note 200")[\[52\]](../../page/7/#ref-52 "note 52")[252](../../252/ "tree and pragmatics") On 12 January 2010, Haiti was struck by a magnitude-[7.0 earthquake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Haiti_earthquake).[253](../../253/ "tree and pragmatics") This was the country's most severe earthquake in over 200 years.[\[201\]](../../page/7/#ref-201 "note 201")[254](../../254/ "tree and pragmatics") The earthquake was reported to have left between 160,000 and 316,000 people dead and up to 1.6 million homeless, making it one of the [deadliest natural disasters ever recorded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_natural_disasters_by_death_toll).[\[202\]](../../page/7/#ref-202 "note 202")[\[203\]](../../page/7/#ref-203 "note 203")[\[204\]](../../page/7/#ref-204 "note 204")[255](../../255/ "tree and pragmatics") An estimated 80% of schools and more than half of Haiti's hospitals were destroyed or damaged.[\[195\]](../../page/7/#ref-195 "note 195")[256](../../256/ "tree and pragmatics") The situation was exacerbated by a subsequent massive [cholera outbreak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010s_Haiti_cholera_outbreak) that was triggered when cholera-infected waste from a United Nations peacekeeping station contaminated the country's main river, the [Artibonite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artibonite_River).[\[192\]](../../page/7/#ref-192 "note 192")[\[205\]](../../page/7/#ref-205 "note 205")[\[206\]](../../page/7/#ref-206 "note 206")[257](../../257/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2017, it was reported that roughly 10,000 Haitians had died and nearly a million had been made ill.[258](../../258/ "tree and pragmatics") After years of denial, the United Nations apologized in 2016, but as of 2017, they have refused to acknowledge fault, thus avoiding financial responsibility.[\[207\]](../../page/7/#ref-207 "note 207")[259](../../259/ "tree and pragmatics") General elections had been planned for January 2010, but were postponed due to the earthquake.[\[52\]](../../page/7/#ref-52 "note 52")[260](../../260/ "tree and pragmatics") [Elections were held on 28 November 2010](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010–11_Haitian_general_election) for the senate, the parliament and the first round of the presidential elections.[261](../../261/ "tree and pragmatics") The run-off between [Michel Martelly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Martelly) and [Mirlande Manigat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirlande_Manigat) declared Martelly the winner.[\[208\]](../../page/7/#ref-208 "note 208")[\[209\]](../../page/7/#ref-209 "note 209")[262](../../262/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2011, both former presidents Jean-Claude Duvalier and Jean-Bertrand Aristide returned to Haiti; attempts to try Duvalier for crimes committed under his rule were shelved following his death in 2014.[\[210\]](../../page/7/#ref-210 "note 210")[\[211\]](../../page/7/#ref-211 "note 211")[\[212\]](../../page/7/#ref-212 "note 212")[\[208\]](../../page/7/#ref-208 "note 208")[263](../../263/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2013, the Haitian government called for European governments to pay [reparations for slavery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reparations_for_slavery) and establish an official commission for the settlement of past wrongdoings.[\[213\]](../../page/7/#ref-213 "note 213")[\[214\]](../../page/7/#ref-214 "note 214")[264](../../264/ "tree and pragmatics") Meanwhile, after continuing political wrangling with the opposition and allegations of electoral fraud, Martelly agreed to step down in 2016 without a successor in place.[\[208\]](../../page/7/#ref-208 "note 208")[\[215\]](../../page/7/#ref-215 "note 215")[265](../../265/ "tree and pragmatics") After numerous postponements, partly owing to the effects of devastating [Hurricane Matthew](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Matthew), elections were held [in November 2016](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_2016_Haitian_presidential_election) with a record low voter turnout of just 17%.[\[195\]](../../page/7/#ref-195 "note 195")[\[216\]](../../page/7/#ref-216 "note 216")[\[217\]](../../page/7/#ref-217 "note 217")[266](../../266/ "tree and pragmatics") The victor, [Jovenel Moïse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jovenel_Moïse) of the [Haitian Tèt Kale Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitian_Tèt_Kale_Party), was sworn in as president in 2017.[\[218\]](../../page/7/#ref-218 "note 218")[\[219\]](../../page/7/#ref-219 "note 219")[267](../../267/ "tree and pragmatics") Protests began on 7 July 2018 in response to increased fuel prices.[268](../../268/ "tree and pragmatics") Over time, these protests evolved into demands for the resignation of president Moïse.[\[220\]](../../page/7/#ref-220 "note 220")[269](../../269/ "tree and pragmatics") On 7 July 2021, [Moïse was assassinated](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Jovenel_Moïse) in an attack on his private residence, and First Lady [Martine Moïse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martine_Moïse) was hospitalized in [Miami](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami).[\[221\]](../../page/7/#ref-221 "note 221")[270](../../270/ "tree and pragmatics") Amid the political crisis, the government of Haiti installed [Ariel Henry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Henry) as the acting prime minister on 20 July.[\[222\]](../../page/7/#ref-222 "note 222")[\[223\]](../../page/7/#ref-223 "note 223")[271](../../271/ "tree and pragmatics") On 14 August, Haiti suffered [another huge earthquake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Haiti_earthquake), with many casualties.[\[224\]](../../page/7/#ref-224 "note 224")[272](../../272/ "tree and pragmatics") The earthquake also damaged Haiti's economic conditions and led to a rise in gang violence which by September 2021 had escalated to a long-lasting full-blown gang war and other violent crimes within the country.[\[225\]](../../page/7/#ref-225 "note 225")[\[226\]](../../page/7/#ref-226 "note 226")[273](../../273/ "tree and pragmatics") As of March 2022, Haiti still has no president, no parliamentary quorum, and a dysfunctional high court due to a lack of judges.[\[222\]](../../page/7/#ref-222 "note 222")[274](../../274/ "tree and pragmatics") [2022 protests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Haitian_fuel_protests) against the government and [rising fuel prices](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_energy_crisis_%282021–2023%29) intensified.[\[227\]](../../page/7/#ref-227 "note 227")[\[228\]](../../page/7/#ref-228 "note 228")[275](../../275/ "tree and pragmatics") By late 2023, gangs and armed groups controlled an estimated 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince.[\[195\]](../../page/7/#ref-195 "note 195")[276](../../276/ "tree and pragmatics") During 2023, gangs killed 4,789 people, kidnapped 2,490 more and displaced an estimated 362,000 from their homes (mostly in Port-au-Prince).[\[195\]](../../page/7/#ref-195 "note 195")[\[229\]](../../page/7/#ref-229 "note 229")[277](../../277/ "tree and pragmatics") Doctors, lawyers, and other wealthy members of society were kidnapped and held for ransom.[\[230\]](../../page/7/#ref-230 "note 230")[278](../../278/ "tree and pragmatics") Many victims were killed when ransom demands were not met, leading those with the means to do so to flee the country, further hampering efforts to pull the country out of the crisis.[\[230\]](../../page/7/#ref-230 "note 230")[279](../../279/ "tree and pragmatics") It is estimated that amidst the crisis up to 20% of qualified medical staff had left Haiti by the end of 2023.[\[231\]](../../page/7/#ref-231 "note 231")[280](../../280/ "tree and pragmatics") In March 2024, Ariel Henry was prevented by gangs from returning to Haiti, following a visit to [Kenya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya) [corpus](../../../Kenya/ "in our corpus").[\[232\]](../../page/7/#ref-232 "note 232")[281](../../281/ "tree and pragmatics") Henry agreed to resign once a transitional government had been formed.[282](../../282/ "tree and pragmatics") As of that month, nearly half of Haiti's population was living under [acute food insecurity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_famine_in_Haiti), according to the [World Food Programme](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Food_Programme).[\[22\]](../../page/7/#ref-22 "note 22")[283](../../283/ "tree and pragmatics") On 25 April 2024, the [Transitional Presidential Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transitional_Presidential_Council) took over the governance of Haiti and remained in power until 7 February 2026 after no presidential election was held.[\[233\]](../../page/7/#ref-233 "note 233")[284](../../284/ "tree and pragmatics") [Michel Patrick Boisvert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_Patrick_Boisvert) was named acting prime minister.[\[233\]](../../page/7/#ref-233 "note 233")[285](../../285/ "tree and pragmatics") On 3 June 2024, the council swore in [Garry Conille](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garry_Conille) as acting prime minister.[\[234\]](../../page/7/#ref-234 "note 234")[286](../../286/ "tree and pragmatics") On 10 November, [Alix Didier Fils-Aimé](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alix_Didier_Fils-Aimé) replaced Conille as acting prime minister.[\[235\]](../../page/7/#ref-235 "note 235")[287](../../287/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Geography Main article: [Geography of Haiti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Haiti) Haiti forms the western three-eighths of Hispaniola, the second largest island in the [Greater Antilles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Antilles).[288](../../288/ "tree and pragmatics") At 27750 km2 Haiti is the third largest country in the Caribbean behind Cuba and the Dominican Republic, the latter sharing a 360 km [border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Republic–Haiti_border) with Haiti.[289](../../289/ "tree and pragmatics") The country has a roughly horseshoe shape and because of this it has a disproportionately long coastline, second in length (1771 km) behind Cuba in the Greater Antilles.[\[236\]](../../page/7/#ref-236 "note 236")[\[237\]](../../page/7/#ref-237 "note 237")[290](../../290/ "tree and pragmatics") Haiti is the most mountainous country in the Caribbean.[291](../../291/ "tree and pragmatics") Its terrain consists of mountains interspersed with small coastal plains and river valleys.[\[238\]](../../page/7/#ref-238 "note 238")[292](../../292/ "tree and pragmatics") Plains are only 22% of its territory.[\[239\]](../../page/7/#ref-239 "note 239")[293](../../293/ "tree and pragmatics") The climate is tropical, with some variation depending on altitude.[294](../../294/ "tree and pragmatics") The highest point is [Pic la Selle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pic_la_Selle), at 2680 m.[\[240\]](../../page/7/#ref-240 "note 240")[\[238\]](../../page/7/#ref-238 "note 238")[\[52\]](../../page/7/#ref-52 "note 52")[295](../../295/ "tree and pragmatics") The northern region or Marien Region consists of the [Massif du Nord](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massif_du_Nord) (Northern Massif) and the [Plaine du Nord](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaine_du_Nord) (Northern Plain).[296](../../296/ "tree and pragmatics") The Massif du Nord is an extension of the Cordillera Central in the Dominican Republic.[\[52\]](../../page/7/#ref-52 "note 52")[297](../../297/ "tree and pragmatics") It begins at Haiti's eastern border, north of the [Guayamouc River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guayamouc_River), and extends to the northwest through the northern peninsula.[298](../../298/ "tree and pragmatics") The lowlands of the Plaine du Nord lie along the northern border with the Dominican Republic, between the Massif du Nord and the North Atlantic Ocean.[299](../../299/ "tree and pragmatics") The central region or Artibonite Region consists of two plains and two sets of mountain ranges.[300](../../300/ "tree and pragmatics") The Plateau Central (Central Plateau) extends along both sides of the Guayamouc River, south of the Massif du Nord.[301](../../301/ "tree and pragmatics") It runs from the southeast to the northwest.[302](../../302/ "tree and pragmatics") To the southwest of the Plateau Central are the [Montagnes Noires](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montagnes_Noires,_Haiti), whose most northwestern part merges with the Massif du Nord.[303](../../303/ "tree and pragmatics") The most important valley in terms of crops is the Plaine de l'Artibonite, which lies between the Montagnes Noires and the Chaîne des Matheux.[\[52\]](../../page/7/#ref-52 "note 52")[304](../../304/ "tree and pragmatics") This region contains the country's longest river, the [Riviere l'Artibonite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artibonite_River), which begins in the western region of the Dominican Republic and continues for most of its length through central Haiti, where it then empties into the [Golfe de la Gonâve](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Gonâve).[\[52\]](../../page/7/#ref-52 "note 52")[305](../../305/ "tree and pragmatics") Also in this valley lies Haiti's second largest lake, [Lac de Péligre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lac_de_Péligre), formed as a result of the construction of the [Péligre Dam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Péligre_Dam) in the mid-1950s.[\[241\]](../../page/7/#ref-241 "note 241")[306](../../306/ "tree and pragmatics") The southern region or Xaragua Region consists of the [Plaine du Cul-de-Sac](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaine_du_Cul-de-Sac) (the southeast) and the mountainous southern peninsula (the [Tiburon Peninsula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiburon_Peninsula,_Haiti)).[307](../../307/ "tree and pragmatics") The Plaine du Cul-de-Sac is a natural depression that harbors the country's saline lakes, such as [Trou Caïman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trou_Caïman) and Haiti's largest lake, [Étang Saumatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Étang_Saumatre).[308](../../308/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Chaîne de la Selle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaîne_de_la_Selle) mountain range – an extension of the southern mountain chain of the Dominican Republic (the Sierra de Baoruco) – extends from the Massif de la Selle in the east to the [Massif de la Hotte](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massif_de_la_Hotte) in the west.[\[52\]](../../page/7/#ref-52 "note 52")[309](../../309/ "tree and pragmatics") Haiti includes several offshore islands.[310](../../310/ "tree and pragmatics") The island of [Tortuga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortuga_%28Haiti%29) is located off the coast of northern Haiti.[311](../../311/ "tree and pragmatics") The [arrondissement](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrondissements_of_Haiti) of [La Gonâve](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonâve_Island) is located on the island of the same name, in the Golfe de la Gonâve; Haiti's largest island, Gonâve is moderately populated by rural villagers.[312](../../312/ "tree and pragmatics") [Île à Vache](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Île_à_Vache) is located off the southwest coast; also part of Haiti are the [Cayemites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cayemites), located in the Gulf of Gonâve north of [Pestel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pestel,_Grand%27Anse).[313](../../313/ "tree and pragmatics") [Navassa Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navassa_Island), located 40 nmi west of [Jérémie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jérémie) on the southwest peninsula,[\[242\]](../../page/7/#ref-242 "note 242") is subject to an ongoing territorial dispute with the United States, who currently administer the island.[\[243\]](../../page/7/#ref-243 "note 243")[314](../../314/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Climate The climate is tropical with some variation depending on altitude.[\[238\]](../../page/7/#ref-238 "note 238")[315](../../315/ "tree and pragmatics") Port-au-Prince ranges in January from an average minimum of 23 °C to an average maximum of 31 °C; in July, from 25 – 35 °C. The rainfall pattern is varied, with rain heavier in some of the lowlands and the northern and eastern slopes of the mountains.[316](../../316/ "tree and pragmatics") The dry season occurs from November to January.[317](../../317/ "tree and pragmatics") Port-au-Prince receives an average annual rainfall of 1370 mm.[318](../../318/ "tree and pragmatics") There are two rainy seasons, April–June and October–November.[319](../../319/ "tree and pragmatics") Haiti is subject to periodic droughts and floods, made more severe by deforestation.[320](../../320/ "tree and pragmatics") Hurricanes are a menace, and the country is prone to flooding and earthquakes.[\[238\]](../../page/7/#ref-238 "note 238")[321](../../321/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Geology There are [blind thrust faults](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrust_fault#Blind_thrust_faults) associated with the [Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault system](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enriquillo-Plantain_Garden_fault_zone) over which Haiti lies.[\[244\]](../../page/7/#ref-244 "note 244")[322](../../322/ "tree and pragmatics") After the earthquake of 2010, there was no evidence of [surface rupture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_rupture), and geologists' findings were based on seismological, geological and ground deformation data.[\[245\]](../../page/7/#ref-245 "note 245")[323](../../323/ "tree and pragmatics") The northern boundary of the fault is where the [Caribbean plate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_plate) shifts eastwards by about 20 mm per year in relation to the [North American plate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_plate).[324](../../324/ "tree and pragmatics") The [strike-slip fault](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strike-slip_fault) system in the region has two branches in Haiti, the [Septentrional-Oriente fault](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septentrional-Oriente_fault_zone) in the north and the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault in the south.[325](../../325/ "tree and pragmatics") A 2007 earthquake hazard study notes that the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault zone could be at the end of its seismic cycle and concludes that a worst-case forecast would involve a 7.2 Mw earthquake, similar in size to the [1692 Jamaica earthquake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1692_Jamaica_earthquake).[\[246\]](../../page/7/#ref-246 "note 246")[326](../../326/ "tree and pragmatics") A study team performing a hazard assessment of the fault system recommended "high priority" historical geologic rupture studies, as the fault was fully locked and had recorded few earthquakes in the preceding 40 years.[\[247\]](../../page/7/#ref-247 "note 247")[327](../../327/ "tree and pragmatics") A magnitude 7.0 earthquake happened on this fault zone on 12 January 2010.[\[248\]](../../page/7/#ref-248 "note 248")[328](../../328/ "tree and pragmatics") Haiti has rare elements such as gold, which can be found at the [Mont Organisé](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Organisé) [gold mine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_mining).[\[249\]](../../page/7/#ref-249 "note 249")[329](../../329/ "tree and pragmatics") There are no currently active volcanoes; no volcanic activity has been experienced since the [Miocene](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miocene) age.[\[250\]](../../page/7/#ref-250 "note 250")[330](../../330/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Environment Main article: [Environment of Haiti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environment_of_Haiti), [Deforestation in Haiti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation_in_Haiti) The [soil erosion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erosion) released from the upper [catchments](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drainage_basin) and deforestation have caused periodic and severe flooding, as experienced, for example, on 17 September 2004.[331](../../331/ "tree and pragmatics") Earlier in May that year, floods had killed over 3,000 people on Haiti's southern border with the Dominican Republic.[\[251\]](../../page/7/#ref-251 "note 251")[332](../../332/ "tree and pragmatics") Haiti's forests covered 60% of the country as recently as 50 years ago, but that has been halved to a current estimate of 30% tree cover.[333](../../333/ "tree and pragmatics") This estimate poses a stark difference from the erroneous figure of 2% which has been oft-cited in discourse concerning the country's environmental condition.[\[252\]](../../page/7/#ref-252 "note 252")[334](../../334/ "tree and pragmatics") Haiti had a 2019 [Forest Landscape Integrity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Landscape_Integrity_Index) mean score of 4.01/10, ranking it 137th globally out of 172 countries.[\[253\]](../../page/7/#ref-253 "note 253")[335](../../335/ "tree and pragmatics") Major [national parks in Haiti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_parks_of_Haiti) include the [La Visite National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Visite_National_Park) and the [Pic Macaya National Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pic_Macaya_National_Park).[\[254\]](../../page/7/#ref-254 "note 254")[336](../../336/ "tree and pragmatics") Scientists at the [Columbia University's Center for International Earth Science Information Network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Earth_Institute#Center_for_International_Earth_Science_Information_Network_%28CIESIN%29Earth_Institute) and the [United Nations Environment Programme](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Environment_Programme) are working on the Haiti Regenerative Initiative, an initiative aiming to reduce poverty and natural disaster vulnerability through ecosystem restoration and sustainable resource management.[\[255\]](../../page/7/#ref-255 "note 255")[337](../../337/ "tree and pragmatics") #### Biodiversity Main article: [Wildlife of Haiti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_of_Haiti) Haiti is home to four ecoregions: [Hispaniolan moist forests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispaniolan_moist_forests), [Hispaniolan dry forests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispaniolan_dry_forests), [Hispaniolan pine forests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispaniolan_pine_forests), and [Greater Antilles mangroves](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Antilles_mangroves).[\[256\]](../../page/7/#ref-256 "note 256")[338](../../338/ "tree and pragmatics") Despite its small size, the mountainous terrain and resultant multiple climatic zones have resulted in a wide variety of plant life.[\[257\]](../../page/7/#ref-257 "note 257")[339](../../339/ "tree and pragmatics") About 5,000 species of plants have been identified in Haiti, including over 3,000 woody plants, trees, and shrubs, 600 species of [fern](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fern), and 160 [orchids](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchid).[\[258\]](../../page/7/#ref-258 "note 258")[340](../../340/ "tree and pragmatics") Notable tree species include the [breadfruit tree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breadfruit_tree), [mango tree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mango_tree), [acacia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia), [mahogany](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahogany), [coconut palm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_palm), [royal palm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_palm) and [West Indian cedar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedrela_odorata).[\[257\]](../../page/7/#ref-257 "note 257")[341](../../341/ "tree and pragmatics") Most mammal species are not native, having been brought to the island since colonial times.[\[257\]](../../page/7/#ref-257 "note 257")[342](../../342/ "tree and pragmatics") However, there are various native [bat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat) species, as well as the endemic [Hispaniolan hutia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispaniolan_hutia) and [Hispaniolan solenodon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispaniolan_solenodon).[\[257\]](../../page/7/#ref-257 "note 257")[343](../../343/ "tree and pragmatics") Whale and dolphin species can be found off the coast.[344](../../344/ "tree and pragmatics") There are over 260 species of birds, 31 endemic to Hispaniola.[\[259\]](../../page/7/#ref-259 "note 259")[345](../../345/ "tree and pragmatics") Notable endemic species include the [Hispaniolan trogon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispaniolan_trogon), [Hispaniolan parakeet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispaniolan_parakeet), [grey-crowned tanager](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey-crowned_tanager) and the [Hispaniolan amazon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hispaniolan_amazon).[\[259\]](../../page/7/#ref-259 "note 259")[346](../../346/ "tree and pragmatics") There are also several [raptors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raptor_%28bird%29), as well as pelicans, ibis, hummingbirds and ducks.[347](../../347/ "tree and pragmatics") Reptiles are common, with species such as the [rhinoceros iguana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinoceros_iguana), [Haitian boa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilabothrus_fordii), [American crocodile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_crocodile) and [gecko](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gecko).[\[260\]](../../page/7/#ref-260 "note 260")[348](../../348/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Government and politics Main article: [Politics of Haiti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Haiti) See also: [Foreign relations of Haiti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Haiti) The government is a [semi-presidential](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-presidential_system) [republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic),[\[238\]](../../page/7/#ref-238 "note 238") a multiparty system wherein the [president of Haiti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Haiti) is head of state and elected directly by popular [elections](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Haiti) held every five years.[\[52\]](../../page/7/#ref-52 "note 52")[\[261\]](../../page/7/#ref-261 "note 261")[\[262\]](../../page/7/#ref-262 "note 262")[349](../../349/ "tree and pragmatics") A president cannot serve two consecutive terms or more than two terms in total, but can be reelected for a second term after an interval.[\[263\]](../../page/7/#ref-263 "note 263")[350](../../350/ "tree and pragmatics") The [prime minister of Haiti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_minister_of_Haiti) acts as head of government and is appointed by the president, chosen from the majority party in the National Assembly.[\[52\]](../../page/7/#ref-52 "note 52")[\[264\]](../../page/7/#ref-264 "note 264")[351](../../351/ "tree and pragmatics") Executive power is exercised by the president and prime minister who together constitute the government.[\[265\]](../../page/7/#ref-265 "note 265")[\[266\]](../../page/7/#ref-266 "note 266")[352](../../352/ "tree and pragmatics") The president is the nominal [commander-in-chief](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commander-in-chief) of the [Armed Forces of Haiti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_Forces_of_Haiti) and the [National Police](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitian_National_Police).[\[267\]](../../page/7/#ref-267 "note 267")[353](../../353/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Haiti/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Haiti/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Haiti/page/3/) **4** [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Haiti/page/5/) [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Haiti/page/6/) [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Haiti/page/7/) - ← previous: [page 3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Haiti/page/3/) - next →: [page 5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Haiti/page/5/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)