Caribbean, island of Hispaniola.

GMT -5.

27,750 sq km (10,714 sq miles).

8.5 million (UN, 2005).

306 per sq km.

Port-au-Prince. Population: 2 million.

Haiti is situated in the Caribbean and comprises the forested mountainous western end of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Its area includes the Île de la Gonâve, in the Gulf of the same name; among other islands is La Tortue off the north peninsula. Haiti’s coastline is dotted with magnificent beaches, between which stretches lush subtropical vegetation, even covering the slopes which lead down to the shore. Port-au-Prince is a magnificent natural harbour at the end of a deep horseshoe bay.

Haiti is formally governed according to the terms of the Constitution promulgated in 1987 which allows for an executive president and a bicameral legislature (an 83-member Chamber of Deputies and 27-member Senate). The President is elected by popular vote every five years. The Chamber of Deputies is elected every four years; and the Senate every six years. The Constitution was restored in September 1994 after a three-year interruption following a military coup.

Republic. Gained independence from France in 1804. Head of State: President René Préval since 2006. Head of Government: Interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue. Recent history: Despite the presence of the UN peacekeepers, the country has continued to be blighted by political and criminal violence and instability. Killings and kidnappings are now a daily occurrence in the capital. The most recent Presidential and Parliamentary elections took place on 7 February 2006. The polls, originally set for November 2005, had been postponed four times because of security and organisational issues. The elections were the first since President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted from power nearly two years earlier. For Haiti's poor, former President René Préval was seen to be the solution to the country's problems. Initially it appeared Préval had not won the 50 per cent needed to be elected outright. Préval alleged massive electoral fraud and crowds of his supporters took to the streets in protest. However, following an agreement between the Government and electoral officials, under which blank ballots were subtracted from the total number of votes counted, it was announced that Préval had gained 51.15 per cent, thus eliminating the need for a second round run-off.

The official languages are French and Creole. English is spoken in tourist areas.

The official religions are Roman Catholicism (75 per cent) and Voodooism (70 per cent); most Haitians practise both. Voodooism is a polytheistic folk religion, manifested by a series of complex ritual drawings, songs and dances. It is an African religion, and not incompatible with a shared belief in Christianity. There are Protestant minorities.

Informal wear is acceptable, although scanty beachwear should be confined to the beach or poolside. Only the most elegant dining-rooms encourage guests to dress for dinner.

110 volts AC (220 volts is also sometimes available), 60Hz.