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Amazing Facts You Never Knew About Haiti

The Republic of Haiti has a lot to offer.  It’s rich history and cultural depth have shaped the country into what it is today.  While in the past, Haiti has been associated with poverty and natural disasters more than any other country in the Caribbean, it has grown to a unique and popular destination.

Here are some amazing and interesting facts one should know about Haiti:

1. Haiti was “discovered” by Christopher Columbus in 1492

Although it was already inhabited by a native tribe now known as Taino, when Christopher Columbus landed in Haiti, he called it ‘La Isla Espanola’ meaning The Spanish Isle. He was buried in the cathedral of Santa Maria in Haiti and today, a monument of Christopher Columbus stands in the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Though for centuries Columbus actions were acclaimed, history reveals him as a person who took advantage of many indigenous peoples. His arrival is generally revered as a very bad move.

2. Haiti is the most mountainous country in the Caribbean

Haiti’s mountain peaks reach over 8,000 feet and Haiti comes from the word Ayiti meaning ‘Land of Mountains’. This name was given by the original inhabitants of the island, the Taino people.

3. Haiti was the first country in the Western Hemisphere to abolish slavery

The Haitian Revolution was the only successful slave revolt in human history and it was not until 65 years after that the United States of America joined in to abolish slavery.

4. Voodoo is an officially recognized religion in Haiti

Haiti is the only country in the world that recognizes Voodoo this way. Voodoo is such an important part of the Haitian culture that President Francis Duvalier recognized himself as a Voodoo priest.

5. Haiti has the world’s largest solar powered hospital

After the 2010 earthquake which left a death toll of over 300,000  people, with 1.5 million people left homeless, the Hospital Universitaire De Mirebalais, became the world’s largest solar powered hospital.

6. Haiti has surviving cave paintings

All over the country, there are surviving cave paintings from the Taino people. These paintings are now adopted as national symbols and serve as one of the country’s most unique tourist attractions.

7. Grammy Winner, Wyclef Jean is a Haiti national

Wyclef Jean is arguably the most popular artist of Haitian origins to those outside the island. In 2010, he filed for candidacy for the Haitian presidential elections but was ruled ineligible. He also channeled a lot of effort through his charity organization as relief for the 2010 earthquake.

8. French and Creole are the official languages in Haiti

Haiti and Canada are the only countries in the Americas with French as an official language. Additionally, 90% of Haitians speak Creole as their first language but it only became an official language in 1987.

9. Cock fighting is an official sport in Haiti

Animal rights activists in the U.S. denounce the activity as cruel and inhumane, but in Haiti, the popularity of Cock Fighting skyrockets. Raw meat and hot pepper soaked in rum is fed to cocks to make them tough and aggressive and the owner of the winning cock wins $70 which is what more than 80% of Haitians earn in a month, making it very lucrative.

10. The largest mountaintop fortress in the Western Hemisphere is in Haiti

This fortress called “The Citadelle” is located on top of the mountain Bonnet a L’Eveque. It has become a very popular site for tourists to visit and hire a local guide for a tour of the fortress, which is a monumental feet of construction in Haiti.