About Haiti

1492

Columbus discovers island of Hispaniola and its inhabitants, the Taino Amerindians. Within 25 years, the native inhabitants are almost completely annihilated by Spanish settlers.

1697

Spain gives to France the western third of the  island, which will eventually evolve into Haiti.

1697-1804

France imports African slaves to work on sugar related industries causing deforestation and great environmental destruction.

1804

500,000 slaves revolt against France creating Haiti, the first african american republic.

1804-2006

A variety of leaders and governmental systems try but fail to bring socio-economic stability to Haiti. During the last half of the 20th century, several military dictatorships that ruled Haiti created the extreme abject poverty that remains today.

2006-present

Through help from the United Nations, the new democratically elected government are seated and a new era of rebuilding is sparking to life.

January 12, 2010

The 7.1 earthquake strikes Haiti destroying many governmental buildings, killing many officials and throwing the country back into chaos once again. We encourage you to research more of Haiti’s vast history than this space will allow.