Haiti

Haiti occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, sharing a land border with the Dominican Republic to the east. Covering approximately 27,750 km², Haiti is one of the most densely populated countries in the region, with an estimated population of over 11 million people. The country’s geography is dominated by rugged mountains, which cover nearly 75% of its territory, interspersed with small coastal plains and river valleys. Major mountain ranges such as the Massif du Nord and Massif de la Selle shape the landscape and limit the extent of arable land. The country’s highest point is Pic la Selle at 2,680 m. Haiti has a tropical climate with marked wet and dry seasons, but its terrain and deforestation have made it highly vulnerable to soil erosion, flooding and hurricanes.

Historically, Haiti was one of the most profitable colonies in the Caribbean under French rule, known as Saint-Domingue. Its plantation economy, based on sugar and coffee production, relied heavily on enslaved African labor. Following the Haitian Revolution (1791–1804), Haiti became the first independent Black republic in 1804, marking a major turning point in global colonial history. However, post-independence economic isolation, political instability and external debt—particularly the indemnity imposed by France in the 19th century—shaped Haiti’s long-term economic challenges. The plantation system collapsed and was largely replaced by smallholder subsistence farming, which remains central to rural livelihoods today.

The primary sector continues to play a vital role in Haiti’s economy, despite declining productivity and environmental degradation. Agriculture employs roughly 40–45% of the workforce and contributes about 20% of GDP, though it remains largely subsistence-oriented. Only about 30% of the land area is suitable for cultivation due to mountainous terrain and soil degradation. Key crops include maize, rice, beans, cassava and plantains for domestic consumption, along with export crops such as coffee, cocoa and mangoes. Haiti was once a leading global coffee exporter, but production has declined significantly over time.

Forestry has been severely reduced due to extensive deforestation. Forest cover is estimated at less than 5% of total land area, one of the lowest rates in the world. Much of the deforestation has resulted from reliance on fuelwood and charcoal, which provide energy for the majority of households. The loss of forest resources has contributed to widespread soil erosion and declining agricultural productivity.

Fisheries represent a relatively small but locally important sector, particularly for coastal communities. The sector contributes around 1–2% of GDP and provides employment for tens of thousands of small-scale fishers. Marine resources include reef fish, lobster and conch, though production is constrained by limited infrastructure and environmental pressures.

Overall, Haiti’s primary sector reflects the combined influence of geography and history. The mountainous terrain restricts large-scale farming, while the legacy of plantation collapse and environmental degradation has reinforced a system of smallholder agriculture. Despite its challenges, agriculture, forestry and fisheries remain essential to food security, rural livelihoods and economic survival in Haiti.

In 2019, Gerold was for some hours in Haiti. He drove from Santo Dominigo the 260 km with a taxi. This took 6 hours. The border crossing in Frontera di Jimani (Malpasse) was easy and possible, but not for the taxi. He just entered the country, by foot and went back to Domincan Republic. The conditions in Haiti were too risky for longer stay. He drove back to Santo Domingo.