Haiti has five mountain ranges, namely Massif du Nord, Montagnes Noires, Massif de la Hotte, Massif de la Selle and Chain de Mateaux. U.S.A. Government involvement in Haiti is on-going.[10]. 2. if you are robbed on the streets, and the value is less than $100.00, police file a report, but nothing is done. Oxford, OH 45056, USA. %PDF-1.3 After the Haitian Slave Revolt, France demanded the newly independent country compensate former plantation owners who had lost their property to the tune of $21 Billion (inflation adjusted). During radical ex-priest Jean-Bertrand Aristides second term as president, the government established Voodoo as a state religion along with. Columbus men built a fortified encampment, La Navidad and initially, relations between the Spanish and the Tano people were good but it soon turned south resulting in the locals killing the new settlers. Source, 25. Prison conditions in Haiti are very poor. Haiti is a hub for the trafficking of illegal drugsespecially. Before the 2010 earthquake, the U.S. Labor Department estimates that between 5,000 and 10,000 Haitian children were homeless. The Republic of Haiti. In 1803, Jean-Jacques Dessalines (1758-1806), Haitis first ruler, created the nations flag by ripping out the white stripe in the French red, white, and blue flag, claiming he would rip white people from the nation. 20. Brandon C./Flickr. Later reduced to 90 million, Haiti was forced to repay the debt to lift a crippling embargo imposed by France, Britain, and the United States. Nearly a million tourists visit the island of Haiti by cruise ship each year and most experience private Labadee Resort. [18] According to the Centre, the majority of countries in the world have percentages ranging between 10 and 40 percent of such prisoners and Haiti's estimated 71 percent is one of the highest in the world. The country also has a parliament comprising a Senate and Chamber of Deputies. Photo Credit: Aliceba via Wikimedia Commons. No one under 16 was allowed to smooch or show public displays of affectionthe horror (for the teens, that is). April 20, 2022. In the Chinese county of Gongan, there was a really strange law up until recently. Other children are trafficked to foreign countries. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. [1], Haiti's Constitution does not contain specific language prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, language, age, or disability. The grace, strength, and determination they have shown today (and throughout history) is something we could all learn from. Haiti and Liechtenstein developed identical national flags independently of each other. It's also illegal to drive past the same location on Atlantic Avenue more than once within 30 minutes. [1], The government does not censor radio, television, or the Internet. Shutterstock. Asking for a job is prohibited. It's illegal to be wearing just swim trunks in public, You must wear a seatbelt when riding in the backseat of a car, but you can ride in the back of a pickup truck without any safety equipment. 4 0 obj Haiti is the second oldest independent nation in the Western Hemisphere, after the United States. See our information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel. Some of the rules mentioned for other countries also apply in France (wearing flip-flops driving a car or running out of gas on the highway). In Tennessee, you are breaking the law if you drive while sleeping. No Shirtless Driving in Thailand Coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel: The situation around the world is changing dramatically. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Various governments have changed their travel warnings to restrict travel during this time. 5Goldstein, Margaret J. Haiti in Pictures. The Biden administration has been under fire for its treatment of Haitian migrants after footage showed border patrol agents on horseback corralling asylum seekers and shouting at them to return to Mexico. Apart for the kissing in the train story, the rest of what you write is ranging from very discutable to totally fake. Source, 5. In Haiti, around 56% of the population identifies as Roman Catholics, while about 30% identify as Protestants. Eighty percent of schools in Haiti are private, and religious groups run many of them. There are laws we can all get behind (physics, to name one)but also laws that just seem to make no sense. The Seamen's and Soldiers' False Characters Act 1906 renders it illegal for a person to pretend to be in the armed forces, and the Police Act 1996 says the same thing for anyone dressed as a fake. "[15] To this day, there is still no guarantee for lawyers' immunity in Haiti, as would seem to be suggested by the 2009 unconstitutional arrest without warrant of human-rights defender, Osner Fevry[16] and the arrest in 2013 of Andre Michel, a lawyer critical of the government. Their eventual victory was the first successful slave revolt and helped establish Haiti as the first black republic. Photo Credit: Peter Hermes Furian via 123RF.com. Haiti is the third largest country in the Caribbean, after the Dominican Republic and Cuba, which is the largest. This one is still on the books but not enforced. I came to realize that black slavery was as unjust as Indian slaveryand I was not sure that my ignorance and good faith would secure me in the eyes of God," Las Casas wrote in The History of the Indies in 1527. [2], In 1697, Spain formally ceded to France control of the part of the island of Hispaniola that would become Haiti, naming it Saint-Domingue. Jean-Jacques Dessalines, a leader of the Haitian Revolution and the first ruler of an independent Haiti designed the countrys first flag in 1803. Fail to hydrate. Caribbean Coronavirus Tracker | Which Caribbean Country Has The Most COVID-19 Cases? A dreaded security force, it was also called the Tonton Macoutes, after the Haitian folk figure Tonton Macoute (Uncle Knapsack) who carries off small children at night. The capital Port-Au-Prince was founded in 1749 and was named for the Prince, a French ship anchored in the bay. Some items can't be sold on Sundays. [1] The Haitian government generally has respected religious freedom in the country. In the 1970s, its poolside rivaled that of the Beverly Hills Hotel and Haiti was a popular Caribbean retreat. There are just some foods it seems it would be a crime to eat with a knife and a fork. You cannot flush a toilet in an apartment building after 10pm. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy legal proceedings, heavy jail sentences and fines. In the city of Canton, putting up an electric fence around your property is considered to be a crime. kT;Z6>&!,8 ';ufrXN'0c&Th.+vx&mE
NJGj\ha4, (^jlRAx>>A Igdi6 The first recorded smallpox outbreak in the Americas occurred in Hispaniola in 1507. Another weird state law makes it illegal for a person to eat a live eel in a public place unless the person loudly announces "Warning! But before you try any street magic to entertain your friends, remember to keep your change away from this body part. To help shine some light on this beautiful Caribbean nation, here are some interesting facts about Haiti. Since the 1980s, its economy has shrunk steadily. An estimated 1.5 million Haitians live outside the country, mostly in Miami. Popular things to do at Labadee Resort beyond lounging at the beach are shopping in the Artisan Village, riding down the Dragons Tail Coaster, and seeing Labadee from 500 feet above the ground, via the Dragons Breath Flight Line which is the worlds longest zip line over water. You can only have one alcoholic drink in front of you at any given time. Zombie folklore originated in Haiti when bokors (black magicians) would poison victims with pufferfish neurotoxin, inducing a state of suspended animation from which the victim would awaken in a psychotic state under which they could be easily controlled. Less than half had a regular source of safe drinking water. Driving a dirty car in Chelyabinsk, Russia can get you fined up to 2,000 rubles (about 62 USD). In addition to suffering from chronic malnourishment and a lack of educational opportunity, many Haitian children also suffer physical abuse. 21. No one realized until the two countries competed against each other in the 1936 Summer Olympics under the same flag. Haiti is rich in history, culture, and heritage, and as citizens of the first Black Republic, Haitians continually progress in the face of any adversity. Initially, Las Casas believed Africans to be suitable for slavery, but he later came to oppose their enslavement too. Under the Duvalier regime, lawyers were intimidated from defending their clients through pressure and violence. These individuals of European descent constitute a wealthy elite while the majority of the country is poor. Source, 14. In Haiti, same-sex sexual activity is legal. After twenty-nine years of dictatorship, Haiti reestablished a democratic government by proclaiming, on March 29, 1987, a new Constitution that is still presently in force with amendments introduced by Constitutional Law of May 9, 2011, promulgated on June 19, 2012. All rights reserved. Voodoo was later trivialized by American elites and Hollywood fearing an uprising in opposition to the US occupation of Haiti. More answers below Christian De Riglos Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. (See Genesis 12:2-3, 18:18, 22:18, Exodus 9:16; Joshua 4:23-24; Psalm 9:11, 96:3; Isaiah 49:6, 51:4) As a light to the world, their . America is a nation of lawsand some of those laws are just downright weird. With the remaining ships smaller, Columbus made the decision to return to Spain leaving behind about three dozen of his men on the island which he had renamed island Espaola (Hispaniola) meaning Little Spain.. Source, 2. In the early 1980s, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traced a number of the first AIDS cases in the U.S. to Haitian immigrants. New Orleans also mandates you keep at least one hand on your bike handlebars at all times. You can change your cookie settings at any time. "3S<8.J{GT4b'd~M9q]p^%sPnE_]<9rDRDm)L-0 qlimJZ ))$igSRs>t9fTk)a:J"GQB0m:},3rFc!H?yk-yR! E > z-=EX%7X07VZD,O#{|-s,-uC#xE[Sa7WK
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/ Haiti is the most mountainous nation in the Caribbean. Over 40% of the population is under 14 years old, creating a high dependency ratio. In 1493, Columbus returned to the island of Hispaniola, and realizing that his men were all dead and the settlement destroyed, he sailed to the eastern coast which is known today as the Dominican Republic. Throughout the mid and late twentieth centuries, Haiti experienced a brain drain as educated professionals and business people left the nation to escape brutal dictators. History's most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. Greetings are also very important as strangers almost always acknowledge one another on the streets. Local attitudes towards the LGBT community are mostly conservative throughout the Caribbean. The primary reason for the numerous strange laws in the Old Testament was because God had set apart the ancient Israelites as a "peculiar people", in order that they may be a light to the rest of the world. Because jobs are so scarce (approximately 70% do not have regular jobs), those who do have jobs are afraid to speak out against unfair labor practices. km.). Paintings in Haiti are characterized by bold, vivid colors and often have symbolic meanings. Technically, a mulatto is someone who is half black and half white. Interesting Franois Duvalier Facts: 26-30. An old law requires you to own a boat Photo Credit: Repblica Dominicana via Wikimedia Commons. Source, 8. The government in Haiti is known for running a slow, inefficient and corrupt system of justice. The two official languages on this island of Haiti are French and Creole (pronounced Kreyol). These games require a license from the Kansspelcommissie or no-one wins any financial gain. If an unmarried man and woman register at a hotel as a married couple, they are legally married. The United States is 3,794,100 square miles (9,826,675 sq. In 1825, France's King Charles X threatened to invade Haiti unless it paid an "independence debt" of 150 million francs to reimburse France for the loss of its slaves and land. Unity in Haiti is celebrated on Haiti Flag and Universities Day which is an independence celebration as well as an occasion to recognize the countrys educational system. Take a look at this useful Haiti Travel Guide. 1. The remaining population is split among smaller groups of Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and people of the Bahai faith. More than 10% of Haitian children die before age five. Spark your wanderlust with these interesting Costa Rica facts. Dont become involved with illegal drugs of any kind. [1] The government 's human rights record is poor. Written Creole is not broadly accepted as the countrys education system retains French as the primary language. Sometimes, these laws border on the seriously ridiculous, and other times they point to important cultural values that might be different than your own. One of Haitis islands, Tortuga Island (le de la Tortue in French), was a pirate stronghold in the seventeenth century.e, le a Vache (Cow Island) lies off Haitis southern coast and is so named because it was once overrun by wild, Most of Haitis current citizens are descendants of Africans shipped to the Caribbean to. The law was introduced after the state government realized drunks committed the majority of crimes in Alaska. Today, the Haitian currency is called gourdes.. Source, 16. Its only fitting given the countrys nickname Land of Mountains. km.). Warm and sociable, Haitians observe a number of unspoken rules of etiquette, similar to that of the other Caribbean and Latin American countries. Every country is different, and every country's laws are different. In Barcelona, you can be fined for wearing swimwear anyplace other than the beach, as well as for spitting. At least two have declared the country to be an empire. The heat and sun in Costa Rica zaps the liquid right out of you, especially when you are engaging in any of the amazing outdoor activities that are popular here. What you'll find below are some of the more believably unbelievable ones, many courtesy of dumblaws.com, the ultimate collection of silly laws. Source, 12. When early Spanish explorers encountered a female Haitian ruler named Anacaona, or Golden Flower (1464-1504), in 1503 who resisted them, they killed many of her people, arrested, and hanged her. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2001. Families who live in the country spend almost 60% of their income on food. Hispaniola political map with Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Thus the biggest lesson among all these facts is that of the Haitian people. Haiti has a hot and humid tropical climate. If youre caught in possession of drugs or suspected of drug trafficking, you may be arrested and jailed for weeks or months before appearing before a magistrate. stream Skamania County, Washington, was the first county to draft the law in 1964 which states that "any . Reportedly, Haiti has been facing human rights and political crisis for many years. According to the law in Nevada, any man with a moustache who kisses a woman will get in trouble. - Source 23. To pay this, Haiti had to borrow money from and pay interest to French banks. Haitis entire annual budget is $300 million, less than that of many small cities in the United States. group tour of Citadel Laferriere from Cap-Haitien, Bahamas Highest Ranked Caribbean Country on Quality of Nationality Index. Amnesty International has now called on for immediate investigation. [1] Security forces frequently have ignored the constitutionally mandated right to assembly and organization. It started on August 22nd, 1791 when the enslaved Africans led by Franois-Dominique Toussaint Louverture, initiated a rebellion against the French settlers. This one is still on the books but not enforced Missionary is the only legal sexual position. 2. The law of equal force when it comes to self defense. Today, it's daunting enough having to ask the father of your partner for their child's hand in marriage. Haitis southern peninsula is very vulnerable to hurricanes (tropical cyclones) in comparison to other regions. In fact, May is also Haitian Heritage Month in the United States with cultural events, exhibitions, and parades in cities like Boston, New York, and Miami with a large Haitian diaspora. I scoured the internet and came up with a list of eight weird laws from Ohio that are still on the books but are not rigorously enforced. Haiti has 2,583 miles (4,160 km.) The Sunday Read: 'Elon Musk's Appetite for Destruction'. 9The World Factbook: Haiti. Central Intelligence Agency. In the eighteenth century, Haitians developed elaborate tables of genetic descent, dividing mulattos into over a hundred shades of black and white. In 1915, following a coup that led to the mob killing of Haitian President Vibrun Guillaume Sam, United States sailors and marines landed in order to protect U.S. interests in the country. Voodooism is also a major religious influence in Haiti. This . [24], On 6 July 2021, President Jovenel Mose of Haiti was killed, while his wife was injured in an abysmal attack at their residence. It's illegal to drive while your dog is tethered to your car in Alaska. The average per capita income in Haiti is $480 a year, compared to $33,550 in the United States. It banned children over the age of 12 from trick-or-treating. February 24, 2023 36:53. Not all legal actors have copies of the laws but, beyond that, Haiti's criminal laws have been supplemented over the last 150 years or so by a series of laws and decrees that are unknown to many in the legal community. Haiti has deforested its land by over 95% since 1923. The law came into effect in 2008, and many teenagers were outraged and protested. The worlds largest solar-powered hospital is in rural Haiti and its capable of producing more than 100 percent of its required energy. In Haiti, same-sex sexual activity is legal. Whether they are holdovers from different eras or knee-jerk reactions to some newly perceived threat, there are some lawsaround the world you could innocently break while traveling and end up dealing with the authorities. More than half of Haitian imports come from the United States, and more than 80% of its exports go to the United States. Anyone using - or pretending to use - witchcraft, sorcery or enchantment, can face a year in jail. Photo Credit: Martine Oger via 1234RF.com. Courts of justice were in effect "run by the judges, appointed by the "President for Life" (the Duvaliers), who lacked the independence to make judgments about abuses against human rights. Haitis coat of arms depicts a trophy of weapons on top of a green hill and royal palm, symbolizing independence. The national dish of Haiti is griots with rice and beans, a pork dish complemented with a side of rice and peas. In the rare instance that you might encounter a milkman, be sure to give them plenty of personal space. Kissing is an incredible experience and the most natural way to show affection. In addition to canvas paintings, metal art is also popular. Only 628 miles (1,011km.) With an area of 10,714 square miles (27,750 square kilometers), Haiti is only slightly larger than Vermont. One of the by-laws for the city says, "No person shall interfere with a tree or part of a tree located on municipal property, including but not limited to attaching, affixing or placing upon in any manner any object or thing to a tree or part of a tree, and climbing the tree." The maternal mortality rate is also high: about 520 deaths per 100,000 births (compared to just 14 maternal deaths per 100,000 births in the United States). For the latest travel warnings and alerts around the world, read about lockdowns and border restrictions. Nearly 75% of the capital will need to be rebuilt, not from zero, but from, as officials declare, below zero. Recovery plans include completely rebuilding basic sectors such as health, agriculture, governance and security, and infrastructure. Haiti experienced a number of destructive hurricanes over the past few decades, namely Hurricane Allen (1980), Gilbert (1988), and Georges (1998). Source, 27. 7Haiti Recovery to Take Decades. BBCNews. [7], During the occupation roads and other public works projects were built by the corve labourforced, unpaid workof Haitian peasants. The . Honor killings for adultery were legal until 2005 in Haiti. Haiti has a rich culture with influences dating back as far as pre-Columbus times when the island was populated solely by the Tano and Arawakan people. Haiti is home to more mountains than any other country in the Caribbean. Breastfeeding in public is legal (as it should be). Public displays of affection (such as hand-holding or kissing) between opposite or same-sex couples are uncommon. [24] Unlike slaves in the traditional sense, restaveks can run away or return to their families, and are typically released from servitude when they become adults; however, the restavek system is commonly understood to be a form of slavery. 2) It's a crime to step on any Thai currency. Micro stamping is the idea of marking. From a mosaic of stunning and diverse landscapes to a vibrant history & culture, learn interesting Cameroon facts, surprising history, & fun trivia here. Despite initial denials and investigations, most evidence now suggests that the disease was actually introduced to Haiti by Nepalese soldiers at a UN base, before spreading through the population. (Thus the need for your passport.) In 1959, Franois Duvalier formed a paramilitary force[12] known as the Tonton Macoute, named after a mythic Haitian character who kidnapped misbehaving children, carried them off in a bag and ate them for breakfast. Weird laws in Florida An unmarried woman cannot go skydiving on a Sunday It is illegal to sing while wearing a bathing suit Oral sex is illegal It's illegal to skateboard without a skateboarding license.