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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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Haiti
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1992-09-02
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Republic of (Republique d'Haiti) area 27,750
sq km/10,712 sq mi capital Port-au-Prince
physical mainly mountainous features only
French-speaking republic in the Americas; the
island of La Tortuga off the N coast was
formerly a pirate lair; US military base at
Mole St Nicolas, the nearest point to Cuba
head of state and government Prosper Avril
from 1988 political system military republic
political parties National Progressive Party
(PNP), right-wing military exports coffee,
sugar, sisal, cotton, cocoa, rice currency
gourde (8.51 = 1 Feb 1990) population (1985)
5,272,000; annual growth rate 2.5% life
expectancy men 51, women 54 language French
(official, spoken by the bourgeoisie), creole
(spoken by 90% black majority) religion Roman
Catholic (official, but opposed to the
regime) literacy 40% male/35% female (1985
est) GNP $1.6 bn (1983); $300 per head of
population chronology 1804 Independence from
France achieved. 1915 Haiti invaded by USA,
and remained under US control to 1934. 1957
Dr Francois Duvalier (Papa Doc) elected
president. 1964 Duvalier pronounced himself
president for life. 1971 Constitution amended
to allow the president to nominate his
successor. Duvalier died and was succeeded by
his son, Jean-Claude (Baby Doc). 1986
Duvalier deposed and replaced by Lt-Gen Henri
Namphy, as head of a governing council. 1988
Leslie Manigat became president in Feb
despite allegations of fraudulent elections.
Namphy staged a military coup in June, but
another coup in Sept led by Prosper Avril
replaced him with a civilian government under
military control. 1989 Coup attempt against
Avril foiled. 1990 Opposition aspects
expelled.