Haiti: Introduction

The country of Haiti is located in the Caribbean on the western third of the island of Hispaniola. It is bordered by the Dominican Republic to the east, the Caribbean Sea, and the Northern Atlantic Ocean. Haiti's terrain consists mainly of rugged mountains interspersed with small coastal plains and river valleys. The government system is a republic; the chief of state is the president, and the head of government is the prime minister. Haiti has a largely traditional economic system in which most of the economy relies on subsistence farming, and government regulation is widely constrained. Haiti is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).