The Republic of Haiti occupies the western third of the Island of Hispaniola, which is one of the Caribbean islands of the Greater Antilles.

 

Haiti’s capital is Port-au-Prince. The country’s highest peak, Pic La Selle, stands at 2680 meters.

 

In 1804, after years of revolt by slaves in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, their quest for freedom saw Haiti become the first independent black nation of the New World.

 

Haiti is divided into 10 administrative regions, or départements, which in turn are divided into 42 districts, 140 communes and 565 communal sections.

 

Haiti’s ten departments are named based on their geographical location: the West, the South, the Grand Anse, the Southeast, the North, the Northeast, the Northwest, Artibonite, Nippes and the Central Plateau.

 

Located in the North Region, Cap-Haïtien is Haiti’s second largest city and the cradle of its history.  Several heritage sites wait to be discovered in and around the city.

 

Cap-Haïtien is also host to the National History Park, comprising the Citadel La Ferrière, The Palace of Sans-Souci and Fort Ramiers.

 

In 1982, the National History Park was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

 

Les Cayes, Haiti’s third largest city located in the South Region, was built on the site of a Spanish town known as Salvatierra de la Zabana or "land reclaimed from the waters.”

 

The Southern Region abounds in natural and historical sites:  the Saut Mathurine waterfalls, Marie Jeanne cave, Casse-Cou canyon, Ile à Vache, Fort Oliver and Fort Saint Louis.

 

Haiti was once the most sought-after tourist travel destination in the Caribbean.Known as the "Pearl of the Antilles," Haiti was the most-visited island of the region from 1950 to 1970.

 

However, due to the media’s focus on Haiti as a land of natural disasters and political crises, the country lost some of its appeal as a prime destination.

 

Today, the government of Haiti is committed to tourism to stimulate/rebuild the country’s economy.