GEO Haiti 2010

State of the Environment Report 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
23
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................................................................................................4
PREFACE BY THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT OF HAITI......................................................................................6
PRESENTATION BY UNEP......................................................................................................................................................................8
REFLECTIONS ON THE JANUARY 12, 2010 DISASTER AND FUTURE OF HAITI.................................................10
TABLE OF CONTENTS..........................................................................................................................................................................23
LIST OF FIGURES....................................................................................................................................................................................28
LIST OF TABLES........................................................................................................................................................................................31
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS...........................................................................................................................32
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................................................................35
INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................................................................42
CHAPTER 1
OVERVIEW OF THE HISTORICAL, GEOGRAPHICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC
SITUATION IN HAITI............................................................................................................................. 47
1. GEOGRAPHY....................................................................................................................................................................................49
1.1 GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF HAITI............................................................................49
1.2 ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE.....................................................................................................................................49
1.3 PHYSIOGRAPHY....................................................................................................................................................................50
1.3.1 Surface Area and Relief........................................................................................................................................48
1.3.2 Geology and Soils...................................................................................................................................................50
1.3.3 Climate...........................................................................................................................................................................52
1.3.4 Hydrography..............................................................................................................................................................57
1.3.5 Vegetation...................................................................................................................................................................59
2. DEMOGRAPHY: RAPID GROWTH........................................................................................................................................59
2.1. DEMOGRAPHIC GROWTH............................................................................................................................................59
2.2. CITIES WITH LARGEST POPULATIONS.....................................................................................................................60
2.3. STRUCTURE OF THE HAITIAN POPULATION.......................................................................................................60
2.3.1. Age Distribution.......................................................................................................................................................60
2.3.2. Space Distribution..................................................................................................................................................61
3. HISTORICAL HIGHTLIGTS OF THE HAITIAN NATION................................................................................................64
4. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.......................................................................................................................................67
4.1 HAITIAN ECONOMY...........................................................................................................................................................67
4.1.1 Agriculture...................................................................................................................................................................68
4.1.2 Fishing............................................................................................................................................................................70
4.1.3 Industry.........................................................................................................................................................................70