When Columbus first set foot at Mole St Nicholas on 6th December 1492, Haiti had already been inhabited by the Tainos Indians for over seven centuries. On the 24th December 1492, the sinking of the Santa Maria off the Haitian coast led the Spaniards to establish their first settlement on the Hispaniola island, one they decided to name La Navidad, or “Christmas” in Spanish.

After arriving on the island in the 16th century and taking control in the 17th century, the French developed Haiti into the world’s most prolific colony, turning it into the largest producer of sugar and coffee, as well as other products that together enabled France to position itself as a leading exporter, therefore boosting the French economy. But a colonial economy based on slavery and a growing metropolitan revolutionary movement resonating with the islanders encouraged the Haitian people to rise against the French authorities in 1791, in a two years-long battle that would eventually result in the abolition of slavery.

In 1799, after years of lingering tensions between the French authorities and islanders, Napoleon Bonaparte decided to send his brother and troops in an attempt to revert the situation on Haiti to what it was before the slave uprising. But tropical conditions and diseases led the troops to defeat, forcing Napoleon to turn the page on his dreams of New World empire, and leading him to sell his North American assets in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, which played a major part in increasing the strength and influence of the USA.

In 1813, the self-proclaimed King Christophe built the Palais Sans-Souci, an edifice specifically inspired by the grand architecture of Versailles to showcase the island’s greatness. Another still-standing building is the Citadelle la Ferriere, which was built by slaves on a 900 meter-high hill to protect the island against incomers. Haiti was once the sole country of the island of Hispaniola, whilst it occupied Dominican Republic between 1822 and 1844.

Once a market leader in the exportation of sugar and coffee to European countries, Haiti’s trading activities are now mostly led with the USA, with half of the imported goods coming from the United States, and over 80% of its exported goods being shipped there.

Despite its centuries-old independence, the country’s colonial influence can still be found in the local languages which, in addition to the Haitian Creole (or Kreyol), counts French as its official language - the former being used between the islanders, and the latter in official matters, as well as by the “elite”. The local Kreyol is in itself a complex tale of the island’s history, mixing linguistic influences of indigenous Taino with African, French, Spanish and English.

Whilst French is used as the island’s main official language, Haiti remains the World’s largest Kreyol speaking nation and although the former is indeed the language used to teach in schools, campaigns promoting the Haitian creole have been led in an effort to preserve and pass on its unique heritage.

Despite resisting the various religious influences that occurred during the country’s colonial past, Haiti now counts two official religions, Christianity and Vodou. Religion holds an important place in the Haitians’ life, which shows through the number of churches present in the country, playing in major part in the local community life.

Although the name may call for ressemblances, Haiti’s Vodou religion has nothing to do with “voodoo” practices and is in fact unique to the country. The religion is based around a single god whose appearance and traits are so distant to any human characteristics, that contact with the divinity can only be made through spiritual messengers. [Haitian_vodou_altar.jpg]

Just like the country’s very own Kreyol, Vodou is a unique cultural element of the Haitian heritage that was born in the past slave communities. Vodou services take place outside the ounfò temples, and are a lively mix of drums and songs, with drawing rituals using earthy materials such as charcoal and flour on the floor.

The local culinary heritage blends African and French flavours with a hot and spicy twist, and often showcases the seafood and fruit found directly on Haiti’s land and coast, which also provide great resources for the country’s tasty coffee and rum.

The island attributes a strong place to culture, which manifests itself in colourful architecture, striking artistic traditions, and a vibrant musical heritage that carries Haiti’s very own history through its various influences (merengue-influenced kompa, or the unique blend that is local mizik rasin). As per other Caribbean nations, Haiti’s own carnival traditions are a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture, such as during the country’s intense Shrove Tuesday carnival or the more peaceful July Flower Carnival.

The world’s very first Black Republic, Haiti remains the only state in the Western Hemisphere to have gained its independence from slavery as a result of a successful uprising of the enslaved people. A title acquired on the 18th November 1804, and which bears even more pride when taking into account that the rebellion not only stayed strong for 14 years but also was led against one of the World’s fiercest armies at the time, the French.