HAITI

Official name: Republic of Haiti

Capital: Port-au-Prince

Population: 7.2 million

Currency: Gourde

Official languages: French and French Creole

Haiti occupies the western third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Formerly a French colony, it was the first Caribbean island to achieve independence in 1804, and has been in a state of political chaos ever since -- most memorably, the exile of JeanClaude Duvalier in 1986. CLIMATE

Haiti lies mostly in the rain shadow of the central mountains so is slightly less humid than average for the Caribbean. TRANSPORT

By regional standards, Haiti has a poor road system. Ferries provide the main transport to the southern peninsula. TOURISM

Haiti's location, history and culture provided much of its attraction for tourists in the 1960s and 1970s. The resurgence of political instability and violence in the 1980s led to the industry's near collapse. PEOPLE

Population density: 261 people per square kilometre

Urban/rural population split: 30 per cent/70 per cent

Ethnic make-up: Most Haitians are descendants of Africans; a few have European roots, primarily French. Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas; Portau-Prince has the worst slums in the Caribbean. Social tensions run high, and focus on class rather than race. In recent years, the combination of political repression and a collapsing economy led many to emigrate illegally to the US, or the Dominican Republic. POLITICS

Haiti's politics has long been directly managed by the wealthy businessmen who live in palatial style above Port-au-Prince. It was this group, backed by the military, that supported the popularly detested "Baby Doc" Duvalier regime. Since his overthrow in 1986 they have financed regular coups to ensure that the 1987 democratic constitution cannot be implemented. The military last intervened in 1991 following the 1990 election of Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Following Aristide's exile by the army, the UN imposed sanctions and the US government intervened militarily to restore him to office in 1994, primarily to stem the flow of refugees. In 1995, his left-wing, Lavalas Party won the legislative and presidential election and in 1996 Rene Preval was inaugurated as the new president. His administration is under strong US pressure to impose free-market politics. WORLD AFFAIRS

Following three years of sanctions, Haiti's economic links with the outside have been restored. AID

In 1995 the US made $134 million in aid conditional on a programme of privatisation. It has pledged $5 million for police training. The IMF is setting stiff conditions for loan support. DEFENCE

In 1994, the military were ousted and democracy restored. The armed forces and police were disbanded and an interim public security force of 3,000 formed. The US is now training a 4,000 strong police force. ECONOMICS

GNP: $1.5 billion

World GNP ranking: 143rd

GNP per capita: $220

Balance of payments: $4 million

Strengths: Few, although the outlook has been improved with the lifting of sanctions. Income comes from coffee and from Haitians living abroad. The transportation of narcotics to the US also provides large profits.

Weaknesses: Political instability. Manufacturing collapsed following sanctions in 1991. RESOURCES

Electricity generation: 430 million kwh Fish catch per year: 5,600 tonnes Livestock: 1.6 million cattle, 950,000 pigs, 432,000 horses

Mineral resources: marble, limestone, clay, silver, gold, natural asphalt

Haiti has no strategic resources. Under the recent economic sanctions, it had to find unofficial sources of oil; much was imported from Europe. ENVIRONMENT

Haiti's ecological problems receive little attention and it is one of the most environmentally degraded countries in the world. MEDIA

The media was largely controlled by intimidation under the military. Today, Haiti has a more open press. CRIME

Gun possession is widespread and crime levels are high. EDUCATION

Run by the state and the Roman Catholic and missionary churches, education is based on the French system. HEALTH

Most Haitians cannot afford health care. In rural areas, help is often sought from voodoo priests. WEALTH

The rigid class structure maintains extreme disparities of wealth between the mass of the population, who live in slums without running water or sanitation, and a few wealthy families, who live in luxury and educate their children in France. World Ranking

Position in World (192 countries)

Life expectancy 145 Infant mortality 153 GNP per capita 182 Daily calorie intake 184 Literacy 177 Schooling index 159 Educational rank 151 Human dev. index 148