A republic occupying the eastern and larger portion of the island of Hayti. Area, 18,045 square miles. Country first settled by Spaniards under Columbus in 1492. Republic founded 1844. President elected for a term of 4 years; legislative power in the hands of a National Congress. Capital, San Domingo, founded 1494; population, 10000
The country is very fertile. Principal products, sugar, molasses, tobacco, cotton, coffee, cacao, fruits, mahogany and live stock. The production of sugar and molasses is largely on the increase. Latest reports give $5,000,000 capital invested in sugar factories; amount of product, 10,000 tons.
Value of imports, 1883, $3,142,100; exports, $2,129,265. At the two most important ports, San Domingo and Puerto Plata, there entered, in 1883, 297 vessels, of 192,042 tons.
HAYTI.Hā´tee.
A republic, occupying the west part of the Island of Hayti. Area, 10,204 square miles. Population, 572,000. Capital, Port au Prince; pop., 35,000. Nine-tenths of total population are negroes. Essentially mountainous. In plains, temperature rises to 96° and 100°; on high lands, ranges between 60° and 76°. Constitution was adopted 1867. President is elected for 4 years; National Assembly consists of Senate and House of Commons. Mountains cultivable almost to their summits; covered with valuable timber. Agriculture is backward, though the soil is probably the most fertile in the West Indies. Business of the country transacted by foreigners.
Finances badly deranged; foreign debt, $6,409,970; no interest paid on debt for years. Revenue, $4,500,000; expenditures, $7,000,000. Three-fourths of revenue derived from duties on imports and exports. Imports, 1881, $7,283,620; exports, $6,240,460. In same year, 792 vessels entered, and 768 vessels cleared, the ports of Hayti.
By a law of 1878, army consists of 6,828 men; the Guard of the Government, 650 men.
Language of the country, French; religion, Roman Catholic.
CUBA.Kū´ba.