Haiti in Perspective - Orientation Guide and Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Religion, Customs, Duvalier, Vodou (Voodoo), Aristide, Catholicism, Port-au-Prince, Windward Passage

These two unique guides produced by the Department of Defense provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in Haiti, with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more.

CHAPTER 1: GEOGRAPHY * Introduction * Geographic Regions and Topographical Features * Mountains * Plains * Islands * Bodies of Water * Climate * Major Cities * Port-au-Prince * Cap-Haitien * Gonaives * Les Cayes * Jeremie * Environmental Issues * Natural Hazards * Chapter 1 Assessment * CHAPTER 2: HISTORY * Introduction * Early History * Columbus Arrives in the Caribbean * The French Gain a Foothold * Pearl of the Antilles * The Slaves Revolt * Toussaint Louverture and the End of Slavery * The Fight for Independence * Post-independence Struggles * Haiti in the 19th Century * Haiti and the United States * "Papa Doc" Duvalier * "Baby Doc" Duvalier * Jean-Bertrand Aristide * Aristide's Second Presidency * Preval's Second Presidency * The 2010 Earthquake * Chapter 2 Assessment * CHAPTER 3: ECONOMY * Introduction * Industry * Agriculture * Cash Crops * Food Crops * Forestry, Fishing, and Livestock * Energy and Natural Resources * Trade * Services and Tourism * Banking and Finance * Standard of Living * Employment Trends * Future Outlook * Chapter 3 Assessment * CHAPTER 4: SOCIETY * Ethnicity and Social Order * The Haitian Upper Class * The Haitian Middle Class * The Haitian Lower Class * Languages * Haitian Creole * French * Religion * Catholicism and Protestantism * Vodou * Cuisine * Traditional Dress * Gender Issues * Arts * Literature * Oral Traditions * Music * Dance * Visual Arts * Sports and Recreation * Chapter 4 Assessment * CHAPTER 5: SECURITY * Introduction * U.S.-Haiti Relations * Relations with Neighboring Countries * Dominican Republic * Cuba * The Bahamas * Military * Police Force * Issues Affecting Stability * International Presence * Drug Trafficking * Politics * Crime Rates and Rule of Law * Water and Food Security * Environment and Natural Disasters * HIV/AIDS * CHAPTER 1: PROFILE * Introduction * Geography * Major Cities * Port-au-Prince * Cap-Haitien * Gonaives * Les Cayes * Jeremie * Bodies of Water * Windward Passage * Golfe de la Gonave * Rivers * Lakes * Topographical Features * Mountains * Islands * Regions * Important Elements of History * Arrival of Columbus * The French Move In * Struggle for Freedom and Independence * Post-independence Slump * The United States Takes Control * The Duvalier Years * Ongoing Challenges * Government * Executive Branch * Legislative Branch * Judicial Branch * Media and Communications * Economy * Ethnicity and Language * Chapter 1 Assessment * CHAPTER 2: RELIGION * Overview * Religions * Roman Catholicism * Vodou * Vodou and Catholicism * Religion and Government * Places of Worship * Vodou Practices * Behavior in Places of Worship * Catholic Celebrations * Vodou Celebrations * Rara * Pilgrimages * All Souls' Day * Chapter 2 Assessment * CHAPTER 3: TRADITIONS * Introduction * Values and Communication Styles * Politeness and Etiquette * Male/Female Interactions * Dress Codes and Grooming * Gift Giving and Social Etiquette * Food and Drink * Public Holidays * Dos and Don'ts * Chapter 3 Assessment * CHAPTER 4: URBAN LIFE * CHAPTER 5: RURAL LIFE