World Regional Geography January 20, 2010

World Regional GeographyWorld Regional Geography

January 20, 2010January 20, 2010

Reading: Marston Chapter 1

Website:

http://www.colorado.edu/geography/class_homepages/geog_1982_s10/

HaitiHaiti

• Brief History of HaitiBrief History of Haiti• Brief Geography of HaitiBrief Geography of Haiti

• Human / SocialHuman / Social• PhysicalPhysical

• January 12January 12thth Earthquake Earthquake• What happened….What happened….• Social implicationsSocial implications• International responseInternational response

• How are geographers helping?How are geographers helping?• How does this affect the world?How does this affect the world?

Haiti: LocationHaiti: Location

Colonial HistoryColonial History

14921492: Columbus lands on Hispaniola, Spanish : Columbus lands on Hispaniola, Spanish colonize Island shortly thereafter.colonize Island shortly thereafter.

16971697: Eastern 1/3 of Hispaniola ceded to : Eastern 1/3 of Hispaniola ceded to France by Spain (Saint-Domingue).France by Spain (Saint-Domingue).

17911791: Slave revolts begin.: Slave revolts begin.

18041804: Haiti achieves independence.: Haiti achieves independence.

HistoryHistory

18251825: After several failed attempts to retake : After several failed attempts to retake the country, France officially recognizes Haiti.the country, France officially recognizes Haiti.

19141914: British, German, and US forces enter : British, German, and US forces enter Haiti to ‘protect their citizens”.Haiti to ‘protect their citizens”.

1915-19341915-1934: US occupation of Haiti.: US occupation of Haiti.

19371937: Parsley Massacre.: Parsley Massacre.

HistoryHistory

19911991: Elected leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide fleas the : Elected leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide fleas the country following a successful coup.country following a successful coup.

19941994: Aristide returns with international support.: Aristide returns with international support.

2004:2004: Following his re-election in 2000, Aristide is Following his re-election in 2000, Aristide is again overthrown amidst corruption charges. US again overthrown amidst corruption charges. US Marines “evacuate” Aristide.Marines “evacuate” Aristide.

2006:2006: Current President Rene Preval elected. Current President Rene Preval elected.

Instability & EmigrationInstability & Emigration

Since achieving independence in 1804 the sitting Since achieving independence in 1804 the sitting Haitian government has been overthrown Haitian government has been overthrown 3232 times. times.

As a result hundreds of thousands have fled HaitiAs a result hundreds of thousands have fled Haiti Dominican Republic (800,000)Dominican Republic (800,000) United States (600,000)United States (600,000)

• New York CityNew York City• Miami (Little Haiti)Miami (Little Haiti)

Canada (100,000)Canada (100,000)• MontrealMontreal

France (80,000)France (80,000) Bahamas (80,000)Bahamas (80,000)

Haiti: Interesting FactsHaiti: Interesting Facts

• Only nation in the world born of a slave revolt.Only nation in the world born of a slave revolt.

• First independent nation in Latin America.First independent nation in Latin America.

• First black-led post-colonial independent nation in First black-led post-colonial independent nation in the world.the world.

• Only French-speaking independent nation in the Only French-speaking independent nation in the Americas.Americas.

• Strong connection to Louisiana Creole population.Strong connection to Louisiana Creole population.

• 1717thth century haven for pirates. century haven for pirates. Tortuga and the “Brethren of the Coast”Tortuga and the “Brethren of the Coast”

HaitiHaiti

The PeopleThe People• Population: 9,035,536 Population: 9,035,536 • EthnicityEthnicity

African Decent: 95%African Decent: 95% White / Mulatto: 5%White / Mulatto: 5%

• Religion*Religion* Roman Catholic: 80%Roman Catholic: 80% Protestant: 16%Protestant: 16% None: 1%None: 1% Other: 3%Other: 3%

• Official LanguagesOfficial Languages FrenchFrench CreoleCreole

* It is estimated that roughly 50% of the population actually practices * It is estimated that roughly 50% of the population actually practices Haitian Vodou, which merges Catholicism and West African religions.Haitian Vodou, which merges Catholicism and West African religions.

Population CharacteristicsPopulation CharacteristicsHaiti USA

Population 9,035,536 307,212,123Age Structure

0-14 38.1% 20.2%15-64 58.5% 67.0%65+ 3.4% 12.8%Median Age 20.2 36.7Growth Rate 1.84% 0.98%Birth Rate 29.1 13.82Death Rate 8.65 8.38Net Migration Rate -2.07 4.31Urban Population 47% 82%

• Demographic differences related to stages of Demographic differences related to stages of development. development.

• ““Demographic Transition”Demographic Transition”

Population DensityPopulation Density

Social/Vital CharacteristicsSocial/Vital Characteristics

Haiti USALiteracy 52.90% 99%Education Expenditures 1.40% 5.30%Cell Phones Per Capita 0.35 0.88% I nternet Users 11.07% 75.19%Radio Stations 67 13,750

Haiti USAI nfant Mortality Rate 56.69 6.26Life Expectancy 60.78 78.11Total Fertility Rate 3.81% 2.05HI V/ Aids Prevelance 2.20% 0.6%

• Highest fertility rate in the western hemisphere. Highest fertility rate in the western hemisphere.

• Ranks 149Ranks 149thth out of 182 countries in U.N. Human out of 182 countries in U.N. Human Development Index.Development Index.

Haiti USAI nfant Mortality Rate 56.69 6.26Life Expectancy 60.78 78.11Total Fertility Rate 3.81 2.05HI V/ Aids Prevelance 2.20% 0.6%

Economic CharacteristicsEconomic Characteristics

Haiti USADominican Republic

GDP (2009) $7.018 billion $14.44 trillion $44.4 billionGDP per Capita $790 $47,500 $8,200

GDP by SectorServices 52% 79.6% 66.3%I ndustry 20% 19.2% 22.9%Agriculture 28% 1.2% 10.8%Sectoral EmploymentServices 25% 76.8% 63.1%I ndustry 9% 22.6% 22.3%Agriculture 66% 0.6% 14.6%Unemployment Rate unknown* 9.7% 14.1%% Poverty 80% 13% 42%

Haiti is the poorest country in the Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.Western Hemisphere.

* Nearly 2/3 of the population is not formally employed.

Socio- Economic CharacteristicsSocio- Economic Characteristics• PovertyPoverty

Most Haitians live on less than $2 per day.Most Haitians live on less than $2 per day. 80% of the population lives below the poverty line. 80% of the population lives below the poverty line. 54% live in “abject poverty”.54% live in “abject poverty”. Poverty has forced some 225,000 children into virtually Poverty has forced some 225,000 children into virtually

slavery (unpaid servants).slavery (unpaid servants).

• Labor ForceLabor Force Lack of skilled labor, and opportunities for skilled laborers.Lack of skilled labor, and opportunities for skilled laborers. 2/3 of population relies on small-scale agriculture 2/3 of population relies on small-scale agriculture

(subsistence), which is extremely vulnerable to natural (subsistence), which is extremely vulnerable to natural hazards.hazards.

• EducationEducation Brain-drain: 80% of Haitian college graduates have left the Brain-drain: 80% of Haitian college graduates have left the

country to find work.country to find work.

• InequalityInequality 50% of the nations wealth is owned by 1% of the population.50% of the nations wealth is owned by 1% of the population.

Physical GeographyPhysical Geography


AreaArea: 27,750 km², slightly smaller than Maryland. : 27,750 km², slightly smaller than Maryland. »3»3rdrd largest Caribbean nation. largest Caribbean nation.

ClimateClimate: Tropical, semi-arid immediately east of : Tropical, semi-arid immediately east of mountains.mountains.

TerrainTerrain: Mountainous with dispersed plains and river : Mountainous with dispersed plains and river valleys.valleys.

»Highest point: 2,680 meters (8,793 feet)»Highest point: 2,680 meters (8,793 feet)

Arable LandArable Land: 28.11%: 28.11%

Permanent CropsPermanent Crops: 11.53%: 11.53%

Land UseLand Use


• Extensive DeforestationExtensive Deforestation AgricultureAgriculture LoggingLogging Fuel (Charcoal)Fuel (Charcoal)

• Soil ErosionSoil Erosion Mud-slidesMud-slides

• Lack of Potable WaterLack of Potable Water

Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues

Natural HazardsNatural Hazards““Lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; Lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakesoccasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts.” (CIA World Fact Book); periodic droughts.” (CIA World Fact Book)

January 12, 2010 in ReviewJanuary 12, 2010 in Review

Time: 4:53pm local time (Eastern Time Zone)Magnitude: 7.0 on the Richter ScaleLocation: 25km (15mi) WSW of Port-Au-PrinceDepth: 13km (8.1mi)


Caribbean EarthquakesCaribbean Earthquakes

• How prevalent are earthquakes in this region?How prevalent are earthquakes in this region?• Was what happened rare? Was what happened rare?



Caribbean EarthquakesCaribbean Earthquakes• How prevalent are earthquakes in this region?How prevalent are earthquakes in this region?

• Was what happened rare? Was what happened rare? Small earthquakes occur daily in this Small earthquakes occur daily in this region, although this particular region, although this particular earthquake was unusually large.earthquake was unusually large.

Yes…..and no. Seismic activity is Yes…..and no. Seismic activity is common in the Caribbean, but the common in the Caribbean, but the precise location of this quake was precise location of this quake was somewhat unusual. somewhat unusual.

The last significant earthquake along the Enriquillo-The last significant earthquake along the Enriquillo-Plaintain Garden Fault occurred in 1860.Plaintain Garden Fault occurred in 1860.


An earthquake of this magnitude occurs somewhere in the world, on average, once every 3 weeks. In relation to other earthquakes, the Haiti quake was very strong. However, what made this earthquake particularly devastating was not necessarily its strength, but WHERE it occurred.

Recipe for DisasterRecipe for Disaster

• Proximity to PopulationProximity to Population Metro Port-Au-Prince: 2,000,000Metro Port-Au-Prince: 2,000,000

• Shallow epicenter = greater surface intensityShallow epicenter = greater surface intensity

• Most buildings not designed to withstand Most buildings not designed to withstand earthquakes. earthquakes.

Simple concrete structures.Simple concrete structures.

• Many of the slums surrounding Port-Au-Prince Many of the slums surrounding Port-Au-Prince are built on steep hillsides.are built on steep hillsides.

• Haiti does not have the resources to respond Haiti does not have the resources to respond to a disaster of this magnitude.to a disaster of this magnitude.

Social RamificationsSocial Ramifications• Health & HumanitarianHealth & Humanitarian

Estimated 200,000 dead.Estimated 200,000 dead. 3 million Haitians in need of food, water, and medical care 3 million Haitians in need of food, water, and medical care

(U.N.).(U.N.). Estimated 1.5 million Haitians are now homeless.Estimated 1.5 million Haitians are now homeless. Search and rescue (5-7 days)Search and rescue (5-7 days)

• Medical care for those successfully extracted.Medical care for those successfully extracted. Sanitation and disease.Sanitation and disease.

• Social & PoliticalSocial & Political Most government infrastructure destroyed.Most government infrastructure destroyed.

• Rule of law?Rule of law?• ““Mob Justice”Mob Justice”

Looting and rioting – both “criminal” and survival oriented.Looting and rioting – both “criminal” and survival oriented. International aid - should foreign governments step in for the International aid - should foreign governments step in for the

Haitian government?Haitian government?

How are Geographers InvolvedHow are Geographers Involved

• LogisticsLogistics Satellite Imagery: search and rescue mapping.Satellite Imagery: search and rescue mapping. Transportation of aid once it reaches Hispaniola.Transportation of aid once it reaches Hispaniola.

• Socio-politicalSocio-political Aid organization – making difficult decisions.Aid organization – making difficult decisions. Predicting social behaviors / reactions.Predicting social behaviors / reactions.

How does this affect the world?How does this affect the world?

• Safety of foreign nationals.Safety of foreign nationals. Diplomats, foreign companiesDiplomats, foreign companies

• Instability affects neighboring countries.Instability affects neighboring countries.

• Refugees / Legal length of stay.Refugees / Legal length of stay.

• World commodity prices.World commodity prices. Sugar, coffeeSugar, coffee

• Transportation and trade.Transportation and trade. Airline routesAirline routes International shippingInternational shipping

Aftershock: January 20, 2010Aftershock: January 20, 2010

Time: 6:03am local time (Eastern Time Zone)Magnitude: 6.1 on the Richter ScaleLocation: 53km (35mi) WSW of Port-Au-PrinceDepth: 9.9km (6.1mi)

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World Regional Geography January 20, 2010