Haiti and the rest of Hispaniola was inhabited by Arawak Amerindians when the island was discovered by Columbus in 1492. The natives were virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th Century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola, and in 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island – Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean, but the process involved heavy import of African slaves and considerable environment degradation. In the late 18th Century, Haiti’s nearly half a million slaves revolted under Toussaint L ‘Overture and after a prolonged struggle, became the first black republic to declare its independence in 1804. Haiti has experienced violent political instability for most of its history since then. Over three decades of dictatorship followed by military rule ended in 1990 when Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected President. Most of his term was usurped by a military takeover, but he was able to return to office in 1994.

Aristide won a second term as President in 2000, and took office early in 2001. However, a political crisis stemming from alleged fraudulent legislative elections led to his resignation in February 2004 under the pressure from US and France. He is presently in exile in South Africa. Since July 2004, UN Peace Keeping Forces (MINSUTAH) have taken over the mandate to maintain law and order. The country was run by an interim government till May 2006. Rene Preval has taken over the reins of power as President since May 2006.

The President, elected for a five-year term, chooses the Prime Minister from the largest party in the National Assembly. These two then appoint the cabinet, subject to approval by the National Assembly. The Assembly comprises a 30-member Senate (the upper house), which is elected for six-year terms in staggered elections, with one-third of seats being contested every two years, and a 99-member Chamber of Deputies (the lower house )elected by popular vote for a four-year term. The largest party in both houses is Lespwa (now known as Inite).

The earthquake which struck southern Haiti on January 12,2009 caused extensive damage, claiming the lives of more than 200,000 people, injuring 200,000 more, destroying much of the capital , Port-au-Prince, and many provincial towns and villages, and leaving as many as 1m people homeless or displaced. The National Assembly (the parliament), the presidential palace, the main police station, the national tax office and most of the government ministry buildings were all seriously damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. Total losses could reach between US$1bn and US$4bn, a heavy burden for the US$7bn Haitian economy

With only around 30% of the nation’s businesses covered by insurance, restarting commercial activities will be dependent on the provision of state or international assistance, or both. It is expected that most of Haiti’s current US$1bn in foreign debt will be cancelled or restructured. There is also concern that the stability of the country’s banking system will be threatened by the inability of many lenders to pay back their bank loans, and that this will inhibit the further bank lending desperately needed for reconstruction. An estimated 500,000 people have left the Port-au-Prince area (which had a population estimated at 2m before the earthquake) to seek refuge with relatives in the provinces. The economic impact of this exodus is uncertain as it may initiate more economic activities in the provinces and reduce pressure on Port –Au – Prince. However, it may put heavy strain on the already impoverished rural and agricultural communities of the Provinces.

Haiti follows a policy of peaceful co-existence and cooperation. It is one of the original members of the United Nations and several of its specialized and related agencies, and the OAS. Haiti’s relations with its immediate and more prosperous neighbour, Dominican Republic, though friendly have not been without irritants because of the political unrest in Haiti and the continuing illegal immigration of Haitians to Dominican Republic. Haiti has close relations with the United States, its major trading partner. US played a very pro-active role in the relief and rescue operations which included the taking over the operations of the Port –Au –Prince Airport after the January 2010 earthquake .Haiti does not have diplomatic relations with China.