HAITI

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Context: Haiti has appointed Garry Conille as its new prime minister, taking over the country's crisis until elections for a new president can be held.

About Haiti

Location and Borders

• Haiti is situated on the western portion of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea.
• It shares its eastern border with the Dominican Republic, which occupies the rest of the island.
• To the south and west, Haiti is bounded by the Caribbean Sea, while the Atlantic Ocean lies to the north.
• Nearby islands include Cuba to the west and Jamaica to the southwest.

Coastline

• The coastline of Haiti is irregular, forming long and short peninsulas in the south and north, respectively. These peninsulas are separated by the Gulf of Gonâve.
• Gonâve Island, located within this gulf, is the largest island belonging to Haiti, covering approximately 290 square miles.

Hydrography

• Haiti's rivers are short and generally not navigable, with the Artibonite River being the longest at about 175 miles.
• Lake Péligre, formed by damming the Artibonite River, serves as a reservoir for hydroelectric power generation.

Mountain Ranges

• The southern range of Haiti includes Mount Selle, which is the country's highest point at 8,773 feet. This range extends into the Massif de la Hotte on the southern peninsula.
• Haiti's mountains are mainly composed of limestone, although there are some volcanic formations, particularly in the Massif du Nord.

Geological Features

• Karstic features such as limestone caves, grottoes, and subterranean rivers are present throughout Haiti.
• The country's geological composition and fault lines make it susceptible to seismic activity, including earthquakes.

Source:

The Hindu

Wikipedia

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Haiti is geographically closest to which of the following countries? A) Venezuela B) Colombia C) Cuba D) Brazil Answer: C