Haiti, the first Caribbean state to attain independence, occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola. Precipitous with a tropical climate, it is the poorest country in the Americas due to decades of violence and instability. There is a vast income gap between the Creole-speaking black majority and the French-speaking mulattos (mixed African and European descent). Mulattos, only 5 percent of the population, control most of the prosperity. Haiti became the first black republic in 1804 after a victorious slave revolt against the French. As Haiti celebrated 200 years of independence, a rebellion toppled the government in February 2004.

With its mountainous scenery and tropical climate, Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, has the basic constituent of a holiday destination. However, decades of poverty, instability and violence, especially since the 1980s, have all but killed off this prospect and left it as the poorest nation in the Americas.

Port-au-Prince

The capital is a busy city with a inhabitants of almost 1 million. Places to visit include the busy Iron Market, the neo-romantic cathedral, the Museum of Haitian Art, the Statue of the Unknown Slave, the Gingerbread Houses and the Defly Mansion. The hillside suburb of Pétionville offers a calmer respite and some of the city's best dining, gallery-hopping and nightlife

Jacmel and the South coast

Jacmel itself is a stylish town of Victorian stuccoes palaces decorated with filigree balconies. It is a significant centre for voodoo and there are several interesting temples to visit. Artists come from all over Europe, America and the Caribbean to work in Jacmel, providing a lively arts scene that is further enhanced at carnival time, when dancers in papier maché costumes parade the streets and a host of street theatre performances take place

Kyona and Ibo beaches

Kyona and Ibo beaches (Ibo is on Cacique Isle) are best for swimming, snorkelling, spearfishing, sailing, boomba racing in dugout canoes and waterskiing. La Gonâve is a popular location for fishing