XVI
HAITI
Much  of  the  history  of  Haiti  is  associated
with  its  neighbor,  Santo  Domingo,  and  need
not  be  again  told.  After  the  French  had  established ­
  their  government  in  this  island  they
imported  negroes  from  Africa  as  slaves.
These  revolted  in  1791  and  in  1801  declared
their  independence,  finally  expelling  the
French  in  1804.  This  land  has  been  the  scene
of  much  bloodshed  and  lacks  stability  in  its
government,  as  it  always  will  until  taken  under
the  control  of  some  strong  power.
Its  geography  and  climatic  conditions  are
the  same  as  those  of  Santo  Domingo,  its  area
of  10,200  square  miles  supporting  a  population ­
  estimated  at  2,000,000,  French  or  a
“patois”  being  the  language  spoken.  Perhaps
95  per  cent,  of  its  inhabitants  are  negroes,  or
have  negro  blood.  The  country  is  backward.
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