Haiti

Named for the Indian word meaning "high ground," the mountainous country of Haiti is the second-oldest independent nation in the Western Hemisphere (surpassed only by the United States) and the world's first black republic. African slaves created the nation in 1804, after revolting against the colony's French government. Located on the western third of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, Haiti is one of the world's poorest countries. Most of its 7 million inhabitants depend upon farming to feed themselves, yet years of large-scale cutting of forests and subsequent soil erosion have devastated the land. Political unrest continues to contribute to the country's troubles, as its government seeks to address problems ranging from environmental degradation to substandard health care to widespread poverty. Book jacket.