Hispaniola Island is now 5. Hispaniola Island: see on a Galapagos cruise. Sights of the Dominican Republic

Description and location

The island of Espanola is also known as Hood. The island was named Hispaniola in honor of Spain.

The area of the island is 60 sq. km, maximum height 206 m above sea level. The journey from Santa Cruz Island to Hispaniola takes about 10-12 hours.

This is the most old island archipelago, its age is estimated at 3.5 million years. This is also the most south island. Geographically, it is a classic example of a shield volcano, formed by a single caldera in the center of the island. Over time, the island shifted away from the hot spot, the volcano died out and erosion began.

Nature

The island's remoteness from the rest of the group contributes to the large number of endemics on the island and its adaptability to natural resources islands. Iguanas on Hispaniola appear only during the mating season, at which time their reddish hue becomes more green.

The flapping (Galapagos) albatross (Phoebastria irrorata), a rare bird species, lives here. The island's steep cliffs provide a perfect landing spot for these large birds, which feed off the coasts of Ecuador and Peru. The hooded mockingbird is also one of the island's endemics. These bronze birds are not at all afraid of people and often land on the heads and shoulders of tourists in search of food.

Visitors can also encounter brightly colored marine iguanas, lizards, gulls, gannets, Galapagos hawks and finches. And large bays with sand and small pebbles attract a large number of sea lions.

Interesting places

Hispaniola has two visitor sites: Gardner Bay and Punta Suarez.

Gardner Bay is located in the northeastern part of the island and offers a stunning, long, white sand beach, where colonies of sea lions lazily bask in the sun, sea turtles come ashore and curious mockingbirds scurry about. The beach is considered an open area that you can explore freely. It has nice beach and a place for swimming and diving.

Gardner Bay is a fantastic place for snorkeling. This may be your only chance to swim with sea lions, don't miss it. Closer to Turtle Rock and the Gardner Islands there are large colonies of colorful tropical fish such as yellowtail surgeonfish, king angelfish, and parrotfish. A manta ray glides through the waters and whitetip sharks doze at the bottom.

Punta Suarez is located in the western part of Hispaniola. In the Punta Suarez area you can see wildlife with a wide variety of local fauna. These include sea lions, seabirds, large marine iguanas and colorful lava lizards.

Excursions and attractions

Gardner Bay

Resort oriented on: adults.

Resort specifics: natural-cognitive.

The island of Hispaniola, one of the most famous resorts world, is very popular among tourists. Various types of recreation and excursion programs one of the main components of modern relaxation. Like most resorts in the world, Hispaniola Island can provide different levels of relaxation at a variety of prices. This resort has both luxury hotels and budget hotels.

If you are tormented by the question “Where to relax?”, “Where to spend your vacation?” Then perhaps Hispaniola Island will be perfect place for relax.

The territory of Haiti seems to have been specially created by unknown forces for relaxation. The Dominican Republic, which occupies the largest part, is a paradise on earth, a secluded corner of the planet where a vacation cannot but be enjoyed, no matter how whimsical the tourist may be. Incredibly beautiful landscapes, warm water and slightly cool Atlantic Ocean, delicious local kitchen, tranquility and tranquility - that’s what Haiti is!

Where is the island of Haiti? Geographical position

It is the second largest among the Big Ones. It is located in the West Indies, washed on one side by the Caribbean Sea and on the other by the Atlantic Ocean. If you look at the world map, you will see that the island is located between Cuba (on the western side, separated by the Windless Strait) and Puerto Rico (on the east, separated by the Mona Strait).

The area is 76,480 square kilometers, and the population in 2009 was 20,123,000 people.

Description of the island of Haiti

In early December 1492, a tireless navigator and discoverer discovers the uncharted territory of the island of Haiti. Then he said that “this is the most beautiful land that human eyes have seen.” After this, development here begins in full swing: first, the land was given the Spanish name La Españona, and then the inhabitants of civilized Europe gradually began to contribute to Indian culture. The island began to bring good income to the country; life was in full swing here, seemingly carefree, with a barbecue and a canoe, tobacco and a hammock. So other states began to learn about these delights.

The island of Haiti today is divided by two Republics: the first has the same name, and the second is Dominican. The latter occupies 2/3 of the entire territory and is considered more developed and comfortable. The population is almost equal in both Republics, only Haiti has an area of 27,750 square kilometers, and the Dominican Republic - 48,730. The capital of the first is Port-au-Prince, and the second is Santo Domingo.

Dominican Republic

As is already known, most of The islands of Haiti are the Dominican Republic. It occupies the southern coast and is divided into 31 regions. By the way, the capital (Santo Domingo) is the oldest city here.

The second most important settlement is Santiago. Other cities of the Republic:

La Vega.
San Francisco de Macoris.
San Cristobal.
San Pedro de Macoris.
La Romana.
Puerto Plata.

You can talk about it endlessly. It is not for nothing that they say that it is better to see once than to hear 100 times. Dominican Republic (the island of Haiti) is an exotic nature of amazing beauty Coral reefs, several hundred kilometers snow-white beaches, lakes with emerald water, rivers with crystal clear water, and unruly waterfalls. It has its own history, way of life, unique flavor and friendly people. And by the way, the Dominican Republic is considered the most environmentally friendly place on earth. There is stable atmospheric pressure and the tropical climate is more comfortable than humid. So you can feel great in this area!

Sights of the Dominican Republic

Many people believe that when they come to the Dominican Republic, they will only be able to enjoy beach holiday And sea activities. But in fact there are plenty of things to do here, one of which is sightseeing. Of course, found in this part of the island of Haiti historical places It won’t work out, but the nature is like no other place on the planet.

An interesting place to visit is the village of Altos de Chavon, which is located near Punta Cana. It is themed and stylized as an early colonial settlement. The buildings here are made of stone using old technologies. The village has an amphitheater, which is an exact copy of the Greek architectural structure. The museum features an exhibition dedicated to the pre-Columbian era. She will tell tourists how the Arawak Indians lived before the Europeans came here.

There is a grand museum in the capital. It is called the Columbus Lighthouse and is a huge area where you can find a lot of interesting things, including memorable places. This large building is built in the shape of a cross and is a kind of reminder that America is a Christian state. The most important thing here is the ashes of Christopher Columbus.

Also in Santo Domingo there is a unique museum of its kind, the World of Amber. It presents a large collection of these stones, including very rare specimens. For example, with plants and insects inside, or even blue or red.

Another city worth visiting on the island of Haiti is Puerta del Conde. It was built to protect the capital, and here in 1844 the independence of the Republic was proclaimed. It is a fort, today open to tourists. There is a park behind it, this is a very important place for patriots of the Republic. They especially value the Altar of Freedom (mausoleum with the founders of the Dominican Republic), which, like other elements of the park, is dedicated to the struggle for independence and freedom.

In honor of the centenary of the recognition of the independence of the Republic, a palace was built, which today serves as the president’s workplace. If you look at the photo of this building, you will notice the resemblance to the White House. And it's very big.

A list of a few more attractions that are recommended to visit:

Del Este National Park.
Captain's Palace.
Ruins of a Franciscan monastery.
Ozama Fortress.
Ruins of the hospital of St. Nicholas of Bari.
Caves of Los Tress Ojos.
Church of St. Barbara.

Weather

Speaking about the “behavior” of nature, one cannot help but consider the question of why earthquakes often occur on the island of Haiti. The answer is simple - in this place (that is, in the Caribbean Sea), the earth's crust shifts and geological faults arise, which is why today the territory is recognized as a seismically active zone.

One of the most powerful earthquakes occurred in 2010. And more than once. The first was on January 12th. The epicenter was located 15 km from the capital of the Republic of Haiti, which was very badly damaged, as were its inhabitants. Then they did not give a clear answer about the number of victims - either tens or hundreds of thousands. The magnitude was 7-7.3 points.

The second earthquake on the island of Haiti occurred on February 22, and again in the Port-au-Prince area. Then only 3 people were injured (according to official data), and the magnitude was 4.7 points.

Now about something more pleasant. The climate here is tropical, with relatively humid summers and dry winters. The temperature of water and air practically does not change throughout the year. Moreover, they are also approximately the same among themselves. It is recommended to come to the Dominican Republic in winter, as at this time it is more comfortable here - 26-28 degrees Celsius.

According to 2010 data, 34.4% of the population lives below the poverty line. But this does not prevent them from remaining friendly and friendly people.
Rum is considered a particularly popular Dominican product. It combines centuries-old traditions and modern technologies. Twice Ron Barceló Imperial rum was recognized as the best in the world.
Semi-precious stone is mined here, which is found only in one other place in Spain. Some tourists come just for it. It ranges from bright blue to deep blue.
Military and police cannot participate in elections.
Only in the Dominican Republic can you see the Ricordi iguana. She has red eyes, which makes her different from the others.

What will you remember about your vacation?

A holiday on La Españona (the former name of the island of Haiti) will be memorable for everyone, from the gently hugging warm water to the adventures, the most common of which is diving. And what nature is here! Of course, you need to take more pictures so that you can remember the wonderful days and buy souvenirs. They will remind you of the Dominican Republic even more colorfully. Moreover, these souvenirs are unique. For example, high-quality coffee, the best of which is difficult to find in the world, or cognac. Lots of jewelry made of pure gold, amber, and even earrings with larimar. Besides rum, business card countries are also cigars. Painted plates, clay dolls without faces, figurines, shell jewelry, exotic fruits, handmade carpets - you can find anything you want. The main thing is not to spare money, because these souvenirs are made with love by the residents Dominican Republic!

La Española is the 22nd largest island in the world, located in the Caribbean, among the Greater Antilles group of islands. It is the second largest island in the Caribbean after Cuba, and the tenth most populous island in the world.

Two sovereign states share the islands. The Dominican Republic is almost twice the size of its neighbor Haiti, which comprises 27,750 km 2 (10,710 sq mi).
Hispaniola (Española; Hispaniola) is the site of the first European settlements in Northern and South America, founded by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and 1493. This is where the history of colonization of the New World began.
When Columbus took possession of the island in 1492, he named it Insula Hispana, meaning "island of the Spanish" in Latin. La Isla Hispaniola, also means "the island of Spain", in Spanish. Bartolomé de las Casas shortened the name to "Hispaniola".

The name Haití was given by the Haitian revolutionary Dessalines in 1804, as a tribute to its Indian predecessors.

Today, the island of Haiti (Hispaniola) is two independent states:

Republic of Haiti with its capital Port-au-Prince
Dominican Republic with its capital Santo Domingo

"Hispaniola" has become the most commonly used term in countries in English and in scientific cartographic works.

Geography of the island of Hispaniola

The island of Cuba is 80 km (50 mi) northwest of Hispaniola, across the Windward Strait
Jamaica to the southwest, separated by the Jamaica Canal
Puerto Rico is located east of Hispaniola across the Mona Strait (Passage Mona).
Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are located to the north.

Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica and Puerto Rico are collectively known as the Greater Antilles.

The island has four different ecoregions:

The ecoregion's rainforests cover about 50% of the island's territory, ranging from lowlands to 2,100 meters (6,900 ft) altitudes.
Hispaniolan dry forests occupy approximately 20% of the territory - they lie in the mountain zone, the so-called rain shadow, in the southern and western part of the island, and in the Cibao Valley - in the central northern part of the island.
Hispaniola's pine forests occupy 15% of the island's mountainous part, above 850 meters (2,790 feet) in altitude.
Grasslands and savannas, an ecoregion in the south-central part of the island, are flooded. This is a chain of lakes and lagoons, the most significant of which are Lake Azuei, Lake Trou Caiman (Haiti) and Lake Enriquillo (Dominican Republic).

The island has five main mountain ranges:
The Cordillera range covers the central part of the island, extending from south coast Dominican Republic to northwestern Haiti, where it is known as mountain range du Nord. This mountain range has the highest peak in the Antilles, Pico Duarte at 3,087 meters (10,128 ft) above sea level.
The Cordillera Central separates the lowland Cibao Valley from the Atlantic Coastal Plains.
The Sierra de Neibe rises and runs parallel to the Cordillera, like Montagnes Noires, Chaîne de Matheux and Montagnes du Trou d'Eau.
The Central Plateau opens west to Gonave, the largest bay of the Antilles.
The Sierra de Baoruco, extends as the Massif de la Zelle and the Massif de la Hotte, forming the southern ridge of the Haitian peninsula. Pic de la Sel is the highest point in Haiti, 2,680 meters (8,790 ft) above sea level.

Due to its mountainous topography, the climate on Hispaniola shows a range of striking differences, changing dramatically over the shortest distances.

The vegetation is predominantly tropical. But we mean that there are also mountainous regions and desert zones with their corresponding vegetation.

Hispaniola is part of the Greater Antilles group of islands. Together with the Bahamas and the Lesser Antilles - they are famous geographical world as the West Indies, and are considered part of Latin America.
The island of Hispaniola itself administratively owns some of the smaller islands along the coast of Latin America:

So Haiti owns famous island pirates - Tortuga, as well as the islands of Vaz and Gonave
The Dominican Republic owns the islands of Caia Levantada, Saona, Beata

ESPAÑOLA ISLAND

The southernmost and at the same time the most ancient island Galapagos archipelago with the highest altitude of 206 meters above sea level. The western side of the island - Punta Suarez - one of the most popular places among tourists because of the gushing jets of water resembling geysers. The island is home to a large colony of California sea lions and marine iguanas, a colony of gannets and albatrosses. Beautiful sandy beach - Gardner Bay. There is also an interesting dive site here. On the sandy bottom you can find stingrays, and schools of reef fish walk along the walls. There are Galapagos brown and whitetip sharks, giant manta rays and schools of eagle rays.

TALES FROM OUR TRAVELERS

"Thorny bushes serve as a refuge for very peculiar reptiles. First of all, the land iguana, or conolophus subcristatus, lives here, a distant relative of the marine iguana, from which it differs in a more massive physique and a shorter tail. In addition, the land iguana, as a rule, , is painted in brighter colors, ranging from bright yellow to reddish brown. It never approaches. seashore, and at night it hides in crevices or in a shallow hole, which it digs in the ground. These animals live alone or in pairs and do not seem to be as peaceful as their marine relatives. During the mating period, fierce fights occur between males. Unlike other iguanas, which use their tail as a powerful weapon, these lizards use well-developed teeth, inflicting strong bites on the enemy. Land iguanas are vegetarians. They feed on leaves and shoots, but prefer the juicy fruits of cacti. Lizards don't hesitate to devour great amount prickly pear leaves along with sharp thorns, which are thrown out intact. These animals have been severely damaged by humans and have now disappeared from many of their original habitats.

The English navigator William Dampier says that when he landed in the Galapagos Islands in 1684, he was struck by the sight of giant tortoises (Testudo). "When the Spaniards first discovered these islands, they found here many guanos (seabirds) and turtles... there are so many of them that five or six hundred people can feed on them for several months, without using any other food. They are unusually large and fatty, and their meat is so tender that no poultry can compare with them in taste." The sad story of these giants, whose shells reach one and a half meters, and whose weight sometimes exceeds 250 kg, can be summarized in a few lines.

The same terrestrial turtles, which should not be confused with sea turtles, have been found among fossil remains in many places globe, mainly in the USA (Wyoming and Nebraska), Europe and India (Siwalik Mountains). Apparently, land turtles were widespread during the Tertiary period, especially in the Miocene and Pliocene about six million years ago. In subsequent geological periods they gradually disappeared, perhaps due to climate change, and perhaps having lost the fight against other species, especially mammals, which had reached a higher development and were able to survive due to better adaptability to environmental conditions. Nowadays, these giants are found only on the Mascarene Islands in Indian Ocean and on the Galapagos archipelago, which in this case acts as a refuge for animals that have become extinct in all other corners of the globe.

Although there are close similarities between all Galapagos tortoises, scientists classify them into about fifteen species. In all likelihood, in distant geological times, the entire archipelago was one single massif, with the individual islands connected by land bridges, similar to those that today connect the individual volcanoes of Isabela. Those giant turtles that crossed the ocean themselves or drifted at the behest of currents, having made their way from the South American continent, spread to the land that emerged from the sea. A series of subsequent land subsidences divided the massif into separate islands, and the turtles became separated into isolated groups, each evolving according to its genetic potential. Mutations began, apparently varying due to changes in the environment. This is how isolated species appeared, which even turtle hunters recognized in the old days. This extremely interesting example of evolution did not escape the attention of Charles Darwin, and from it he drew his conclusions regarding the differentiation of species descending from common ancestors.

Scientists still cannot explain why land turtles suddenly became sedentary and did not attempt to swim across the straits between the islands, after they ventured a much longer and more dangerous ocean voyage from the South American continent.

Armored reptiles live in a wide variety of environments. They are found in the driest places, especially among cacti and other thorny plants, where they feed on leaves and shoots. But preference turns out to be more “fertile” areas on the slopes of the islands, exposed to humid winds, as is observed, in particular, on Santa Cruz. Here, among the tiny lakes, turtles find grassy pastures, and grass, according to recent observations, is the favorite food of turtles. In addition, there is water absolutely necessary for turtles, and researchers have seen them literally rush into the lake and begin to drink greedily. The lifestyle of land turtles forces them to undertake real migrations throughout the year. One cannot help but be surprised that such heavy and clumsy animals periodically embark on long journeys. But they are famous for covering up to sixteen kilometers in two to three days. Like tanks, turtles climb slopes covered with rock debris, or even small cliffs, carefully checking the stability of the ground at every step. These seasonal movements are driven by the need for food. The turtle is looking for places where greenery can remain in the midst of a long dry season. The migration route is also determined by the location of natural reservoirs, which have probably been visited by turtles for centuries, judging by the paths laid by many generations of turtles.

However, periodic migrations are also caused by sexual instinct. During the breeding season, turtles disperse to low-lying areas. Females prefer loose sandy soil in warmer, and therefore lower, areas, where they lay eggs, then covering them with a layer of sand. On rocky ground they make do with cracks in the lava. Each clutch contains from six to eleven eggs, often stacked in two or three rows, separated by layers of sand or small pebbles. After the mating season ends, turtles return to wetter areas. Having barely escaped the shell, the little turtles are ready to leave their shelter and begin an independent life. At first they grow very quickly, and their weight triples in the first two years. After this, growth slows down. Turtles are very durable and can live 300-400 years. It is possible that those turtles who witnessed the appearance of adventurers Pissarro and Drake on the islands are still alive.

There is still much to be studied in the habits of these giant reptiles, if only in order to organize their effective protection from the direct and indirect influence of humans. For these purposes, there is a research station named after Charles Darwin, controlled by an international organization, on the coast of Santa Cruz Island. She studies turtles. First of all, they must be registered, then tagged in order to track their movements. After unsuccessfully trying to apply paint marks, biologists began carving numbers into the shells. If the turtle is longer than 30 cm, this operation does not cause any harm to it. Thanks to the tags, it was possible to collect a lot of information. In one or two centuries, scientists at the Galapagos station will determine for sure whether tortoises are truly as long-lived as previously thought."

Notes on the margins of expedition diaries

Map of the island of Haiti (Hispaniola).

The island of Haiti (in some sources – Hispaniola) is the second largest island in the Greater Antilles archipelago, located approximately 100 kilometers east of and approximately the same distance west of the island of Puerto Rico. The island of Haiti is washed from the north by the waters of the open Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea on South. The word "Haiti" comes from a phrase in the language of the Taino Indians, translated as "Mountain Country". The second name – Hispaniola (La Española) was assigned to the island by Christopher Columbus and is literally translated into Russian as “Spanish”.

Definition geographical coordinates of the island of Haiti is made according to its conventional geographical center: 19°00′ N. w. 70°40′w. d.

The area of the island of Haiti and other small islands and rocks adjacent to it is approximately seventy-six and a half thousand square kilometers.

IN this moment on the island of Haiti there are two states: the Republic of Haiti (in the western part of the island) and the Dominican Republic (in the eastern part), which in a number of sources is also called the Dominican Republic or the Dominican Republic.

Southern coast of the island of Haiti.

Story.

The island of Haiti was discovered during the expedition of Christopher Columbus in 1492, receiving the name Hispaniola, after which its colonization by the Spaniards began. During colonization, the indigenous population of the island, represented by the Taino Indians, was practically exterminated.

In 1667, the western part of the island officially came under French control, while at the same time the Spaniards strengthened in the center and west, calling their part of the island Santo Domingo. During this period, both France and Spain began to import slaves from Africa to the island to work on plantations and in mines.

In 1803, a slave revolt broke out in the French part of the island of Haiti under the leadership of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, which spread to the eastern part. The result of the uprising was the proclamation of the independence of the Republic of Haiti in the western part on January 1, 1804 and the expulsion from the island of the Spaniards, who were able to regain control of Santo Domingo only in 1808, and even then, only for a short period.

In 1822, another uprising breaks out in Santo Domingo local population against the Spaniards, which ends with the final liberation from Spanish rule. However, almost immediately, the eastern part of the island is occupied by troops of the Republic of Haiti.

In 1825, after delays, France recognized the independence of the Republic of Haiti, but on the condition that it pay a huge indemnity for the loss of property of the French living on the island at that time.

Levantado Reef in the north of Haiti in Samana Bay.

In 1844, after a successful anti-Haitian uprising in the eastern and central parts of the island, the independent Dominican Republic was proclaimed.

In 1905, exhausted by the confrontation with Spain and internal contradictions, the Dominican Republic became financially dependent on the United States.

From 1915 to 1934, the Republic of Haiti was occupied by US troops. The occupying forces bring to power in the country a government representing the mulatto minority. In 1916, the American occupation befell the Dominican Republic after the assassination of the country's president.

During World War II, both the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti entered the war on the side of the Anti-Hitler coalition, but their participation became more than a formality.

In 1957, the Duvalier family clan of dictators comes to power in the Republic of Haiti. The last representative of this dynasty, Jean-Claude Duvalier, was overthrown after popular unrest in 1986.

In 1965, after a pro-Soviet coup in the Dominican Republic, the United States once again occupied this country, establishing its democratic power.

At the beginning of the 21st century, the political situation in the Dominican Republic stabilized somewhat, and the country’s financial and economic indicators improved. At the same time, in the Republic of Haiti, numerous coups, popular unrest and foreign interventions have thrown the country back to the position of one of the poorest countries in the world.

A bay in the southwest of the island of Haiti.

Origin and geography of the island.

The island of Haiti, like neighboring islands Cuba, Jamaica and Puerto Rico are the surface part of the Northern Caribbean Subsea mountain range, which rose at the boundary of the collision of three geological plates. Therefore, experts classify all the islands of the Greater Antilles as volcanic. Their formation dates back to approximately the early Miocene period, and their age is estimated at approximately 6-7 million years.

To the west of Haiti across the Windward Strait lies the island of Cuba, to the east from Haiti it is separated by the Mona Strait, and to the southwest from the island of Jamaica by the strait of the same name. In the northwest, the islands of Haiti and Grand Iguana (Bahamas) are separated by a fairly wide Foster Strait.

The island of Haiti has a complex geometric shape. The coastline winds strongly along its entire length, forming numerous bays and bays of varying sizes. Among the most significant bays washing the island, it is worth highlighting the Gulf of Gonave (on west coast), Samana (in the northeast) and Deverger (in the south).

Off the coast of Haiti there are several inhabited and uninhabited islands and rocks, among which it is worth noting Gonave (in the Gulf of Gonave), Tortu (off the northwest coast), (USA) and Vash (off the southwest coast), Saona and Mona (off the east coast and in the Mona Strait).

The relief of the island of Haiti in its central and western parts is predominantly mountainous, and only in the west and southwest do flat lowlands stretch in a narrow strip from north to south. Four massive mountain ranges stretch in the direction from east to west of the island, the largest of which is the Cordillera Central (Cordillera Central), where the highest point both Haiti and the entire Antillean archipelago - Mount Duarte Peak, 3087 meters above sea level. In the south of Haiti, beyond the low-lying Cibao Valley, the mid-elevation Central Plateau and the shallow Cul de Sac depression, stretch the mountain ranges of Sel, Haut, Sierra de Bauroco, Mato and Sierra de Neiba. In the northern part of the island, it is worth noting the Northern ridges, which are a continuation of the Central Cordillera, the medium-high Cordillera Oriental and the rather high (about 1200 meters) Cordillera Septentrional.

The rivers on the island of Haiti are deep and full-flowing, but not long. Among the most significant rivers of the island are the Artibonite, which flows in the west and flows into the Atlantic Ocean, the Yaque del Norte in the northern part of the island, and the Osama, which flows into the Caribbean Sea in the south. In addition to rivers, there are quite a lot of lakes in Haiti, the largest in area are Enriquillo (in the border areas of the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti), as well as Somatre (in the central part of the island).

The coast of Lake Enquillo.

Climate.

The climate on the island of Haiti should be classified as tropical trade wind type. The air temperature does not fluctuate significantly depending on the time of year. On the coast of the island, the weather is consistently warm with a temperature of + 22-27 degrees. In the interior of the island, in areas protected from the trade winds, the temperature can even rise to +30-35 degrees. Almost the entire territory of the island receives quite a lot of precipitation in the form of tropical downpours throughout the year. The greatest amount of precipitation falls between early June and mid-December. On average, over a year, on the slopes of mountain ranges located on the path of sea trade winds, sometimes more than 2000 fall, and in the middle part of the island and mountain valleys- about 400-1100 millimeters. Between the beginning of August and the end of September, the island is most likely to experience hurricanes and typhoons originating in the central Caribbean Sea.

The La Esperilla district in the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo.

Population.

According to UN data as of 2013, more than 20 million people lived throughout the island of Haiti, of which about 9.2 million were in the Republic of Haiti and about 11 million in the Dominican Republic. The ethnic composition of the island's population is uneven. Thus, in the Republic of Haite, the Negroid population makes up more than 95% of the total number living in the country, while mulattoes and whites account for only about 5%. In the Dominican Republic, mulattoes predominate (73%), while whites and blacks make up approximately 27% in approximately equal proportions. State languages in the Dominican Republic it is Spanish, and in the Republic of Haiti it is French and Haitian Creole, which is a modified French.

The capital of the Republic of Haiti is the city of Port-au-Prince, located on the shores of the Gulf of Gonave and populated by almost nine hundred thousand inhabitants. At the same time, the capital of the Dominican Republic is the city of Santo Domingo, located in the south east coast islands and has a population of more than 2 million people. Among the large settlements The islands of Haiti should also include the cities of Delmas and Carrefour (Republic of Haiti), as well as Santiago (Dominican Republic).

The form of government in both the Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic is a presidential republic with a legislative body - parliament.

The national currencies of the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Haiti are respectively the Dominican Peso (DOP, code 214) and the Haitian Gourde (HTG, code 332). However, in both countries, both the US dollar and the euro are accepted quite freely as means of payment.

The village of Cap-Haitien in the Republic of Haiti.

Flora and fauna.

The flora of the island of Haiti is represented mainly by evergreen massive tropical forests, where more than 100 species of woody plants grow. Among them, it is worth noting logwood, rosewood, rambi and yamasin palms, which are native to the island. On the slopes of the Cordillera Central mountain range there are significant areas of coniferous-hard-leaved forests, in central regions Haiti has deciduous forests, where, in addition to woody plants, there are quite a lot of shrubs.

Fauna of Haiti, as on other islands Caribbean, does not differ in variety. Mammals here are represented only by domestic animals, bats and rodents. There are always a lot of birds on the coast of Haiti and the coastal islands, and in the central regions of the island, especially in the areas of rivers and lakes, there are a large number of reptiles, among which crocodiles and lizards predominate.

A typical beach on the east coast of the Dominican Republic.

Tourism.

Despite the fact that natural conditions are almost the same both in the west of Haiti and in the east; tourism is developed only in the Dominican Republic. All last-minute holiday tours in the Dominican Republic (as well as in other resorts on Earth) are provided by the hottours.in.ua agency, which guarantees its clients maximum convenience and service when traveling to various countries.

The prospects for the development of tourism in the Republic of Haiti are undermined by the unstable political situation in the country and the increased, especially recently, crime situation.

As for the Dominican Republic (Dominican Republic), everything is done for tourism here, since it has long become a prevailing sector of the national economy. Almost the entire coast of the country is divided into resort areas operating autonomously from other territories of the country. These include airports, sea ports, a chain of hotels of various classes and beach complexes. Both residents of the USA and Canada, as well as Europe, visit the resorts of the Dominican Republic quite willingly. Over the past three years, the flow of tourists visiting the Dominican Republic has tripled and now amounts to 120 thousand people a year.

One of the beaches on the Caribbean coast of the Dominican Republic.