Gained independence from France in 1804. President Jean Bernard Aristide since 2000. Prime Minister Jean-Marie Ch restal since 2001. The official languages are French and Creole. English is spoken in tourist areas.
Voodooism is a folk religion, manifested by a series of complex ritual drawings, songs and dances.
There are no area codes. The internal service is reasonable. There are telephone booths in the towns which take cards. Handsets can be hired locally. Airmail to Europe takes up to a week.