9781422286296

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Haiti

the far southeast of the country lies the Massif de la Selle range, while the Massif de la Hotte range stretches westward into the southern peninsula. Between the mountain ranges are vast, fertile valleys and a few large lakes. The Central Plain, which lies between the two northern mountain ranges, and the North Plain, located along the country’s northern coastline, boast rich soil. In Haiti, any land that is remotely suited to farming has been cultivated . Because a relatively small percentage of the land is flat, Haitians farm even the steep mountain slopes. In some cases, farmers suspend themselves from ropes, risking injury in order to cultivate the land. Unfortunately, much of the good land has been overfarmed, and even areas that aren’t suitable for farming have been tilled. As a result, Haiti has faced terrible soil erosion . What remains is land that is less productive, thus creating a cycle that contributes to the country’s poverty. Dozens of rivers and streams flow out of the mountains and through Haiti. The Artibonite River, the country’s longest, rises in the Dominican Republic and flows from the far eastern portion of Haiti to the west, where it empties into the Gulf of Gonâve. Haiti was once home to large tracts of forest, but most of those have been cut down. Deforestation in the country continues to this day, as remaining forests are being cleared to create more farmland and to provide fuel. While much of Haiti is difficult to traverse, and other parts have been overused, Haiti is also a land of great beauty. Tree-covered hills, breathtaking mountain ranges, gorgeous waterfalls, and beautiful plants are the highlights of Haiti’s landscape.