Haiti was discovered by Christopher Columbus on December 5, stood by its first discovery in the course of the expedition to India. Called La Hispaniola, he became the first point of contact of European civilization with the Indian cultures of the New World, and turned into an arena of bloody clashes between tribes who inhabited these lands Arawak and Taino, who called him Kiskeya ("Mother Land"). Most of the Taino Indians (the "friendly people"), who saved, by the way, the crew lands on the reefs caravel Santa Maria, were ruthlessly destroyed for some quarter of a century by the Spaniards and introduced their diseases, and their land turned into a source of enrichment of the Spanish crown. However, their words, well known around the world, "Haiti", "barbecue", "tobacco", "canoe" and "hammock", live on Earth so far.

The stay and movement

Shops are generally open from Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00 on Saturdays, most shops open from 08:00 to 12:00. Many cities have a good selection of shops, private shops and markets selling everything you need for reasonable prices, but you should pay special attention to the price tags - many shops operate in the designation of the price of goods by three currencies - Haitian gourdes, the Haitian dollar and the U.S. dollar causing constant misunderstanding. The present value of any commodity can be for "blanc" (foreigner) of the country's worst secret. You can pay $ 1 for a huge lunch at an outdoor cafe, or $ 50 for it too, but in some restaurant. Decent hotels are usually quite expensive ($ 70 a day), while budget hotels put very reasonable prices ($ 8 per day), but are still not very comfortable or safe.

You can trade in markets and private shops, large stores is quite useless - the prices are usually fixed and discounts are given a very limited number of stores.

MONEY CURRENCY EXCHANGE

Gourde (HTG), divided into 100 centimes. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 1000, 500, 250, 100, 50, 25 and 10 gourdes, and coins in denominations of 5, 1 Gourde, 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimes. All of them are released in several versions, the total number of species of bills is close to forty, while older versions are no longer printed and removed from circulation by the central bank to the extent of wear.

Also in the non-treatment is called "Haitian dollar" (1 U.S. dollar is equal to 5 Haitian gourdes), a standard unit. U.S. dollars are also free circulation, especially widely applied in the markets and in private institutions.

Banks are open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 17:00. Some banks are open on Saturdays from 09:00 to 13:00.

U.S. dollars can be exchanged at almost any bank, hotel or restaurant. Other foreign currency exchange is somewhat more complicated (they are only a few big banks), but not impossible. Although in general the exchange of any foreign currency is associated with some problems - at the airport in Port-au-Prince, there are no exchange offices and banks. In the capital itself can find a lot of banks, working with currency, but the terms of the exchange and the commission often change. A thriving black market can change money on the street for an acceptable rate, but it is often associated with such exchange risk of becoming a victim of fraud or robbery. The hotels also often installed completely unacceptable prices or exchange rates. It is therefore recommended to be guided only by banks that are reserved for this time.

Credit cards are accepted everywhere, especially easy operation with Visa and MasterCard, which are accepted in most rental offices, fine restaurants and hotels. ATMs can be found in the capital, often enough, in the province as they are almost there.

Traveller's checks can be cashed in only offices of banks, some hotels and large stores. To avoid additional costs of conversion, it is recommended to use traveler's checks in U.S. dollars.

Haiti: Haitian currency. In this section: currency and currencies as well as Haiti, while the banks and currency exchange offices. Exchange major currencies such as the dollar and the euro, we can at hotels and at the airport. But private exchange offices typically offer a more favorable rate than banks or hotels Haiti. In the exchange, pay attention to the fact that the points of exchange may charge a fee for each transaction. This should be an appropriate announcement. (Words that are associated with the text: currencies, currency, currencies, currencies, foreign currency Haiti, Haitian currency)

ATTRACTIONS

Port-au-Prince

The capital of the country, which the locals often call simply Potoprens, is a noisy and chaotic city, gasping from overpopulation. Columbus to the landing area that is now the city has not been inhabited by Indians, as it was too close to the sea, is a constant source of danger because of militant attacks Carib Indians who lived on the neighboring islands. Conquistador Nicolas Ovando, poisoned at a banquet almost all local leaders in the early XVI century, founded on the land just two cities - Santa Maria de la Paz-Verdadera (left a few years later), and the Santa María del Puerto.

Unhappy fate befell the city - Santa Maria del Puerto was burned in 1535 by the French, and in 1592 r - the British, which led the Spanish colonial administration in 1606 to an almost complete abandonment of the settlement of the region. Almost half a century on the land pirates held sway until the 1650 French filibusters no attention to the Gulf of Gonaives as a convenient base for their ships. Trew colony-Borde has grown rapidly, becoming a small town with even its own hospital (which actually gave the name to the entire region - from the height of 1650 Turgot, on which the corps hospital, and after him the whole region, started calling Hopital).

Spain retained its formal sovereignty over these lands, so the Spanish administration attempted to reclaim the land, pointing to fight filibuster Castilian shelves, however, the attempt turned into a complete failure, and in 1697 signed the so-called "agreement Ryswick," depriving them of any claims to these lands. Then French colony increased dramatically, on the coast were established base Ester (part of Petite Riviera), Leogane and Gonaives (Goniav), and in 1717 the captain of the San Andre called the whole territory of the colony of Port-au-Prince, although two centuries port and the area around it continued to be called Hopital. By this time, when the French colonial administration took place for the French part of the arrangement of the capital Santo Domingo, Port-au-Prince is the only suitable place for that purpose - in the center of the colony, on the beach, away from the malarial swamps, he was very convenient geographically. And in 1770, Port-au-Prince, but rather a completely new city, which has grown in place flibust'erskom villages changed Cap Francais (now Cap Haitien) to "post" the capital of the colony, and in 1804 became the capital of an independent Haiti.

Port-au-Prince was stretched a huge and chaotic amphitheater on the Bay of La Gon. Heart of the City - coastal commercial areas, which stretch along the wall of the port area, residential neighborhoods and a vast slums stretched semicircle on the slopes of the hills. Having much in common with other Caribbean cities, crowded crumbling colonial buildings and military, rich flavors of the local cuisine and the sounds of reggae music, it is dull and not very remarkable monument of the colonial era. On the other hand, its stability and relative safety of the end of such a busy upheavals of the late XX century, attracts many visitors wishing to explore the present Haitian culture and history.

The main attractions are Oloffson Hotel, located in a colonial mansion of the XIX century, the Cathedral Catedral de Port-au-Prince, the cathedral of Notre Dame (1884), Cathedral Catedral de San Trinity, with its murals, made most famous artists country, Heroes Square with the monument to the founders of the independence of the country, the Statue of Unknown slave fort Saint Jacques, the National Palace (XIX century, restored in 1918) and the surrounding Champ de Mars, the citadel Lafer, mansions Ginderbred and Delphi, as well as the National Library building National Archives. Deserve the attention of the National Museum with an extensive historical collection, the National Museum and the Museum of the pantheon of Haitian Art College St. Pierre with an exhibition of works of the country's best artists.

The most lively area of ​​the city - Marsha de Fer ("Iron Market"), which sells weapons and iron XVII-XIX centuries, and numerous articles of tin in African style. Inside the market, at first sight, is in absolute chaos created numerous booths, vendors and piles of fruit, baskets, soaps, religious totems and toys, but after a brief acquaintance with the peculiarities of the local "business" any product can be purchased quite easily and inexpensively.

And if you get up a little higher, the urban area of ​​butyl can appreciate the panorama of the capital and the surrounding bay area of ​​Gonaives. It is also the distillery "Jane Barbankort" - the most famous and oldest distillery country. It is cooked almost two dozen varieties of excellent local rum. You could also try the samples and buy a bottle of any first-class Roma, including exotic coffee, coconut and gibiskusovy, a completely ridiculous price.

Suburb Petionvill lying hills southeast of Port-au-Prince, is known more of the capital. It is a quiet and exclusive area, quite different from the rather lackluster capital metropolis. Brilliant shops, galleries, clubs and restaurants here cater to the elite of Haiti, to avoid a general poverty of the country. This cooler, sea winds blew over the place, perfectly adapted for a relaxing weekend. Many local art galleries selling fine examples of Haitian art, and a French restaurant are among the best in the country.

Plain du Cul-de-Sac

From Port-au-Prince to the Dominican border stretches fertile plain Plain du Cul-de-Sac, within which you can find beautiful landscapes and many interesting places. East of Port-au-Prince is the town Croix-des-Bouquets, commonly known as the birthplace of the colorful forms of local arts and crafts. In the early 1950s, George Lyoto began forging metal various fanciful decorations for use at the local cemetery. His work caught the eye of an art agent Peter De Vita, who persuaded Lyoto make real sculptures of metal. Today students Lyoto, widely known as "voodoo smiths" (most sculptures depict the spirits and the rituals of the cult), established in Croix-des-Bouquets real artistic village with several workshops and the exhibition area, a visit to which is included in the program of most excursions in the country . Also here is the largest farmers market in the country.

North-east of Croix-des-Bouquets is the best place for bird watching in Haiti - a large marshy lake Trois Kanman, known to locals as the O-Halle. Here you can find a real colony (about 150 individuals) of large flamingos, seven varieties of herons, ibises and rare and ducks. Several south-east stretches the largest salt lake country - Ethan, Sumatra, the waters of which there are more than one hundred species of waterfowl and small population of American crocodiles. Further south lies the National Park Fort-de-Pin, the road to which is held at a very scenic.

Jacmel

Old coffee port, considered the jewel of the south coast, Jacmel is on the southern coast of the country. Its main attraction for tourists - many examples of French colonial architecture and many kilometers of beaches of black sand, stretching on both sides of the city. Although it is the city itself is a bit "shabby", it is much more relaxed than the Port-au-Prince, and its numerous building period XIX-th century have survived much better than in the capital. The recent "renaissance" has attracted artists here from across the country, from Europe and the U.S.. Almost every one of Victorian town houses are now art galleries and shops. The city is also famous for some of his bustling markets that are open on Saturdays, and is also considered one of the religious centers of the country - is a strong tradition of voodoo and you can find some "churches", deserves a visit.

Just 12 miles from Jacmel to the famous Blue Pool - three deep cobalt blue lakes, connected by the spectacular beauty of waterfalls. According to legend, the lake Palm Lake sun bathing and water nymphs live caves, but they are scared of the sound of footsteps of people and hide from view. High in the mountains, between Jacmel and the capital, is a summer resort Kenskoff very popular with wealthy Haitians.

Cap-Haitien

The second-largest city, Cap-Haitien is located on the northern coast of the country, being one of the most popular resort areas and major port simultaneously. On Christmas Eve 1492 the ships of the expedition of Columbus came to the north coast of Haiti in here. Here the foot of the great explorer first set foot on the land of the New World, right here, right next to the modern Cap-Haitien, sank caravel Santa Maria.

For a long time, Cap Haitien was the capital of the country and the area occupied strategically important coast, which provided him a much more charm than the modern capital of the country. Spanish architecture has given this city, once known as the "Paris of the Antilles", a network of shady streets that are easy to walk and pleasant holiday. Palace of Sans Souci Palace, built by Henry Christoph in 1810 as a government building of the capital, the former clear rival French Versailles, is surrounded by exquisite gardens on the southern outskirts of the city (today it is largely destroyed). 5 km south of the city, on the slopes of the mountain range, stands a beautiful complex Citadel Haitien work of the same Henry Christoph (built after the overthrow of colonial rule). Protects important mountain passes, it has long served as a model for the construction of other fortresses of the New World. Its 40-meter long wall is the "calling card" of Haiti, and given the fact that it was the first monuments that were built with black slaves gained their freedom, it is not surprising that both the Citadel and Sans Souci Palace have become national symbols of the country (now a national park). Here, in the vicinity of Cap-Haitien, as are some of the most beautiful coastal scenery of the country with hills, overgrown with lush forests, kill directly into the waves of the Atlantic.

CLIMATE

Tropical trade winds. Haiti's climate is generally very hot and humid, and the temperature varies greatly during the day than from season to season. Average daytime temperatures in the summer months (June-August) is held in the mark to +28 C, with a maximum of 38 C, while at night it can drop to +20 C. In winter (December-February), the average temperature is around 22 C, rising on some days up to +30 C. In the mountain areas are always 2-5 degrees cooler than the coast.

Rainfall is 2100 mm per year. Their distribution is quite uneven - on the northern coast of the rainy season to the period from October to May, the south is the maximum rainfall from May to October. The mountain slopes are on average 15-20% more rain than the coastal areas, and on the windward slopes may drop to 2,000 mm of rain a year, while on the leeward slopes and intermountain basins - no more than 500-800 mm.

Often devastating tropical storms passing over the country, mainly in the period between June and September-October. Also frequent and drought, especially the recent increase.

The best time to visit the country - the winter, when the weather is moderately warm and the humidity is low.

HELPFUL HINTS

Haiti has the lowest standard of living in the western hemisphere, so the security situation is quite ambiguous. Slums surrounding major cities, such as Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien, should be avoided, as well as of the Nor-West. You should not publicly display jewelry, expensive cameras and video equipment, as well as the thickness of the purse. Avoid areas with large concentrations of people, as in such places is usually a lot of pickpockets. Exchange money on the streets is not recommended - exposure to fraud or outright looting is enormous.

At the same time, Haiti - very welcoming and friendly place, the actual level of crime which is significantly lower than many other, more "quiet" Caribbean. In provincial areas related to foreign tourists more than friendly, and if they meet the usual standards of safety exposure to local criminals is no higher than anywhere else in Europe. The police, who regularly criticized in the local press of corruption and laziness, in fact, more likely to be very friendly people with an understanding of issues relating to the tourist. Some manifestations of arbitrariness on the part of local authorities easily parries contacting other authorities, including the police in the same (say what you like, and any examiner's easier to get a bribe from a local clerk, to engaging in complex relationships with tourists). In the areas of concentration of the order of hotels provide special units of police and private security agencies.

Mains voltage of 115-125 V, 60 Hz (some hotels provide 220 V). American-type plugs typically with three flat pins. Some areas feel the apparent lack of electricity, and in many provincial towns electricity is only 12 hours a day.

Weights and measures metric, but many shops tourist areas are often used along with it elements of the U.S. system of measurement.

Payments in the amount of 10.5% is added to most accounts in upscale hotels and restaurants, so tipping is not necessary. However, in most secondary level this charge is not included in the bill, so in that case you can leave the waitress a tip of around 10% (directly into the hands of the calculation), the bars and restaurants of the street can be limited to 5%. Porters, guides and taxi drivers expect a tip of $ 01.05 gourdes (these categories of personnel are accepted at U.S. dollars, but often overestimate the equivalent rate of 20-30%).

When parking the car in the city limits, local residents can offer to look after him in the absence of the owner. It is advisable to take this service, be sure to ask the name of "caretaker" and pay for the return of five gourdes - or is a good chance that the car will be specially damaged or stolen.

Haiti: Tips for staying in Haiti. Before you hit the road, you can find valuable and useful tips on staying in Haiti. How to behave in the country that can and can not do and what to look for. In this section, tips for themselves will find women who are sent to Haiti for the first time. The difference between the position and role of women in Haiti and Ukraine dictates its rules of conduct, which is better to know in advance. We hope that every traveler will find something new and useful.

KITCHEN

The traditional cuisine of Haiti is a riotous mix of European, African and Caribbean traditions, using local produce. The basis of all local food is French cuisine, which combines various Creole and African recipes, which gives some interesting local dishes taste. Since Haiti has very limited agricultural land (not more than 26% of the country are able to harvest, more than two-thirds of this area requires intensive agriculture), the country imports up to 87% of its food from other countries.

As a result, food is not cheap, but considering the fact that the average annual income of many Haitians do not exceed $ 100, do not expect a large number of local dishes of meat, fish or eggs. The main elements of daily Haitian food: various grains, beans, cassava, millet, rice and local fruits and vegetables. And with all this, local cooking is one of the leading places in the Caribbean, as the Haitian chefs skillfully combine incongruous at first products, giving elegance to even the most unassuming recipes.

Very common dishes of pork, though after the infamous swine fever epidemic in the late 1970s, almost all the number of pigs on the island was destroyed, and the place of pork and bacon at the local table took the chicken and turkey. Typical local dishes, "La Bandera" (fried or boiled meat with rice, beans, vegetables, and fried plantains), "Grill" (marinated and roasted pork with sauce "ti-Mathis") for more than thirty species, guinea fowl with sour orange sauce and rice, "sankocho" (meats cooked in a broth with vegetables), baked in a Haitian beef with peppers and tomatoes, meatballs "Buletti" roast beef with eggplant "Auburn a la haitenn", "Tassili de Dandy "(smoked turkey)," CABRI "(grilled goat meat)," bullet-SOS "(chicken in sweet and sour sauce), and others.

For meat dishes are usually served rice ("Reese"), peas ("Puy"), rice with mushrooms ("Deery al-zhonzhon"), rice and beans ("Deary-ak-Papua"), fried bananas "tostones" , all kinds of cereal grains ("Mai-mule") and a variety of vegetables (okra, eggplant, tomatoes, etc.). Often served separately cheese or olives. Many dishes are accompanied by sweet yam, which replaces bread, lots of pepper, cassava bread "cassava" and a variety of sauces, the most popular "T-Mali" (sauce of lemon, sour orange, chili, onions, herbs and spices ) and "Pym-osso" (hot pepper sauce and spices). Traditional breakfast items are "manga" (mashed wild bananas) and various fresh tortillas. In numerous bakeries can always buy the freshest French bread or croissants, and typical Creole bread or meat pies.

Highly prized fish ("puason") - it is marinated in lemon juice, then boiled, stewed or fried on the branches of laurel and fennel stalks. Worth a try grilled fish with coconut, fried cod "acre de sea", smoked herring with Avoca (type pear), "Lumby" (shells), "lobster-flambé" (local lobster), all kinds of fried grilled sea perch, shark, swordfish, and so on. For fish dishes served rice,

various vegetables and boiled in a fish broth with herbs young corn.

A large variety of microclimates found in the country, leading to a wide range of different fruits and vegetables in the local table. Tropical fruits such as pineapples, mangoes, oranges and grapefruit are abundant throughout the country, so many of them train colorful dishes. The most typical are the cake with mango, coconut ice cream, "pinonate" (a dessert made from milk and coconut), sweet potato pudding with different jams, "Deary-ak" (a dessert made of sweet milk and rice), "beyen" (fried bananas various additives), "Payne-patate" (sweet potato bread), "labyui-Banna" (banana cream), and dozens of other dishes.

The most popular soft drink in the country - the usual fresh water. As drinking is generally recommended to use mineral or purified water in bottles, the Haitians themselves gladly consume any clean water, just adding a cube of ice or sugar cane juice, getting popular drink "kleyrin." Another typical Haitian drink - "kryumasse" or "kremasse", prepared from condensed milk and coconut milk and white rum.

Liquor Haiti is also widely known. Here, a first-class cook rum coming in almost all the local cocktails, liqueurs (especially coffee, vanilla and cocoa) and beer "Prestige" (the quality of it is controversial, but in the country it is cooked about 40 species, so that in any case there is a choice ). The most common appetizer here - rum and coca-cola or soda, and the best in the country is considered rum Barbancourt, which is brewed at the old factory in Haiti. French wine is available in the best restaurants of the country.

Haitian cuisine - a special part of the culture of the state, which fans will appreciate the attempt. Haiti's national cuisine and the best national dishes Haiti presented in this section. Haiti's national dishes amaze their uniqueness, great taste and variety. And, of course, this kitchen is one of the most delicious in the world! Apart from the fact that the dishes Haiti have their own unique and exquisite taste, they also differ in the original design. Haitian cooks very well prepared, and as tourists, then they are very happy and always try to treat foreigners with special dishes of the national cuisine.