About Hispaniola

The map shows Hispaniola, the second-largest island of the Greater Antilles, an archipelago of large islands in the northwestern Caribbean Sea. Hispaniola is separated from Cuba to the west by the Windward Passage and from Puerto Rico to the east by the Mona Passage; Jamaica lies about 190 km (115 mi) to the southwest, separated by the Jamaica Channel. Hispaniola borders the North Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. The mountainous island is around 645 km long and about 250 km wide at its widest point.

Hispaniola is divided between two very different countries, the Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic (officially República Dominicana). Densely populated Haiti occupies the western part, while the Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island.

Hispaniola is the most populous island in the West Indies, with a population of more than 23 million people (Dominican Republic 11.4 million, Haiti 11.7 million). Spoken languages are Haitian Creole and French in Haiti and Spanish in the Dominican Republic.

In Haiti, more than 80% of the population are Christians, and roughly half of the population practices voodoo. About 80% of the population of the Dominican Republic are Christians.

More about Hispaniola


On the 5th or 6th of December in the year 1492, Columbus "discovered" an island in the Caribbean that he named La Isla Española, "the Spanish Island", because it reminded him of Spain, 6,500 km away. The name was eventually anglicized to Hispaniola. Hispaniola became one of the first major European settlements in the Americas. At the time, the island was inhabited by indigenous Taíno people.

Columbus established a settlement called La Navidad on the island, believed to be located on the northeastern coast of modern-day Haiti.
La Navidad was built using the remains of the Santa María, a carrack and the largest of the three ships used by Christopher Columbus in his first expedition. The ship run aground on Christmas Eve, 1492, off the present-day site of Cap-Haïtien.

During the colonial period, the island was known as Santo Domingo.


Hispaniola today
Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the island of Hispaniola but differ significantly in language, culture, and history.

Haiti, a former French colony, primarily speaks Haitian Creole and French, and has a majority Afro-Caribbean population, while the Dominican Republic, a former Spanish colony, speaks Spanish and has a more mixed heritage, with European, African, and indigenous influences.

Economically, the Dominican Republic is more prosperous and developed compared to Haiti, which faces greater political instability and poverty.

Haiti's poverty stems from a history of colonial exploitation, the cost of paying reparations to France after its independence, political instability, corruption, and environmental degradation. In contrast, the Dominican Republic has benefited from political stability, stronger governance, a more diverse economy based on tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing, and better infrastructure development. These factors have contributed to the Dominican Republic's relative prosperity compared to Haiti.


Geography
Hispaniola's origin is both volcanic and tectonic. The island was formed as a result of the complex interactions between the North American, Caribbean, and Gonâve microplate tectonic plates. These tectonic activities make the island prone to earthquakes, such as the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 1842 earthquake that destroyed Cap-Haïtien.


Rivers
Hispaniola is traversed by many highly seasonal rivers, the main rivers are the Artibonite River in Haiti; the longest on the island, and the Yaque del Norte River, the largest river in the Dominican Republic.


Lakes
Lake Enriquillo is not only the largest lake on the island but also in the entire Caribbean. Located in the Dominican Republic, this hypersaline lake forms the deepest point on the island, reaching -46 m (-151 ft) at its surface.
Lake Azuéi, also known as Étang Saumâtre or the Brackish Pond, is the largest lake in Haiti. This landlocked lake, together with nearby Lake Enriquillo, forms part of a closed basin system.


Mountains
As already mentioned, Hispaniola is a mountainous island. There are five major mountain ranges: the Central Range (Cordillera Central) in the center, where Pico Duarte, at 3,101 m (10,174 ft), is located—the highest mountain in the Greater Antilles. The Cordillera Septentrional is in the northern Dominican Republic, and the Sierra de Neiba lies to the north of Lake Enriquillo and Lake Azuéi. This range continues into Haiti as the Chaîne des Matheux. Situated in Haiti's northwest is the Massif du Nord, the longest mountain range in the country. The Massif de la Selle is a mountain range in Haiti's southeast. Pic la Selle (or Morne La Selle), the highest peak in Haiti, stands at 2,680 m (8,793 ft) within this range. The range continues into the Dominican Republic, where it's known as the Cordillera Meridional (Southern Cordillera) or the Sierra de Bahoruco.


Plains
The Cul-de-Sac Plain, extending near Port-au-Prince, is Haiti's most densely populated region. The fertile soil of the plain supports agriculture, but the low-lying terrain makes it prone to flooding during the rainy season.


Coasts
Hispaniola boasts an array of coastlines, from the pristine white sands and turquoise waters of Punta Cana to the cliffs and secluded coves of the Samaná Peninsula. The island's beaches offer opportunities for recreation, tourism, and vital marine ecosystems.


Valleys
In the northern part of the Dominican Republic, between the Cordillera Septentrional and Cordillera Central mountain ranges, lies the fertile Cibao Valley, which plays an important role in the country's agriculture. The green landscape, through which the Yaque del Norte river flows, offers ideal conditions for the cultivation of crops such as sugar cane, coffee and tobacco, making a significant contribution to the country's economy.


Climate
Hispaniola experiences a tropical climate, with variations in temperature and rainfall influenced by elevation and prevailing trade winds. Coastal areas are typically warm and humid, with average temperatures around 28°C (82°F).


Environmental Issues
While both Haiti and the Dominican Republic face environmental challenges, the severity and scale of these issues are significantly greater in Haiti. Extensive deforestation, primarily for charcoal production and agriculture, has led to soil erosion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Overfishing and unsustainable coastal development threaten marine ecosystems, while rapid urbanization and inadequate waste management contribute to pollution and health concerns. Climate change is further exacerbating these issues, with increased risks of droughts, rising sea levels and hurricanes, such as Hurricane Matthew, that caused heavy flooding, landslides, and the destruction of a great deal of infrastructure in Haiti.