Haiti and the Dominican Republic share an island.
The island of Hispaniola is located in the Caribbean Sea and is home to these two countries.
But the life on either side of the border is quite different.
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We travelled to both countries recently, crossing the border from the Dominican Republic to Haiti via land and the difference is immediately noticeable.
Here’s a short summary to help understand why the Dominican Republic and Haiti are so different.
Haiti and the Dominican Republic share an island – why are they so different?
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The population is predominantly French Creole-speaking descendants of African slaves brought here during the slavery time.
If you’re born on this side of the border you are ten times poorer than if you are born in the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic is the first place in the Americas that Christopher Columbus settled. And the capital of Santo Domingo was built. The Spanish-speaking locals are descendants of Spanish, Tainos (natives), and Africans.
The country is stable and has been a popular tourist destination for many years.
The land is very fertile in the Dominican Republic. Everything from bananas, coffee, coconuts & cacao, it’s a tropical paradise where everything grows.
As you can see, although Haiti and the Dominican Republic share an island, things are not the same.
To understand why these two neighbouring countries are so different, we must explain the history of this island.
Christopher Columbus discovered the island of Hispaniola in the 15th century. During the 17th century, a struggle for control between France and Spain began.
It was resolved by simply splitting the island into two colonies. The western part of this island, today’s Haiti was controlled by France. The eastern part, today’s Dominican Republic was controlled by Spain.
Recommended posts about Dominican Republic, Haiti
The land in Haiti was destroyed
The French exploited the land. They brought in thousands of slaves from Africa and turned it into the most profitable colony. They destroyed the soil by aggressively harvesting the same crop year after year – mostly sugar.
The harsh treatment of the slaves resulted in a very resilient and resentful nation ready to rebel, which eventually did. In fact, Haiti was the first black former slave republic to declare its independence.
After their independence, the following factors are the reason why Haiti is struggling today. Their land has been destroyed (due to heavy deforestation) and no vital economy was set up.
They incurred a huge debt that they paid to France (to pay for their independence) and battled a war with the Dominican Republic. Add to this a few bad leaders and many natural disasters, you begin to understand why they are the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.
There has been international pressure on France to pay Haiti the debt back.
In short, history is one of the main reasons why Haiti and the Dominican Republic share an island, yet life here is so different.
The Spanish did things differently in the Dominican Republic
The Spanish didn’t exploit the islands the same way as the French did. Firstly, they focused on other colonies in this region. The Spanish mixed with the native population which resulted in a more mixed racial population.
Secondly, they established a common political system and economy too. They also built towns and although they gained independence from Spain, they remain in a good relationship.
There is more to learn about the history of these two nations and how so many factors impacted and determined the fate of each.
The fact that Haiti and the Dominican Republic share an island but have evolved into two very different nations is a unique example to see how the past can impact the present and future.
This gives you an understanding of why the Dominican Republic and Haiti are so different. And most importantly, what to expect if you are visiting. We enjoyed our time in both countries.
Travel Tips for the Caribbean
You might also enjoy reading our post about the 11 Caribbean Islands Best Beaches to visit.
We travelled through many countries in 2019, around forty of them to be exact. We visited many Caribbean Island nations that year, and you can read our recap of the Caribbean islands and countries visited in 2019.
Before we visited all of the island nations, we had no idea that the food was going to be so good! Our favourite foods in the Caribbean include these 10 popular foods in the Bahamas, and 10 delicious dishes in Haiti that you must try!
For future travels, don’t miss our Top 6 Travel Hacks to Save You Money and this Ultimate Packing List for Travellers. And you may learn a few great tips after reading our Expert Travel Tips After 20+ Years Of Travel.
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29 Comments. Leave new
Everybody says that france destryed Haiti, but you’re wrong, is true that that side of the island had many problems and devastations, but during Haiti’s independence the natives destroyed their own cultives, killed their animals, did a vudu ritual and burned everything, I’m from Dominican Republic and I have to say that they are very bad neighbours, we many times tried to help them butt they atack us and our homeland. They kill dominicans and everybody say that we are the bads, it’s exhausting. Sorry for my english I’m learning.
Hi Camila,
It is always interesting to learn from a different perspective, so thank you for your comment. Please don’t apologise for your English, it’s very good 🙂
????
I’m Dominican, You are just another racist Dominican that loves Trujillo aka ( The Half Haitian Nazi) teachings. The reason Haiti isn’t the same as the Dominican Republic is the fact they have paid the French over 20 billion dollars. If it was for our country would be in the same situation. They have fought more wars than the Dominican Republic which doesn’t help when they have to defend themselves against us. Haiti lands has always had issues growing trees and food. It’s been proven most of Haiti’s land never had trees. As for Vodou is a practice that Dominicans do as well. So stop with your one sided facts. The truth is most Dominicans are racist. We do not like curly hair, dark skin or anything attributed to dark skin. Being a Dark skin Dominican I am constantly harrassed by the police and people of my whole country. They either think I’m a criminal or Haitian over my darker skin. Which is funny as my family is one of the first to build up puerto plate.
Trujillo had one grandmother born in Haiti that was the daughter of a Frenchman and a mulata (mixed) Haitian mother. Even by Haitian standards of Negritude and race, his grandmother was not a typical Haitian and was of majority French descent. Loss count of how many times Haitians have point out to me Trujillo’s Haitian heritage as if to “Blackened” him, or make him seem liek a mad man for having an adversion for a collective of people that have over time validated all the anti-Haitian arguments. “Puerto Plate”, do you mean “Puerto Plata”? then you want to impersonate yourself as a Dominican and speak on behalf of Dominicans. You sound like a typical insecure Haitian.
Still want to blame the evil white man after over two centuries as to why Haiti is a failed state, the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, and a Somalia in the Caribbean?
Camilla, I am Haitian and I disagree with what you are saying. If the French and Spanish fought while Haitian was under French rule how could we have destroyed our own land. You happen to be on the side where the Spanish did not exploit you as badly so it’s easy for you to say. The misinformation is what causes the divide. Look at the border market for example. The guards will purposely allow the Dominicans to sell as much as they can and hold the Haitians at the border for hours. Keep in mind the border market is for both Haitian and Dominican merchants and vendors. How do you explain this? Are we causing the problem at this point? Both countries need to acknowledge the fact that France and Span created the division, but as a people we could unite. However, the current economic system of the Dominican would prevail and you guys may end up trying to control us. It’s a difficult and touchy subject. Who can end this and make fair rules? One day I hope God does something for Haiti. Year after year I watch my people suffer and I don’t know what I could do. I donate what I can from America, but alas it is not enough. The economic system needs to be reformed and so does the government.
Facts????????????
“As a people we could unite unite”? I am sorry but Dominicans and Haitians are two uniquely different people, with different origins, history and cultures. In 1822 Haitians tried to forcefully unite Dominicans into their nation project and we saw how the Dominicans, outnumbered and out-armed each time, repeatedly repelled Haitian invasions. To say that both people are the same and that Haitians have the same origins as Dominicans is to negate the over 500 years history of that Dominican people that predates that of Haitians by over two centuries in the island of Hispaniola=Hispanic or Santo Domingo=Dominican. Even the French who the Haitians expelled and were on the island of Santo Domingo prior to the mass importation of slaves who are the direct ancestors of over 95% of the Haitian population. The Dominican people are the byproduct of the society that the Spanish crown created with the first permanent European settlement in the New World and are the descendants of the first aboriginal inhabitants of the island, the Tainos, the first Africans that were brought to the Americas, and the first Europeans who conquered and settled the island. Both history and genetic DNA test attest to this fact. Any attempts to try to negate or distort the memory of the Dominican will fail and only fuel disharmony and misunderstanding.
Camilla,
You’re as stupid as a brick for propagandizing false narrative about a land you obviously know nothing about but simply want to talk shit.
First of all, if it wasn’t for Haiti, the entire island would probably still be in slavery right now, and slavery would still be much alive in the world today. Learn this once and propagandize it.
Secondly, Haiti is the only country in the world that did not just fight for and won their freedom to become the FIRST BLACK REPUBLIC in the entire world, but we are also the only nation to have paid for the ownership of our land. It wasn’t a gift or simply won over battle but also bought and paid for over half a century, which contributed in our economic downfalls.
I would educate you more on factors about such a great nation and God’s favorite people on earth. But you would need to do more research on your own to educate yourself on so many great histories and values of Haiti and its beautiful warriors.
Camila has been watching televangelist shows like club 700 that demonizes Haitian citizens as well as the native people. Fun fact the native people of Haiti are also the native people of the Dominican Republic. Please get this in your mind, there is no spiritual entity governing over humanity’s misfortune other than humans themselves. Haiti is paying the price of white supremacy, its simple.
Haiti has been in a very bad way for a long time, and the apologists who are defending the shortsidedness of the people there need to be honest about it, and attacking those pointing this out won’t change the conditions there.
I do not think it is appropriate for anyone us to talk like that with Camilla. We should know better. Maybe she
is very young and do not understand certain things. I know they have great and bad people in every country. I know they have Dominican that killed Haitians in Dominican Republic for no reason. Some Haitians just a kids that their parents sent them to university over there. They robed them and killed them. And as Haitians have forgive them. Also I want Camilla the border between Haiti and Dominican Republic Market place is a millions dollars a day that Haitians are buying from Dominican Republic. When Haiti closed the border for one day Dominican governments don’t like it. So,Camilla my dear there’s alot you need to know so that we can help each other. Remember this is one Island and two countries. If one side goes down under the sea the other will go only God can prevent .
Fout étiré ayiti nan djol ou
Whomever that is writing the history about Haiti, I want you to know that the Island was for the Indians .Tainos were all over the Island, not only in Dominican Republic. Haiti name was given by the Indians means land of high mountain .Also, France did not slip part of the Island with Dominican. It is after many years of Haiti’s independence two of Haitians president gives part of the Island to the Dominican.
Yes, Tainos were all over the island the reason though Haitians have no indigenous heritage or connection to the original inhabitants is because Haitians were brought into the island by the French over two centuries after the island had already been settled by the Spaniards, creating the multi-racial society that would become the proto-Dominicans. Everything that happened on the island of Santo Domingo/Saint Domingue=Dominican, Hispaniola=Hispanic prior to 1697 Haitians have absolutely no connection to. Even the French who imported the Haitians were on the island prior to the former slaves that would later become known as Haitian. Haitians are the direct descendants of the slaves the French brought over after establishing an officially recognized colony in 1697. Prior to this the whole island was claimed by the Spanish crown and settled by proto-Dominicans for over two centuries since 1493. In fact, in 1791, at the outbreak of the Haitian slave revolts, the majority of the slaves were born in Africa and the rest were first generation born on the island of Santo Domingo or Hispaniola. Those slaves are the direct ancestors of over 95% of the Haitian population. Haitians act like the French “colonize” a country that they already inhabited at the time of French arrival and settlement. This is a complete disregard of recorded and widely accepted history.
Gladys, I agree with everything you said except the last part about the island division. Educate yourself on that part because that is a hatian myth. The island was divided when the french and the spainiard had control of the island way before the haitian revolution. It’s called the treaty of basel 1795.
WE aren’t African slaves brought to Haiti by French colonizers. We are HAITIANS born and raised on this island, the French invaded and tried to enslave us but shortly learned that Haitians aren’t to be played with. We aren’t the poorest country on the Western Hemisphere. Our country is actually very rich and filled with natural beauty’s. The country’s downfall came after the earthquake. One of the world’s WORST earthquakes to be exact.
Haitians are the direct descendants of the slaves the French brought over after establishing an officially recognized colony in 1697. Prior to this the whole island was claimed by the Spanish crown and settled by proto-Dominicans for over two centuries since 1493. In fact, in 1791, at the outbreak of the Haitian slave revolts, the majority of the slaves were born in Africa and the rest were first generation born on the island of Santo Domingo/ Saint Domingue=Dominican, or Hispaniola=Hispanic. Those slaves are the direct ancestors of over 95% of the Haitian population. Haitians act like the French “colonize” a country that they already inhabited at the time of French arrival and settlement. This is a complete disregard of recorded and widely accepted history.
Why did Haiti kill its President?
well, everyone has a history and a story to tell, thru there is resentment on both sides, buutt also as today haiti has no goverment, gangs are the rulling party there, and dominicans has to bare with most of the the situation with haiti, basicaly almost everyone told dominicans that they were racist, but as today many latin american countries (spanish speaking) are having the same issues as dominicans, so whos to blame all of them or mostly on the haitians themselves, at least 60 of the people the dont exist in their own country as they have no birth documents, 5 percent owns 80 percent or more of the country infraestructure. haiti has a very difficult situation but ven the diaspora in miami do little or nothing just blaming everyone but themselves .
Everyone has SOME form of government
Each country OWNS their Destiny!!!! Dominicans have never invaded Haiti… Haiti did invade Dominican Republic and “Enslaved “Dominicans , by beheading the men , killing children and keeping and Raping their women, for 20 years. Restricting them from speaking Spanish and trying to change their culture. There was a Masacre of 20,000 Haitians in the 1930’s….. not by the Dominican people!! It was ordered By the Dictator Trujillo and his Nazi military!!!not by the Dominican People . Yes… there are issues on both sides….as an american medical Doctor that has worked and treated patients in DR … many patients that are treated in Maternity hospitals are Haitians and are treated very humanely , as equals to the Dominican women, without charge! Free medical treatment….Racism? I know as a fact that in the Haitian Constitution… NO WHITE PERSON MAY BE PRESIDENT.
I have never heard of Haitians being kidnaped in DR.
But yes there is racism on BOTH sides but not in a general sense . Generally there is tolerance on both sides. Just a few BIGOTS on both sides. There is good trading between both countries. And Dominicans are the first to arrive when Haitians are in need of help from natural disasters.
Haiti is very rich in gold, and other minerals. Rich in beautiful land and people. I think that if they had the strength to be freed from the french slavery… they have all it takes to be a great nation!!!! Just have to get their Sh..t together and stop complaining and blaming other people!!!!
I mean Dominican Republic did try to invade and actually eliminate every Haitian when they asked the USA prior to ww1 to help them do it. Due to the Monroe doctrine and future plans the USA denied to help. After the USA notice that the whole island potentially had Germans on it “Haitian women did marry Germans as a way to bypass the land law” and the USA invaded both haiti and the Dominican Republic. Even during Trujillo reign he tried to kill the leader of Haiti and failed and killed many Haitians and Domincan’s. Thing is most of the history only tries to paint Haitians in a bad light when Haitians freed a lot of the Caribbean. And what crazy is the USA invaded both Haiti and dr cause of Domincan Is asking outsiders to meddle in the island affairs even when they were liberated by Spain they invited Spain back in. What I’m saying is we both have history but we have a choice we can figure a way to work around it and respect each other culture or just hate each other for ever. But to say dr never invaded haiti?
Stop blaming one another. Yes, the French exploited their side of the island in a way the Sapniards didn’t, because the French had not many resources in the Caribbean. The Spaniards did so they didn’t need to devastate their side of the island for resources. Instead, they massacred 90% of the male population in the name of “christianity” and the Holy Pope so that they wouldn’t rebel against them. Way to go Spain! Such a paragon of Conquistador history! And the Dominican people are still thankful to Spain for granting them this “culture”… ignorance is indeed bliss!
I am Dominican, I wish that Haiti would become self sufficient, that a benevolent leader who is willing to develop the country’s infrastructure and economy take the reins of the country without selfish motives. I hope they prosper so that they don’t have to emigrate. Immigrants from one country, especially, in large numbers are not welcome in any country. I think this is so because they feel a threat, it’s understandable because at its core, there is fear. I understand the situation in Haiti, however, I think other countries should receive them as well, not only DR. The DR is stricken with poverty as well. We are trying to develop our economy and infrastructure to hopefully one day become a first world country.
How is France responding to the Haitian crisis? How come Dominicans get called out for not accepting all Haitians, but they don’t protest and claim France to pay retribution for slavery and for exploiting the land? The argument that Dominicans are not very hospitable to Haitians, believe me we have a very large Haitian population that live on our side, is not a fair one. They are displacing their anger. As a matter of fact, the United Nations should have a more active role in making France own their responsibility for their wrong doing. They should be targeted, however, they turn the other cheek. How dare anyone call us out for not helping more? I reiterate, I wish our beautiful neighbours can one day live in prosperity and not have to emigrate to any country. God bless