5 Things That Make Haiti a Top Historical Place in The Caribbean

A History of Freedom

You probably knew that Haiti was the first independent black Republic in the Americas, which was achieved in 1805 by defeating the French colonists and the great general Napoleon. However, what you did not know was that Haiti made it its mission to fight for other countries that were being colonized in the region. Haitians have helped the United States, Venezuela, and many other Latin countries gain their independence.

Beautiful and stunning Beaches

Haiti has impacted the tourism industry in the early 1950s, our tourism product was widely known not only for our fantastic culture but as well for miles of breathtaking beaches and crystal waters. We still receive almost 1 million tourists every year in Labadee Area in the northern side of Haiti; Cap-Haitien, named after Marquis de La Badie, a Frenchman who first settled the area in the 17th century. The spelling was changed to “Labadee” to make it easier for English-speakers to pronounce.

Europeans first saw the Barbecue in Haiti about 500 years ago

If you live in the United States, there’s a high percentage that you have heard about Barbecue before, July 4th, most of the American population cook their barbecue and get a few beers for a unique celebration. However, one of the interesting facts is that Europeans first saw barbecue in Haiti for about 500 years ago. When Columbus arrived in the Caribbean in 1492, he "discovered" the Taino Native Americans cooking fish and wild game hung on a wooden structure over coals. The Taino word for the wooden structure sounded to the explorers like barbacoa. Read more here

There is a Hotel in Haiti with Rooms Named after Celebrity Guests

“The Hotel Oloffson Is a Haitian Hideaway for Celebs and Adventuresome Tourists” a title from a December 01, 1980’s Article in People Magazine. Barbara Walters spent the night in Sir John Gielgud’s suite, Ali MacGraw and Peter Weller slept in Anne Bancroft’s room, and Betty Friedan bunked in Marlon Brando’s cottage. Amazing Celebrities,  big names in the ’70s and they all visited Haiti and made Haiti the retreat destination.

The Largest Mountaintop Fortress

It is not news that Haiti has the most mountains of any other Caribbean nation, but also the most massive mountaintop fortress known as Citadelle. Built in the 19th Century, In Haiti, the Citadelle is known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, and in 1982 it was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This massive stone construction is the largest fortress in the Americas. Built to demonstrate the power of the newly independent Haiti, the Citadelle Laferrière was essential for the security of Haiti’s newly formed state.  This massive stone construction was outfitted with 365 cannons of varying size and an enormous stockpile of cannon balls that still can be found in different corners of the Citadelle even today. The cannons were obtained from different monarchs. Today the iron and bronze cannons are still pointing out of the Citadelle’s windows, and the visitors of the Citadelle can still see the royal crests of famous European monarchs of the 18th century on the cannons.