Haiti's potential

One thing to consider when it comes to geography, is that this is more than just pointing to places on a map. It is also about economies, politics, history, climate, and a broad range of subjects. And now we go into the subject at hand.....

Haiti. When many people think of the island nation of Haiti, this is what many people think of. Images that come to the mind are desperate poverty, government coups, and the 2010 earthquake. Little thought is given to Haiti's potential as a nation. It was once the richest colony in the Western Hemisphere. However, that wealth was built from the slave economy. Once a colony of France, it became the first Black republic in the world. It was the first nation founded from a slave rebellion. It it currently the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. However, there is potential for Haiti.

Below is a map of Haiti's economic activity:

                                                                                             

As one can see, Haiti is a major producer of coffee, as well as having resources of sugar cane and cotton. Reserves of copper are found in the northern section of the nation. With sugar cane production, there is potential for Haiti, not only to be a major sugar producer, but a producer of alternative fuels. Brazil has made ethanol from sugar cane. Being a producer of sugar, Haiti has that same potential.[2] There is room to grow the sugar cane industry.

It has been speculated that Haiti has vast reserves of oil, that have not been drilled. If this is the case, this will be of a major benefit to Haiti. This could bring large amounts of revenue to the nation of Haiti.[1]

 Haiti has a strategic location, with Jamaica and The Bahamas nearby. Haiti is directly due south of Venezuela(approximately 525 miles from Jacmel, Haiti to Maracaibo,Venezuela as the crow flies). The location would make it a great place for shipping via sea.

The sunny climate of Haiti lends itself to solar energy. In fact, Haiti has opened the world's largest solar-powered hospital.[3] With this in mind, there is more room for the solar energy industry to grow.

Haiti's geography is what lent its name. Haiti comes from the Arawak word. Ayiti, meaning land of  high mountains. This is a mountainous nation. This is also a nation where there are beaches, such as Labadie Beach. With beaches and mountains, there is still the potential to build the tourism industry over time. 

Haiti has gone through so much, and still goes through many things today. However, Haiti still has some potential, given its geography.

Sources:

1)http://www.defend.ht/money/articles/economy/3767-haiti-six-oil-exploration-permits-awarded-behind-closed-doors

2)http://news.stluciastar.com/is-sugarcane-ethanol-haiti%E2%80%99s-salvation/

3)http://www.designboom.com/architecture/worlds-largest-solar-powered-hospital-opens-in-haiti/