Haiti

The Republic of Haiti, in French République d'Haïti, in the local creole Repiblik Ayiti. Occupies half of the island of Hispaniola (now there's a famous name), with the Dominican Republic taking the other.

Became independent from France in a revolution in 1804, the first state to undergo a slave revolution and the only one in the Western Hemisphere.

Since then the country has undergone a succession of coups, repeated occupation by the USA, the rule of the father-and-son despots known as "Papa Doc" and "Baby Doc" Duvalier (the latter rising to power at 19), followed by what can only be called anarchy. Things were finally settling down politically, just in time for a horrific earthquake to hit in January of 2010.

The parents of current Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime left for The United States after their own parents (i.e. Reggie's grandparents, on both sides of the family) started having harsh political disputes among each other.

In fiction: Haiti is most known for voodoo (despite being 95% Christian), specifically the Hollywood portrayal of it.


 * Quantum of Solace
 * Saint-Monique in Live and Let Die is a No Celebrities Were Harmed Hollywood Atlas depiction.
 * The Serpent and the Rainbow
 * Danny Glover's pet project is a Biopic of Toussaint Louverture (the leader of the aforementioned slave revolt). He's had a hard time getting funding, primarily (it is said) because the film would have no or virtually no white people.
 * Arcade Fire's song "Haiti" (from Funeral) is about the days of Duvalier. Frontwoman Régine Chassagne is the daughter of white Haitian emigrants to Quebec.