Early Modern States of Mesoamerica and the Caribbean: Map & History

According to the census of 2002, there are 1,983 ethnic Itza, who retain some aspects of their indigenous culture. However, the Itza language is now almost extinct. Data taken from the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) suggest there were only twelve fluent Itza speakers left in 1986 and 60 non-fluent speakers in 1991. According to a census of 2002, there were still 1094 speakers. However the number of speakers has decreased to only 36 native and fluent speakers, all of them elder people. The Mayan word itza means 'enchanted waters' and may have been adopted from the name of the lake itself.

From Wikipedia: Itza people · Numbers of ethnic group members and Itza speakers (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Spanish success in exploration and colonization in the Western Hemisphere, beginning in the late 1400s and early 1500s, were an inspiration and a model for the English. The voyages of Christopher Columbus began in 1492, sailing west into the unknown with hopes of reaching Asia. He sighted land in the West Indies on 12 October that year, and in 1493 returned to colonize one of the islands he mistook for "the Indies" and named the indigenous peoples "Indians". The Spanish colonists sought riches, but except for gold the indigenous fashioned into ornaments, there was no great treasure. The Spanish essentially enslaved the indigenous populations.

From Wikipedia: English overseas possessions · Origins: New World beginnings (CC BY-SA 4.0)

In 1621, following a downturn in overseas trade which had created financial problems for the Exchequer, King James instructed his Privy Council to establish an ad hoc committee of inquiry to look into the causes of the decline. This was called The Lords of the Committee of the Privy Council appointed for the consideration of all matters relating to Trade and Foreign Plantations. Intended to be a temporary creation, the committee, later called a 'Council', became the origin of the Board of Trade which has had an almost continuous existence since 1621. The Committee quickly took a hand in promoting the more profitable enterprises of the English possessions, and in particular the production of tobacco and sugar.

From Wikipedia: English overseas possessions · Council of Trade and Foreign Plantations (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The government is a semi-presidential republic, a multiparty system wherein the president of Haiti is head of state and elected directly by popular elections held every five years. A president cannot serve two consecutive terms or more than two terms in total, but can be reelected for a second term after an interval. The prime minister of Haiti acts as head of government and is appointed by the president, chosen from the majority party in the National Assembly. Executive power is exercised by the president and prime minister who together constitute the government. The president is the nominal commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Haiti and the National Police.

From Wikipedia: Haiti · Government and politics (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The economy of Haiti declined dramatically after the 2010 earthquake and subsequent outbreak of cholera, with the country's nominal GDP falling by 8% (from US$12.15 billion to US$11.18 billion). Since then it has grown to US$33.55 billion in nominal GDP as of 2025, and during the same time period it grew from $26.88 billion to $38.2 billion in PPP-adjusted GDP. Despite its tourism industry, Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Americas, with corruption, political instability, poor infrastructure, lack of health care and lack of education cited as the main causes. Haiti ranked 145th of 182 countries in the 2010 United Nations Human Development Index, with 57.3% of the population being deprived in at least three of the HDI's poverty measures. As of 2021, about 30% of the population lived in extreme poverty (making less than US$2.15 a day), and 87.6% made less than US$6.85.

From Wikipedia: Haiti · Economy (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Haitian art is distinctive, particularly through its paintings and sculptures. Brilliant colors, naïve perspectives, and sly humor characterize Haitian art. Frequent subjects in Haitian art include big, foods, landscapes, market activities, jungle animals, rituals, dances, and gods. As a result of a deep history and strong African ties, symbols take on great meaning within Haitian society. Many artists cluster in 'schools' of painting, such as the Cap-Haïtien school, which features depictions of daily life in the city, the Jacmel School, which reflects the steep mountains and bays of that coastal town, or the Saint-Soleil School, which is characterized by abstracted human forms and is heavily influenced by Vodou symbolism.

From Wikipedia: Haiti · Culture: Art (CC BY-SA 4.0)