Geography and Original Environments
Hispaniola is a subtropical island of about 76,482
square kilometers—smaller than Cuba but larger
than Jamaica or Puerto Rico. Sharing the same island,
both Haiti and the Dominican Republic seem to
have started with similar geographies and environments,
with some modest differences. The DR occupies
about 64% of the land area; with the remaining
36%, Haiti is about the size of the Hawaiian Islands.
Rainfall is slightly higher in the DR because the rain
typically comes from the east; Haiti is more mountainous,
and its mountains block the rain. The
rivers flow mostly eastward from these mountains,
providing water for the Dominican Republic. These
modest initial environmental differences may have
put Haiti at some disadvantage, but Haiti has done
well economically in comparison to the DR in some
periods. Both countries were once largely covered
with forests. But environmental damage was already
under way under colonial rule, with deforestation
due to extensive logging and overuse of the
soil. Adverse human influence has had a bigger impact
in Haiti.
Geography and Original EnvironmentsHispaniola is a subtropical island of about 76,482square kilometers—smaller than Cuba but largerthan Jamaica or Puerto Rico. Sharing the same island,both Haiti and the Dominican Republic seem tohave started with similar geographies and environments,with some modest differences. The DR occupiesabout 64% of the land area; with the remaining36%, Haiti is about the size of the Hawaiian Islands.Rainfall is slightly higher in the DR because the raintypically comes from the east; Haiti is more mountainous,and its mountains block the rain. Therivers flow mostly eastward from these mountains,providing water for the Dominican Republic. Thesemodest initial environmental differences may haveput Haiti at some disadvantage, but Haiti has donewell economically in comparison to the DR in someperiods. Both countries were once largely coveredwith forests. But environmental damage was alreadyunder way under colonial rule, with deforestationdue to extensive logging and overuse of thesoil. Adverse human influence has had a bigger impactin Haiti.
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