Haiti occupies 10,700 square miles (almost the same as Massachusetts) on the western third of the island of Hispaniola. It is bordered on the east by the Dominican Republic. The capital and largest city is Port-au-Prince. Current population is close to 8 million, or roughly the same as Georgia, but occupying less than one-fifth the area of that state. It is located close to us in the Caribbean, only a two hour flight from Miami, Florida.

A significant number of trees have been cut down, mostly to make charcoal for cooking. During major storms, huge mudslides often wash away entire villages, and the erosion on Haiti's hillsides makes more than half the territory difficult to use for agricultural activities. The threat of flash floods is constant. There is a continuing movement of people from the agrarian lifestyle of the countryside to presumed opportunities awaiting in the city.