The nation of Haiti comprises the western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, west of the Dominican Republic and between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Haiti's geographic coordinates are at a longitude of 72° 25′ west and a latitude of 19° 00′ north. The total area is 27,750km,² of which 27,560km² is land and 190km² is water. This makes Haiti slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Maryland. Haiti has 1,771km of coastline and a 360km-border with the Dominican Republic.
Haiti's lowest elevation is at sea level; its highest point is Chaine de la Selle at 2,680m. There are no navigable rivers; the largest lake is Etang Saumâtre, a salt-water body located in the southern region.
Haiti is divided into ten departments (subdivisions):
Artibonite is one of the ten departments of Haiti. It has an area of 4,984 km² and a population of 1,168,800 (2002). Artibonite is the country's main rice-growing area. The main cities are Gonaïves (the capital), Saint-Marc, Dessalines, Gros-Morne, and Marmelade.
Centre is one of the ten departments of Haiti, located in the center of the country, along the border with the Dominican Republic. It has an area of 3,675 km² and a population of 564,200 (2002). Its capital is Hinche. Other major cities include Cerca la Source, Lascahobas, and Mirebalais.
Nord-Ouest (English: North-West) is one of the ten departments of Haiti. It has an area of 2,176 km² and a population of 488,500 (2002). Its capital is Port-de-Paix. Other major cities include, Môle Saint-Nicolas, and Saint-Louis du Nord.
Sud (English: South) is one of the ten departments of Haiti. It has an area of 2,794 km² and a population of 745,000 (2002). Its capital is Les Cayes. Other major cities include Aquin, les Charbonnières, and les Côteaux.
Sud-Est (English: South-East) is one of the nine departments of Haiti. It has an area of 2,023 km² and a population of 518,200 (2002). Its capital is Jacmel. Other major cities include Bainet and Belle-Anse.
