Republic of Haiti, occupies one-third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, sharing it with the Dominican Republic. Haiti also includes many smaller islands such as La Gonâve, La Tortue (Tortuga), Les Cayemites, Île de Anacaona, and La Grande Caye. ***************************** A former French colony, Haiti became the first independent black republic and the only nation ever to form from a successful slave rebellion. Haiti became the second non-native country in the Americas (after the United States) to declare its independence, on January 1, 1804. Haiti has recently undergone a state of transition following the forced ousting of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on February 29, 2004. The circumstances surrounding his departure from office are disputed, with Aristide stating that he was kidnapped by US government agents who forcibly put him onto a plane and flew him out of the country. He had been re-elected in 2000 by a strong majority, with most of his support coming from Haiti's poor masses, which comprise a large majority of the country's population. René Préval was elected president in his place on February 7, 2006, and took office in May of that year.