Area with a set if common features and characteristics
Checks and balances exist to keep a single branch of government from becoming too powerful. This is true for all governments that use this system.
All of the above. Haiti is located near a major fault zone, half of its population at the time lived in densely populated urban areas; their weak government, which is a remnant of colonial impact, is very poor for the same reason and therefore did not have buildings up to code regarding earthquakes.
Not sure about poor soil but it probably didn't help if that is true. Islands aren't exactly famous for a lot of quality soil (large amount of sand which is unstable).
Marry the man of their choice, work outside of home, do anything outside of being a stay at home wife or a housemaid