The island of Hispaniola, the second largest island in the Caribbean, contains two separate countries: the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Christopher Columbus claimed Hispaniola in 1492, and it later became the major launching base for the Spanish conquest of the Caribbean, as well as the American mainland.
Subsequently, disease and slavery were introduced by the Spanish conquistadors, and the indigenous Arawak peoples were destroyed.
In the 17th Century, with the Spanish in control, the French established a colony on the island. The Spanish later ceded the western third of Hispaniola in 1697, which in 1804 became known as Haiti.
The remainder of the island, then known as Santo Domingo, declared its independence in 1821, however, it was immediately occupied by Haiti. It finally gained total independence in 1844, and became the Dominican Republic.
Ruled by a series of dictators for the next 134 years, democracy was finally introduced in 1978. Today this beautiful island of gregarious people and stunning scenery is a popular Caribbean destination, as unlike its neighbor to the west, the country's economy is one of the fasting growing in the western hemisphere.
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Official Name: Dominican Republic
Population: 9,219,800
Capital City: Santo Domingo (2.25 million)
Language: Spanish
Official Currency: Dominican Peso
Religion: Catholic (95%)
Latitude/Longitude: 19º 00N, 70º 40W
Land Area: 48,730 sq km (18,815 sq miles)
Highest Point: Pico Duarte 3175 m (10,417 ft)
Landforms: mountainous in the central and west,while extensive lowlands dominate the east.
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The people
According to the National Population and Family Council (CONAPOFA), the Dominican population is at 9.3 million and will reach 9.5 million by July of 2008. According to CONAPOFA the DR population is predominantly urban. The capital city and province of Santo Domingo is the most populated urban area. The report specifies that in the DR there are 4,696,621 women and 4,667,031 men. The average annual population growth rate is 1.47%. The population is 50% male and 50% female with a median age of 24 years. The national language is Spanish, Roman Catholics account for 95% of the population, and the ethnic mix is Mixed 73%, European decent 16%, and African decent 11%.The life expectancy at birth is over 71 years.
The land
The Dominican Republic is a land of contrasts with towering mountains and rocky cliffs, rain forests, gently rolling fertile river valleys, cacti-studded deserts, 1,600 kilometers of coastline and about 300 kilometers of prime soft sand beaches. The country is crossed by four rugged mountain ranges bisecting northwest to southeast. The largest is the Cordillera Central with Pico Duarte, the tallest point in the Caribbean, rising over 3,175 meters. Three large fertile valleys rest between the ranges, one of which holds Lake Enriquillo in the southwest, the lowest point in the Caribbean falling 40 meters below sea level. It’s the only salt water lake in the world inhabited by crocodiles. It has a moderate subtropical climate, ample rainfall, and fertile soils.
The Government
The country is governed under the 1966 constitution.
The president, senate, and chamber of deputies are all directly elected for four-year terms. The major parties are the conservative Social Christian Reformist party, organized by Joaquín Balaguer the rival and social-democratic Dominican Revolutionary party, organized by Juan Bosch (both men served as president of the country), and the centrist Dominican Liberation party
The Representative Democracy is currently headed by President Leonel Fernandez who won the election in May 2004. The legislative officials were elected in May 2006.
Flag Coat of Arms
The Economy
Although the country has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy’s largest employer due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. The US economy accounts for 87% of export revenues. Other markets include Canada, Western Europe and Japan. In September 2005, the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement was ratified.
The country exports free-trade-zone manufactured products (garments, footwear, etc.), nickel, sugar, coffee, cacao, and tobacco, and it imports foodstuffs, petroleum, industrial raw materials, and capital goods. On August 5, 2004, the Dominican Republic signed a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. and five Central American countries to integrate into the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement. Foreign direct investment (FDI) was $309 million in 2003; although final figures are not yet available, it is expected to be about $100 million for 2004, much of it directed at the tourism sector, free trade zones, and telecommunication sector. Remittances were more than $2 billion in 2003.
A new airport is opened in of 2007 in the northern region which will not only allow the island to handle increased tourism, it will also include the first runway which will allow large European flights to land. These flights currently land in San Juan, Puerto Rico and then smaller flights shuttle the tourists to the island. This is in addition to the other 13 airports with paved runways and 19 airports with unpaved runways.
According to Central Bank statistics, in 2004 the best performing sectors were: communications (18.3%), sugar production (6.7%), hotels & restaurants (4.6%), mining (3.7%), and farming (3.5%). The light manufacturing sector showed improvement, moving from a decline of 3.1% in 2003 to growth of 0.7% in 2004, due primarily to the installation of 40 new companies. Communications growth is attributed to the healthy mobile phone market. Despite the effects of Hurricane Jeane in September, the tourism industry quickly bounced back. The Central Bank reports 2,990 hotel rooms were added in 2004, for a country total of 58,932 rooms. Commerce contracted significantly in 2004, going from a 8.2% growth in 2003 to a 0.2% growth in 2004.
The Schools
The primary language in the public schools is Spanish. Private schools normally teach in English, but they are bilingual and kids from all over the world are enrolled. There are private schools in or near every major city on the island. Schools which are accredited by the Dominican Ministry of Education offer certificates which are valid for entrance to Dominican, European, and U.S. universities.
Link: Cap Cana Heritage School
The Tourism
Tourism is today the Dominican Republic's primary industry. The country offers a wide choice of accommodations at city, mountain and beach resorts and hotels. Palm-fringed beaches, adventure sports, casinos, year-round events and a rich history and culture, as well as its greatest asset - the hospitable Dominican people, make this country a prime vacation spot for Europeans, North Americans and Latin Americans. Tourism is concentrated in the coastal beach towns to the north, east, southeast, southwest and in the capital city of Santo Domingo. However, there has been an explosion of ecotourism in the interior of the country, with a multiplicity of excursions offering hiking, caving, biking through mountains and countryside. Tourism was up over 12% last year which was prompted by increased international advertising. In addition, the international community is prompting development of more permanent living arrangements on the island. The country has been long discovered by the European community where many French, German, and Italians come to buy a second home. Luxury living with full accommodations and services in a controlled, community environment is a huge opportunity. This includes access to grocery and retail shopping, bars, restaurants, golfing, tennis, and other sports as well as medical, banking, education, and legal services.
Links:
- Dominican Republic News
- Dominican Republic Information
- Dominican Republic Directory
- Embassy of the Dominican Republic |