Perfectly located in the Caribbean, Hispaniola is the island with borders on Haiti. Spanish is the official language of the nation; its rich tradition runs for almost 500 years.
Etymology
Sunday is the Spanish term "Domingo," which forms the name "Dominican Republic." It was called Holy Sunday when Christopher Columbus came upon it on that Sunday in 1492.
Pre-Columbian times
Before Christopher Columbus set foot on the island of Hispaniola, the Taino people lived there. They were well-known for their advanced farming techniques and truly gifted in producing exquisite pottery and art. The Taino people lived happy lives on the island until the European arrivals.
European Colonization
Claiming the island of Hispaniola, which he came upon in 1492, as belonging to Spain, Christopher Columbus. Apart from importing African slaves to work in the sugarcane fields, the Spanish also seized the island. The Taino population dropped as diseases brought by the Europeans and demanding conditions set in.
Haitian rule and Ephemeral freedom
Declared independent of Spain and established as a republic in 1821, the Dominican Republic was short-lived since Haiti rapidly took over the Dominican Republic in 1822 and governed it for 22 years. During this time, the island battled both politically and economically.
First Republic (1844–1861)
In 1844, the Dominican Republic became sovereign from Haiti. Still, the first republic was distinguished by political turbulence and economic hardships. Spain seized the nation in 1861 during financial distress.
Second Republic (1863–1916)
The second republic began with the rebellion against Spanish rule by Dominicans in 1863. It maintained its independence until the United States took over in 1916. Working for over eight years, this field has helped to improve infrastructure and education.
Restoration Republic
Once the Dominican Republic gained its independence from Spain in 1863, following years of political upheaval and foreign control, it became a "restoration republic". This historical event is observed yearly as Restoration Day on August 16.
20th century (1900-1930)
The early 20th-century political upheaval and violence in the Dominican Republic defined the period. Emerging from a military coup in 1930, Rafael Trujillo ruled the country for more than three decades.
Trujillo dictatorship (1930–1961)
Under Trujillo's leadership, the Dominican Republic experienced remarkable economic expansion and modernisation as well as violations of human rights and suppression of political opposition. He died, therefore, ending his tenure in 1961.
Post-Trujillo (1961–1996)
Political unrest in the Dominican Republic followed Trujillo's murder. 1965 saw the country engulfed in two years of civil conflict. During the next decades, there were multiple coups and political transformations.
Recent history (1996–present)
Since 1996, the Dominican Republic has had continuous economic growth and a democratic government. Many people have come to the nation, drawn in by its stunning beaches and rich cultural legacy.
Geography
Second out of all the Caribbean countries is the 48,424 square km Dominican Republic. Its varied terrain consists of valleys, mountains, and beaches.
Climate
Year-round, rather moderate temperatures define the tropical environment of the Dominican Republic. The country passes over the dry season from November to April and the wet season from May to October.
Fauna
Comprising about 7,000 different species, the Dominican Republic features a rich range of flora and animals. Among native species are the Hispaniolan parakeet, the national bird of the country, and the rhinoceros iguana.
Government and politics
Run on a presidential form of government, the democratic Dominican Republic has Legislative and judicial branches; the president supervises administration in addition to being the head of state.
Administrative divisions
The Dominican Republic consists of thirty-one provinces with local governments, apart from one national district.
Foreign relations
Diplomatic ties exist between members of the Dominican Republic of the UN and OAS and numerous nations.
Military
Air, naval, and army units comprise the Dominican Republic's military. Its primary duties are safeguarding national sovereignty and bolstering efforts at relief following natural disasters.
Economy
The Dominican Republic's GDP comes from business, travel, and industry, as well as agriculture. The country claims to be a rising sugarcane, coffee, and chocolate producer.
Currency
The official money of the Dominican Republic is the Peso Dominican. Every national financial transaction makes use of it.
Tourism
With millions of visitors annually, tourism drives the Dominican Republic's economy mostly. Among the well-known attractions are active culture, great beaches, and historical sites, including the old city of Santo Domingo.
Transportation
The Dominican Republic boasts a strong internal travel infrastructure with buses, cabs, and rented cars at hand. For visitors arriving from elsewhere, it also features multiple international airports.
Bus services
Popular for both short and long-distance travel, buses are the means of transportation in the Dominican Republic. Various bus companies offer different lines of travel and services.
Santo Domingo Metro
The fast-moving Sano Domingo Metro connects many of the capital city's suburbs and districts. Originally opened in 2009, it has lately grown to be a main source of transportation for guests as well as locals.
Communications
The Dominican Republic claims a sophisticated communication network with options including landlines, smartphones, and internet services. Among its several media outlets are radio stations, TV, and newspapers.
Electricity
The Dominican Republic uses 110v as its standard voltage; the frequency is 60Hz. Although type A and B electrical outlets are present all over the country, visitors may need an adaptor depending on the plug type their equipment works on.
Demographics
Most individuals living in the Dominican Republic combine African, European, and indigenous roots in their blended ancestry. The official language is Spanish; Roman Catholicism is the most often followed religion.
Population centers
From Santo Domingo, Santiago, to Santo Domingo Oeste, the Dominican Republic's largest cities account for a sizable portion of the national population.
Ethnic groups
The population of the Dominican Republic is diverse; most of it comes from mixed roots. Including rather high populations of Afro-Dominicans, Europeans, and Asians.
Languages
Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic, and it is spoken by almost every citizen. Still used among some tribes, however, are several indigenous languages.
Religion
Roman Catholicism is the main religion of the Dominican Republic; second are Protestantism and several other Christian denominations. Furthermore, many nonreligious persons and followers of Afro-Caribbean religions such as Santeria exist.
20th and 21st century immigration
Immigration from surrounding nations—especially Venezuela and Haiti—has exploded in the Dominican Republic. This has set off arguments on immigration laws and citizenship concerns.
Haitian immigration
Since they have a border, Haiti and the Dominican Republic have historically seen migration between each other. The surge of Haitian immigrants to the Dominican Republic has caused tensions and problems on the grounds of integration and rights.
Emigration
Many Dominicans have also left their own nation in pursuit of better economic possibilities, mostly in the United States and Spain. From this, they have grown sizable diaspora communities outside of their country.
Education
Five to fourteen-year-olds living in the Dominican Republic had to show up for class. To present a developing educational system, the country boasts universities and vocational colleges in addition to public and private schools.
Healthcare
Although the Dominican Republic has made tremendous progress in improving its healthcare system, many still find it difficult to get high-quality treatment. The country claims a rather 74-year life expectancy rate.
Crimes
When compared to other surrounding nations, the Dominican Republic boasts very high crime rates. Travellers should be careful and stay away from numerous regions claimed to be active in crime.
Cultures
The Dominican Republic asserts a culture combining indigenous, African, and Spanish elements. Its dance, music, cuisine, and celebrations, including the Carnival, reflect this.
Cuisine
Dominican gastronomy is rife with flavours ranging from Creole, African, and Spanish. Among the much-liked treats are sancocho, a big stew made from rice, beans, and habichuelas, and mofongo, or mashed plantains.
Sports
Baseball is the most popular sport in the Dominican Republic; many of the professional sportsmen are from there. Among the other rather popular sports are volleyball, boxing, and basketball.
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