Dominican Republic which is located on the eastern part of the shared Caribbean Island originally named Hispaniola celebrates 170 years of Independence today. The country was renamed the Dominican Republic and February 27, 1844 was declared its independence day. (Not to be confused with the Commonwealth of Dominica) The Dominican Republic - Spanish: República Dominicana is a nation on the island of Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western three-eighths of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands, along with Saint Martin, that are shared by two countries. Both by area and population, the Dominican Republic is the second largest Caribbean nation (after Cuba), with 48,445 square kilometres (18,705 sq mi) and an estimated 10 million people, one million of which live in the capital city, Santo Domingo. Flag Coat of arms Motto: Dios, Patria, Libertad (Spanish) God, Fatherland, Freedom Anthem: Quisqueyanos Valientes Capital and largest city Santo Domingo Official languages Spanish Ethnic groups (1960[1][2]) 73% Mixed 16% White 11% Black Area - Total 48,442 km2 (130th) 18,704 sq mi Population - 2010 census 9,445,281 //501.5/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2012 estimate Currency Peso (DOP) Time zone Atlantic UTC-4 Drives on the right Taínos inhabited what is now the Dominican Republic since the 7th century. Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1492, and it became the site of the first permanent European settlement in the Americas, namely Santo Domingo, the countrys capital and Spains first capital in the New World. After three centuries of Spanish rule, with French and Haitian interludes, the country became independent in 1821. The ruler, José Núñez de Cáceres, intended that the Dominican Republic be part of the nation of Gran Colombia, but he was quickly removed by the Haitian government and Dominican slave revolts. Victorious in the Dominican War of Independence in 1844, Dominicans experienced mostly internal strife over the next 72 years, and also a brief return to Spanish rule. The United States occupation of 1916–1924, and a subsequent calm and prosperous six-year period under Horacio Vásquez Lajara, were followed by the dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina until 1961. The civil war of 1965, the countrys last, was ended by a U.S.-led intervention, and was followed by the authoritarian rule of Joaquín Balaguer, 1966–1978. Since then, the Dominican Republic has moved toward representative democracy, and has been led by Leonel Fernández for most of the time after 1996. Danilo Medina, the Dominican Republics current president, succeeded Fernández in 2012, winning 51% of the electoral vote over his opponent ex-president Hipólito Mejía. The Dominican Republic has the ninth largest economy in Latin America and the second largest economy in the Caribbean and Central American region. Though long known for sugar production, the economy is now dominated by services. The countrys economic progress is exemplified by its advanced telecommunication system, and transportation infrastructure. Nevertheless, unemployment, government corruption, and inconsistent electric service remain major Dominican problems. The country also has marked income inequality. International migration affects the Dominican Republic greatly, as it receives and sends large flows of migrants. Haitian immigration and the integration of Dominicans of Haitian descent are major issues. A large Dominican diaspora exists, mostly in the United States. They contribute to national development as they send billions of dollars to their families. The Dominican Republic is the most visited destination in the Caribbean. The year-round golf courses are among the top attractions on the island. As one of the regions most geographically diverse countries, the Dominican Republic boasts the Caribbeans highest mountain peak, Pico Duarte, as well as the Caribbeans largest lake and lowest elevation, Lake Enriquillo. The island has an average temperature of 26 °C (78.8 °F) and great biological diversity. The country is also home to the first cathedral, castle, monastery, and fortress in all of the Americas, located in Santo Domingos Colonial Zone, an area declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Music and sport are of great importance in the Dominican culture, with Merengue and Bachata as the national dance and music, and baseball as the favourite sport.
Posted on: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 10:15:00 +0000
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