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Dominican Republic

By: Alexis Hansen and Dylan Marshall

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History

In 1492, Columbus landed on the Dominican Republic and named it Hispaniola. The Spaniards established a colony in Santo Domingo, the capital of Dominican Republic. They had brought slaves into the colonies in 1503. The Treaty of Ryswick had split the region into two parts, France (Western) and Spain (Eastern). Revolts went back and forth between the two, and on February 27, 1844, Santo Domingo gains its independence and becomes known as the Dominican Republic. The United States signed a treaty with the Dominican Republic in 1906, claiming that the US would take over their customs in exchange for paying their debts. The Dominican Republic went through a series of governments. The US pulled out in 1924, causing the Dominican Republic to undergo economic depression, price rises, riots, and between the years of 1985-1988.

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Background Information

Indigenous people of the Dominican Republic include:

  • Taíno Indians

Explorers:

  • Juan Ponce de Leon accompanied Christopher Columbus on his second expedition to the Americas. He had gotten into an argument with his cousin, resulting in his remaining in Santo Domingo. He discovered the Gulf Stream, which flows out of the Gulf of Mexico as well.
  • Christopher Columbus came upon the Dominican Republic on December 5, 1492, and it wasn’t until then that island became officially known. Christopher Columbus’s brother, Bartholomew Columbus, founded Santo Domingo in 1496.

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Background Information Continued

Main Languages:

  • Spanish (Official Language)
  • French/Haitian Creole (alongside border with Haiti)
  • English (In Samana and Sabana de la Mar)

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Customs and Traditions

Main Religions:

  • Roman Catholic (About 95% of the population)
  • Christianity
  • Syncretic African Religions

Meals: Main meal is served at midday and can last up to 2 hours

  • La Bandera “The Flag” - White rice and red beans. It reminds them of their flag, hence its name. It is also served with stewed meat, and sometimes salad and fried plantain.
  • Root vegetables include sweet potatoes, yams, cassava, and potatoes
  • Small portions of chicken, pork, beef, and goat are served. Generally not spicy.
  • Dining out is popular, reasonably priced

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Customs and Traditions Continued

Major National Holidays:

  • January 1 - New Years Day
  • February - Dominican Carnival
  • February 27 - National Independence Day
  • July - Merengue Festival
  • August 16 - Restoration Day
  • November 6 - Constitution Day
  • December 25 - Christmas Day

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Tourism

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Santo Domingo - Rich history & culture

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Punta Cana - Resorts, beaches, and golf courses

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Jarabacoa - River rafting, hiking, mild climate, waterfalls

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Samaná Bay - Beaches and marine animals (whales)

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Economy

  • Ninth largest economy in latin America
  • Upper middle-income developing country
  • Economy primarily in agriculture, mining, and trade
  • Among the fastest-growing economies in Latin America
  • Gross Domestic Product (GDP) tripled in the last generation, but 70% of the population continues to be affected by poverty and unemployment
  • Throughout history, the economy has been based off of sugarcane and other cash crops such as rice, plantains, and bananas
  • Money: Dominican Peso

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Flag and Location

Dominican Republic Location

Dominican Republic Flag

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Government

The government that the Dominican Republic has is a democratic republic. This is where the country has both a democracy and a republic. The president of the Dominican Republic is President Danilo Medina. He began his term in 2012-present. President Danilo Medina started the Dominican Liberation Party.

Danilo Medina

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Fun Facts

What is the Dominican Republic a major exporter of?

  • Sugar

What is an extinct animal in the Dominican Republic?

  • Eagles

What is a popular plate of food?

  • Rice and Beans

What happened to Juan Ponce de Leon?

  • Explorer, Juan Ponce de Leon, contracted a rare disease and lost his right hand, causing him to have to learn how to type with his left hand.

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Juan Ponce de Leon

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Dominican Republic VS United States

Now that you are convinced to come to the Dominican Republic like I think you are, here are more reasons as to why you should come to the Dominican Republic.

  • The drinking age is 18 rather than 21
  • The GDP growth rate (Gross Domestic Product - Total dollar value of all goods and services produced) is 4.58% rather than 2.22%
  • $1 USD = 45.52 Dominican Pesos (Get more for your money)
    • Ex. Movie is $6.59 USD (300 DP) in the Dominican Republic VS $11 USD (501.10 DP) in the USA. That is an equivalent of
  • Obesity Rate is lower (21.2% VS 33%)
  • 2,300 HIV/Aids death VS 17,000 in the USA
  • All-inclusive resorts and golfing. It also has a varied terrain comprising rainforest, savannah and highlands

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Questions and Answers

1. What is the most endangered animal in the Dominican Republic?

- Eagle

2. What is a traditional plate in the Dominican Republic?

- Rice and beans

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La Bandera

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Dialogue

1. Hola, mi nombre es Dylan. Y tú?

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  • Hola, yo soy Alexis.

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2. Como estas?

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  • Muy bien, gracias.

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3. Cuantos años tienes?

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  • Yo tengo catorce años.

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4. De donde eres?

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  • Yo soy de Santo Domingo.

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5. A qué escuela asistes?

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  • Yo asisto escuela secundaria Carol Morgan en Santo Domingo.

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Dialogue Continued

6. Favorito comida para comer?

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  • Mi favorito comida es chicharron de pollo

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7. Tienes una privada casa o apartamento?

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  • Yo tengo un apartamento.

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8. Qué llevas puesto?

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  • Nosotros lleva pantalones, camisas y faldas

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9. Qué navegar la red?

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  • Mayor parte de nosotros no navegar la red

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10. Qué tiempo hace?

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  • Hace buen tiempo. Es hace sol y hace calor en la dominican republica

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11. Gracias, hasta luego

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  • De nada, adiós

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Citation Page

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Citation Page Continued

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