Dominican Republic

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The Dominican Republic is a Spanish-speaking representative democracy located on the eastern portion of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, bordering Haiti. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative, rule for much of the 20th century—most notably the brutal 32 year reign of US sponsored dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo —was brought to an end in 1961 when the dictator was killed.

The Dominican Republic should not be confused with Dominica, another Caribbean country.

Republica Dominicana

(In Detail)
National motto: God, Country, Liberty (Dios, patria, libertad)
Official language	Spanish
Capital	Santo Domingo
President	Hipolito Mejia
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 138th 48,730 km² 1,6%
Population  - Total (2002)  - Density	Ranked 86th 8,715,000 139,5/km²
Independence  since	from Haiti 27 February 1844
Currency	Peso
Time zone	UTC -4
National anthem	Quisqueyanos valientes (Valiant Sons of Quisqueye)
Internet TLD	.do
Calling Code	1-809

Table of contents

1 History 2 Politics 3 Provinces 4 Geography 5 Economy 6 Demographics 7 Culture 8 Miscellaneous topics

History

Main article: History of the Dominican Republic The country has had a history of changing ownership, with Spain, France, Haiti, Spain again, and the United States taking their turns at ruling Dominican territory amid attempts at independence and self rule. The twentieth century was marked by repeated US intervention in local affairs. Apart from the history of US support for the Trujillo dictatorship (1930-1961), the most infamous example of this is the 1965 invasion by American troops in the midst of a Dominican civil war, an uprising that was sparked by an attempt to restore the republic's first democratically-elected president, Juan Bosch, who had been overthrown by an American backed right-wing coup in 1963. This invasion had the effect of establishing the rule of Joaquin Balaguer (1966-1978), and ensuring that Juan Bosch's constitutional government never return to power.

Politics

Main article: Politics of the Dominican Republic

Provinces

Main article: Provinces of the Dominican Republic

Geography

Main article: Geography of the Dominican Republic The capital is Santo Domingo. The second largest city is Santiago de los Caballeros.

Economy

Main article: Economy of the Dominican Republic The country's economy is highly dependent on tourism.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of the Dominican Republic Since the early 1960s, economic problems have led to a vast migration of Dominicans to the US, mainly to large east coast cities. New York City's Washington Heights is so densely populated by Dominicans, it is sometimes referred to as Quisqueya Heights. Quisqueya believed to be the name given to the eastern side of Hispaniola by its original inhabitants, the Arawak Indians, although this version is disputed by some historians. Dominicans are now one of the largest Latino groups in the US.

Culture

Main article: Culture of the Dominican Republic 89% of Dominicans are baptised in the Roman Catholic Church The Dominican Republic is known for a form of music called merengue, which has been popular since the mid- to late-1800s.

• Music of the Dominican Republic

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in the Dominican Republic
• Transportation in the Dominican Republic
• Military of the Dominican Republic
• Foreign relations of the Dominican Republic

See also:

• Charytin
• Notable people from the Dominican Republic
• DR1: a portal in English for the Dominican Republic