Dominican
Republic occupies two thirds of the eastern part of the island
of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic covers 48,442 square
kilometers, to the west, the country shares its only border
with Haiti. The remainder of the Dominican Republic is surrounded
by water: To the north is the Atlantic Ocean, the Southern
part is skirted by the warm waters of the Caribbean. The
island is located between Puerto Rico and Cuba.
HISTORY
Inhabited then by the Taino Indians, the island was discovered
on December 5th, 1492 by Grand Admiral Christopher Columbus.
The Spaniards founded the city of La Isabela on the north.
It was the first village in the New World. However, it had
a short life because its inhabitants soon moved to other places
in the island. Still, some of its remains can be seen at the
original site. Columbus and the Spanish colonizers used the
island as their base for further New World discoveries and
the island remained a Spanish possession for 3 centuries.
Hispaniola, as the island was named, became the first and
most important colony for many years, establishing itself as
the political, cultural, religious and intellectual center
of the new lands.
With the importation of African slaves in large numbers adding
to the Spanish-Taino, the modern Dominican people began to
emerge. Their cultural uniqueness is present in their food,
music, arts & crafts,
vocabulary and their relaxed, good-natured approach to life.
As time went by, the Spaniards realized there were greater
and better opportunities to obtain riches in the new mainland.
They started to neglect their first American colony and a long
period of decay started. The Dominicans became French, and
then Spanish again; they were attacked by pirates, and by adventurers
of every type and origin.
Even the neighboring state of Haiti, which had obtained its
independence from France more than twenty years earlier, invaded
the old Spanish Colony and took possession of its lands and
cities. On February 27th, 1844, the Dominican Republic became
a sovereign and free country, and Dominicans venerate a trio
of liberators Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco Del Rosario Sanchez
and Ramon Matias Mella.
In 1916 U.S. troops occupied the territory. It was in 1924
when those forces left the country after signing a treaty.
Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, following a coup d'etat, governed
the country as a dictator from 1930 until May 30th of 1961,
when he was ambushed and executed. Following his execution,
a progressive and vibrant democracy has flourished. Free
and peaceful elections are held every 4 years.
From 1966 until 1978 the democratic system was reinstalled
and the political stability was pronounced with elections that
are celebrated every four years:
- 1966-1978 governed by Dr. Joaquin Balaguer Ricardo,
of the Social Christian Reformist Party(PRSC), for three
consecutive periods.
- 1978-1982 governed by Don Antonio Guzmán Fernandez,
of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD).
- 1982-1986 governed by Jorge Blanco of the Dominican
Revolutionary Party (PRD).
- 1986-1996 governed by Dr. Joaquin Balaguer Ricardo,
(PRSC) during two and a half periods, the last abbreviated
due to the reform of the electoral system.
- 1996-2000 governed the Dr. Leonel Fernandez Reyna,
of the Dominican Liberation Party. (PLD).
- 2000-2004 governed by Ing. Hipólito Mejía
of Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD).
- 2004 to date the President is Dr Leonel Fernandez
Reyna, of the Dominican Liberation Party. (PLD)
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FLAG AND SHIELD
The Flag was conceived by Juan Pablo Duarte, who initially
drew up a white cross on the Haitian flag, which is divided
horizontally in two equal parts with blue above and red below.
Successively it was transformed into the present one, divided
in four quarters with the colors ready in opposed angles, with
the blue one in stop to the left and down to the right, the
red one vice versa, with the shield to the centre.
RELIGIOUS TRADITION
The base of the Dominican religion is the Catholicism. Nevertheless,
like in all the layers of its culture, the Dominican one
cannot escape to the syncretism that characterizes to him.
The popular religiosity is conformed by catholic components
that are combined to elements of the indigenous and African
religious inheritance. In addition there are Catholic, Adventist,
Pentecostals, Evangelical temples and of other Christian churches.
The cult to the Virgin has two fundamental manifestations:
the Virgin of the Altagracia Day (the 21 of January), and
the Virgin of Las Mercedes, (the 24 of September). Both are
holidays and they are celebrated with great processions
and religious ceremonies.
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COUNTRY PROFILE
The island boasts the most varied topography in the Antilles,
including mountain ridges and chains, valleys, promontories,
depressions, coastal plains, and mountain systems. The mountain
systems consist of three chains (Central, Oriental, and Septentrional),
and three ridges (Neiba, Bahoruco, and Yamasa). An extensive
limestone karst formation, Los Haitises, covers 1,600 sq. km.
Protected areas include 14 national parks and seven scientific
resources which occupy about 12% of the land areas as well
as an underwater park (10 sq. km.), a humpback whale preserve
(Banco de la Plata), a panoramic drive, and a bird sanctuary
(Cayo Siete Hermanos).
BIO-DIVERSITY
Flora
More than 5,600 species of plants, of which 36% are endemic,
compose dry and thorn forest, wet tropical forest, cloud and
rain forest, pine forest swamp, mangrove, and coastal forest.
Fauna
Sixty species of amphibians (97% endemic) and 141 species
of reptiles (83% endemic) takes part of the widest mix
in the Antilles. Notable are the rhinoceros iguana, Ricord's
iguana, and the American Crocodile, as well as marine
and fresh water turtles.
Of the 258 species of native and exotic birds, 22 are endemic
to Hispaniola. Included in the list are the Hispaniola Troglo,
Hispaniola Parrot, Hispaniola Parakeet, Bay-breasted Cuckoo,
Hispaniola Lizard cuckoo, Antillean Siskin, and the Palm-Crown.
Thirty-three species of land mammals have been identified,
including 4
endemic: two solenodontes, one “jutia” and one bat.
Fourteen marine mammals have been reported; beaked whales
and the Antillean Manatee, as well as the humpback whales,
returning each winter from the North Atlantic to breed in
numbers in excess of 2,000 in the Dominican waters.
The mineral world is full of elements such as gold mines,
Ferro-nickel, and bauxite already exploded, and amber, a vegetal
fossilized resin of the Jurassic period; as well as Larimar,
a rock with beautiful blue color.
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 DESTINATIONS
HIGUEY / PUNTA CANA
The town of Higuey, capital of La Altagracia province, is the
country's most religious region and center of its Marian cult.
Each year, January 21 is set aside to celebrate the Virgin
of Altagracia, the spiritual/religious mother of the Dominican
people.
In the beginning of the 16th century, the Yuma River port
served as the base of operations to conquer Puerto Rico and
the neighboring islands. Juan Ponce de Leon sailed from this
port in the 1600's to defeat Borinquen and his home in the village
of Yuma, which is completely restored and is one of the region's
main attractions. Boca Del Yuma is excellent for fishing and
exploring its outstanding caves.
The coconut coast at the eastern tip of the island is called
Punta Cana, the Caribbean’s most popular and fastest growing
tourist destination. Here you find a 35 km long paradise beach
as well as an endless number of palm trees and coral white sand.
The area embraced by Macao and Punta Cana, including Bavaro,
now is home to more than 30 large tourist complexes. The most
modern hotel complexes are located on this coast. There are several
entertainment centers and all the water sports you can imagine.
It has a modern international airport which serves more than
70 charter and regular flights.
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 LA ROMANA
La Romana, a city built and maintained by the sugar mills,
but the main attraction is now one of the world’s most
fabulous resorts Casa de Campo. It is a very impressive sight,
its hotel and villa accommodations and endless leisure facilities
are spread over 7,000 acres of lush terrain on the Caribbean
coast. The resort boasts ultra chic interiors decorated with
the help of Dominican designer Oscar de la Renta and beautifully
landscaped gardens and grounds.
Casa de Campo’s golf course Los Cajuiles, designed by
Pete Dye, is one of the most famous in the world.
Part of the Casa de Campo complex is “Altos de Chavon”,
an exact replica of an Italian village lying just above the
Chavon River. The village, hand-constructed in 1978 by local
artisans has been kept as an ambitious cultural center, to promote
the talent of locals artists.
There are three major art galleries in the village, showcasing
the works of Dominican, European and American artists. Throughout
the winding cobblestone streets are smaller galleries where
visitors can learn macramé, jewelry making, print making
and other crafts or buy the finished products.
It also has a magnificent open air amphitheater which periodically
presents famous artists and bands.
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 SANTO DOMINGO
A great place to begin your explorations is the nation’s
capital, Santo Domingo. An enchanting city uniting modern sophistication,
world charm, and Latin charisma. Santo Domingo is the newest
and oldest capital city in the new world.
The charming and symbolic palm tree lined Malecon serves
as the entrance to the colonial riches of the old city, a city
of many firsts, museums, attractions, outdoor bars, restaurants
and much more. Great strides have been made in the last few
years to restore this part of Santo Domingo to its original
look of 500 years past. In recognition of these achievements,
the United Nations has declared Santo Domingo “city of
world cultural heritage”. The cobblestone streets and
centuries old facades of the Colonial City are a framework
for the sidewalk cafes that come alive after dusk.
Modern Santo Domingo is a lively and exciting city of museums,
superb cuisine, pulsating night life, casinos, culture, art,
great shopping, top class hotels and ideal venues for meetings
and incentives. The newest and greatest tribute to the great
Admiral Christopher Columbus is the majestic Faro a Colon,
the Columbus Lighthouse, which has already become our most
visited tourist attraction. Its powerful light beams project
an impressive cross in the sky that can be seen for many miles.
The National Aquarium is one of the most attractive and educational
in the region. Another interesting attraction is Los Tres Ojos,
a breathtaking 50 foot deep cave with three lagoons surrounded
by stalagmites and lush vegetation.
One hundred feet below street level in an enormous cave with
a capacity of 2000 people is the sensational disco and folklore
center Guacara Taina, unique in the Caribbean. This is a must
for nighttime exploration.
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 SANTIAGO
Its name is Santiago de los Caballeros, 155 km away from Santo
Domingo. Santiago boasts the honor of being the first city called
Santiago in all of the Americas.
Santiago is the second city in the country and it is located
in The Cibao Valley, the most fertile and productive land in
the Dominican Republic. The Cibao Valley, in the center of the
country, is internationally famous for its Tobacco Plantations.
Santiago has a long tradition in the growing, harvesting, elaboration
and marketing of this important income generating commodity
for the luxury markets. Without a doubt, this region has received
the greatest privileges from nature. It supplies the rest of
the country with food and has deposits of gold, iron, nickel,
and other minerals.
Its people are hospitable, warm, and down to earth who enjoy
great prestige as a result of their hard work and vitality.
Architecturally, the city is a jewel. Whatever streets you
happen to be in, you are bound to see one or two colonial style
buildings. Many of the cities older homes reflect a definite
Victorian influence in their style.
Santiago is famous for its carnival, and the fabulous masks
used for its festivities are sold throughout the city. You will
also find lovely ceramic dolls typical of this region.
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 PUERTO PLATA
Called the Amber Coast because of its rich deposits of this
fossilized resin it has 125 Km of beautiful beach coast and
is located at the foot of Mount Isabel de Torres, on the
shores of the Atlantic Ocean. A good start for a tour of the
attractive city of Puerto Plata would be a cable car ride
up Isabel de Torres, 2565 feet above sea level. From here
you can enjoy a sensational view of the city and its surroundings.
Puerto Plata, the largest city on the North Coast, is characterized
by Victorian architecture, gingerbread houses, white fences
with bougainvillea, and the newly restored Gazebo in the central
square of Independence Park. A walk through the center of town
will take you to imposing San Felipe Fort, built by the Spaniards
as protection against sea borne invaders, and now converted
into a museum. At night, the fort is outlined by a dazzling
display of lights.
Close by is the Amber Museum. An outstanding example of Victorian
architecture, the museum houses some of the most remarkable
specimens of this gemstone, the designated national gem.
A few miles east of Puerto Plata you can find Playa Dorada,
grouping together 14 resorts which share a golden strip of
sandy shore. This complex hosts numerous sports facilities,
a shopping center and a golf course.
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 SOSUA
Another highlight of the North Coast is the town of Sosua,
an old Jewish colony established in the 1940’s as a result
of the Second World War. Today the population of Sosua is made
up of many nationalities.
The immigrants developed Sosua’s dairy and sausage industries,
establishing the town as the cheese and salami capital of the
Dominican Republic. Although only about 100 remain and most
have intermarried with the Dominicans, their influence on the
area is evident and you’ll hear many languages spoken,
including English, French, German and Italian.
Sosua is appreciated for its wonderful beach / bay surrounded
by two villages straddling the bay: Los Charamicos to the west
and El Batey to the east. A walk from one end to the other is
easy enough, and you’ll see many of the early settlement
buildings. The original synagogue is still open for weekly services
and welcomes visitors of all faiths.
Sosua has remained popular with European visitors with casual
open air restaurants cafes, and bars. Its nightlife is very
lively and once a year it is held here an annual Jazz Festival
with international performers is held here.
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 CABARETE
A small, pleasant and low-key beach village located 15 km.
east of Sosua. It's one of those naturally charming places
that has such a comfortable ambiance that most visitors who
come here want to come back.
Cabarete has been taken over by the tourist industry and
has developed a more casual international ambiance.
The heart of Cabarete lies at the base of a small bay. The
road that runs through its half-mile long center is bordered
with several small hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops and
other businesses lining both sides. Behind the businesses on
the northern side of the road lies one of the finest beaches
in the Caribbean, whose golden fine sand stretches for more
than 3 km. in both directions, perfect for taking long strolls
or jogging. Because of its unique situation, there are no huge
hotel complexes close to the village center, so the beach is
never too crowded.
Windsurfing
For windsurfing, Cabarete is considered one of the top 10 spots
in the world. About 10 years ago it was discovered that the
combination of the shape of its bay, with a reef at its entrance,
and local wind conditions, made it ideal for this sport throughout
the year.
Although fairly tiny, Cabarete offers plenty of entertainment
options after sunset. A handful of restaurants along the beach
offer seafood and shellfish, for reasonable prices.
For later in the evening there are several excellent bars,
some of which have inexpensive specials for rum-based drinks.
During peak seasons some of them feature live musical entertainment
certain nights of the week (mainly rock, blues and reggae),
including visiting artists from North America or top Dominican
bands, or spontaneous Jam Sessions where visiting musicians
are invited to join in. Later in the evening you can go dancing
where the DJs mix up a blend of rock/techno/reggae with doses
of popular Dominican merengue/bachata/salsa.
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 SAMANA
Samana is a coastal province with incredible geographical beauty,
attracting whale watchers from around the world each winter.
The City of Samana has been one of the most disputed territories
and was settled by American slaves by 1824, and many residents
still speak English. Here you can admire Victorian architecture
and enjoy fresh sea food, since the region is a famous breeding
ground for fish and shellfish.
Along the peninsula, tropical vegetation surrounds the bay
and you find some small keys, including Cayo Levantado, famous
for the many visitors that come here by boat in excursions.
Besides the beautiful beaches, Samana offers its own culture
which is a product of the mixture of settlers that established
themselves here.
Nearby, are the beach resort areas of Las Galeras and Playa
Rincon, and to the West: Las Terrenas and El Portillo with crystal
blue waters and a perfect place for deep sea fishing and scuba
diving. Las Terrenas has a variety of small beach-front properties
such as small inns and restaurants with a very relaxed, unpretentious
atmosphere.
Further along you can find Los Haitises a National Park worth
a visit for those who love nature and natural history. |
