Major Exports/Industries: Mining of ferronickel, gold, and silver. Plus the exports are coffee, tobacco, and cocoa.
Geography:
What is the land like?
- Mountainous
How does its geography affect its economy?
- Its location, in the center of the caribbean, allows it to access the North, South, and Central America markets to trade goods and services. It is the largest carribean economy and is the second largest country in terms of population and land mass, because of the location it is a large tourist attraction; which counts for 50% of the GDP.
Weather and Climate:
- The majority of the Dominican Republic enjoys beautiful tropical weather all year round, with the annual temperature hovering around 77°F. Some call the Dominican Republic's climate, 'the endless summer', because of their warm and sunny conditions experienced pretty much everywhere in the country, all year round. They have a Maritime tropical climate. Brief History:
The first group was called the Ciboney, then after them two tribes; The Caribs and the Arawaks, immigrated from South America which eventually became the ancestors of the Taino tribe who welcomed Columbus. The spanish who had brought over smallpox, had shrank the tribe down to about 3,000 in 1530. Explored and claimed by Christopher Columbus on his first voyage in 1492. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, and later that became Haiti in 1804. The remainder of the island, known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821 but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years, but finally gained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844.
Baseball is their national sport, and the country is actuall shared with Haiti. The national anthem is called the Quisqueyanos Valientes composed by José Rufino Reyes Siancas and was written by Emilio Prud'Homme. The first public performance took place on August 17, 1883. But was soon adopted in 1934. Their ethnic groups include: 73% mixed, 16% white, 11% black. Juan Pablo Duarte is considered to be the architect of the Dominican Republic and its independence from Haitian rule in 1844. The flag has a white cross that divides into 4 quarters, 2 quarters are red and blue. The national flower is the Bayahibe Rose, the national tree is the West Indian Mahogany and the national bird is the Palmchat.
Government/ Current political situation:
Type of government: Representative democracy
Flag:
Current Leader:Danilo Medina
What is the political climate like in the country?
- It has a multi party political system; the Dominican liberation party, Dominican Revolutionary party, and the Social Christian reformist party. It is a conservative one, the Dominican Liberation party in power since 2004. Culture:
The Dominican cuisine is mostly; Spanish, Taíno, and African foods. In the morning you would likely have eggs (either mashed, boiled plantain). Lunch usually consists of rice, meat, salad, and beans. La Bandera (the flag) is usually the most populor dish to eat for lunch. Many dishes are made with a mix of local herbs used as a wet rub for meats. Drinks might include fruit juices, beer, and coffee.
The Dominican is mostly known for their creation in merengue, which is a fast-paced dance with 120 to 160 beats per minute. Another music/dance is the bachata which in the recent years has become really popular. Popular with the younger generation would have to be hip-hop/rap.
The most popular sport in the Dominican Republic would have to be baseball, it is the second highest number of players in the MLB.
Tourism: Playa del Macao
- One of the areas best surfing, gorgeous beaches where you can sit out catch some sun. Or you can go to the small fishing village of El Macao to see sites and get a taste for the Dominicans past. Lago Enriquillo
- A huge salt water lake that is home to one of te largest bird sanctuaries and wild reserves. You can go and visit the colorful flamingos, crocodiles, and many other animals. Eastern National Park
- One of the larges marine parks in the Carribbean and houses 112 different bird species. Its ecosytem has hundreds of other creatures as well. The park can is a gorgeous place to get away and they havevery remote beaches. Current Events:
The president of Dominican Republic; Danilo Medina, headed to Punta Cana last week for the start of the $180 Million theme park. It is one of the largest in Latin America. It is said that it will bring in not just over 560 jobs but bring in 10 million tourists per year as well. President of the project; Salvador Ballesteros said, after he looked at all the differrent destinations, he knew that Punta Cana would be the perfect choice, because of the tourism. He also said that the park would have the highest safety for its infrastructure. The project covers over one million square meters and is said to be finished in 2014.
1. Do you think they shouldve used all that money to build a theme park?
2. What do you think the biggest reason for building the park is?
3. Do you think it will bring in all the tourist they say it will or no? Why or why not.
Madison Turney- Dominican Republic
General Information:Geography:
- What is the land like?
- Mountainous- How does its geography affect its economy?
- Its location, in the center of the caribbean, allows it to access the North, South, and Central America markets to trade goods and services. It is the largest carribean economy and is the second largest country in terms of population and land mass, because of the location it is a large tourist attraction; which counts for 50% of the GDP.- Weather and Climate:
- The majority of the Dominican Republic enjoys beautiful tropical weather all year round, with the annual temperature hovering around 77°F. Some call the Dominican Republic's climate, 'the endless summer', because of their warm and sunny conditions experienced pretty much everywhere in the country, all year round. They have a Maritime tropical climate.Brief History:
The first group was called the Ciboney, then after them two tribes; The Caribs and the Arawaks, immigrated from South America which eventually became the ancestors of the Taino tribe who welcomed Columbus. The spanish who had brought over smallpox, had shrank the tribe down to about 3,000 in 1530. Explored and claimed by Christopher Columbus on his first voyage in 1492. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, and later that became Haiti in 1804. The remainder of the island, known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821 but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years, but finally gained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844.
Baseball is their national sport, and the country is actuall shared with Haiti. The national anthem is called the Quisqueyanos Valientes composed by José Rufino Reyes Siancas and was written by Emilio Prud'Homme. The first public performance took place on August 17, 1883. But was soon adopted in 1934. Their ethnic groups include: 73% mixed, 16% white, 11% black. Juan Pablo Duarte is considered to be the architect of the Dominican Republic and its independence from Haitian rule in 1844. The flag has a white cross that divides into 4 quarters, 2 quarters are red and blue. The national flower is the Bayahibe Rose, the national tree is the West Indian Mahogany and the national bird is the Palmchat.
Government/ Current political situation:
- Current Leader: Danilo Medina
- What is the political climate like in the country?
- It has a multi party political system; the Dominican liberation party, Dominican Revolutionary party, and the Social Christian reformist party. It is a conservative one, the Dominican Liberation party in power since 2004.Culture:
Tourism:
Playa del Macao
- One of the areas best surfing, gorgeous beaches where you can sit out catch some sun. Or you can go to the small fishing village of El Macao to see sites and get a taste for the Dominicans past.
Lago Enriquillo
- A huge salt water lake that is home to one of te largest bird sanctuaries and wild reserves. You can go and visit the colorful flamingos, crocodiles, and many other animals.
Eastern National Park
- One of the larges marine parks in the Carribbean and houses 112 different bird species. Its ecosytem has hundreds of other creatures as well. The park can is a gorgeous place to get away and they havevery remote beaches.
Current Events:
The president of Dominican Republic; Danilo Medina, headed to Punta Cana last week for the start of the $180 Million theme park. It is one of the largest in Latin America. It is said that it will bring in not just over 560 jobs but bring in 10 million tourists per year as well. President of the project; Salvador Ballesteros said, after he looked at all the differrent destinations, he knew that Punta Cana would be the perfect choice, because of the tourism. He also said that the park would have the highest safety for its infrastructure. The project covers over one million square meters and is said to be finished in 2014.
1. Do you think they shouldve used all that money to build a theme park?
2. What do you think the biggest reason for building the park is?
3. Do you think it will bring in all the tourist they say it will or no? Why or why not.
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/tourism/2012/9/27/45240/Medina-breaks-ground-for-US180M-theme-park-in-Punta-Cana
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Republic#Culture
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35639.htm
http://www.moon.com/destinations/dominican-republic/background/history/indigenous-people
http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/dominican-republic/GOVERNMENT.html