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 thirty-two year reign
of the military leader Rafael Leónidas Trujillo — lasted until 1961.
The Dominican Republic should not be confused with Dominica, another
Caribbean country. |
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Provinces of the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is divided into 31 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia) (capitals in parentheses, if different from province name).
Additionally, the national capital, Santo Domingo, is contained within its
own Distrito Nacional.
Azua
Baoruco (Neiba)
Barahona
Dajabón
Duarte (San Francisco de Macorís)
Elías Piña (Comendador)
El Seybo
Espaillat (Moca)
Hato Mayor
Independencia (Jimaní)
La Altagracia (Higüey)
La Romana
La Vega
María Trinidad Sánchez (Nagua)
Monseñor Nouel (Bonauo)
Monte Cristi
Monte Plata
Pedernales
Peravia (Baní)
Puerto Plata
Salcedo
Samaná
Sánchez Ramírez (Cotuí)
San Cristóbal
San José de Ocoa
San Juan
San Pedro de Macorís
Santiago
Santiago Rodríguez (Sabaneta)
Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo Este)
Valverde (Mao)
Demographics
The majority of Dominicans are of mixed European and African descent. About
11% of Dominicans are primarily of African descent, including many Haitian
migrants and their descendants. About 16% of Dominicans are of Spanish or
other European origin. Dominican culture is essentially Hispanic, and also
has many African, Antilliean, and United States influences.
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 is 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
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 |
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