Dominican Republic
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CultureGramsTM World Edition 2014 Dominican Republic BACKGROUND History Land and Climate Original Inhabitants and Colonization Area (sq. mi.): 18,792 In pre-Columbian times, Arawak and Taíno Indians occupied Area (sq. km.): 48,670 the island. The arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492 brought colonization, slavery, and disease, decimating the The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of native population within decades. With the decrease in the the island Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. It is slightly indigenous workforce came the increased importation of West larger than Denmark, or about twice the size of the U.S. state Africans to provide slave labor for mines, sugar plantations, of New Hampshire. The central mountain range, Cordillera and cattle farms. The capital, Santo Domingo, was the first Central, boasts the highest point in the Caribbean, Pico permanent European settlement in the New World and was Duarte, at a little more than 10,000 feet (3,048 meters). The established by Spain in 1496. In 1586, the British pirate Sir Cibao Valley lies in the heart of the country and is the major Francis Drake briefly occupied the city of Santo Domingo agricultural area. before collecting a ransom in exchange for its return to The Dominican Republic has a variety of landscapes, from Spanish rule. deserts in the southwest to alpine forests in the central Haitian Dominance and Independence mountains. Sugarcane fields spread over coastal plains in the In 1697, the western portion (now Haiti) of Hispaniola was north and east, and coconut plantations cover most of the given to France. In 1795, France gained control of the entire tropical peninsula of Samaná. Pebble beaches under rocky island. Rebellious slaves seized control of the island in 1801 cliffs afford spectacular views on the southern coast. and established Haiti as the first independent country in the Elsewhere, white sandy beaches and warm waters dominate region. The resulting Haitian domination of the island the coasts. (1822–44) left a legacy of mistrust and strained relations that Weather generally is tropical, hot, and humid, especially still endures. along southern and eastern coasts. Temperatures average The Dominicans declared independence from Haiti in above 90°F (32°C) during summer months, with August 1844 but struggled to form a local government. Spanish rule being the hottest. A dry, desert-like climate, due to was restored from 1861 to 1863 but was once again abolished deforestation and little rainfall, prevails in western and after popular uprisings. To quell civil unrest in the country, southwestern regions. The rainy season, when the temperature U.S. Marines occupied the Dominican Republic from 1918 to drops to around 70°F (21°C), generally runs from December 1924, until a constitutional government was established. to March but may vary in different parts of the country. Trujillo's Rule 1 TM CultureGrams Dominican Republic Military dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo gained the presidency in 1930 and ruled for three decades, until he was assassinated in 1961. His merciless persecution and massacre THE PEOPLE of Haitians in the late 1930s added to the list of grievances between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. His death Population brought civilian unrest, political revolt, and division within Population: 10,349,741 the army. In 1965, U.S. Marines and peacekeeping forces Population Growth Rate: 1.25% from other countries in the region stepped in. With stability Urban Population: 71% restored, elections were held, and in 1966 the constitutional government was reestablished. Continuing under this system, About 30 percent of the population is younger than age 15. today's Dominican Republic is the largest and most populous The rural population is steadily decreasing as people migrate democracy in the Caribbean region. to cities; today the majority of the population lives in urban Political Transitions areas. Mixed-race people account for 73 percent of the total An ally of Trujillo, Joaquín Balaguer, was nominally population; 16 percent is Caucasian, and 11 percent is black. appointed president in 1961 but did not take office until 1966. The mixed-race group is a combination of descendants of For the next three decades, power rested in either his hands or Spaniards and other Europeans, West African slaves, and those of his rival, Juan Bosch of the Dominican Liberation perhaps some indigenous peoples. A Haitian minority is Party (PLD). As head of the Social Christian Reformist Party included in the black population. Additionally, some 675,000 (PRSC), Balaguer narrowly won the 1994 elections and began Dominicans live full- or part-time in New York City, U.S.A. his seventh term in office. Constitutional reforms required elections two years later and did not permit Balaguer to run Language for a successive eighth term. The official language is Spanish, but unique phrases, accents, Regular democratic elections have been held since then, and regional expressions give Dominican Spanish a distinct with subsequent governments implementing economic reform personality. For example, when eating, people request un chin and greater political openness. However, in 2003, public instead of the Spanish un poquito (a little bit) of something. discontent over limited access to water, frequent power The familiar Spanish form of address for “you” (tú) is outages, high food prices, poverty, and high unemployment preferred over the more formal usted. Many people drop the s fueled widespread demonstrations. at the end of words, turning dos (two) into do'. Cibao Valley Relationship with Haiti residents, or Cibaeños, and inhabitants of Santo Domingo, or The relationship between the Dominican Republic and Haiti capitaleños, may pronounce the r,l, or i differently. Some remains contentious, particularly when it comes to Haitian creole (a unique mixture of French and African immigration; hundreds of thousands of Haitians currently languages) is spoken near the Haitian border and in the bateys work in the Dominican Republic, and thousands cross the (sugarcane villages), where many Haitian workers live. border illegally each day seeking employment. Ties between the countries warmed, however, when the Dominican Religion Republic provided aid and assistance after the 2010 Nominally, 95 percent of Dominicans are Catholic, but a earthquake in Haiti, though later in the year the Dominican much smaller number regularly attends church or strictly government tightened its borders to prevent the spread of follows doctrine. Especially in rural areas, Catholic traditions cholera from Haiti. are sometimes combined with local practices and beliefs. Recent Events and Trends Although Dominicans are fairly secular, Catholic traditions • Border violence: In November 2013, a Dominican couple are evident in daily life and affect life events, such as was killed during an armed burglary in the border town of weddings and funerals. Many houses contain artwork Neiba. A Dominican mob killed a Haitian man in retaliation, portraying the Virgin Mary and other saints, thought to and since then at least 350 Haitians have been expelled from protect the home's occupants. Some children are taught to the Dominican Republic or have left voluntarily out of fear of “ask blessings” of their parents and other relatives upon becoming victims of violence themselves. seeing them. They might say Bendición, Tía (Bless me, • Citizenship law: In May 2014, the Dominican government Aunt); the response is Dios te bendiga (May God bless you). passed a law amending a controversial 2013 court ruling on Evangelical Christian churches, The Church of Jesus Christ of citizenship eligibility. According to the ruling, children born Latter-day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses, and other after 1929 to parents living in the Dominican Republic denominations are also present throughout the country. without citizenship or legal residence status would not be automatically entitled to Dominican citizenship. According to General Attitudes human-rights groups, the ruling unfairly targeted the children Dominicans are warm, friendly, and gregarious. They are of poor Haitian migrant workers and could affect some very curious about others and forthright in asking personal 200,000 people. The new law, passed under international questions. Children are rarely shy. Machismo—the desire of pressure, allows children of foreign-born parents to become men to prove their manliness or superiority—permeates citizens if they have the necessary Dominican government society, especially among rural and low-income groups. A documentation. Those without the correct documents are still proud, aggressive attitude is admired in sports, games, and subject to the ruling. business. Many people have a sharp entrepreneurial sense, 2 TM CultureGrams Dominican Republic and business etiquette can be aggressive in tourist areas. The phrases like Nos vemos (“See you later”), Adios (Good-bye), common expression Si Dios quiere (If God wishes) may make or the English Bye-bye. Formal introductions are rare, but Dominicans appear fatalistic or indifferent but more professional titles are used to address respected persons. accurately expresses hope and the attitude that personal power Older and more prominent people may be addressed as Don is intertwined with one's place in the family, community, and (for men) or Doña (for women), with or without their first grand design of Deity. Relationships are more important than names. schedules, so being late for appointments or spending time Dominicans often have several first names, and unmarried socializing instead of working is socially acceptable. women have two surnames—their mother's and their father's. Confianza (trust) is highly valued and not quickly or easily When a woman marries, she usually keeps her father’s last gained by outsiders. Borrowing is common, though it is not name and adds “de” followed by her husband’s last name. unusual for an item to be forgotten and never returned. Most This is her full name and is used in legal and official people are generous and helpful. Economic, social, and situations. On a daily basis, she would use only her husband's political class divisions, most evident in cities, define last name.