The Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic (la Republica Dominicana) is a Caribbean island nation, occupying two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola.  With a population of approximately 10 million, it’s the second largest country in the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic shares a third of the island  with Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The relationship between Dominicans and Haitians is shaped by a rich, yet complicated history and a struggle for power to dominate the island. This history has helped to contribute to many-generations worth of prejudices against Haitians living in the Dominican Republic, and is commonly compared to the complicated inequalities that face Latino immigrants in the United States.  Tourism, sugar, coffee, and cocoa beans are the biggest sources of income for most Dominicans, although the majority seem to eek out an existence on much less.

A history of dependence rooted in three centuries of Spanish supremacy, as well as the legacy of a brutal dictatorship helped to flag the country’s development.  Despite these economic and social struggles, the Dominican Republic is a country that is buoyed by a strong and lively spirit – vibrant music, dancing, and baseball are just a small taste.