Dominican Republic: From a Colony to the Caribbean’s Largest Tourist Destination

After three centuries of Spanish rule, with French and Haitian interludes, the inelegant became independent in 1821 under the rule of a former colonial judge who maintained the constitution of slavery and limited rights for the mostly mulatto and black population. The ruler, Jose Nunez de Caceres, intended that the friar preacher Republic be part of the acres of Gran Colombia, but he was quickly removed by the Haitian government and Dominican slave revolts.Victorious in the Dominican War of Independence in 1844, Dominicans experienced mostly internal strife, and as well a brief return to Spanish rule, over the next 72 years. The United States occupation of 19161924, and a subsequent, calm and prosperous six-year period under Horacio Vasquez Lajara, were followed by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina until 1961. The civil war of 1965, the countrys last, was ended by a U. S. -led intervention, and was followed by the authoritarian rule of Joaquin Balaguer, 1966197 8.Since then, the Dominican Republic has moved toward representative democracy,4 and has been led by Leonel Fernandez for most of the time after 1996. The Dominican Republic has the second largest economy in the Caribbean and Central American region. 1011 Though long known for sugar production, the economy is now dominated by services. 4 The countrys economic feeler is exemplified by its advanced telecommunication system. 12 Nevertheless, unemployment,4 government corruption, and inconsistent electric service remain major Dominican problems.The country also has marked income inequality. 4 International migration affects the Dominican Republic extensively, as it receives and sends large flows of migrants. Haitian immigration and the integration of Dominicans of Haitian descent are major issues the total population of Haitian instauration is estimated at 800,000. 13 A large Dominican diaspora exists, most of it in the United States, where it numbers 1. 3 million. 14 They embolden national development as they send billions of dollars to their families, accounting for one-tenth of the Dominican GDP. 415The Dominican Republic has rick the Caribbeans largest tourist destination the countrys year-round golf courses are among the top attractions. 12 In this mountainous land is primed(p) the Caribbeans highest mountain, Pico Duarte, as is Lake Enriquillo, the Caribbeans largest lake and lowest elevation. 16 Quisqueya, as Dominicans often call their country, has an average temperature of 26 C (78. 8 F) and great biological diversity. 12 Music and sport are of the highest importance in Dominican culture, with merengue as the national saltation and song and baseball the favorite sport. 5