|
Ready
for us to connect you
to a Vacation Specialist?
Click Here.
|
The Dominican Republic occupies
the eastern two thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it
shares with Haiti. Four almost parallel mountain ranges,
covered with thick vegetation, cross the country from east to
west. The largest is the Cordillera Central, which divides the
republic into the almost equal parts. The highest peak in the
West Indies, Pico Duarte (10,206 feet), is in this range. In
the north is the Cordillera Septentrional and in the south are
the Sierra Bahoruco.
The Valley of the Cibao,
between the Cordillera Central and the Cordillera
Septentrional, is the largest and most important valley. The
Vega Real (Royal Plain), often called the "Garden of the
Antilles", is the island's granary, producing fruits,
vegetables, and sugar cane; its grassy savannas afford
excellent pasturage. The capital and principal ports are
located on the southern coast. The humid eastern section of
this region contains large forests and savannas. Many small
islands dot the Dominican coast.
The Dominican Republic early
became a crossroads for migration of people from South and
Central America and Europe. Cultural life was enriched by this
intercourse. The National Museum contains one of the best
pre-Columbian archeological collection in the Antilles, in
addition to paintings which date from colonial times to the
present day. Dominican music is a composite of Indian,
Spanish, and African elements. The popular merengue is the
national dance.
The Dominican Capital, Santo Domingo de Guzmán, was founded
in 1498 by Bartolomé Colón, Columbus' brother. There is a
striking contrast between its Old World charm and its
modernistic steel and concrete structures of the present
century. The Cathedral of Santa María is the oldest in
America. The fortress-like castle of Columbus' son Diego, Alcázar
de Colón, stands among beautiful gardens on a hill
overlooking the Caribbean. The capital also contains the first
seat of higher learning in the New World, the University of
Santo Domingo, founded in 1538. Outstanding among the
capital's modern buildings is the National Palace, built of
native pink stone. Luxurious modern hotels overlook the blue
Caribbean.
The republic's second city and
leading center in the Cibao Plain is Santiago. This city,
situaded on a high bluff on the Yaque del Norte River, was
founded in 1500. Today, Santiago is one of the republic's most
modern cities. The Dominican Republic has many seaports
including La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís, Sánchez, Puerto
Plata, and Monte Cristi.
The history of Santo Domingo began with Columbus' second
voyage to Hispaniola in 1493. His fleet of 17 ships brought
more than a thousand colonists and basic necessities for
building the first settlement of Isabela. In 1496 Columbus
sailed back to Spain, leaving his brother Bartolome Colon as
governor of the colony. Upon his return, Columbus found the
colony torn by civil strife. Francisco de Bobadilla, sent by
the Spanish Crown to restore order, imprisoned Columbus, his
brother, and son Diego, and sent the Admiral in irons to
Spain. It was Governor Nicolás de Ovando who restored peace
to the colony and promoted the development in many ways. He
was succeeded by Diego Colón. Established after Isabela,
Santo Domingo flourished until the latter part of the
sixteenth century. Its Audience Real (royal tribunal) had
jurisdiction over all the Antilles.
Meanwhile, French power grew in the western part of the
island. In 1795, by the Treaty of Basel, Spain ceded the
eastern part of the island to France. After the Haitian
General Toussaint Louverture gained absolute control of the
French colony of Saint-Domingue (Haiti), he invaded Spanish
Santo Domingo and submitted the whole island under his rule.
In 1809 the Dominicans expelled the Spanish governor and
sought briefly to join the Gran Colombia; but this did not
materialized.
The Haitians under President
Boyer invaded Santo Domingo, annexed the territory, and ruled
it for 22 years. On February 27, 1844, the Dominicans, led by
Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, Ramón
Matias Mella, and others, revolted and proclaimed
independence. Political instability and unrest paved the way
for a restoration of Spanish rule, and in 1861 Spain annexed
the country at the request of General Santana; but poor
administration resulted in the War of Restoration and the
defeat of the Spanish forces. Thus, the country once more
gained its independence in 1865.
|
Large mammals were not known on
Hispaniola due to its isolation over millions of years. Among
the few mammals native of the island are bats, the bottlenose
dolphin, sea cows (manatee) and two small land animals in
danger of extinction, the solenodon and the hutia. Cow, pigs, donkeys and horses were all imported by the
Spaniards. The European also brought mice, rats and cats on
their ships. Mongooses, originally imported from India to
combat the rats, have become a pest. Eighteen species of bats
have been found in the country. Bird life is very rich on
Hispaniola and 200 species are known, about half of which live
in the aquatic environment. Two indigenous birds that are now
difficult to find are the Hispaniolan parrot and the perico.
Among the most famous local
reptiles are the American crocodile, the rhinoceros iguana and
the ricard iguana. All three are endangered species but can
often be seen in Isla Cabritos National Park. All snakes on
the island are nonpoisonous. Frogs, mainly tree frogs, are
abundant and can be quite noisy, living on palm and banana
trees as well as telephone posts. Lizards are seen everywhere
and 21 different species are known. The lizards all have in
common a thin, often colorful skin along their throats, which
is blown up like a balloon when they are threatened.
The waters around the Dominican
Republic are well known for a rich and colorful aquatic life.
Humpback whales visit Samana Bay each year between December
and March.
The tropical climate of Hispaniola
and the variations in elevation, rainfall and soil have
produced a variety of plant habitats, ranging from dry areas
to coniferous forests in the mountains. About 36 percent of
the 5,600 plant species on the island of Hispaniola are
endemic. The lushes vegetation is found in the humid forests of the
eastern mountain region. Local mahogany is abundant and was
used in the construction of the first cathedral in 1540. Other
native trees are the ceiba (silk cotton tree) known for its
enormous size and long life (up to 300 years), Dominican
magnolia, the bija and mamon tree. There are tree ferns and
numerous bromelia, orchids in the country's forests, such as
Sierra de Bahoruco National Park. Higher mountain zones are
dominated by the creolcan pine tree, while the desert and
semiarid areas are dominated by cacti and agave terrain.
The Dominican Republic is unusual
in the variety of natural wonders geological wonders that are
found in and around the island. The country abounds in gold
and silver, ferronickel, bauxite, coal, tin, marble, salt,
gypsum, and limestone. It is also the second-largest gold
producer in the Western Hemisphere. Dominican amber mines are
a national treasure. They are famous for producing some of the
best fossils and gem quality nuggets in the world.
The second largest nation in the Caribbean with an 18,816
square mile territory, Dominican Republic occupies the eastern
two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola in the Greater
Antilles. Situated in the heart of the region, between North
and South America, the country is bathed by the Caribbean Sea
on the South coast and the Atlantic Ocean to the north.
Jamaica rests west; Puerto Rico is east beyond the 70-mile
Mona Passage; the southernmost tip of Florida is 685 miles
away.
Estimated 7.8 million.
Multi-racial, multi-cultural society of Spanish predominance.
(Caucasian 16%, Negro 11%, Mixed 73%).
Maritime tropical averaging 78
degrees Fahrenheit and ranging from 73 degrees in winter to 82
degrees in summer; the hottest month is August, the coolest is
January. Trade winds keep the air cool and fresh; temperatures
can drop up to 30 degrees in the mountains. Rains are more
likely in May/June and August to October.
The capital is Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the oldest and
largest city in the Caribbean with a land area of 144 square
miles and a population of over 2.2 million (1990); Santiago
de los Caballeros is second with 500,000; La Romana 148,108;
Puerto Plata 96,831; Higuey 83,135; Samaná 49,537; Sosúa
19,159.
|
