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Dominican Republic information, history & factsWhat a wonderful place to learn Spanish. Comprises the eastern two-thirds side of the island of Hispaniola which neighbours the former French colony of Haiti. The capital Santo Domingo was established in 1496 and is the longest established European settlement in the Americas.
A country of dramatic scenery, the highest peak in the Caribbean – Pico Duarte – and attractive beaches. Total immersion is a very important part of a learning Spanish (or any language) programme, and is neeed at some point in your language learning strategy. It is most effective if combined with: • a good grammar and language structure learning system,(see on the Grammar info pages on this website...) • an accelerated vocabulary learning and remembering system (if you are learning to speak Spanish and learning 200 words a day you are using an outdated system) . . .take a few days to boost the Spanish vocab before you launch off! • . . . and an onsite course with a good, experienced Spanish language teacher. For more information on how to learn Spanish in the Dominican Republic click on the link. Learn Spanish in the Dominican Republic!
Learn Spanish in the Dominican Republic!
Background information on Dominican RepublicClaimed for Spain by Christopher Columbus on his first voyage in 1492, the island of Hispaniola became the launchpad for the Spanish domination of the Caribbean and the Americas.In 1697, Spain recognized French sovereignty over the western 1/3 of the island, which became Haiti in 1804. The Dominican Republic side of Hispaniola, then known as Santo Domingo, sought its own independence in 1821, but was seized and ruled by Haiti for 22 years, gaining independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. Unsettled tumultuous government was brought to an end in 1966 by President Joaquin BALAGUER who ruled for the next 30 years. Free elections since 1996 have seen the Dominican Republic’s economy growing at one of the fastest rates in the hemisphere over the past ten years. Geography information on Dominican RepublicGeographical Position: Caribbean Sea & North Atlantic Ocean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, eastern neighbour of Haiti. Latitude & Longitude: : 19 degrees 00 North, 70 degrees 40 West Total Area of country: Land border lengths: Total: 360 kilometres Neighbouring Countries: only Haiti 360 kilometres. Length of Coast: 1,288 kilometres Maritime claims -contiguous zone: 24 NM Climate information on Terrain Features: Elevation highs & lows: Country’s Natural resources: Land use: Irrigated land: Natural geographical risks: in hurricane belt, severe storms from June through to October; some flooding; droughts. People information on Dominican RepublicPopulation - Dominican Republic: 8,715,000 (July 2003 estimate) Age Distribution: - Dominican Republic: under age 14 yrs: 33% Median age: Population rate growth: 1% (2003 estimate) Birth rate: Mortality rate: Rate of Net Migration: Infant mortality rate Life Expectancy: Total population: 67 years Name given to People: Dominican(s) Racial groupings: white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73% Religions Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish Literacy: : definition: age 15 and over can read and write Total population: 84% male: 84% female: 84% (2003 estimate) Government information on Dominican RepublicDominican Republic - Republica Dominicana System of Government Democracy Capital Santo Domingo Independence: 27 February 1844 from neighbour Haiti National holiday: Legal & Law System: : based on French civil codes Voting system: : universal at 18 years of age Head of State : President Economy information Dominican RepublicRapid growth over the last ten years. Severly affected by Hurricane Georges in 1998. Mainly an exporter of sugar, tobacco. coffee, more recently the service sector and tourism and free trade zones have surpassed them in economic importance. Disparate income inequality; the poorest 50% take less than 1/5th of GNP, while the richest 10% enjoy about 40% of national income. GDP: - $USD53 billion (2002 estimate) GDP growth rate: 4% (2002 estimate) GDP per head of population: - $USD6,100 (2002 estimate) GDP make-up by sector: Population below level of poverty: 25% Household % income: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 37% (1998) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (2002 estimate) Unemployment rate 14% (2002 estimate) Budget Industries tourism, sugar processing, nickel and gold mining, textiles, apparel, cement, tobacco Industrial production growth rate: 2% (2001 estimate) Exports $USD5 billion (2002 estimate) Exports - partners: US 87%, Netherlands 1%, Canada 0%, France 0% (2000) Imports $USD8 billion (2002 estimate) Imports - partners: US 60%, Japan 10%, Mexico 4%, Venezuela 3% (2000) Debt - external: $USD4 billion (2002 estimate) Economic aid - recipient: $USD238 million (1995) Currency Dominican peso (DOP) Currency code: DOP Communications information on Dominican RepublicTelephones - main lines 710,000 (1997) Radio Stations - Dominican Republic: AM x120, FM x56, SW 4 (1998) TV Stations - Dominican Republic: 25 (1997) Internet Code - Dominican Republic: .do Transport, Travel and Tourism Dominican RepublicRailways - Dominican Republic: Total: 1,503 kilometres standard gauge: 375 kilometres 1-m gauge note:: 986 kilometres also operated by sugar companies in 1-m, 0-m, and 0-m gauges (2002) narrow gauge: 142 kilometres 0-m gauge Roading - Dominican Republic: Total: 12,600 kilometres paved roading: 6,224 kilometres unpaved roading: 6,376 kilometres (1996) Navigable Waterways - Dominican Republic: none Pipeline Distances - Dominican Republic: crude oil 96 kilometres; petroleum & petroleum by-products 8 kilometres Commercial Harbours/Ports - Dominican Republic: Barahona, La Romana, Manzanillo, Puerto Plata, San Pedro de Macoris, Santo Domingo Airports-Aerodromes - Dominican Republic: 30 (2002) Military Dominican RepublicMilitary groupings & departments : Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Military Spending - dollar figure: $USD180 million (FY98) Military Spending - percent of GDP:1% (FY98) International Issues Dominican RepublicBorder disputes over Haitians continuing to cross into the Dominican Republic . Transshipment point for drugs destined for the United States and Europe. Flag of Dominican RepublicClick here for the Flag of Dominican Republic and its history, information and facts.Map of Dominican RepublicClick here for the Map of Dominican Republic and its history and facts.History of Dominican RepublicClick here for the History of Dominican Republic and historical facts.Info sourced and adapted from the CIA Factbook . Andorra | Argentina | Belize | Bolivia | Colombia | Chile | Costa Rica | Cuba | Dominican Republic | Ecuador | El Salvador | Gibraltar | Guatemala | Honduras | Mexico | Nicaragua | Panama | Peru | Puerto Rico | Spain | Uruguay | Venezuela | Dominican Republic - Learn Spanish Help. Copyright 2011. 32 Alverton, Great Linford, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom |
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