National name:
República Dominicana
Government
Representative democracy
Geography
The Dominican Republic in the West Indies occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. Duarte Peak, at 3,175 m, is the highest point in the West Indies.
Historical Background Explored by COLUMBUS on his first voyage in 1492. Santo Domingo, gained its own independence in 1821, but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865.
- 1697 - Spain recongnized French domain over the island.
- 1804 - became Haitti, remainging island called Santo Domingo.
Capital
Santo Domingo
Government
Democratic Republic or Representative Democracy
Language
Spanish
National Holiday
February 27 - Independence Day - National Day
Race/Ethnicity
73% Mixed, 16% White, 11% Black
Religion
The Dominican Republic is 95% Roman Catholic and 5% other.
Area
48,442 km2 (130th), 18,704 sq mi
Population
2009 estimate - 10,090,000 (80th)
Currency
Peso (DOP)
National Day
February 27
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