By Ruthie Dannehy

The Dominican Republic

Customs, Lifestyle, and Demographics

Dominican

flag

Facts Population: Approximately 9.5 million

Capitol: Santo Domingo (approx. 2.25 million people)

Language: Spanish

Currency: Peso

Religion: 95% Catholic

Takes up 2/3 of the island of Hispanoila. Haiti occupies the remaining third of the island.

(“The Dominican Republic Quick Facts”)

Santo Domingo

Geography Natural resources: Nickel, Bauxite, Silver, Gold

Climate: Tropical with little change in seasons

Terrain: Mountainous with fertile valleys and long stretches of coast

Greatest Elevation: Pico Duarte 3,175 meters.

(“The Dominican Republic”)

Geography (continued)

Second largest country in the West Indies after Cuba.

Highest point in the Caribbean is in the Dominican Republic (Pico Duarte)

(“The Dominican Republic”)

FoodRice is a staple.

Tropical fruits are native to the Dominican so people eat them a lot.

Chicken, pork, beef, and goat are popular forms of protein.

The National Dish is a meat and vegetable stew called Sancocho.

Soda, coffee, juice, beer, rum

(“Dominican Republic: Customs and Lifestyle”)

Sancocho

Recreation

Everyone plays dominoes.

People love to gamble.

Baseball is a very popular sport.

Dancing and music is a big part of the culture. People like latin dances, as well as American jazz and Disco.

Concerts and plays are available in cities.

(“Dominican Republic: Customs and Lifestyle”)

David Ortiz

HolidaysDay of the Kings: (Jan 6) Day the three kings came to baby Jesus. Kids get presents.

Many religious days honoring saints and religious figures.

Three holidays honoring the independence of the Dominican Republic from Haiti.

Carnaval: (Before Lent) A huge festival including many parades.

(“Dominican Republic: Customs and Lifestyle”)

Carnaval

Economy

Middle income country.

Largest economy in the Caribbean and Central America

Good tourism business

High levels of poverty in rural areas.

Top Exports: Textiles, ferronickel, sugar, coffee, tobacco, meats

(“Dominican Republic Country Brief”)

The Dominican Republic Compared to Other Caribbean

CountriesSecond greatest population- Cuba has the most with approx. 11 million people. (Dominican Republic=9.5 million)

The Dominican Republic is the most popular tourist destination in the Caribbean.

Highest elevation in the Caribbean: Pico Duarte 3,175 km.

Second biggest area. (DR=48,730 sq km) Cuba has the greatest area at 110,860 sq km

(“Island Facts”)

Works Cited " Dominican Republic: Customs and Lifestyle". Encarta. Webpage. September 28 2009 <http://au.encarta.msn.com/sidebar_1461501299/dominican_republic_customs_and_lifestyle.html>.

"The Dominican Republic". National Geographic. Webpage. October 4 2009.<http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/countries/country_dominicanrepublic.html>.

"The Dominican Republic Country Brief". The World Bank. Webpage. September 28 2009 <http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/LACEXT/DOMINICANEXTN/0,,contentMDK:22254906~menuPK:337775~pagePK:149

"The Dominican Republic Quick Facts". The World Atlas. Webpage. September 28 2009.< http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/caribb/do.htm>.

“Island Facts”.Webpage. October 5 2009. <http://www.caribbean-search.com/fastfacts.cfm>.