Dominican Republic Research Paper

Dominican Republic is a beautiful island in the heart of the Caribbean, with the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492, it sits more or less in the center of the Caribbean Islands. Dominican Republic makes up the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti and the capital city is Santo Domingo, which is on the southern coast. With a population of more than 8.5 million people, Spanish is the national language of this Latin-Caribbean country. The native people are friendly and cheerful which makes the Dominican Republic a great cultural experience.

After 300 years under Spanish rule, Dominican Republic became and independent country in 1821. Since then it

has had a very unsettling past with many slave revolts. These days the Dominican Republic is best known for its sugar production and it has become a huge tourism spot. It has largest amount of tourists visiting there each year. The government in the Dominican Republic is based on democratic principles similar to the United States. A president, vice president and legislators are elected every four years there.

There are three clear branches of power, the Executive, Legislative and Judicial. The Dominican Republic is rich in Hispanic heritage, which can be seen in its society and culture. It’s very unique because you find a mix of European, African, and Taìno Indian cultures. The mix of these different cultures can be seen in the country today. There is a mix of both ancient and modern cultures in Dominican Republic. For example, since it used to be a Spanish Colony many of its foods have a Latin American feel. Their dishes include lots of good food such as rice, beans, meat, and seafood. Influences from its mix of heritage make the food unique. Traditional Taìno dishes still include yucca, plantains, and potatoes and African recipes will also have more native ingredients. One of the most common food dishes there is called La Bandera, which in English means the flag. It is the most commonly eaten meal in the Dominican. It is served during la comida, which means lunch in English, and is considered to be the most important meal of the day. It is a colorful meal that matches the colors of the country’s flag and it is made with meat, rice, and red beans. There are also foods such as fried plantains, which are always

served with La Bandera. Also popular are the many different casseroles, stews, and meat dishes featuring braised goat, pork and chicken rinds. There are also very unique drinks in the Dominican Republic such as Morir Soñado, which is similar to orange juice, and Mauby, a drink made from tree bark. Another example of the way the Dominican heritage can be seen is through its art. In addition to the jewelry they make out of amber, bone, horn, and coconut husks, Dominican artists also use clay, porcelain, hemp, and guano to make decorative or religious figures which can be found in the local markets and shops, where you could see the Taìno influences. You can also see all the bright and colorful art work through out the island. There are many festivals throughout the year in Dominican Republic. The La Vega Carnival celebrates the island’s African history and is ranked as one of the top carnivals. It features parades, colorful masks and costumes and lots of dancing in the street. One of the islands biggest events is the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival, which celebrates different types of jazz music. There are different performances by local and international musicians.
In conclusion, there is no place in the world like Dominican Republic. It is a beautiful island rich in heritage and cultures and known for its warm and hospitable people. The blending of different cultures makes it a unique country that is filled with so much history. This could be seen in its architecture, music, art, foods and festivals. So, ¡Vamos a ir a la República Dominicana!