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The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola. It's primary industry is agriculture - tobacco, rum, and sugar being the chief exports. Dominicans living in the United States contribute significantly to the economy by sending money back to their families still living on the island. Once a place of "firsts" - first place where Columbus landed, the first European settlement, Christian cathedral, and university in the New World - the island of Hispaniola was quickly relegated to the back waters of the Spanish empire when she conquered the Aztecs and the Incas in Central and South America. What followed was long centuries of military dictatorships, oppression, and domination by foreign powers. Modern democracy began in 1965 when during the second occupation by the United States, free and open elections were held. Today's government under President Leonel Fernandez has wide spread support and is instituting many economic and political reforms. The Dominicans are sweet, friendly people with strong family bonds. They are well known for their passion for dancing, merengue music, and baseball. Perhaps the world's best baseball players are currently coming out of the Dominican. Their daily diet consists primarily of red beans and rice, fried plantains (large green bananas), chicken, and fruit. Anemia is a common problem among children and food parasites are also a wide spread concern. The lack of a dependable supply of electrical power is perhaps the biggest popular complaint. Protests have turned violent in the nation's capital of Santo Domingo due to daily, unpredictable power outages that last for up to seven hours. With national unemployment at around 22% and under employment at an even higher percentage, much of the island languishes with little or nothing to do. The average annual income is slightly over $8000. Other major problems include rampant government corruption, rising drug abuse and delinquency rates, and issues with the Haitians living inside the Dominican Republic. Animosity and suspicion of Haitians among Dominicans is deeply rooted. Haitians are officially permitted to cut down the sugar cane crops, but are not allowed to attend government schools. They also are often refused health care at both private and public hospitals. Quality education is almost non-existent as many children drop out after attending the fourth grade and less than half finish high school. Government schools are poorly equipped and parents are required to pay for their children's textbooks and uniforms - an expense many cannot afford. It is common for students to have only a few of the books they need to complete their assignments. Dominicans are largely Catholic with the Church having an important influence in the affairs of state. Evangelical Christians have seen significant increases in their numbers in all denominations, but there are many villages and towns in the country that still have no evangelical work. Operation World lists the Dominican Republic as one of the least evangelized countries of Latin America. For more information on the Dominican Republic, we recommend the following links:
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