 The Dominican Republic occupies the
eastern two thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with
Haiti. Four almost parallel mountain ranges, covered with thick
vegetation, cross the country from east to west. The largest is the
Cordillera Central, which divides the republic into the almost equal
parts. The highest peak in the West Indies, Pico Duarte (10,206 feet),
is in this range. In the north is the Cordillera Septentrional and in
the south are the Sierra Bahoruco.
The Valley of the Cibao, between the Cordillera Central and the
Cordillera Septentrional, is the largest and most important valley. The
Vega Real (Royal Plain), often called the "Garden of the Antilles", is
the island's granary, producing fruits, vegetables, and sugar cane; its
grassy savannas afford excellent pasturage. The capital and principal
ports are located on the southern coast. The humid eastern section of
this region contains large forests and savannas. Many small islands dot
the Dominican coast.
The Dominican Republic early became a crossroads for migration
of people from South and Central America and Europe. Cultural life was
enriched by this intercourse. The National Museum contains one of the
best pre-Columbian archeological collection in the Antilles, in addition
to paintings which date from colonial times to the present day.
Dominican music is a composite of Indian, Spanish, and African elements.
The popular merengue is the national dance.
 The Dominican Capital, Santo Domingo de Guzmán, was founded in 1498 by
Bartolomé Colón, Columbus' brother. There is a striking contrast between
its Old World charm and its modernistic steel and concrete structures of
the present century. The Cathedral of Santa María is the oldest in
America. The fortress-like castle of Columbus' son Diego, Alcázar de
Colón, stands among beautiful gardens on a hill overlooking the
Caribbean. The capital also contains the first seat of higher learning
in the New World, the University of Santo Domingo, founded in 1538.
Outstanding among the capital's modern buildings is the National Palace,
built of native pink stone. Luxurious modern hotels overlook the blue
Caribbean.
The republic's second city and leading center in the Cibao Plain is
Santiago. This city, situaded on a high bluff on the Yaque del Norte
River, was founded in 1500. Today, Santiago is one of the republic's
most modern cities. The Dominican Republic has many seaports including
La Romana, San Pedro de Macorís, Sánchez, Puerto Plata, and Monte
Cristi.
 The history of Santo Domingo began with Columbus' second voyage to
Hispaniola in 1493. His fleet of 17 ships brought more than a thousand
colonists and basic necessities for building the first settlement of
Isabela. In 1496 Columbus sailed back to Spain, leaving his brother
Bartolome Colon as governor of the colony. Upon his return, Columbus
found the colony torn by civil strife. Francisco de Bobadilla, sent by
the Spanish Crown to restore order, imprisoned Columbus, his brother,
and son Diego, and sent the Admiral in irons to Spain. It was Governor
Nicolás de Ovando who restored peace to the colony and promoted the
development in many ways. He was succeeded by Diego Colón. Established
after Isabela, Santo Domingo flourished until the latter part of the
sixteenth century. Its Audience Real (royal tribunal) had jurisdiction
over all the Antilles.
 Meanwhile, French power grew in the western part of the island. In 1795,
by the Treaty of Basel, Spain ceded the eastern part of the island to
France. After the Haitian General Toussaint Louverture gained absolute
control of the French colony of Saint-Domingue (Haiti), he invaded
Spanish Santo Domingo and submitted the whole island under his rule. In
1809 the Dominicans expelled the Spanish governor and sought briefly to
join the Gran Colombia; but this did not materialized.
The Haitians under President Boyer invaded Santo Domingo, annexed the
territory, and ruled it for 22 years. On February 27, 1844, the
Dominicans, led by Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez,
Ramón Matias Mella, and others, revolted and proclaimed independence.
Political instability and unrest paved the way for a restoration of
Spanish rule, and in 1861 Spain annexed the country at the request of
General Santana; but poor administration resulted in the War of
Restoration and the defeat of the Spanish forces. Thus, the country once
more gained its independence in 1865.
( courtesy the Dominican Embassy in
Washington D.C )
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