Dominican Republic

Situated centrally in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic has developed a very distinct culture. The native population of the DR was nearly wiped out by Columbus when he first landed on Hispaniola, so the demographics of the nation mostly consist of people of mixed African and European descent. There exists a strict racial hierarchy, though, enacted partially due to the country's proximity to Haiti. Education in the DR is compulsory for children up to 14 years old and wealthier families choose to enroll their kids in religiously-sponsored private schools due to superior opportunities at those institutions. In fact, the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, the oldest university in the new world, lies on the island. The DR lags behind in healthcare with an adjacent urban/rural disparity, and contaminated water as well as antiquated equipment which leaves the country with a high infant mortality rate. One success of the healthcare system has been the DR's social security which sees the country's elders taken care of. As in other Latin American countries, the dominant belief system in the Dominican Republic is Catholicism, with a majority of 55% of the population adhering to this religion. Santo Domingo, the capital of the country, enjoys far superior infrastructure to its rural counterparts and the metro area population is 3.6 million. The most well-known musical genres in the DR are Merengue and Bachata. Both styles contrast each other brilliantly as Merengue is more fast-paced and musically oriented while bachata is slow and melancholic. The Dominican Republic’s Independence Day falls on February 27 and marks the country’s separation from Haiti, and Catholic holidays play pivotal roles in Dominican society too. Dominican cuisine consists of many international influences. Sancocho, mango, and rice and beans are all staple dishes in the country, while tropical fruits are also quite prominent. The DR receives the overwhelming majority of their immigrants from Haiti, playing a big role in the country’s politics and culture. Architecture in the island nation includes Spanish colonial buildings and more modern styles. The economy in the DR is centered around tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. The DR has sizable beaches and resorts, mostly attended by Western tourists. The DR respects the siesta, a mid-day break in the work schedule introduced by Spain. Baseball takes precedence over soccer in the DR, as the country sends many star players, like Albert Pujols, to the MLB. Everyday Dominican life varies greatly according to region and socioeconomic status. In the agricultural south, farmers sleep in employer-sanctioned bohios made of reed walls. In Santo Domingo and other urban areas, the poor have increasingly set up communities of cardboard and scrap metal, underscoring their desperation and surviving off merely rice, beans and vegetables.