Background about the Dominican Republic

By Dave Pipitone

Do you know how the Dominican Republic got its name?

The legend has it that this Latin American Country was discovered on a Sunday. Dominican, the first word of the name, Dominican Republic, comes from the Latin word “dominus” which means “Lord”.

Furthermore, the word “Dominic” which is usually the name given to a child born on a Sunday means “of the Lord”. Christianity considers Sunday to be the Lord's Day, hence the name "Dominican."

The Dominican Republic covers the eastern two-thirds of the Hispaniola Island, sharing it with Haiti. The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his journey in 1492 and was called La Espaniola. Towards the end of the sixteenth century, the French got control over the western part of the island but the Spanish still has its control over the east.

Around the end of the seventeenth century, the oldest city of the Americas – Santo Domingo, was turned over to the French, as well as the rest of the Hispaniola Island.

The 1808 battle of the Palonhicado signified the defeat of the French on its control over the eastern part of the island. The colony was under Spanish regime again and Santo Domingo’s independence was proclaimed a few years after that.

However, its independence was not for long. The Haitians invaded the colony a year after the proclamation and was its occupants for 22 years. Fortunately, it recovered its dominion over the Haitians and independence was proclaimed once more, but this time as the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic went through several years of civil war and dictatorship, including that of General Rafael Trujillo from 1930 to 1961. His assassination has brought civil unrest but President Joaquin Baalguer’s service of three-terms has brought stability to the country once more.

Guzman Fernandez won the presidential elections in 1978, however, Balaguer fought and won four consecutive times for the office between 1986 and 1995. The string of protests and strikes fueled by crises in late 1995 has made Balaguer step down from office and Leonel Fernandez took the Presidency in 1996.

Balaguer still fought to regain office despite his health condition in May 2000, but Hipolito Mejia won the elections. Two months after that, Balaguer, who ruled the Dominican Republic politics for seven terms, died at the age of 95.

Leonel Fernandez regained the Presidency in the recent 2004 elections, carrying the promise of a better Dominican Republic.

Facts on the Dominican Republic are as interesting as what the country has to offer to its guests. Today, the government of the Dominican Republic has to live up to a lot of expectations following several years of unsatisfactory governance.

Things are looking up, though. Fortunately, the Dominican Republic economy is on the upswing and things are improving in the local tourism – paving the way for more reasons to visit.

Background about the Dominican Republic

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