Dominican Republic
Country in the West Indies (E Caribbean), occupying the eastern two-thirds
of the island of Hispaniola, with Haiti covering the western third;
the Atlantic Ocean is to the E and the Caribbean Sea to the W.
Government
Although not a federal state, the Dominican Republic has a highly devolved
system of 26 provinces (each administered by an appointed governor),
and a national district, which includes the capital, Santo Domingo.
The 1966 constitution provides for a president and a two- chamber congress,
comprising a 27-member senate and a 120-member chamber of deputies,
all elected by universal suffrage for a four-year term. The president
is head of both government and state and chooses the cabinet.
History
The island was inhabited by Arawak and Carib Indians when Christopher
Columbus arrived 1492, the first European to visit the island. He named
it Hispaniola (`Little Spain´). It was divided between France and Spain
1697, and in 1795 the Spanish part (Santo Domingo) was ceded to France.
After a revolt it was retaken by Spain 1808. Following a brief period
of independence 1821, it was occupied by Haiti until a successful revolt
resulted in the establishment of the Dominican Republic 1844. From 1845
to 1878 the new republic was dominated by two caudillos (military rulers),
Pedro Santana and Buenaventura Báez. Not only was democracy stifled,
but the country faced bankruptcy. In an attempt to stabilize the economy
and defend the Dominican Republic against attacks by Haiti, in 1861
Santana allowed Spain to annex the country. Four years later, amid growing
dissatisfaction, the Spaniards were evicted by General Gregorio Luperón.
The late 19th century saw the country's rulers commit themselves to
heavy borrowing from the USA.
The years of dictatorship by Ulisses Heureux 1882-99 left the country
in a state of political and financial collapse. In 1908, the USA
established a customs receivership which managed to reduce the
republic's debt. However, domestic politics became so chaotic
that in 1916 the USA occupied the Dominican Republic, not withdrawing
until 1924.
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