Dominican Republic Tolman

Dominican Republic: An Inquiry of Several Perspectives

Amber Tolman
University of North Carolina at Charlotte

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Dominican Republic Tolman

Introduction to Multiple Perspectives
Known for its beautiful beaches and tropical summer vacations, Dominican Republic
holds something very different beyond the shore. Many people are unaware of the slums that
many families live on in the streets of the Dominican Republic. This island may not have the
best living conditions, but that does not stop the heart and souls of the Dominican Republic (F.
Brito, personal interview, Feb. 08, 2014). Built on many years of history and generations, this
island is home to one great family. This family holds a tight culture that remains strong no
matter its historic past, political, economic, or geographic status.
Historical Perspective
Rewinding back to 1498, the historical perspective of Dominican Republic began with
the founding of the city, Santo Domingo, by Bartholomew Columbus. Spain has control of the
entire island, Hispaniola at this time. Hispaniola is one island located in the southern Caribbean
consisting of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic occupies nearly 64%
of the island, while Haiti occupies the rest. In 1697, the west side of the island, Haiti, is
controlled by the French due to the Ryswick Treaty. Later in 1777, a second treaty was enacted
to settle the restrictions between the Spanish and French colonies. Spain and France make one
more change in 1795 before a long term settlementFrench takes complete control of
Hispaniola (A&S, n.d.).
Political Perspective
Fast forwarding to almost two decades later, Spanish power is completely restored. The
changes of many leaders occur, beginning with the establishment of the presidential system in
1844. Like the United States, every president is given a four year term and can run for the
second term following. This brings the Dominican Republic to its 56
th
president, Danilo Medina.
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The honored president took office in 2012. He was elected by the Dominican citizens for his
promises on fixing corruption, crime, security, poverty and increasing the economy through
tourism (Danilo Medina Becomes...). All of these focus points are very important in the
development of Dominican Republic, but boosting the economy through tourism and other
factors is one to likely benefit all of the other matters.
Economic Perspective
Economically, the Dominican Republic does fairly well with its known traditional
exports such as organic cocoa and sugar. The popularity of production, sales and exporting of
organic cocoa has become so great that it is known as the worlds cocoa capital. This
honorable name governs nearly 60% of the universal market share of organic cocoa. Likewise,
the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of sugar have soared to 63% and have brought
jobs to 30,000 people. Both of these exports along with many more have truly benefited the
economic market of the Dominican Republic (Productives, n.d.).
The industry of telecommunications of the Dominican Republic has grown tremendously
in the past few decades. Lines of communication such as cable television and internet usage
have become the more popular choices. Cable television has been boosting the economy since
its first debut in 1948 with over six service providers today. The use of internet has become a
necessity in the twenty-first century and therefore has increased the market economy. Together,
these of many lines of telecommunication have given the Dominican Republic economy a
constant improvement.
The most favorited, booked and luxurious economic player in the Dominican Republic is
the business of hotels and tourism. People from all over the globe have been visiting the
Dominican Republic for decades. The first to book a hotel are typically the Europeans at 46% of
Dominican Republic Tolman

the tourists followed by the U.S., Canada and other countries. Recently, cruises have been
known to stop at the Dominican Republic for sight-seeing and other vacation festivities. The
industry of hotels and tourism in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean alone is expected to
rise in the years ahead.
The final but certainly not least economic industry of the Dominican Republic is
construction. The construction business in the Caribbean began long ago with traditional
methods of building. Over the past centuries, the name of the construction industry truly has
transformed itself. With the constant advances of modern technology, the construction business
has been moving in a more economical-efficient way. This has boosted the economy by creating
more luxurious hotels for the booming business of tourism (Ferguson, 2001). Due to the
continuous development of the construction industry, the Dominican Republic holds a tight
economic foundation.
Overall, the Dominican economy typically rises with its constant growth in traditional
exports, telecommunications, hotel and tourism, and construction. However, like any other
country, the Dominican Republic also experiences its economical flops. Being located in the
Caribbean, natural disasters such as hurricanes and tsunamis are to be expected. With the
prevalence of these catastrophes in the Caribbean, more than just the economy is affected.
Common natural disasters are known to take any country for a geographical twist.
Geographic Perspective
Every island in the Caribbean has been known to oceanic natural disasters since the
discoveries of the islands in the 1400s. The Dominican Republic alone has taken a hit of nearly
fourteen hurricanes since the first record keeping in 1894. Almost 80% of the hurricanes have
occurred during the month of September with categories reaching to four and five. All of these
Dominican Republic Tolman

hurricanes and other natural disasters have done destruction to the land of some form. With
hurricanes, comes an abundance of rainthat of which no island could fully be prepared for.
Along with the millions of tons of rain, erosion can occur with the growth of bacteria, intense
flooding and marine life is also threatened. Over time, with disaster after disaster, the land
becomes shaped a little differently (Geography, n.d.). Every part of the land is shaped the way it
is for a certain reason. Whether it has been the foundation for many homes or barely touched at
all, every piece has its own story. With all of the pieces that holds the Dominican Republic
together (its different social perspectives) culture is the one aspect that outdoes the rest of them.
Cultural Perspective
While many countries have cultures of many kinds, the island of Dominican Republic
holds the heart of a powerful culturefamily ties, significant holidays, music and cuisine.
When a homeland cannot pride itself on money, business, national defense or higher education, it
looks to the heart of its people to keep its nation strong. Of all the aspects of Dominican
Republics fine culture, the inseparable bond of a family creates the foundation of all the great
cultural aspects to follow.
Families of the Dominican Republic often live together as a whole. These families are
typically large as homes usually consist of extended family. Family members care very much
about each other and it is expected to treat every child, parent/grandparent, aunt/uncle and
cousins as if they were their immediate family member. This expectation creates a great demand
of respect for every person in the household. Because of this, children growing up in the
Dominican Republic often formally address the elderly and give them the upmost respect. When
conflict arises, family members tend to create drama quickly and are often seen as a form of
entertainment. When problems are settled, apologies are sincere and respect is restored.
Dominican Republic Tolman

Members of the family hold a very strong bond and will do anything possible to protect or
defend their loved ones. While the bond of a Dominican family is unbreakable, members of the
family will motivate and pride each other on the value of an education (F. Brito, personal
interview, Feb. 08, 2014).
Although there are many holidays in the Dominican Republic that are also celebrated
here in the United States, there is one holiday that Dominicans value over all others. The
independence day of the Dominican Republic was instilled on February 27, 1844. This was a
great success for the land considering all of the leaders and nations that once took over the
Dominican Republic. To celebrate this wonderful declaration of freedom, Dominicans host an
annual carnival called the Carnaval de La Vega. It is an enormous carnival held in the great city
of La Vega in the Dominican Republic. This is a month-long celebration that consists of
extravagant costumes, parading, dancing, the hosting of concerts and even the crowning of a
kind and queen (Mr. & Miss. Carnaval Vegano). Though the carnival itself is a huge festivity,
its greatest feature is the music and dancing it delivers (F. Brito, personal interview, Feb. 08,
2014).
Together, with dancing to the wonderful art of Dominican music, many Dominicans are
brought together by their friends and family. The most popular dance is the national Merengue
which is performed at many parties and celebrations across the Island. Dominicans usually
listen to fast paced music and dance with their loved ones. While music is a great character of
the Dominican culture, their cuisine also plays a great role.
With lunch being the biggest and most important meal of the day, families are usually
together for this main meal. Typically, a Dominican meal will consist of rice, beans and little
meat. Dominican food is usually more sweet than spicy. Another great feature of Dominican
Dominican Republic Tolman

food is its domestic fruit. With many fruit resources around, Dominicans eat an abundance of
mangoes, coconut, papayas and star fruit (F. Brito, personal interview, Feb. 08, 2014). Overall,
Dominicans easily embrace their culture of independence celebration, music and cuisine when
their family ties are built on a strong foundation.
Lifestyle Comparison Perspective
A lifestyle in the Dominican Republic is very different than a lifestyle here in the United
States. Given a much more fortunate lifestyle in the United States, citizens are given the
privilege to a free K-12 public education, motivation for higher education, trained national
defense and therefore a more guaranteed hope for the future. The United States is known as the
land of opportunity and thus welcomes many internationals under the correct circumstances in
hope for a better life. With an established form of government and somewhat established
healthcare system, people born into the United States are lucky and often take these
conveniences for granted.
People who are born into the Dominican Republic lack the conveniences that the United
States has. Dominicans have to work much harder to survive, let alone build a future for
themselves and better the next generation. With the limited resources of quality drinking water,
proper nourishment and hygiene is difficult to obtain. As a result, the poverty rate in the
Dominican Republic is moderately high (F. Brito, personal interview, Feb. 08, 2014). When a
Dominican is given the great privilege to move to a well-established, first-world country, they
typically make the best of this wonderful opportunity.
Conclusion
Based on its multiple perspectives of history, politics, economics, geographic and cultural
aspects, the Dominican Republic is home to some of the most dedicated and loving individuals.
Dominican Republic Tolman

While comparing the United States to the Dominican Republic, it is obvious that Dominicans are
less fortunate but their resilient culture keeps their nation going. From its ancient history, bold
political and economic interchanges, geographical mishaps but yet incredible cultural features,
Dominican Republic is heart of the southern Caribbean.

Works Cited
Brito, F. (2014, February 08). Interview by A. Tolman [Personal Interview]. Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic.

Pons, M. (2011). The Dominican Republic. Black in Latin America, 119.
Chicago

FERGUSON, J. (2001). DOMINICAN REPUBLIC History. South America, Central America
and the Caribbean 2002, 10, 335.


A&S. (n.d.). An Overview of Culture. Dominican Republic. Retrieved February 10, 2014 from
http://www.godominicanrepublic.com/rd/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&
id=1&Itemid=8&lang=en


Dominican Republic History & culture. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.dominicanrepublicp
Page.com/History_Culture.html


Geography of the Dominican republic: An overview. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.hispaniol
a.com/dominican_republic/info/nature_geography.php

Danilo medina becomes president of the Dominican Republic. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://vamoscaminando.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/danilo-medina-is-now-president-of-
the-dominican-republic/
Productives Sectors: Cocoa. (n.d.). . Retrieved April 3, 2014, from
http://www.dominicanaonline.org/portal/english/cpo_cacao.asp