History

Prior to Christopher Columbus’ exploration in 1492, the indigenous people known as the Taino, inhabited the island of Hispaniola. Shortly after Columbus’ arrival, the island came under control of the Spanish, as colonization and oppression flooded the land (Library of Congress).

Map of Dominican Republic
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/caribbean/dominican-republic/map_of_dominican-republic.jpg

The Treaty of Ryswick in 1697 marks the partition of “La Isla Espanola”, involving the Spanish and the French, into the countries Haiti and the Dominican Republic. While Haitians speak both French and Creole, Dominicans speak Spanish as their native language (Library of Congress).

Although according to several reliable sources that just 11% of Dominicans are of African descent, the number is arguably much higher. Part of the reason being the common assumption that “blacks” must be Haitian. This has exacerbated the Anti-Haitianism problem and caused a divide between the two nations (The African Diaspora in Latin America).

Unfortunately, many scholars are quick to point out that Dominican Republic, similar to Brazil, is built upon this idea of “colorism”. Unlike the “one drop rule” we commonly hear of, an Afro-Latino background in the D.R. may be considered white (Fuller). According to CIA World Factbook, 73% of the people are “mixed”, 16% white, and the remainder black. These demographics likely disregard many slaves of African descent who were brought over to the island of Hispaniola to work the plantations throughout the 16th-18th centuries, prior to Toussaint L’ouverture’s revolt (Guitar).

I chose to research and blog about the Dominican Republic because I'll be headed to Punta Cana, D.R. for a week over spring break (March 13 - March 19). I have also studied the Haitian Revolution in one of my Africana Studies classes and wanted to learn more about the eastern side of the island.

Punta Cana Beach
http://www.myuptodate.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Tourist-destination-in-Punta-Cana-2012.jpg

 QUICK FACTS 

Population: 9.96 million (2nd largest Caribbean nation behind Cuba)
Area: 48,670 sq km
Capital: Santo Domingo
Independence: 27 Feb 1844 (from Haiti)
Main Exports: sugar, gold, silver, coffee, cocoa, tobacco
President: Leonel Fernandez Reyna (since 16 Aug 2004)

MY SOURCES

1. Library of Congress Country Studies: Dominican Republic

URL: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/dotoc.html#do0001

2. CIA - The World Factbook: Dominican Republic

URL: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/dr.html

3. The African Diaspora in Latin America

URL: http://www.culturaldiplomacy.org/experienceafrica/index.php?en_the-african-diaspora_african-diaspora-in-latin-america

4. Fuller, Regina. From Slavery to Exclusion: Perceptions of African Identity in the Dominican Republic and Brazil.

URL: http://www.africandiasporatourism.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=575:from-slavery-to-exclusion-perceptions-of-african-identity-in-the-dominican-republic-and-brazil&catid=107:editorial&Itemid=131

5. Guitar, Dr. Lynne. History of the Dominican Republic.

URL: http://www.hispaniola.com/dominican_republic/info/history.php

6. Map of Dominican Republic

URL: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/caribbean/dominican-republic/map_of_dominican-republic.jpg

7. Punta Cana Beach
URL: http://www.myuptodate.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Tourist-destination-in-Punta-Cana-2012.jpg