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Dominican Rep.

Origin

The native inhabitants of La Española were the taínos, who belonged to the linguistic group of arawak. Their main activities were agriculture and fishing, working wood, ceramics and soft metals, as gold. They cultivated cotton, which they used mainly to weave hammocks. In 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered the island and baptized it with the name La Española/Hispaniola.Four years later, in 1496, Bartholomew Columbus founded the city of Santo Domingo in the Eastern coast of the Ozama River. Nevertheless, in 1502, it was destroyed by a hurricane. That’s why the newly appointed Governor of the Island, Nicolas de Ovando, ordered its re-foundation in the Western coast of the island.Shortly after, the extinction of the natives began as a result of exploitation and excessive work in the mines and plantations as well as new diseases brought from Europe. Little by little, black slaves substituted the natives. In 1522, the first rebellion of slaves took place in one of plantations owned by Diego Columbus, son of the discoverer, which had been named viceroy of the West Indies. Ten years later, in 1533, the peace treaty of Bahoruco was signed, thus ending the revolts of native chief Enriquillo, which had begun in 1519.


Constitution

November 28, 1966.


Government

The Dominican Republic is governed by the 1966 Constitution, where it is defined as a free and independent State and its government as civilian, republican, democratic and representative.Executive Power: the President, who is elected for a period of four years by a universal voting system, exerts the executive power in the Dominican Republic. The President is the chief of public administration and the supreme commander of all the armed forces and the police corps of the Republic. Legislative Power: The legislative power lies on the Congress of the Republic, integrated by two chambers: the Senate, which has 30 members, one for each province and the National District; and the Chambers of Deputies, which had 120 members until the legislative and municipal elections of May, 1998, in which the number of members was increased to 149. All members of Congress are elected by direct vote for a four-year period.Political PartiesThe Dominican Party was the only legal party between 1930 and 1961, when it was dissolved. Then, new political organizations arose. At the beginning of the 1990s, the main political parties were: Partido Reformista Social Cristiano (PRSC), Partido de la Liberación Dominicana (PLD) and Partido Revolucionario Independiente (PRI). Currently, the Partido de la Liberación Dominicana is the party in power.Local GovernmentThe 29 provinces of the Dominican Republic are administered by governors named by the country’s president. The government of the National District and of the country’s municipalities is in charge of the city halls, integrated by the council of regents, that elects a president, and by the syndic. Judicial Power: The highest court of the Dominican Republic is the Supreme Court of Justice, formed by nine judges, one of them president. The Senate names them. Among other minor judicial institutions are the primary and peace courts, the Court of Appeals and the Court of Claims.


General History

The Dominican Republic is one of the most requested destinations in the Caribbean. The biggest and most complete one due to the beautiful beaches that skirt its coasts and majestic places, able to delight the eyes and hearts of natives and visitors, a real treasure in the middle of the Caribbean, the homeland of Merengue, offering the visitor not only 500 years of history, sun and beach, but also its exquisite gastronomy. The island accompanies your holidays with a complete guide of beaches, places of interes, entertainments, restaurants, hotels and tourist spots in the different coastal areas and regions, to help you choose your destination. Regions like Altagracia, Samaná, Sosúa, Boca Chica, Barahona, Puerto Plata and San Pedro de Macoris are attractions with great tourist inflow and a welcoming ambiance for pleasure and entertainment. Beaches like Cosón, La Romana, Boca Chica, La Sosúa, Cayo Levantado, Playa Grande, among others, plus several unknown coves, probably witnesses to pirates' landings during past times.