The Dominican Republic Ansley Cuaron Erika Estrada

1942 Tainos originally controlled the island and welcomed Columbus and his first voyage Spanish began to bring in African slaves 1822 the island was conquered by Haitians and became known as the Republic of Haiti The island of Hispaniola was the first New World colony set by Spain. The Dominican Republic form the eastern two-thirds of the island. The remaining one-third belongs to Haiti.

During the 1990s, the Dominican Republic underwent rapid economic growth and developed stronger democratic institutions. The “Pact for Democracy" in 1994 paved the way for free and fair elections Juan Pablo Duarte established the Dominican Republic After winning over independence the Spanish voluntarily went back from France to the now Dominican Republic and lived.

President Fernandez has made some economic reform, but have left the country with an off-balance distribution of wealth. Dominican Republic has had a long period of economic stability and has lately seen some growth. The island's politics have long since held the island back from achieving its full potential, but tourism is helping the Dominican Republic to achieve its economic goals. Currently, Dominican Republic is led by a democratic republic government. Their current president is Leonel Fernandez and vice president is, Rafael Alburqueque de Castro.

The United States was the major bilateral donor in the Dominican Republic. The level of United States assistance since the 1940s had fluctuated widely in response to economic and political trends. The Dominican Republic became one of the top recipients of United States aid in 1966, when US $100 million in economic assistance was provided.

Many exports in Dominican Republic includes: Sugar Coffee, Tobacco, Meats, Medical supplies Textiles Ferronickel Cacao Dominican Republic export within the countries of: Canada, Western Europe South Korea

Many Haitians in the Dominican Republic face discrimination. At least half a million Haitians live in the Dominican Republic, working primarily in agriculture and construction. Each year, 20,000 to 30,000 of these workers are deported, with no judicial oversight. Haitian workers living in the Dominican Republic are deported arbitrarily by the thousands every year, and their Dominican-born children, and even their grandchildren, remain as a permanent underclass.

Nearly 95% of the Dominican population is Roman Catholic. Catholicism was introduced by Columbus and the Spanish missionaries and is an important force in shaping society.

In the Dominican Republic, festivals and carnivals are traditional celebrations for many of their holidays. For an example, in February independence from Haiti is celebrated by a huge carnival with lots of parades, costumes, and parties.