jeanna page01 // 28 // 2011

santo domingo

La republic dominicana

location

La repubilca dominicana is the second largest country in the Caribbean. It is found in the northern hemisphere.

religions

• There is a bible image on the coat of armor.

• 95% of la repubilca dominicana is roman catholic. Many honor patron saints.

• Sosua , which is on the northern coast, is a small jewish community.

traditional dress

• They take pride in appearance. Wearing all the latest dresses, jeans, and athletic shoes. Clothes tend to be dressy, clean, and well pressed. Jeans and short skirts for the women. Jeans and a nice shirt for the men. Shorts are hardly ever worn no matter the temperature.

• when loved ones die, family members and friends gather at the house of the deceased for a vela (candle light). On the 9th day after the death there is another vela. From then on velas are held once a month for seven months. Then each year on the anniversary of the death .

• another tradition for families is to hang a ball glove over a baby boys crib, in hopes they will become a great ball player.

customs // traditions

typical food

• Platanos (plantains) is the most ate food in the Dominican republic.

• The most common dish is tostones and plantains.• El alverzo (lunch) is the largest mean of the day,

which consists of rice and beans or chicken and fish.• Diner comes much later and often includes eggs.• Favorite dish is quipes (fried dumplings filled with

cheese or meat). • The children's favorite is Batidas (milkshake from

milk, ice and tropical fruit).

fam

ily

• Family ties a very important. Extended families commonly live together. Households are led by women. Large families are normal.

housing

• In their households you can find pictures of the virgin mary. They believe that this will keep them safe.

dating // marriage

• Attending movies, discos, dances, baseball games, and sitting at the park on benches are social activities for couples. Dating is relatively open and increasingly free of parental control.

holidays, festivals, celebrations

• Carnivals and independence day (feb. 27, declared independence from haiti) are celebrated. Each Sunday in feb. families make costumes for the big parade in santo domingo on the last Sunday in feb.

government

• La republica dominicana is a representative democracy. In a representative democracy people elect officials to represent them in the government and look after their interest. President // vice president elected to serve four years. Voting age is 18, but married people can vote no matter the age.

economy

• Agriculture and mining s the backbone of the economy. Sugarcane along with its by products (sugar, molasses, and rum) is main agricultural product. Majority of sugarcane is exported to the united states.

currency

• The peso is the national currency. There are coins of 1 and 5 pesos and then there are bills for RD$ 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 2000.

transportation

• Most common transportation is two-wheeled vehicles such as scooters, bikes, and motorcycles. Train system is mainly for cargo. Cheap buses (guapus) run in major cities.

education

• The typical age to start school is age seven. Majority continue through 8th grade over one half go to high school (liceo). Those who don’t cant afford books.

• There are many private schools, expensive and non expensive. All wear uniforms.

• The literacy rate is 85%

climate // weather

• Tropical climate, meaning it is hot and humid. There's only two seasons, wet and dry.

landscape // terrain

• La republica dominicana takes up 2/3 of the island Hispaniola. It covers over 48,730 sq. km. (18,815 sq. mi. ). An area just larger than new Hampshire.

history

• Santo domingo, founded in 1495, is the oldest European city.

gestures, words, slang

• Spanish is the official language. They speak very fast and frequently drop the “s” on the end of words. For example they would say gracia instead of gracias.

other // miscellaneous

• They are baseball lovers. Some are major leagues brightest stars.

• The Chicago cub’s Sammy Sosa, who competed with mark McGuire in 1998 for homerun record is most famous Dominican player.