1. Dominican Republic By Sean James By Sean James

2. Basic Data  Official Name:Dominican Republic  Total Area: 48,671 square kilometers  Location : South- Caribbean sea, Venezuela North – Bahamas, Florida East – Atlantic ocean West – Haiti, Jamaica Cuba  Head of Government: President  Capital: Santo Domingo  Major Cities: Santo Domingo, Santiago, La Romana, San Francisco de Macoris, San Cristobal  Language: Spanish  Religions: Christianity  Currency: Dominican Peso  Population: 9 million

3. Flag and its Significance In 1908 the Dominican flag had blue and red quadrants placed in alternating positions. Each of the colors in the flag has its own significance. The blue signifies the expansive sky above our land and the red symbolizes the blood spilled by the heroes who gave their lives fighting for the freedom of their country against the Haitians. The white represents the dedication and dignity of the Dominican people.

4. Dominican Republic At first the whole island of Hispaniola was under Haitian control which the Dominicans called "The Haitian Occupation". During the late 1830's, an underground resistance group, La Trinitaria, was organized under the leadership of Juan Pablo Duarte. At first the whole island of Hispaniola was under Haitian control which the Dominicans called "The Haitian Occupation". During the late 1830's, an underground resistance group, La Trinitaria, was organized under the leadership of Juan Pablo Duarte. After multiple attacks on the Haitian army, and because of the arguing of the Haitians, they eventually retreated. Independence of the eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola was officially declared on February 27, 1844, República Dominicana (Dominican Republic). After multiple attacks on the Haitian army, and because of the arguing of the Haitians, they eventually retreated. Independence of the eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola was officially declared on February 27, 1844, República Dominicana (Dominican Republic).

5. Historical Occurrence In the mid-1970s the Balaguer government was destabilized because of a surge in oil prices, a crash in the price of sugar, and increases in unemployment and inflation. Human rights and political freedom were better observed then. The country, however, incurred enormous foreign debt, and the International Monetary Fund required unimaginable economic measures, such as a decrease of funding and increase in prices of staple goods, and restricted credit. In the mid-1970s the Balaguer government was destabilized because of a surge in oil prices, a crash in the price of sugar, and increases in unemployment and inflation. Human rights and political freedom were better observed then. The country, however, incurred enormous foreign debt, and the International Monetary Fund required unimaginable economic measures, such as a decrease of funding and increase in prices of staple goods, and restricted credit.

6. Major Holidays The Day of Our Lady of Altagracia - January 21 The Day of Our Lady of Altagracia - January 21 Corpus Christi - June 17 Corpus Christi - June 17 The Feast of Our Lady of Mercy - September 24 The Feast of Our Lady of Mercy - September 24

7. A Famous Man-Made Structure The cathedral of Santa Maria is the oldest cathedral in the western hemisphere, built in 1523 and still in use. Its walls have seen a great deal of history, including the coming of Sir Francis Drake who captured Santo Domingo in 1586 and held the town for ransom. He made the cathedral his headquarters. The cathedral of Santa Maria is the oldest cathedral in the western hemisphere, built in 1523 and still in use. Its walls have seen a great deal of history, including the coming of Sir Francis Drake who captured Santo Domingo in 1586 and held the town for ransom. He made the cathedral his headquarters.

8. A Famous Geological Creation Duarte Peak, at 10,417 ft (3,175 m), is the highest point in the West Indies and is located in the Dominican republic Duarte Peak, at 10,417 ft (3,175 m), is the highest point in the West Indies and is located in the Dominican republic

9. Famous Man Juan Pablo Duarte Juan Pablo was a liberal leader of the famous La Trinitaria. He is considered one of the national heroes, as he helped the Dominican Republic achieve independence from Haiti in 1844. Juan Pablo is considered as the architect of the Dominican Republic.Haiti

10. Famous Woman Milly Quezada Milagros Quezada Borbon is considered as the queen of merengue music in the Dominican Republic and USA. She received the Latin Grammy awards for her albums, Pienso asi and MQ.

11. Favorite Food "La Bandera“ is the most popular national dish in Dominican Republic. It is a combination of rice, red beans, stewed meat (usually goat), salad and fried plantains. Comida Criolla is also popular. It is a stewed chicken dish served with rice and beans. The only true Taino dishes that are still common are Casabe - flat bread made from the yucca plant. "La Bandera“ is the most popular national dish in Dominican Republic. It is a combination of rice, red beans, stewed meat (usually goat), salad and fried plantains. Comida Criolla is also popular. It is a stewed chicken dish served with rice and beans. The only true Taino dishes that are still common are Casabe - flat bread made from the yucca plant.

12. Works Cited "Dominican Republic food and Caribbean Recipes." punta cana information guide. 2005. 18 Aug. 2010.. "Dominican Republic." countries and their cultures. 2010. 17 Aug. 2010.. "Dominican Republic." infoplease. 2000. 17 Aug. 2010.. "Famous People in the Dominican Republic." Buzzle. 2000. 17 Aug. 2000.. Guitar, Lynn. "History of the Dominican Republic." Hispaniola. 1996. 17 Aug. 1996..

13. Works cited "Piron, Otto. "Dominican Flag: History and Evolution." El Bohio Dominicano. 2001. 17 Aug. 2010.. "dominican republic travel guide." iexplore. 2010. 17 Aug. 2010.. "graphic maps." worldatlas. 17 Aug. 1996.. "Dominican Republic Fast Facts." Dominican Republic. 17 Aug. 2010.. "Dominican Republic food and Caribbean Recipes." punta cana information guide. 2005. 18 Aug. 2010. <http://www.puntacana-information-guide.com/dominican-republic-food.html>."Dominican Republic food and Caribbean Recipes." punta cana information guide. 2005. 18 Aug. 2010. <http://www.puntacana-information-guide.com/dominican-republic-food.html>. "Dominican Republic." countries and their cultures. 2010. 17 Aug. 2010. <http://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Dominican-Republic.html>."Dominican Republic." countries and their cultures. 2010. 17 Aug. 2010. <http://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Dominican-Republic.html>. "Dominican Republic." infoplease. 2000. 17 Aug. 2010. <http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107475.html#axzz0wvMoLDtt>."Dominican Republic." infoplease. 2000. 17 Aug. 2010. <http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107475.html#axzz0wvMoLDtt>. "Famous People in the Dominican Republic." Buzzle. 2000. 17 Aug. 2000. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/famous-people-in-the-dominican-republic.html>."Famous People in the Dominican Republic." Buzzle. 2000. 17 Aug. 2000. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/famous-people-in-the-dominican-republic.html>. Guitar, Lynn. "History of the Dominican Republic." Hispaniola. 1996. 17 Aug. 1996. <http://www.hispaniola.com/dominican_republic/info/history.php>.Guitar, Lynn. "History of the Dominican Republic." Hispaniola. 1996. 17 Aug. 1996. <http://www.hispaniola.com/dominican_republic/info/history.php>. Piron, Otto. "Dominican Flag: History and Evolution." El Bohio Dominicano. 2001. 17 Aug. 2010. <http://www.el-bohio.com/flag.html>.Piron, Otto. "Dominican Flag: History and Evolution." El Bohio Dominicano. 2001. 17 Aug. 2010. <http://www.el-bohio.com/flag.html>. "dominican republic travel guide." iexplore. 2010. 17 Aug. 2010. <http://www.iexplore.com/world_travel/Dominican+Republic/Attractions>."dominican republic travel guide." iexplore. 2010. 17 Aug. 2010. <http://www.iexplore.com/world_travel/Dominican+Republic/Attractions>. "graphic maps." worldatlas. 17 Aug. 1996. <http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/caribb/do.htm>."graphic maps." worldatlas. 17 Aug. 1996. <http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/caribb/do.htm>.