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Dominican Republic. Lulu Laush. Population. 9,956,648 people One of the highest rates of pop. increase in it’s region. 1.331% Diversity: Mixed 73%, white 16%, black 11 % Spanish is the official language Age distribution: 0-14 years: 29.5% ( male1,493,251/female 1,441,735)
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Dominican Republic Lulu Laush
Population • 9,956,648 people • One of the highest rates of pop. increase in it’s region. 1.331% • Diversity: Mixed 73%, white 16%, black 11% • Spanish is the official language • Age distribution: • 0-14 years: 29.5% (male1,493,251/female 1,441,735) • 15-64 years: 64% (male 3,251,419/female 3,120,540) • 65 years and over: 6.5% (male 300,245/female 349,458)
Economy • Unemployment Rate: 13.3% • Wealth distribution: Lowest 10%= 1.5% Highest 10 %= 38.7% • Economic Growth Rate: 7.8% • Gini Coefficient: 49.9 Rank: 24 • Below Poverty Line: 42.2%
Industries • Sugar • Hispaniola was used as a sugar plantation by French colonists, and that tradition of sugar has lived on until today. • Ferronickel • This is a sort of alloy used in making nickel steels. It is 45 % nickel. This can also be made into stainless steel • Cocoa • While many other Latin American countries make cocoa beans, the Dominican Republic is one of the largest exporters, it exports more cocoa beans than Brazil
Government • Democratic Republic • Independence from Haiti, 27 February 1844 • Current Government Officials • President: LeonelFernándezReyna • Foreign Minister: Carlos Morales Troncoso • Ambassador to U.S.: Anibalde Castro • Ambassador to U.N.: VirgilioAlcántara • Ambassador to the Organization of American States: Roberto Saladín
Making the Headlines • Overthrow of the King of Spain- 1810 • After a on and off battle for 15 years for Hispaniola Napoleon overtook Spain • Hispaniola became a colony of France • Trujillo’s Reign- 1930-1961 • His Presidency ended with his assassination • During his time in office, he was responsible for the deaths of 50,000 people • Corrupt leadership throughout his time as President • The Peasant's Revolt-1983 • Unfair treatment of poorer citizens during the election led to revolt
A Star of the Dominican Republic • Julia Alvarez • Author of In the Time of The Butterflies • Born in New York but at 3months old moved to D.R. • Both parents were natives to the Dominican Republic • When she was 10 she moved back to the U.S. • She trained herself to be a writer because when she first came to the U.S. she didn’t understand English. She had to listen closely and pay attention to language.
Current Events • Tourism is up 14% • More tourism is always better for the economy, this is one current event with a positive effect. Tourism is one of the best ways for the D.R.’s economy to improve. • Drug trafficking • As it is an issue in many Latin American countries, the Dominicans have become very skilled in their ways of trafficking, using wheelchairs and bicycle frames for example. This has a negative effect because the operations are becoming more and more successful, meaning more criminal activity and issues for the law • Hurricane Irene • This effects the life of many people especially since the brunt of it’s force is in Santo Domingo, the capitol of the D.R.,as well as a highly populated area. 7000 people are currently out of their homes
Culture • The Merengue • A type of dance and music which uses 2/2 and 2/4 time • Combines African and European sounds • The three main instruments used are the melodean (accordion-like instrument) Guïra(washboard) and a tambora(drum) • This dance is a well-known art form as well as a past-time
Speaking Terms • The U.S. supports the D.R. because they are a democracy and have the largest Caribbean economy. The U.S. supports them to prosper • Many of the residents have duel citizenship with U.S. • U.S. exports to the D.R. were $6.6billion in 2008 • The U.S. wants to modernize and continue to improve on the D.R.’s economic, political, and social systems