|
A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative, rule for much of its subsequent history was brought to an end in 1966 when Joaquin BALAGUER became president. He maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years, until international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency.
The Dominican Economy has had one of the fastest growth rates in the hemisphere over the past decade 1990-2000.
Location :
Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the Island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti.
Area :
Total : 48,730 sq. km - Land : 48,380 sq. km - Water : 350 sq. km
Land Boundaries :
Total : 360 km - Border countries : Haiti 360 km
Coastline :
1 288 km
Terrain :
Rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed.
Elevation Extremes :
Lowest : Lago Enriquillo -46 m - Highest : Pico Duarte 3 175 m
Natural Resources :
Nickel - bauxite - gold - silver
Natural Hazards :
Lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October - Occasional flooding - Periodic droughts
Environment - Current Issues :
Water shortages - Soil eroding into the sea - Damages coral reefs - Deforestation - Hurricane damage
Geography - Note :
Shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti) | 
Hispaniola Island
Dominican Republic
