| editor@thetravelwebsite.co.uk Tel: + 44 1359 233 404 |
|
| Top 10 Travel | KUONI | AFRICA | AMERICAS | ASIA | AUSTRALASIA | CARIBBEAN | EUROPE | MIDDLE EAST | Holiday Essentials | Hotels | Travel & Holiday Companies | easyJet holidays | Types of Holidays | ADVERTISE |
Print-friendly version
DOMINICAN REPUBLICThe Discovery In the year 1492 Christopher Columbus touched the coasts of the Island and discovered in its inhabitants an Indian unknown race called Taínos –which in the arawac language means good or noble. The Taínos lived in the Island since the year 800 A.D. Dedicated to a sedentary life, simple but rich in religious and agricultural traditions, created in our Island one of the most outstanding cultures of the Caribbean area. Nevertheless, the discovery and its conquest methods exterminated this race in a period of approximately 50 years, which limited the impact of such Indian culture on the Dominican life. .jpg "dominicanrepublicbemade_in_spain_cd2_007_(Small).jpg") Indian Art. Samples of cave paintings have been found in different locations of the Island, such as in the caves of “Las Maravillas” and “Pomier”, also, when going around the Enriquillo Lake we can appreciate the famous “Caritas” or Little Faces. Other caves, well known for their Indian paintings are in the National Park of the East in “Los Haitises” The Tainian hand crafts of the Island are of superior quality of those of the other islands, most of the artifacts, besides for daily life activities, where used for religious-magical purposes. Two of the most famous artifacts of the tainian art are the Hammock and the Macuto (wicker bag). .jpg "dominicanrepublicbemade_in_spain_cd2_002_(Small).jpg") After the Discovery With the establishment in the year 1492 of the first Fort in La Española –name given to the Island after the discovery- the Island starts a trans-cultural process which defines the Dominican, son of the cultures encounter, product of the race mixture, “population mixed in beliefs and costumes; product of the Espanish conquer and the African slave, with a drop of Indian blood on its background”. La Hispaniola was the first European colony of the New World, and in it’s Capital City, Santo Domingo – also called First City of the Americas – where originated the first colonial cultural and social institutions, the first fortress where built as well as the first churches and the first cathedral, the first hospital and the first monuments and the first university. At the end of the XVI century La Hispaniola was the source of great benefits thanks to its mineral abundance and the system of sugar cane plantations. Nevertheless, the gold mines where emptied, which caused a massive exodus of the population of the colony. French buccaneer who used the island as contraband bridge took advantage of this situation to invade and appropriate of the western part of the Island where they founded the colony of Saint Domingue, based on the exploitation of the plantations with African slaves. With the Agreement of Ryswick, in 1697, Spain tolerated as a fact the occupation of the French in the Western part of the Island. A century later, in 1795, during the Haitian revolution, Spain ceded the colony of Saint Domingue to France. Toussaint Louverture invaded in 1801 the Eastern part of the Island, for which the French responded sending in 1802 a representative, Mr. Leclrec, Napoleon’s brother in law, accompanied by a powerful army in order to claim the territory. The French governed Santo Domingo for a period of six years until they were expulsed out of the territory by a Dominican group headed by Juan Sanchez Ramírez who reincorporated the Eastern part to the Spain colony. In 1822, after 12 years of relative peace, the Haitians again invade Santo Domingo. In 1844 a group of Dominican patriots headed by Juan Pablo Duarte, proclaimed the independent State of Dominican Republic. Internal differences impaired the development of the governmental institutions, which led to a new annexing to the Spanish crown (1861 – 1863), this caused the denominated War of Restoration and the re-denomination of independent Republic. After the DiscoveryWith the establishment in the year 1492 of the first Fort in La Española –name given to the Island after the discovery- the Island starts a trans-cultural process which defines the Dominican, son of the cultures encounter, product of the race mixture, “population mixed in beliefs and costumes; product of the Espanish conquer and the African slave, with a drop of Indian blood on its background”. La Hispaniola was the first European colony of the New World, and in it’s Capital City, Santo Domingo – also called First City of the Americas – where originated the first colonial cultural and social institutions, the first fortress where built as well as the first churches and the first cathedral, the first hospital and the first monuments and the first university. At the end of the XVI century La Hispaniola was the source of great benefits thanks to its mineral abundance and the system of sugar cane plantations. Nevertheless, the gold mines where emptied, which caused a massive exodus of the population of the colony. French buccaneer who used the island as contraband bridge took advantage of this situation to invade and appropriate of the western part of the Island where they founded the colony of Saint Domingue, based on the exploitation of the plantations with African slaves. With the Agreement of Ryswick, in 1697, Spain tolerated as a fact the occupation of the French in the Western part of the Island. A century later, in 1795, during the Haitian revolution, Spain ceded the colony of Saint Domingue to France. Toussaint Louverture invaded in 1801 the Eastern part of the Island, for which the French responded sending in 1802 a representative, Mr. Leclrec, Napoleon’s brother in law, accompanied by a powerful army in order to claim the territory. The French governed Santo Domingo for a period of six years until they were expulsed out of the territory by a Dominican group headed by Juan Sanchez Ramírez who reincorporated the Eastern part to the Spain colony. In 1822, after 12 years of relative peace, the Haitians again invade Santo Domingo. In 1844 a group of Dominican patriots headed by Juan Pablo Duarte, proclaimed the independent State of Dominican Republic. Internal differences impaired the development of the governmental institutions, which led to a new annexing to the Spanish crown (1861 – 1863), this caused the denominated War of Restoration and the re-denomination of independent Republic. Topography and Climate The country’s topography is generally rugged and mountainous, dominated by four parallel mountain ranges extending in a northwesterly direction. Most of its eastern region is characterized by steep valleys and lowland plains. Though many of the nation’s numerous rivers are too shallow for navigation, they are an important source of water and hydroelectric power. The Dominican Republic has two rainy seasons, one in the late spring and one in the fall, with the heavies precipitation in the northern and eastern parts of the country. .jpg "dominicanrepublicpemade_in_spain_cd1_023_(Small).jpg") The fertile Dominican soil is appropriate for cultivating any grain. According to the W. Koppen Climate Classification System the predominant climate is that of humid tropical savanna, with five variations or microclimates, classified as: humid, dry steppe, tropical jungle, forest, and savanna. The average annual temperature fluctuates between 18°C/65° and 27ºC/ 81ºF. For Dominicans there is only one season: Summer. Beaches in The Dominican Republic The Beaches of the Dominican Republic. A special place where nature's treasures remain unspoiled and the simple joys of easy living are still easy to find. Here, in the heard of the Caribbean, you will discover more than 1,288 km of Coast line with the most beautiful beaches of the Caribbean in all different styles. Find white sandy beaches, diving attractions and unspoiled nature all around the island. Discover our regions world class resorts and explore the beauty of nature or the excitement of festivals and events. Savor the many delights of fine cuisine or casual fare. Venture "off-the-beaten-path" and browse unique galleries, antique shops, and artists colonies. Challenge yourself with championship golf along the north coast of Playa Grande or just relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of the Island. Try one of the hundreds of water sports activities our Island has to offer; • W i n d s u r f i n g • S n o r k e l i n g • P a r a s a i l i n g • S a i l i n g • S c u b a D i v i n g • D e e p S e a F i s h i n g • a n d m u c h m o r e . . . Sport in The Dominican Republic Dominican Republic is a paradise for the sports lovers offering the biggest variety of sports in the Caribbean. The colorful waters of its gorgeous beaches are the perfect scenery for windsurfing, jet skiing, scuba diving to explore ship wrecks, sailing, boat rides, deep sea fishing. Inland you can enjoy our spectacular golf courses, tennis, polo, horse back riding, shooting and cycling, river rafting and much more ... Baseball is the national passion and is played with intensity. The Dominican Republic is the origin of many major leagues players in the United States and Japan. Almost every week, international sport events are celebrated in Santo Domingo where first class sports installation exists such as the “V Centenario” horse race track (with view to the Caribbean sea), Sebelén Bowling Center, The Americas Car Race Track, The Boxing Palace, or the Juan Pablo Duarte Olimpic Center. In Puerto Plata has been recently opened a multi sports center which is an excellent installation for basketball championships of International category. Santo Domingo will be the host of the Panamerican Games Flora and Fauna There are 16 national parks, nine natural monuments and six scientific reserves in the Dominican Republic. The total number of protected areas (including panoramic routes, recreational areas and ecological corridors) is 67. All are under the control of the Dirección Nacional de Parques. Armando Bermúdez and José del Carmen Ramírez, both containing pine forests and mountains in the Cordillera Central are the only remaining areas of extensive forest in the Republic; it is estimated that since the arrival of Columbus, two-thirds of the virgin forest has been destroyed. The reasons for the loss are fire and the establishment of smallholdings by landless peasants. By setting up these parks the gloomy prediction of 1973, that all the Dominican Republic’s forest would vanish by 1990, has been avoided. In addition, a pilot reforestation project has been started near San José de las Matas, the Plan Sierra. .jpg "dominicanrepublicanmade_in_spain_cd2_018_(Small).jpg") Images courtesy of Dominican Republic Tourism and Fotoseeker.com
|
|
| The Travel Website The Lilacs
, Thurston Road
, Great Barton
, Suffolk, IP31 2PL, United Kingdom - Show map - Tel: + 44 1359 233 404 Email: editor@thetravelwebsite.co.uk Copyright © The Travel Website 2012. Directory Software by Global 7. |