Subsequently, disease and slavery were introduced by the Spanish conquistadors, and the indigenous Arawak peoples were destroyed.
 
 In the 17th Century, with the Spanish in control, the French established a colony on the island. The Spanish later ceded the western third of Hispaniola in 1697, which in 1804 became known as Haiti.
 
 The remainder of the island, then known as Santo Domingo, declared its independence in 1821, however, it was immediately occupied by Haiti. It finally gained total independence in 1844, and became the Dominican Republic.
 
 Ruled by a series of dictators for the next 134 years, democracy was finally introduced in 1978. Today this beautiful island of gregarious people and stunning scenery is a popular Caribbean destination, as unlike its neighbor to the west, the country's economy is one of the fasting growing in the western hemisphere.

Quick Facts and Figures
Official Name Dominican Republic
Population 9,219,800 
Capital City Santo Domingo (2.25 million)
Languages Spanish (official)

Official Currency Dominican Peso
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Religions Catholic (95%)
Latitude/Longitude 19º 00N, 70º 40W
Land Area 48,730 sq km (18,815 sq miles)
Highest Pt. Pico Duarte, 10,417 ft. (3,175 m)
Landforms The Dominican Republic, occupying the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, is mountainous in the central and west, while extensive lowlands dominate the east.
The rugged Cordillera Central (mountains) include Pico Duarte, the country's highest point, and the highest point in the Caribbean. Several peaks here exceed 5,000 ft. Lesser ranges cover the northern coastlines, and the southwestern border areas with Haiti.
Compared to the tropical conditions in the west, the lowlands of the southeast are exceptionally dry, with very little usable plant growth.
Lake Enriquillo, on the southwestern border, is the largest lake, while the largest rivers include the Yaque del Norte and Yuna. Dozens of smaller rivers and streams run from the mountains to the sea.