THE HISTORY

Named by its Spanish settlers “Hispaniola”, the island became the base for the expansion of the Spanish empire into the new world. The city of Santo Domingo (originally named “La Isabela”) was founded in 1496, and soon became the seat of the first cathedral, the first hospital and the first university of America. Only a year after gaining its independence from Spain in 1821, the eastern part of the island was occupied by Haiti. This occupation ended on February 27, 1844 with the proclamation of the National Independence. Since 1966, ten democratic elections have been held, alternating the power between the three main political parties.

The Dominican Republic’s Latin style is a sharp contrast to the character of many nearby islands, especially the British and French-influenced ones, and is reflected in both the local music and cuisine

CULTURE

Dominicans’ love of dancing was recorded as early as 1795, by the French visitor, Father Labat, who commented that:

“Dance is, in Santo Domingo, the favourite passion...”.

Singing is as much a passion as dance, with children being rocked and sung to from birth. Children grow up with singing games and even sing before starting school work. Traditional songs include the countryside plenas, and cantos de hacha (axe songs) in the conuco (plot of land for cultivation). In the countryside, when a child dies, the baquiní is sung.

FOOD

While the finest European cuisine is available at restaurants within Punta Perla, residents will be attracted to the variety of delicious local favourites. Considered the ‘breadbasket of the Caribbean’, most of the country’s meals are grown, farmed or caught here - virtually everything is available, from strawberries grown in the fertile Cibao Valley to the lobster, mahi-mahi and swordfish caught off shore