| The Dominican Republic is the second largest | | | | the colony and ruled it until 1821. The country fell |
| country in the Carribbean region of the world. The | | | | to the Haitians again in 1822, and they ruled until |
| Dominican Republic lies to the east of the | | | | 1844. The Spanish empire again took possession |
| Caribbean Islands and is bounded by the Atlantic | | | | of the country from 1861 to1865. |
| Ocean in the north and the Caribbean Sea in the | | | | The United States occupied the country between |
| south. The Dominican Republic enjoys a | | | | 1916 and 1924. From 1930 to 1961, a military |
| representative democracy similar to that in the | | | | dictator by name Rafael Leónidas Trujillo |
| U.S. The history of the republic dates back to | | | | Molina ruled the country. Joaquín Balaguer, |
| over 5,000 years. Christopher Columbus explored | | | | the leader of PRSC (Partido Reformista Social |
| it in 1492. He named the new colony, La | | | | Cristiano), was the president of the country from |
| Española. Taino Indians were the inhabitants | | | | 1966 to 1978. The country became stable in his |
| of the island at that time. The capital city of | | | | regime. He was defeated by Salvador Jorge |
| Santo Domingo was founded in 1496. History saw | | | | Blanco of the Dominican Revolutionary Party in |
| the Spanish ruling the country in the era preceding | | | | 1982. He was re-elected in 1990. Since 1996, |
| 1795. The French took over that year. The | | | | competitive presidential elections have been |
| French lost their possessions to the Haitians who | | | | conducted on a regular basis. |
| ruled it from 1804 to 1808. Spain gained control of | | | | |