The original culture of the Dominican Republic: population, religion, language, art, music, character and disposition, social life. Nationality - Dominican
The distant exotic Dominican Republic fell in love with many Russians thanks to tours that are enviably popular with compatriots. But move on Caribbean shores for permanent residence? It’s worth a try, Elizaveta Braginskaya, a native of St. Petersburg, decided. And she did not lose: among the palm trees and white sand found her second home and started a family. "Lenta.ru" recorded her story about everyday life in the resort town of Punta Cana.
Will of the Fates
I was born in Leningrad, grew up in St. Petersburg. She graduated from St. Petersburg State University with a degree in psychology. But photography became my profession - in college times it was a hobby, which then turned into a full-time job. She also lived in Moscow for several years, working in the field of advertising and television business. I have been living in the Dominican Republic for five years. Here I met the man who became my husband. Artem is from Kazakhstan. Our son was born here in the Dominican Republic.
I came to the country purely by accident, I had no idea to move from Russia anywhere. Once I saw a vacancy for a photographer on the Internet indicating that I had to work in the Dominican Republic. I thought: why not? I signed up with employers, they accepted me. The original idea was to go away for a year, take a break from the big city. But I liked the country, and the “rest” turned out to be longer than planned.
Settlement-international
Punta Cana where we live is the main resort town countries. But, of course, in the understanding of a Muscovite or a Petersburger, this is more of an urban-type settlement. The city is young and one hundred percent touristic, it is a large hotel zone. Hotels are located on the first line, apartments and houses are located on the second local residents.
There are many expats and downshifters from all over the world in Punta Cana: Argentines, Colombians, Germans, French come and live. There are also enough Russians, although many of those who lived on incomes received at home in rubles were forced to leave after an unfavorable change in the dollar exchange rate (here it is the “greens”, and also, of course, the peso).
Basically, all the foreigners who live here are somehow engaged in the tourist industry. There are, of course, exceptions: I know engineers who came here to work, but they live in the capital, in Santo Domingo. Here, in Punta Cana, you can earn money mainly in the hospitality industry.
I organized a business for the preparation and conduct wedding photo shoots. My husband first worked as a bartender, and now, together with a friend, he is starting his own project in the restaurant business.
Summer and hell
According to my feelings, heat and humidity are transferred here more easily than, for example, in South-East Asia. Average annual temperature- 30 degrees. In summer it is more humid, in winter it is drier, and due to this it seems that it is cooler. The locals say: "In the Dominican Republic there is summer and there is hell." That is, winter is like summer, and summer is very hot.
In general, the body quickly adapts to the new climate. It’s funny to say, but I don’t swim in winter anymore: like the locals, it seems to me that it’s a bit cold (air 29 degrees, water 26). Dominicans go in winter in hats and down jackets. We haven't gotten to that yet, but we can put on a leather jacket.
Good and not cheap
I can't say that life here is much cheaper than in Moscow or St. Petersburg. At the same time, the average salary of the locals is $300, so they mostly live modestly.
Our monthly expenses are 1500-2000 dollars. This is a sufficient amount for a normal standard of living, but without any expensive entertainment and travel.
We live in the area of Bavaro beaches in the apartments, which are located in a fenced protected area, there is a kitchen-living room, two bedrooms, a terrace and two bathrooms. We pay $500 a month for this apartment. In theory, with this money it would be possible to rent an entire villa, but without the local private security company. Why it is better not to save on security - I will tell a little later.
We pay about a hundred dollars a month for electricity, it's expensive here. How much does the Internet and two mobile phone. Another hundred a month goes to pay medical insurance. We buy groceries for $100 a week. Gasoline costs one and a half dollars per liter.
No need to make a cult out of food
The inhabitants of the republic are the descendants of slaves, and their cuisine is very unpretentious. The most popular products are rice, chicken, and to them - bean sauce. There are still a lot of "relatives" of potatoes - yucca, sweet potato, yams. They love plane trees - this is such a banana, but unsweetened, it is beaten off and fried like potatoes. local fruits, exotic by our standards, are inexpensive, but simple apples are already imports and cost decently.
On the menu local cafes there is no abundance that you get used to in a large Russian city, there are no some products that are popular in our homeland, especially dairy products. They are generally not respected here because of the heat.
We miss loose leaf tea - they drink coffee here, and even buying a kettle turned out to be a problem (of course, I found it in Ikea). But if you really want something, you can always get it: there are Russian families here who cook and sell the usual sour-milk products, pickle cucumbers, and so on. Clients and friends bring edible gifts from Russia, which you will not find here - halva, gingerbread, dryers.
Childbirth: let's start by praying
State Dominican medicine, frankly, leaves much to be desired. Perhaps there are good budget doctors here, but they do not have the necessary equipment for examinations. Nevertheless, local residents mainly use free healthcare (if you remember the price of insurance and the average salary, it becomes clear why).
We apply for insurance to private clinics. They are very good here, they are somewhat similar to the American ones - both in the emergency room and in the management of patients. I also gave birth to a child here, in the Dominican Republic, the birth was included in the insurance (without it, it would have cost about a thousand dollars).
My births are worthy of a separate story, because in the Russian sense they were quite unusual. While preparing me for the operation, the nurses cheerfully chatted among themselves about something feminine in the style of “What is he? And she? ”, And the surgeons prayed before proceeding! So they all took it together and read a prayer. When the son was already being taken out, everyone suddenly began to sing “Que lindo, que lindo ...” (“How wonderful, how wonderful ...”). It was so touching and very Dominican, we didn't expect it at all.
In general, pregnant women and children in the Dominican Republic are treated very reverently. Everyone loves babies. When we returned home from the maternity hospital, the guards of our residence, adult 40-year-old men, ran up with smiles to congratulate and wish good health.
Features of the national antistress
The Dominican Republic always occupies high positions in the corresponding world rankings in terms of happiness. The locals are very positive. There are no problems for them at all - everything is always good. There is a saying in use here: if a problem can be solved, it is no longer a problem, there is nothing to worry about, and if it cannot be solved, it is all the more pointless to get upset.
Dominicans are very religious and constantly commemorate God, the phrase "Si Dios quiere" is especially popular. Sometimes it sounds quite comical: for example, you are interested in whether a plumber will come to you today, and in response: “If the Lord wills.”
We here, of course, also became calm, unhurried. We especially notice this when we communicate with tourists who have come from Russia.
Social circle: less is more
For five years in Punta Cana, we assimilated. Learned Spanish. I make mistakes, but in general it was not difficult, because before that I already knew English, French, German.
Nevertheless, we communicate here mainly with Russian speakers. But there are also Spanish-speaking acquaintances, and from Israel, and our closest neighbor is a Turk.
When I left Russia, I had a very wide social circle, many friends from Moscow and St. Petersburg. But now, after five years abroad, many acquaintances have fallen off. When you live in big city, around a lot of pleasant, interesting people, but not all of them can really be called friends. Emigration puts everything in its place: communication is preserved only with truly close ones. Now, perhaps, in my homeland I have ten people from my inner circle with whom I keep in touch.
A New Friend and the American Dream
We got a dog, a golden retriever. We have specially chosen a breed that treats kids well: our Baloo is a nanny dog. But the Dominicans do not understand anything about dogs: they are afraid of our good-natured bumpkin, who, at most, can lick them to death. In general, in my opinion, the locals are afraid of any living creatures larger than a matchbox.
My husband and I joke that here, in the Dominican Republic, we accidentally arranged for ourselves an American dream life: a child, a retriever, a green lawn, the only thing missing is a white fence around the house.
Safety
In my opinion, the level of crime in the Dominican Republic is about the same as in Moscow, it's just different here.
There are disadvantaged areas in Santo Domingo - for example, those where Haitians live, even the locals will not go there. But still, it seems to me that it is safer here than in Russia. Crime is somehow more predictable: follow certain rules of the game or don't be surprised that, for example, you were robbed on the street. It is not necessary, relatively speaking, to stand in a dark alley and, highlighting the iPhone, count the cash.
There is no such thing as in Moscow - you go to the subway, meet the eyes of someone hostile and start: "Hey, why are you looking like that, let's get out" and so on. Dominicans don't even know how to fight properly - they just kick and kick.
But robberies are real. And here it is important to remember the golden rule (which, however, is relevant in any country): if you are threatened with a weapon, give what is asked. There were stories when tourists tried to resist, and it always ended badly.
Local thieves are very fond of yellow gold. They may not look at white or platinum, but they are not indifferent to the classics.
Nevertheless, I think it’s wrong when guides intimidate everyone in the style of “stay in hotels, it’s very dangerous around”. As I said, you just need to know and follow the rules.
Leisure
My husband loves surfing. So free time on weekdays and weekends, he usually spends on the beach, this is for him best holiday. I can’t call myself a sports person, healthy lifestyle has bypassed me, so I prefer reading, cinema, meeting with friends. Of course, sometimes I go out to the ocean.
The appearance of the child has limited our movements, but we still try to get out in interesting trips around the island - for birthdays, holidays. Everyone thinks that the Dominican Republic is just lying on the beach, but this is not so, there is a lot to see here, and nature is different everywhere.
Travelers definitely need to go to Santo Domingo. There are many attractions - for example, Las Damas, the most old street New World.
In addition to the beaches with the famous white sand, there are beaches with black, and pink, and pebble. There is an Oviedo lagoon where they live pink flamingos; there are stone islands in the water, iguanas live on them. Near the border with Haiti there is the Bay of Eagles, there are huge turtles. Interesting Enriquiyo - a lake that was formed as a result of a shift tectonic plates a million years ago; crocodiles live there.
Very beautiful beaches on the Samana Peninsula. In the period from February to March, you can see humpback whales there - they are huge, 14 meters. There, in general, nature is somewhat similar to the Thai islands - green hills, mountains. The French community lives on the peninsula, so the cuisine in the cafe is different from that in Punta Cana. When you come to breakfast to taste croissants, you can hear "bonjour, madame" from the waiter.
With an overnight stay, it’s good to go to Duarte Peak, the main mountain peak Dominican Republic. There you can put up a tent and meet the most beautiful sunrise.
The Constanta Valley is called the Caribbean Switzerland: it is not hot there, at night the temperature can drop to 13 degrees. There are many good, cozy hotels in Constanta.
In the Dominican Republic, you should never stay in a hotel. Study the information on the Internet, make a route and see the country yourself.
Visits to Moscow and St. Petersburg
We rarely see our family, about once a year. My mother lives in Israel, my grandparents live in St. Petersburg. Visiting them all turns out to be expensive, and if you also visit Moscow, where there are also close people, then it’s quite expensive. Even considering that our income is in dollars. Flying to Moscow by charter costs about 700-800 dollars per person (round trip).
Plans
While the son does not go to school and even while he is in elementary grades, you can live in the Dominican Republic, but then, most likely, you will have to look for a country where he can get a decent education. There are, of course, good private schools in the Dominican Republic, but they are quite expensive. Education in the lower grades costs about $ 500 per month, then more expensive. At the same time, you can’t pay by months, the money is paid immediately for the year.
The Dominican Republic has become our second home. There is a completely different rhythm of life here, there is no feeling of the heaviness of being, as in Russia, other relationships between people. Returning home will be very difficult. Most likely, we will look for another country to move to.
What is life like in the Dominican Republic? What is life like for local residents, and what attracts residents from different countries, including our compatriots? You will receive answers to all these and many other questions in this article.
Standard of living in the Dominican Republic
Despite the fact that the Dominican Republic, like most countries Latin America, belongs to the category of third world countries, this small state is actively developing.
Over the past decades, the business associated with tourism has risen very much here, but still most of the local population is engaged in agriculture. Because the Dominican Republic is primarily an agrarian country.
Well, the life of a Dominican peasant cannot be called abundant and rich - he has very modest incomes and often feeds on his own subsistence farming, which is called "from the garden."
More successful can be called those who managed to settle down in the tourism industry. The average salary for such workers is $300 per month.
Those who work in public institutions or serve in the army, they also get good and can count on career growth.
But no one here is chasing wealth, because life is on sunny island beautiful as well! Therefore, the locals do not know what stress is and, thanks to their optimism, live for 80 years!
And despite the fact that the Dominicans are by no means bathed in money, this is an amazingly cheerful nation! They are never in a hurry, they smile at the world and at each other, and spend their whole lives dancing to fiery Latin rhythms.
By the way, night life in the Dominican Republic it is in full swing literally every day, so you can go to a local party to feel the local flavor on any day. Admission to them is free, and drinks at the bar are very budget.
There are also nightclubs in the Dominican Republic European level. There you can see colorful shows, celebrity performances and hear world hits from the best DJs. But the price tag for such events will be European.
Well, what is the cost of living in the Dominican Republic?
In general, due to the fact that the Dominican Republic - Island state- Life in it is quite expensive. This is due to the fact that many products and goods are exported from the States and other Caribbean countries.
If the cost of local fruits, vegetables and some other products produced in the Dominican Republic is quite acceptable, then a surcharge will apply to everything exported. This applies to branded clothing, household appliances, and much more.
Housing
Housing prices, of course, mainly depend on where exactly it is located. Most high prices will, of course, be tourist areas. This is especially true of Punta Cana.
On average, apartments within walking distance from the sea on the territory of a guarded residence will cost $ 500.
If you decide to buy real estate, then the prices here also vary. An apartment in a typical residential complex will cost around $30,000, prices for villas start from 300,000 greenbacks, and a plot of land can be purchased for as little as $20,000.
Utilities services are also added to the regular monthly expenses. The most expensive of them is electricity. It is quite expensive, and for a month of moderate use runs on average one hundred dollars.
But you don’t have to pay for heating - it simply doesn’t exist in the Dominican Republic, because eternal summer reigns on the island!
Telephone plus Internet can be connected from local operators cellular communication, plans start at around $50 per month.
There is no central gas pipeline in the Dominican Republic. Therefore, everyone uses gas cylinders, which once every 2-3 months have to be charged at special gas stations. This pleasure costs about 18 dollars.
But there is running water in the Dominican Republic! Here! But the water is highly chlorinated and not suitable for drinking. The tropics, you know, it's like that. Therefore, everyone drinks water from large 20-liter bottles, which usually cost no more than a dollar.
Transport is divided into
- local minibuses "gau-gua" (fare about a dollar)
- motoconcho - such an exotic moto-taxi (fare from a dollar or more, depending on the distance and region)
- intercity buses (cost from $10)
For car enthusiasts, we have the following news: the cost of renting a car starts from $40 per day, a liter of gasoline costs about $1-1.5.
But what is life in the Dominican Republic like for Russians?
Some ten years ago, getting a residence permit in the Dominican Republic was as easy as shelling pears. What some of our compatriots used in time. But with the influx of a large number of migrants from various countries, the relevant legislation of the Dominican Republic began to tighten every year.
As a result, now the Russians need to provide an impressive package of documents and grounds for obtaining a residence permit at the Dominican consulate in Moscow. The rules change every six months, so it's best to clarify them in advance.
But in order to go for a month or two and take a closer look at the country, Russians do not need a visa. By filling out a tourist card at the airport and paying $ 10 for it, you can legally stay in the country for 30 days. And if this was not enough for you, then you can extend the pleasure for another month by contacting the police department at the place of residence in the Dominican Republic.
Where is the Russian diaspora concentrated and what do our expats do in the Dominican Republic?
The bulk of those who came from Russia live in the tourist area of Punta Cana, because it is there that it is easiest to find work in tourism, real estate, trade, or try to stir up some kind of own business.
There are those who prefer the free winds of the north of the island - Puerto Plata, Cabarete , Sosua , Samana, Las Terrenas . Among them are many surfers, photographers, and indeed all sorts of creative young people who work remotely or live on rent.
Have you ever wondered how deep the difference between two people can be? Ten? Hundred ...? What is it? How irreconcilable can it be? environment and set off in search of a new one?
If you flew to the Dominican Republic to rest for a couple of weeks, then do not fool your head. Take a break from the works of the righteous under the hot sun of the Dominican Republic and do not think about anything.
If you are planning to move here to permanent place residence, then look for answers now. Let's try to do it together. Maybe, going down the ladder of the plane at Las Americas or Gregorio Luperon airport, you will at least approximately know what points to pay attention to in the first place.
No, not the acquisition of real estate, land, cars, new acquaintances among compatriots living here ..... The main issue that you have to decide is knowledge of the language.
There is one wise proverb that says: "If you want to sell something, then the language will not help you. If you are going to buy something, then they will understand you like that." And if you do not plan to buy or sell? Therefore, attaching primary importance to the study of the language, you solve over time, in one fell swoop, a lot of tasks that have not even arisen before you. The main of which, oddly enough, is interaction with the local population.
Alas. Together with the stunning nature, good weather, relatively calm and stable political situation, we also get an environment in the form of Dominicans and Haitians. Neither of them are the original inhabitants of the island.
conquistadors Spanish crown at one time they thoughtlessly tried for the good of the kingdom and, as a result, the Taino, the indigenous inhabitants of the island, were completely exterminated. As you can see, even then, for the sake of the mercantile interests of the Spanish nobles and the royal court, people of a different race were exterminated. After some time, it became clear that the recalcitrant There is no one to replace Taino on plantations and fields. It was decided to import a labor resource from Africa, in the form of slaves.
Over time, on the Spanish half of the island, the blood of slave traders and their slaves mixed up and a new nation appeared, speaking Spanish, but with a dark skin color. On the other half of the island, which was owned by the French, mixing noble and slave blood was considered a shame and a crime. Children, those born in such conditions were immediately destroyed. As a result, the population on the other half of the island has remained blue-black to this day.
This background sounded so that you would immediately have an idea of the genotype that those people with whom you will meet, cooperate, have conversations, possibly have conflicts or common interests, carry.
There are very few Dominicans in Haiti. On the contrary, there are a lot of Haitians (and not Haitians) in the Dominican Republic. They mostly perform unskilled work at construction sites, reed harvesting, road laying, etc.
Therefore, in addition to the Dominicans, there will also be Haitians in your indirect environment. No. Of course, this is not a reason to learn French and the countless dialects that Haitians communicate with. Not at all! But your knowledge of the main language of the country, Spanish, opens up hundreds of times more possibilities for successful integration in the Dominican Republic. Well, besides this, you now have an idea about the peoples who already live here, and you are just going or have already begun. And you will have to take them for granted.
Among acquaintances, there are enough people who have strained relations with the black population. And you won’t believe it, the reason is simple. One is white, the other is black.
There is such a concept, which is called pre-subposition. In our case, this is the original social and social platform on which a single person is located. Moreover, in the aspect of a national sign. It is not for nothing that the catchphrase has become a catchphrase: "What is good for a Russian is death for a German." It's for the blacks here, all whites are Gringos.
Some even divide whites into Americans and Germans, while the rest do not even bother with this.
So, the mentality of the local black population, for some incomprehensible reason, identifies the white first of all as a bottomless bag of money that never refuses .... And do not fall into the trap if they extend their hands to you with smiles to shake or offer to help as brother. It will be better if you are initially deprived of rose-colored glasses and illusions. In any case, maintain a light distance in tourist areas and places of residence of white foreigners.
Then they won’t get into the habit of going to you and tearfully asking for money for an operation, for bread, for ...... and you won’t have to experience a whole gamut of different emotions about everything that happens. You will never become either a friend or a brother for a local black man, and no one at all, except for what was mentioned above.
Great difficulties can arise if your business partner turns out to be a Dominican. Moreover, it doesn’t matter what class, whether rich, middle income ... Total, all-encompassing irresponsibility and frivolity in doing business can nullify all your efforts to prosperity and growth. Completely different an approach to time, a given word, a promise, an agreement and hopeless laziness will create great difficulties in building a joint business. So be careful.
And be sure that this is not from evil and not in collusion. No! It’s just that people on this island have been leading their own for centuries history so, and no other way.
The scale of criteria and values is much more compact than any of you, believe me. Food, drink, music, dance, God (Love). These are the main points that immediately catch your eye. Live one day, and tomorrow will be manyana.
Remember what we, civilized people, bother with ... new models of clothes, shoes, phones, cars, those who know whom, mortgages, business, politics, crisis (albeit temporarily, but ...).
The authorities here do not put pressure on people, there is no crisis, you don’t need to change clothes and shoes for the season. You need to be wealthy to get a loan, otherwise don’t even hope. You can buy a phone with a prepaid SIM card for 200 pesos (6 dollars) right on the street, I myself observed it repeatedly. Business in the Dominican Republic is a separate topic. We will not touch it within the framework of this essay, but I can say with confidence that every resident of the country would not mind becoming rich, but when it comes to the immediate body and mind - movements, then for some reason the enthusiasm disappears.
This is understandable. Ancestors have worked out and it is quite possible that hard work is disgusting to a person at the genotype level. No wonder. the Americans, Canadians, Germans ... and what is there to hide, we ourselves.
The reverse side of irresponsibility and laxity - calmness, openness and loyalty, is also shown by the locals to a sufficient extent. Saying hello on the street, making eye contact, is considered a common manifestation of respect and attention. It doesn’t matter who is in front of you and how you yourself look at this moment. Just this is correct here. So sometimes in one situation we will be pleasantly surprised, and in another, outraged by the same manifestation of a Dominican resident. And in order to be correct, we need to mention one more important component of communication with the local black population. Namely - white man's behavior.
Whites live mainly in the north of the country. We will not consider the tourist zone in Bavaro and Punta Cana. These tips will not be useful to you there. And those working in the tour business and living in the region, forgive me, should know all these subtleties like any professional, seconded by the company to carry out his work.
In addition to the north of the country, part of the whites also live in the capital of the country, Santo Domingo. According to my observations, these are wealthy, accomplished people who live in peace with themselves and the surrounding reality. Most of arriving in the country, nevertheless, stops in the north of the country, where the resonance of foreigners and the local population is most needed. However, this is not always possible to achieve.
We have already tried to illustrate one side of the coin, the Dominican one. Let's try to look at the other. So.
Language issue. Those who pay attention to this can count on feedback before the rest. This is an axiom, so it is useless to argue. The only exception is very rich people. Others or financial opportunities will work for them.
But for the rest it the best way in order to quickly delve into the secrets relationships with the Dominicans. Next. Arriving in the Dominican Republic, it is unreasonable to behave the way you are used to. Namely, do not be offended if in a regular market you are asked to fasten the buttons on your shirt or simply will not be allowed anywhere if you are in shorts and a T-shirt. The whole country it doesn't look like a supermarket "Playero", where you can tumble in a bathing suit or bare-chested and act like you're in a market. Sometimes such pictures cause an elementary feeling of shame.
This is not democracy. .Yes, there are no policemen on the streets and roads, but this does not mean that someone has canceled the rules of the road or the value of human life. At first, it was surprising to observe the sullen physiognomies behind the wheel of cars following without switching the light from far to near, without turn signals. over time, it became clear why. Without the pressure of the system, people stop being civilized.
Then, excuse me, what's the difference between an uneducated driver of an old pickup truck and a rosy-cheeked, bespectacled driver of a Nissan-titan.
If people are equal in their behavior in society, then there is no difference between them. Neither in position, nor in status, nor in color. Keep this in mind when you realize that there is no traffic police (GAI) here and an analogue will not appear soon.
It is also a mistake to think that we are immensely welcome here. It is the influx of white foreigners that provokes an increase in prices for real estate, cars, food, etc. The country lives on tourism and to receive money from arriving holidaymakers, investors are building hotels in the southeast. There, for all conditions create this. But if you have an idea to manage your money in the Dominican Republic differently, then think carefully about what you would like to get as a result.
You will get business as a process. Profit, probably. It is advisable to live in the country for a couple of years first, in order to understand that it could be better to let the money stay in the family and not in the Dominican budget. Believe me, there is no bottom for reception.
The next subtle question. The question of the weaker sex.
I won’t lie if I say that provocateurs Germans and Americans, in an attempt to hide from their socially liberated and progressive, but far from loving wives, moor to the Dominican shores and find themselves in the arms of not too tender, but at the time of hot, local young ladies Why provocateurs? Yes, because in their 50-60s nothing will shine for them. They understand this and, feeling like nouveaux riches, spend half of their pension here on the local trade union.
The girls understood everything very quickly and a pronounced passion for earning money took the place of dignity. We must pay tribute to Russian-speaking men. .The Russians perceive the provoking glances of the priestesses of love aggressively. They can even send them. But if you are looking for love with a beautiful mulatto, get ready, if everything works out, the next day, join her big family. Or rather, the family will join your house. Mom, Dad, Aunt, brothers and sisters. And people cute and home like yours .... but what to do?
Think now, to do or not to do! And finally, the question is criminal. Aggression is many times less than on the streets of the former union, but don't let it relax you. Corruption is rampant in the Dominican Republic. And it is advisable to stay away from dubious places, people and events. There are frequent cases when street drug sellers, having received money from a white man, immediately reported to the police, and the poor fool was taken to the police, and then to prison. that will shut their mouths to all, but only a little is needed ... and he called the amount. Far from funny.
Therefore, just decide for yourself what you need from your stay in the country. If you are going to live, at first there will be difficulties that you will be able to solve over time. Show them “how to live” - they will show you themselves.
Remember that people are made of people. Here, at the junction of nations, cultures and mentalities, this is especially pronounced. Therefore, success to you in mastering your own Dominican paradise!
*(The presented material is more related to the northern and resort parts of the country.)
At Dominican Republic located on the territory of the island of Haiti, very rich story. Christopher Columbus himself was the first man of the Old World to set foot on this earth.
Tourists who choose tours to the Dominican Republic, get the opportunity to get acquainted with numerous historical and cultural monuments countries - to visit the cathedral in which the remains of Columbus lie, and the very first buildings of the New World, left over from the time of colonization.
about country
The Dominican Republic or, as it is also called, the Dominican Republic, occupies two-thirds of the island of Haiti, located among the islands of the Caribbean archipelago. It's exotic paradise, where travelers are waiting for impenetrable jungle, dense rainforests, numerous sandy beaches and thickets of various exotic plants. The hot sun, the beauty of royal palms, fresh clean air and friendly faces of the local population of the island, the magnificence of nature - all this makes the Dominican Republic one of the most attractive countries in terms of tourism.
The history of the Dominican Republic is inextricably linked with the life of the world famous traveler Columbus. Built in the country a large number of architectural monuments in his honor. In addition, there are many historical sights and architectural structures with which the development of the continent is associated - for example, the first street, the first customs office and the first church in the New World.
The capital of the Dominican Republic is the city of Santo Domingo, which is the most ancient city in America, and many of its ancient buildings recognized by UNESCO cultural heritage humanity. Santo Domingo is rich the most beautiful parks and numerous tropical trees, creating a unique flavor in combination with architectural monuments, old buildings and cozy cafes, restaurants and shops.
Country history
December 5, 1492 Christopher Columbus landed on unknown land, which was inhabited by Taino Indians, friendly and peaceful. The beauty and richness of the local nature struck the great traveler and prompted him to think about conquests. The island was named La Hispaniola. Here the conquistadors built their first fort, which was later destroyed.
La Espanola has become administrative center New World, which actively expanded its borders. The Spaniards conquered Peru and Mexico, due to which the rich and wealthy were in their hands. vast lands. Gradually, the colonists of La Hispaniola began to leave the island, as a result of which it turned into a staging post on the way to much more civilized and vast territories.
The indigenous population for the fifteen years of the Spaniards' stay on the island has greatly decreased. The reason for this was the diseases and viruses that the colonists brought from Europe and with which the immunity of the Indians could not cope. So the Spaniards lost part of the labor force in the face of the indigenous people and began to bring African slaves.
Many European powers that did not have colonies in the New World resorted to the help of pirates. When the main forces of the Spaniards left La Hispaniola, the island became a haven for corsairs. Later, the French landed on the island, and it was divided between Spain and France.
In 1804, that part of the island, which was in the power of France, received the name "Haiti" and was proclaimed a republic. After this event, for forty years, the inhabitants of Haiti repeatedly tried to conquer eastern part island that belonged to the Spaniards. However, in 1844 the country was finally divided into two parts - the Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
In the history of the Dominican Republic, there were many dramatic events associated with a constant struggle for power. In 1916, American troops landed on the shores of the island, and the United States gained control of this small country. However, the most terrible events have occurred since 1930, when the former commander-in-chief of the Dominican army, General Trujillo, came to power. The warlord, suffering from megalomania, established a cruel dictatorship in the republic. During the reign of Trujillo, all civil liberties were abolished, and native Haitians were subjected to genocide. Many believe that the general was not so bad - under him the development of the country's infrastructure began, a large external debt was paid off and trade with other states developed.
In 1961, General Trujillo was assassinated, and the Dominican Republic began a time of trouble, with one government replacing another. In 1966, Joaquin Balaguer came to power, after which the economy received a powerful impetus for development, and especially - travel business, construction and agriculture.
Population and language of the Dominican Republic
The national language of the Dominican Republic is Spanish. Besides, in tourist centers and in the capital they speak English, German and Italian. The population of the country is about 9 million people. 73% of the country's population are blacks, mulattos and creoles, 16% are Europeans and 11% are Africans.
Tourists in the Dominican Republic may be somewhat surprised by the sluggishness and slowness of the locals - it is not customary to rush here. In addition, Dominicans are very curious, sociable and temperamental.
Among the population there is a sharp split between social groups. The elite of the inhabitants of the Dominican Republic is represented mainly by people of European origin. The middle social stratum of society is merchants, civil servants and landowners.
How to get to the Dominican Republic
You can get to the Dominican Republic by direct flights from Moscow or with transfers in other cities. There are flights from Moscow to Punta Cana, from St. Petersburg - to Punta Canna, Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo. Transfers are made in Paris or Frankfurt. Travel time from Moscow is 12 hours, from St. Petersburg - 15-17 hours.
According to the results of the 2007 census, 9,183,984 people officially lived in the Dominican Republic. Of these, 56% were urban population, 44% - rural, in addition, during the census, there was a differentiation into African Americans - 11%, mulattoes / mestizos - 73%, white population - 16%. Approximately the same number of men and women live in the country. The Catholic faith is predominantly professed: adherents make up 95% of the country's population. The population density is about 182 people per square meter, which puts the Dominican Republic in 58th place in the world in terms of population density. Spanish is approved as the official language, but English and German are widely spoken in the resorts, and there are many Russians in Sosua and Cabarete. The birth rate is 22.91 per 1,000 people. The unemployment rate is quite high: about 25% of the able-bodied population does not work anywhere. At the same time, the Dominican Republic in its region is considered the most developed and richest.
Nationalities of the Dominican Republic
Most of the population in the Dominican Republic are African Americans. Their high concentration is typical for southern and southeastern regions countries. They constitute the main labor reserve on sugar plantations. Most are from Haiti, but there are also representatives of the Dutch and English colonies. The country has a high level of labor migration from Haiti - people come only to work. The authorities are pursuing an active policy of discrimination against migrants, and the local Muslim population is periodically set against them. The roots of such showdowns go far back to 1937, when the Trujillo government provoked a massacre on the border of the republics and at least tens of thousands of Haitians died in this bloodshed, including women and children. Haitians living in the Dominican Republic still retain their native language, Creole, although they are fluent in Spanish.
The white population of the Dominican Republic is heterogeneous in composition and origin. Almost all of them have an admixture of Negro blood, but, as a rule, they all deny this. Whites mostly represent the "upper" stratum of society in the state. In addition, in the Dominican Republic you can find individual white people from North America and Europe. As a rule, these are businessmen who moved to live in the mountains. At the end of the 40s, separate German settlements were formed in the north of the Dominican Republic: the Germans who fled from the fascist terror set up agricultural plantations and settled here. Later, these lands were exempted from tax duties, the Germans received citizenship, but they were forbidden to engage in competitive business for the Dominicans - to set up sugar plantations, grow coffee, cocoa beans, tobacco and sheep. As a result, the fugitive Germans are mainly engaged in dairy cattle breeding.
Also on the territory of the Dominican Republic, you can find a fairly large Syrian colony, but they have practically lost their isolation and in Lately actively mingle with the local population.
Languages of the peoples of the Dominican Republic
The official language, as we mentioned above, is Spanish. But still, it has its own differences from Spanish. In Spain, some letters are not used, some are pronounced differently. A number of words in use are borrowed from the indigenous people, who were exterminated by the colonialists over time.
Characteristics of local residents
Dominicans are energetic people who look back on their difficult past. The bulk of the population is now below the poverty line. The average salary in the state is about $250-300. As we mentioned above, the country has a high unemployment rate. Nevertheless, the division into classes is quite pronounced. The privileged, wealthy part of the population is mostly Hispanic and partly African American. Africans and mulattos, as a rule, are the lowest stratum of society.
The poor part of the population still does not have basic amenities in their homes: sanitary conditions, electricity.
Residents of the Dominican Republic are very friendly and open, but rather sticky to tourists. A souvenir seller or taxis can drive any tourist crazy with their incredible emotionality and talkativeness. Dominicans are very hospitable people. They are sincerely offended if you refuse a cup of coffee, which is prepared in every house here.
Many people think that Dominicans are absolutely carefree and live one day at a time. In fact, they simply do not complain and try to look to the future with optimism.
The Dominican "5 minutes" is our "forever". This is because they are not used to refusing, saying “no”, believing that by doing so they can offend a person, therefore they prefer unfulfilled promises, rather than refusals.
Local youth start a family early, but only with the consent of their parents. As a rule, girls at 15 and boys at 16. Dominicans are very sensitive to children.
