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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

24 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.do

Internet users [time series]

186,000 (2002)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 120, FM 56, shortwave 4 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: NA domestic: relatively efficient system based on islandwide microwave radio relay network international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

709,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

130,149 (1997)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

25 (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, beef, eggs

Budget [time series]

revenues: $2.9 billion expenditures: $3.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.1 billion (2001 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Dominican peso (DOP)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

DOP

Debt - external [time series]

$4.8 billion (2002 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

47.4 (1998)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$239.6 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The Dominican Republic's economy experienced dramatic growth over the last decade, even though the economy was hit hard by Hurricane Georges in 1998. Although the country has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer, due to growth in tourism and free trade zones. The country suffers from marked income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest 10% enjoy nearly 40% of national income. Growth probably will slow in 2003 with reduced tourism and expected low growth in the US economy, the source of 87% of export revenues.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

8.543 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

9.186 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 92% hydro: 7.6% other: 0.4% (2001) nuclear: 0%

Exchange rates [time series]

Dominican pesos per US dollar - 18.61 (2002), 16.95 (2001), 16.42 (2000), 16.03 (1999), 15.27 (1998)

Exports [time series]

$5.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

ferronickel, sugar, gold, silver, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, meats, consumer goods

Exports - partners [time series]

US 85%, Canada 1.6%, UK 1.6% (2002)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $53.78 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 11% industry: 34% services: 55% (2001)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $6,300 (2002 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4.1% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 37.9% (1998)

Imports [time series]

$8.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners [time series]

US 51.5%, Venezuela 9.6%, Mexico 5.1%, Spain 4% (2002)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

2% (2001 est.)

Industries [time series]

tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

5.3% (2002 est.)

Labor force [time series]

2.3 million - 2.6 million

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

services and government 58.7%, industry 24.3%, agriculture 17% (1998 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

129,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

25%

Unemployment rate [time series]

14.5% (2002 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 48,730 sq km land: 48,380 sq km water: 350 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire

Climate [time series]

tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall

Coastline [time series]

1,288 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation; Hurricane Georges damage

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates [time series]

19 00 N, 70 40 W

Geography - note [time series]

shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti)

Irrigated land [time series]

2,590 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 360 km border countries: Haiti 360 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 21.08% permanent crops: 9.92% other: 69% (1998 est.)

Location [time series]

Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 6 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM

Natural hazards [time series]

lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts

Natural resources [time series]

nickel, bauxite, gold, silver

Terrain [time series]

rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

29 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez Ramirez, San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris, Santiago, Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde

Capital [time series]

Santo Domingo

Constitution [time series]

28 November 1966

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Dominican Republic conventional short form: none local long form: Republica Dominicana local short form: none

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Hans H. HERTELL embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041-5500 telephone: [1] (809) 221-2171 FAX: [1] (809) 686-7437

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Hugo GUILIANI Cury consulate(s): Mobile and Ponce (Puerto Rico) consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Jacksonville, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280 chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez (since 16 August 2000); Vice President Milagros ORTIZ-BOSCH (since 16 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez (since 16 August 2000); Vice President Milagros ORTIZ-BOSCH (since 16 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 16 May 2000 (next to be held NA May 2004) election results: Raphael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez elected president; percent of vote - Rafael Hipolito MEJIA Dominguez (PRD) 49.87%, Danilo MEDINA (PLD) 24.95%, Joaquin BALAGUER (PRSC) 24.6%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, and the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by an olive branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon

Government type [time series]

representative democracy

Independence [time series]

27 February 1844 (from Haiti)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, Caricom (observer), ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are elected by a Council made up of members of the legislative and executive branches with the president presiding)

Legal system [time series]

based on French civil codes

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (30 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (149 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 16 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2006); Chamber of Deputies - last held 16 May 2002 (next to be held NA May 2006) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 24, PLD 3, PRSC 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 83, PLD 49, PRSC 17

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 27 February (1844)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna]; Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Hatuey DE CAMPS]; Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Eduardo ESTRELLA]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Collective of Popular Organizations or COP

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age note: members of the armed forces and police cannot vote

Introduction

Background [time series]

Explored and claimed by Columbus on his first voyage in 1492, the island of Hispaniola became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821, but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative, rule for much of its subsequent history was brought to an end in 1966 when Joaquin BALAGUER became president. He maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. The Dominican economy has had one of the fastest growth rates in the hemisphere over the past decade.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$180 million (FY98)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1.1% (FY98)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,319,419 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,453,705 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 89,073 (2003 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 33.6% (male 1,497,777; female 1,431,104) 15-64 years: 61.2% (male 2,719,505; female 2,614,495) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 212,045; female 240,676) (2003 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

23.94 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate [time series]

6.88 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

2.5% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

7,800 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

130,000 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 34.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 31.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 36.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages [time series]

Spanish

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 67.96 years male: 66.41 years female: 69.58 years (2003 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 84.7% male: 84.6% female: 84.8% (2003 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 23.5 years male: 23.3 years female: 23.7 years (2002)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican

Net migration rate [time series]

-3.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Population [time series]

8,715,602 (July 2003 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.36% (2003 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 95%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.92 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

despite efforts to control illegal migration, destitute Haitians continue to cross into the Dominican Republic

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; has become a transshipment point for ecstasy from the Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor the Dominican Republic for illicit financial transactions

Transportation

Airports [time series]

30 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 13 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 10 (2002)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 12,600 km paved: 6,224 km unpaved: 6,376 km (1999)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 (2002 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Barahona, La Romana, Manzanillo, Puerto Plata, San Pedro de Macoris, Santo Domingo

Railways [time series]

total: 1,503 km standard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge note:: 986 km also operated by sugar companies in 1.076-m, 0.889-m, and 0.762-m gauges (2002) narrow gauge: 142 km 0.762-m gauge

Waterways [time series]

none