Santo Domingo
san-to do-men'go, an independent republic occupying the eastern portion of the island of Haiti. Area, 18,045 square miles. The surface is broken by rough, parallel mountain ranges rising to a height of 10,000 feet. The climate varies greatly. The coast and low valleys are intensely hot, almost unfit for white men. The region above 1,600 feet in height has cool nights and is reckoned temperate and healthful. The amount of rainfall is determined largely by the situation with reference to the winds and mountains. Sandy, scorched, arid regions are succeeded by regions of unsurpassed fertility. The mountain sides that catch the rain are clothed with tropical forests. The opposite slopes may be composed of bare rocks. Gold and silver were found formerly in abundance. Iron, tin, and platinum exist. There is an abundant supply of durable building stone, including marble.
The country became independent of Spain in 1821, and separated from Haiti in 1844. Various schemes have been on foot for annexation to the United States. The form of government is republican. The Congress consists of a single house. The president is not eligible for reelection. The republic is a member of the postal union. There were, in 1902, 130 miles of railway. Wagon roads are still few. Communication by cable is maintained with the outside world. The American gold dollar is the basis of coinage. The inhabitants number about 416,000. Aside from a few of pure Spanish descent, the people are a mixed race. Spanish, Indian, and negro elements are blended. Spanish is the national language; Roman Catholic, the national religion. A system of public education embracing elementary, normal, and high schools, as well as a university, has been established and is taking shape slowly. Expensive and devastating wars with the sister republic of Haiti have held civilization back.
The principal productions are sugar, coffee, tobacco, cocoa, and bananas. Other articles of export are mahogany, logwood, goatskins, oxhides, honey, deer horns, moss, cedar, tortoise shells, and rum. The total export business amounts to about $8,000,000 a year.