The following report examines the extent of development within the Dominican Republic in relation to economic, social and political development. It shall also examine some of the problems that are preventing further development within the Dominican Republic.

1.1 Location

The Dominican Republic is located in the Caribbean, between Cuba and Puerto Rico on the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti to the west. With an extension of 48,442 square kilometres, the Dominican Republic is the second largest country in the Antilles.

1.2 History

Explored and claimed by Columbus on his first voyage in 1492, the island of Hispaniola became the base for the expansion of the Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognised 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...