Anyone know of any interesting facts?

[Chris McClintock]

Hi, Im doing a report on the Dominican republic for school. Some information I was unable to find. I need to find three interesting facts about the dominican republic and Challenges the country is facing. If you know any of the items I need please reply becuase it would help me greatly. From, Chris McClintock

 

[DR One]

See the Country Profile on this site. Also read through past issues of the Daily News for current issues and challenges.

 

[Brenda]

Hi!

I just got back from our honeymoon in Punta Cana, DR. It is beautiful there! Some facts to help you:

1) all the sugar cane is cut by hand. This is done by immigrants from Haiti. They work in groups of five and use Machetti knives to clear very large areas. The pay is terrible. They are lucky to receive 50 cents per hour. They cannot use machines for several reasons...they cannot afford them but even if they could, it would ruin the fields. It would ruin the root systems and require trained help (which costs too much for a poor country). You see, sugar cane grows back every year, so they don't have to spend time and money to replant it if they cut it by hand.

2)The same president has been in office for 63 years... next year they will have a new one. The Dominican people are very excited. The children have never been required to attend school...next year will be the first time it will be a requirement. They are trying to raise monies for books and uniforms.

3) As we traveled we saw many tree trunks in front of people's homes that were painted. Apparently they painted their political party color on theirs as a declaration of their allegiance. Ibelieve I guide told us there were 13 parties right now! Let me know if I can be of further help! Warm Regards, Brenda

 

[Tom]

Re: Anyone know of any interesting facts?/FACTS???

>>>>>>2)The same president has been in office for 63 years>>>>

Hardly, there have been several elected Presidents since the Dictator Trujillo was killed in 1960-61?

Tom

 

[Drake]

Brenda - Leonel Fernandez has been President of the DR for the last three years. Balaguer has been President on and off for the last 35 years.

Sugar Cane cutters are payed per day. They earn far more in the DR than they would in Haiti.

The trees you saw painted were painted in most cases by groups from each of the main three parties. The white, Red and Purple parties. The purple party is presently in power.

Interesting Fact- The Economist Intelligence Unit forcasted the Dominican Republic last month as having the highest GDP growth rate for 1999 in the World at 7.2% The President must be doing something right!