Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/67.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 13KB | 330 lines

{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\DomRep.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Dominican Republic"}



{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of the Dominican Republic, click {z,"-83.160427,13.621933,-64.834191,27.640190",here}{4}!

{2}Location:{4} Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea
and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 48,730 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 48,380 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire

{2}Land boundaries:{4}
{3}total:{4} 275 km
border country: Haiti 275 km

{2}Coastline:{4} 1,288 km

{2}Maritime claims:{4}
contiguous zone: 24 nm
{3}continental shelf:{4} 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
{3}exclusive economic zone:{4} 200 nm
{3}territorial sea:{4} 6 nm

{2}International disputes:{4} none

{2}Climate:{4} tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall

{2}Terrain:{4} rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed
{3}lowest point:{4} Lago Enriquillo -46 m
{3}highest point:{4} Pico Duarte 3,175 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} nickel, bauxite, gold, silver

{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 23%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 7%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 43%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 13%
{3}other:{4} 14%

{2}Irrigated land:{4} 2,250 sq km (1989)

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation

{2}natural hazards:{4} occasional hurricanes (July to October)

{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Law of the Sea

{2}Geographic note:{4} shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds is the Dominican
Republic, western one-third is Haiti)


{1}People{4}

{2}Population:{4} 8,088,881 (July 1996 est.)

{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 34% (male 1,401,322; female 1,355,530)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 62% (male 2,541,356; female 2,460,509)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 4% (male 156,238; female 173,926) (July 1996 est.)

{2}Population growth rate:{4} 1.73% (1996 est.)

{2}Birth rate:{4} 23.51 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Death rate:{4} 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Net migration rate:{4} -0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.05 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.03 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 1.03 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 0.9 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 47.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 69.06 years
{3}male:{4} 66.89 years
{3}female:{4} 71.34 years (1996 est.)

{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 2.66 children born/woman (1996 est.)

{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Dominican(s)
{3}adjective:{4} Dominican

{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73%

{2}Religions:{4} Roman Catholic 95%

{2}Languages:{4} Spanish

{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 82.1%
{3}male:{4} 82%
{3}female:{4} 82.2%


{1}Government{4}

{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} Dominican Republic
{3}conventional short form:{4} none
{3}local long form:{4} Republica Dominicana
{3}local short form:{4} none

{2}Type of government:{4} republic

{2}Capital:{4} Santo Domingo

{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 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

{2}Independence:{4} 27 February 1844 (from Haiti)

{2}National holiday:{4} Independence Day, 27 February (1844)

{2}Constitution:{4} 28 November 1966

{2}Legal system:{4} based on French civil codes

{2}Suffrage:{4} 18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age
{3}note:{4} members of the armed forces and police cannot vote

{2}Executive branch:{4}
chief of state and head of government: President Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo (since 16 August
1986, sixth elected term began 16 August 1994); Vice President Jacinto PEYNADO Garrigoza
(since 16 August 1994); president is elected for a four-year term by direct vote; election last held
16 May 1994 (next to be held 16 May 1996); results - Joaquin BALAGUER (PRSC) 42.6%, Juan
BOSCH Gavino (PLD) 13.2%, Jose Francisco PENA Gomez (PRD) 41.9%, Jacobo MAJLUTA
(PRI) 2.3%
{3}cabinet:{4} Cabinet was nominated by the president

{2}Legislative branch:{4} bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Senate (Senado): elections last held 16 May 1994 (next to be held NA May 1998); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total) PRSC 15, PLD 1, PRD 14
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held 16 May 1994 (next to be held NA
May 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) PLD 13, PRSC 50, PRD 57

{2}Judicial branch:{4} Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are elected by the Senate

{2}Political parties and leaders:{4}
major parties: Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), Joaquin BALAGUER Ricardo; Dominican
Liberation Party (PLD), Lidio CADET; Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), Jose Franciso PENA
Gomez; Independent Revolutionary Party (PRI), Jacobo MAJLUTA
minor parties: National Veterans and Civilian Party (PNVC), Juan Rene BEAUCHAMPS Javier;
Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic (PLRD), Andres Van Der HORST; Democratic
Quisqueyan Party (PQD), Elias WESSIN Chavez; National Progressive Force (FNP), Marino
VINICIO Castillo; Popular Christian Party (PPC), Rogelio DELGADO Bogaert; Dominican
Communist Party (PCD), Narciso ISA Conde; Dominican Workers' Party (PTD), Ivan
RODRIGUEZ; Anti-Imperialist Patriotic Union (UPA), Ignacio RODRIGUEZ Chiappini; Alliance for
Democracy Party (APD), Maximilano Rabelais PUIG Miller, Nelsida MARMOLEJOS, Vicente
BENGOA; Democratic Union (UD), Fernando ALVAREZ Bogaert
{3}note:{4} in 1983 several leftist parties, including the PCD, joined to form the Dominican Leftist Front
(FID); however, they still retain individual party structures

{2}Other political or pressure groups:{4} Collective of Popular Organizations (COP)

{2}International organization participation:{4} ACP, Caricom (observer), ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77,
IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (guest), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Jose del Carmen ARIZA Gomez
{3}chancery:{4} 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
{3}telephone:{4} [1] [phone]
{3}FAX:{4} [1] [phone]
{3}consulate(s) general:{4} Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New
Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): Charlotte Amalie (Virgin Islands), Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Mobile, and Ponce
(Puerto Rico)

{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Donna Jean HRINAK
{3}embassy:{4} corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro, Santo Domingo
{3}mailing address:{4} Unit 5500, APO AA 34041
{3}telephone:{4} [1] [phone], 221-8100
{3}FAX:{4} [1] [phone]

{2}Flag:{4} a centered white cross that extends to the edges, divides the flag into four rectangles - the
top ones are blue (hoist side) and red, the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat
of arms is at the center of the cross


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} Economic reforms launched in late 1994 contributed to exchange rate
stabilization, reduced inflation, and relatively strong GDP growth in 1995. Output growth was
concentrated in the tourism and free trade zone (ftz) sectors while sugar and non-ftz
manufacturing declined last year. Drought in early 1995 hurt agricultural production but favorable
world prices for export commodities helped mitigate the impact. Sugar refining was devastated by
a disastrous harvest resulting from the drought and ongoing problems at the state-owned sugar
company. Unreliable electric supplies continue to hamper expansion in manufacturing; small and
medium-sized retail firms also suffer due to the dismal power situation. A presidential election
scheduled for May 1996 could lead to increased government spending before and in the
immediate aftermath of the vote, raising the potential for rising inflation and increased pressure on
the Dominican peso.

{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $26.8 billion (1995 est.)

{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} 3.5% (1995 est.)

{2}GDP per capita:{4} $3,400 (1995 est.)

{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} 13%
{3}industry:{4} 32%
{3}services:{4} 55% (1995)

{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 9.5% (1995)

{2}Labor force:{4} 2.3 million to 2.6 million
{3}by occupation:{4} agriculture 50%, services and government 32%, industry 18% (1991 est.)

{2}Unemployment rate:{4} 30% (1995 est.)

{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $1.8 billion
{3}expenditures:{4} $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.)

{2}Industries:{4} tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco

{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} 6.3% (1995 est.)

{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 1,450,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 5.4 billion kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 651 kWh (1993)

{2}Agriculture:{4} sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice, beans, potatoes, corn, bananas;
cattle, pigs, dairy products, meat, eggs

{2}Illicit drugs:{4} transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe

{2}Exports:{4} $837.7 million (f.o.b., 1995)
{3}commodities:{4} ferronickel, sugar, gold, coffee, cocoa
{3}partners:{4} US 47.5%, EC 22%, Puerto Rico 8.4%, Asia 6.7% (1994)

{2}Imports:{4} $2.867 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
{3}commodities:{4} foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals
{3}partners:{4} US 60% (1993)

{2}External debt:{4} $4.6 billion (1994)

{2}Economic aid:{4}
{3}recipient:{4} ODA, $21 million (1993)

{2}Currency:{4} 1 Dominican peso (RD$) = 100 centavos

{2}Exchange rates:{4} Dominican pesos (RD$) per US$1 - 13.589 (December 1995), 13.617 (1995),
13.160 (1994), 12.676 (1993), 12.774 (1992), 12.692 (1991)

{2}Fiscal year:{4} calendar year


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Railways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 757 km
standard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge (Central Romana Railroad)
narrow gauge: 142 km 0.762-m gauge (Dominica Government Railway); 240 km operated by sugar
companies in various gauges (0.558-m, 0.762-m, 1.067-m gauges) (1995)

{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 11,931 km
{3}paved:{4} 5,766 km
{3}unpaved:{4} 6,165 km (1987 est.)

{2}Pipelines:{4} crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km

{2}Ports:{4} Barahona, La Romana, Puerto Plata, San Pedro de Macoris, Santo Domingo

{2}Merchant marine:{4}
{3}total:{4} 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT (1995 est.)

{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 31
{3}with paved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 2
{3}with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 6
{3}with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 3
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 14
{3}with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 1
{3}with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 1
{3}with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 4 (1995 est.)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephones:{4} 190,000 (1987 est.)

{2}Telephone system:{4}
{3}domestic:{4} relatively efficient system based on islandwide microwave radio relay network
{3}international:{4} 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 120, FM 0, shortwave 6

{2}Radios:{4} NA

{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 18 (1987 est.)

{2}Televisions:{4} 728,000 (1993 est.)


{1}Defense{4}

{2}Branches:{4} Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police

{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 2,212,012
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 1,391,472
{3}males reach military age (18) annually:{4} 83,611 (1996 est.)

{2}Defense expenditures:{4} exchange rate conversion - $116 million, 1.4% of GDP (1994)