Dominican Republic Timeline

- Belongs to the Island of Hispaniola, as well as Haiti

- It is the 2nd largest country in the West Indies (the largest is Cuba) with 48 442 km2 and 10 million inhabitants

- Taino Indians settled there at least since the 7th century

- 1492 - arrival of Christopher Columbus makes of the Dominican Republic the first permanent American colony, and Santo Domingo was the first Spanish capital in the New World. During the 16th century vast numbers of African slaves were imported into the island and they were forced to work on sugar plantations. 

- The west of the island was left largely empty and in the 17th century the French settled there. Finally in 1697 the Spanish and French signed the Treaty of Ryswick. France was given the western third of the island of Hispaniola. The rest remained in Spanish hands. 

- 1821 - occupation by Haiti, which country had gotten its independence in 1804

- 1844  - Dominican War of Independence signified 72 years of Civil War, with period of annexation by Spain. 

- 1916-1924: the USA afraid that Germany might intervene in the Dominican Republic occupied the country.

- 1924: Horacio Vasquez becomes President of D. R. 

- 1930: Rafael Trujillo staged a coup and became a dictator. Trujillo ruled Dominican Republic for 31 years till he was assassinated in 1961. 

- 1962: Free elections followed by military coups followed by US intervention

- 1966-1978: Joaquin Balaguer is elected President with some economic stability

- After two other presidents, Balaguer reelected again from 1990 to 1996 when he is forced to step down and be replaced by Leonel Fernandez of the opposition. Today's president is Danilo Medina, of the Dominican Liberation Party