Dominican Republic and Jamaica, Sisters of the Caribbean
Dominican Republic and Jamaica, sisters of the Caribbean
The Caribbean is a mixture of different cultures and people. Jamaica is under the island of Cuba and on the west side of Haiti. The Dominican Republic shares it land with Haiti on the west and Puerto Rico is on the east, crossing the ´´canal de la mona´´. These islands may look similar in a geographical view but they have some peculiarities. Aspects like their languages and the political situation where they are living make them unique. Since the new world was discovered, these lands were attractive and a new source of economic gain for Europe. Dominicans and Jamaicans have in common some historic facts as the immigration of slaves from Africa. Although Dominican R. and Jamaica are both Caribbean islands that have similar geographical characteristics, they differ in language, politics, and culture.
In the first place, the geography of Dominican Republic and Jamaica is very similar. In both places you can find white sand, clear water and palm trees decorating their blue sky. Comparing their extension, [D. Mascasas, 2001] Jamaicans have 10,991 square kilometers and the Dominicans 48,442 square kilometers. They both are small countries with tropical characteristics that are a magnet for tourist, representing a huge improvement in the economy of these places. It is obvious that the tourism has made a high jump in the Dominican market, the best example is Punta Cana and it development on the last decade.
In contrast, Jamaica and Dominican Republic do not share the same language. Jamaica was colonized by Great Britain so it is normal to hear them speaking English. Equally important the Dominicans speak Spanish thanks to the power placed by Spain. It is peculiar that Jamaica is the only country in the great Antilles with English as official language. The catholic alliteration imposed to the natives of ´´La Hispaniola´´ was crucial in the expansion of Spanish language.
The politics are also quite different
The Caribbean is a mixture of different cultures and people. Jamaica is under the island of Cuba and on the west side of Haiti. The Dominican Republic shares it land with Haiti on the west and Puerto Rico is on the east, crossing the ´´canal de la mona´´. These islands may look similar in a geographical view but they have some peculiarities. Aspects like their languages and the political situation where they are living make them unique. Since the new world was discovered, these lands were attractive and a new source of economic gain for Europe. Dominicans and Jamaicans have in common some historic facts as the immigration of slaves from Africa. Although Dominican R. and Jamaica are both Caribbean islands that have similar geographical characteristics, they differ in language, politics, and culture.
In the first place, the geography of Dominican Republic and Jamaica is very similar. In both places you can find white sand, clear water and palm trees decorating their blue sky. Comparing their extension, [D. Mascasas, 2001] Jamaicans have 10,991 square kilometers and the Dominicans 48,442 square kilometers. They both are small countries with tropical characteristics that are a magnet for tourist, representing a huge improvement in the economy of these places. It is obvious that the tourism has made a high jump in the Dominican market, the best example is Punta Cana and it development on the last decade.
In contrast, Jamaica and Dominican Republic do not share the same language. Jamaica was colonized by Great Britain so it is normal to hear them speaking English. Equally important the Dominicans speak Spanish thanks to the power placed by Spain. It is peculiar that Jamaica is the only country in the great Antilles with English as official language. The catholic alliteration imposed to the natives of ´´La Hispaniola´´ was crucial in the expansion of Spanish language.
The politics are also quite different
Bibliography: 1. ( Pearson Education, 2012) http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107662.html?pageno=3 2. (http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/historyofthecaribbean/p/santodomingo.htm) 3. (Zamora Editores, 2001)