Hispaniola

Hispaniola is the second-largest Caribbean island, lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It covers about 76,000 square kilometers and is divided into two states: the Dominican Republic in the east and Haiti in the west. The Cordillera Central traverses the island, with Pico Duarte as the highest peak, surrounded by tropical valleys and coastal plains.

Originally inhabited by the Taíno, the island was reached by Europeans in 1492, and Santo Domingo was founded in 1496 as the first permanent European settlement in the Americas. It became a major Spanish colony with a plantation economy based on enslaved labor. The eastern part gained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844 after a period of union with Haiti (1822–1844). Haiti declared independence in 1804. The 20th century included foreign interventions and the Dominican Republic’s 1916–1924 U.S. occupation.

Today about 22–23 million people live on Hispaniola. Spanish is the official language in the Dominican Republic; Haitian Creole and French are official in Haiti. Major cities include Santo Domingo and Cap-Haïtien, while Port-au-Prince is the Haitian capital. The two states retain distinct political and economic systems but share cultural and historical ties from Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Economic activity combines services, tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. The Dominican Republic is a major Caribbean tourist destination and exporter of sugar, coffee, and cocoa. Haiti remains more dependent on subsistence farming and remittances, facing greater development challenges. The island’s exposure to hurricanes and earthquakes shapes its infrastructure and development.