Hispanola

Hispaniola is a Caribbean island in the Greater Antilles, shared by two sovereign states, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Covering about 76,000 square kilometers, it is the second-largest island in the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds, while Haiti lies to the west. The name Hispaniola derives from La Española, the Spanish designation given during early exploration.

Geographically diverse, the island features high mountain ranges such as the Cordillera Central and the Massif de la Selle, and peaks like Pico Duarte, at 3,098 meters. Major rivers include the Yaque del Norte and the Artibonite. The island hosts freshwater and saltwater lakes, notably Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic and Étang Saumâtre in Haiti. It is prone to tropical storms and hurricanes.

Before European contact, the Taíno people inhabited Hispaniola. Christopher Columbus landed there in 1492, and the island became a rich Spanish colony. In 1697 the western portion was ceded to France, while the eastern part remained under Spain. Haiti gained independence in 1804 after a slave uprising; the Dominican Republic achieved independence in 1844. The island has experienced periods of political instability and foreign intervention.

Today the two states have distinct languages and economies: the Dominican Republic is the most populous and economically developed on the island, with Spanish as the dominant language; Haiti primarily uses Haitian Creole and French. The economy of the Dominican Republic is driven by services, tourism, and manufacturing, while Haiti remains the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, facing development and environmental challenges.

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