Editing Dominican Republic (section)

==Culture==
{{Main|Culture of the Dominican Republic}}
[[File:Yoryi Morel 02.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Campesino cibaeño, 1941 (Museo de Arte Moderno, Santo Domingo)]]

Due to [[cultural syncretism]], the culture and customs of the Dominican people have a [[European culture|European cultural basis]], influenced by both [[African culture|African]] and native [[Taíno]] elements, although endogenous elements have emerged within Dominican culture;<ref name="EstevaFabregat" /> culturally the Dominican Republic is among the most-European countries in [[Spanish America]], alongside [[Culture of Puerto Rico|Puerto Rico]], [[Culture of Cuba|Cuba]], [[Central Chile]], [[Culture of Argentina|Argentina]], and [[Culture of Uruguay|Uruguay]].<ref name="EstevaFabregat">{{cite journal|format=PDF|last=Esteva Fabregat|first=Claudio|url=http://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/QUCE/article/download/QUCE8181120099A/1896|title=La hispanización del mestizaje cultural en América|trans-title=Hispanicization of cultural miscegenation in America|language=es|journal=Revista Complutense de Historia de América|publisher=[[Universidad Complutense de Madrid]]|volume=1|page=133|date=1981|issn=0211-6111|access-date=August 26, 2016|archive-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105172517/http://revistas.ucm.es/index.php/QUCE/article/download/QUCE8181120099A/1896|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=November 2023}} Spanish institutions in the colonial era were able to predominate in the Dominican culture's making-of as a relative success in the [[acculturation]] and [[cultural assimilation]] of African slaves slightly diminished African cultural influence in comparison to other Caribbean countries.
<!--Music and sport are of great importance in the Dominican culture, with [[Merengue music|Merengue]] and [[Bachata (music)|Bachata]] as the national dance and music, and [[baseball]] as the favorite sport.<ref name="embassy" />-->

===Architecture===
[[File:Church and Convent Regina Angelorum CCSD 07 2018 0762.jpg|thumb|Church and Convent, Colonial Santo Domingo]]
[[File:Downtown Puerto Plata Dominican Republic Architecture.jpg|thumb|Late 19th-century Victorian architecture is prominent in Puerto Plata]]
The architecture in the Dominican Republic represents a complex blend of diverse cultures. The deep influence of the [[Europe]]an colonists is the most evident throughout the country. Characterized by ornate designs and [[baroque architecture|baroque]] structures, the style can best be seen in the capital city of [[Santo Domingo]], which is home to the first cathedral, palace, monastery, and fortress in all of the [[Americas]], located in the city's [[Ciudad Colonial (Santo Domingo)|Colonial Zone]], an area declared as a [[World Heritage Site]] by [[UNESCO]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/526|title=Colonial City of Santo Domingo|publisher=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|access-date=December 26, 2019|archive-date=January 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104142249/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/526|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unesco.org/nac/geoportal.php?country=DO&language=E|title=Dominican Republic National Commission for UNESCO|work=UNESCO|date=November 14, 1957|access-date=August 24, 2016|archive-date=July 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725103339/http://www.unesco.org/nac/geoportal.php?country=DO&language=E|url-status=live}}</ref> The designs carry over into the villas and buildings throughout the country. It can also be observed on buildings that contain stucco exteriors, arched doors and windows, and red tiled roofs.

The indigenous peoples of the Dominican Republic have also had a significant influence on the architecture of the country. The [[Taíno]] people relied heavily on the mahogany and guano (dried palm tree leaf) to put together crafts, artwork, furniture, and houses. Utilizing mud, thatched roofs, and mahogany trees, they gave buildings and the furniture inside a natural look, blending in with the island's surroundings.

Lately, with the rise in tourism and increasing popularity as a Caribbean vacation destination, architects in the Dominican Republic have now begun to incorporate cutting-edge designs that emphasize luxury. In many ways an architectural playground, villas and hotels implement new styles, while offering new takes on the old. This new style is characterized by simplified, angular corners and large windows that blend outdoor and indoor spaces.

===Visual arts===
Dominican art is perhaps most commonly associated with the bright, vibrant colors and images that are sold in every tourist gift shop across the country. However, the country has a long history of [[fine art]] that goes back to the middle of the 1800s when the country became independent and the beginnings of a national art scene emerged.

Historically, the painting of this time were centered around images connected to national independence, historical scenes, portraits but also landscapes and images of still life. Styles of painting ranged between [[neoclassicism]] and [[romanticism]]. Between 1920 and 1940 the art scene was influenced by styles of [[realism (arts)|realism]] and [[impressionism]]. Dominican artists were focused on breaking from previous, academic styles in order to develop more independent and individual styles.

===Literature===
{{Main|Literature of the Dominican Republic}}
The Dominican politician, rector and author [[Andrés López de Medrano]] (1780 – May 6, 1856) became the first enlightened philosopher of the Dominican Republic and supported Dominican independence.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo - 200 commemorates years of the first book of Dominican philosophy |url=https://www.intec.edu.do/en/notas-de-prensa/item/conmemoran-200-anos-del-primer-libro-de-filosofia-dominicano-2 |access-date=2024-12-22 |website=www.intec.edu.do}}</ref> Medrano is best known for writing one of the most important [[Philosophy|philosophical]] works of the 19th century, a treaty or guide entitled ''Logic, Elements of Modern Philosophy'' (1814), which became the first book of Dominican philosophy and the first book printed in the Dominican Republic.<ref name=":1" />

The 20th century brought many prominent Dominican writers, and saw a general increase in the perception of Dominican literature. Writers such as [[Juan Bosch (politician)|Juan Bosch]], [[Pedro Mir]] (national poet of the Dominican Republic<ref>{{Cite web|title=Don Pedro Mir Valentín, Poeta Nacional Dominicano|url=http://www.educando.edu.do/articulos/estudiante/don-pedro-mir-valentn-poeta-nacional-dominicano/|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=www.educando.edu.do|archive-date=December 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220115336/http://www.educando.edu.do/articulos/estudiante/don-pedro-mir-valentn-poeta-nacional-dominicano|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 11, 2019|title=Pedro Mir Biografia {{!}} República Dominicana|url=https://www.conectate.com.do/articulo/pedro-mir-biografia/|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=Conectate.com.do|language=es|archive-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213183921/https://www.conectate.com.do/articulo/pedro-mir-biografia/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=December 13, 2019|title=Pedro Mir|url=https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/m/mir_pedro.htm|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=Biografia y vidas|language=es|archive-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213183926/https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/m/mir_pedro.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>), [[Aida Cartagena Portalatin]], Emilio Rodríguez Demorizi (the most important Dominican historian, with more than 1000 written works<ref>{{Cite web|title=Emilio Rodríguez Demorizi|url=https://www.diariolibre.com/cronologia/ver/meta/emilio-rodriguez-demorizi|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=www.diariolibre.com|language=es-ES|archive-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213183908/https://www.diariolibre.com/cronologia/ver/meta/emilio-rodriguez-demorizi|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Clas|first=Bredi|title=Emilio Rodríguez Demorizi|url=http://academiadominicanahistoria.org.do/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/rodriguezDemorizi.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304210648/http://academiadominicanahistoria.org.do/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/rodriguezDemorizi.pdf |archive-date=2018-03-04 |url-status=live|website=Academia Dominicana de Historia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=August 31, 2018|title=¿En qué año nació Emilio Rodríguez Demorizi? (1–2) – Acento – El más ágil y moderno diario electrónico de la República Dominicana|url=https://acento.com.do/2018/opinion/8600497-ano-nacio-emilio-rodriguez-demorizi-1-2/|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=Acento|language=es|archive-date=September 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901113713/https://acento.com.do/2018/opinion/8600497-ano-nacio-emilio-rodriguez-demorizi-1-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo – INTEC – Emilio Rodríguez Demorizi|url=https://www.intec.edu.do/biblioteca/emilio-rodriguez-demorizi|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=www.intec.edu.do|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802135306/https://www.intec.edu.do/biblioteca/emilio-rodriguez-demorizi|url-status=dead}}</ref>), [[Manuel del Cabral]] (main Dominican poet featured in black poetry<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trayectorias Literarias: Manuel del Cabral|url=https://dominicanaenmiami.com/?p=3941|access-date=December 13, 2019|archive-date=April 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417062127/https://dominicanaenmiami.com/?p=3941|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Manuel del Cabral – Solo Literatura|url=https://sololiteratura.com/manuel-del-cabral/|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=sololiteratura.com|archive-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213183920/https://sololiteratura.com/manuel-del-cabral/|url-status=live}}</ref>), Hector Inchustegui Cabral (considered one of the most prominent voices of the Caribbean social poetry of the twentieth century<ref>{{Cite web|title=Héctor Incháustegui Cabral: Introducción a "Poesía Sorprendida"|url=https://www.literatura.us/apolinar/hector.html|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=www.literatura.us|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308200607/https://www.literatura.us/apolinar/hector.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Nace Héctor Incháustegui, poeta, profesor, ensayista y animador cultural – El Nacional|url=https://elnacional.com.do/nace-hector-inchaustegui-poeta-y-profesor/|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=elnacional.com.do|date=July 25, 2018|archive-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213183931/https://elnacional.com.do/nace-hector-inchaustegui-poeta-y-profesor/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Hector Inchaustegui Cabral|url=http://opac.pucmm.edu.do/virtuales/html/Dominicanos2/hectorinchaustegui/biografia.htm|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=opac.pucmm.edu.do|archive-date=December 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191222031903/http://opac.pucmm.edu.do/virtuales/html/Dominicanos2/hectorinchaustegui/biografia.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Biografia de Héctor Incháustegui Cabral|url=https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/i/inchaustegui.htm|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=www.biografiasyvidas.com|archive-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213183910/https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/i/inchaustegui.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>), Miguel Alfonseca (poet belonging to Generation 60<ref>{{Cite web|title=ÁMBITO CULTURAL ::: Miguel Alfonseca|url=http://www.cielonaranja.com/torresambitoalfonseca.htm|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=www.cielonaranja.com|archive-date=December 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227055947/http://www.cielonaranja.com/torresambitoalfonseca.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=November 29, 2018|title=Miguel Alfonseca|url=https://elnuevodiario.com.do/miguel-alfonseca/|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=El Nuevo Diario (República Dominicana)|language=es|archive-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213184038/https://elnuevodiario.com.do/miguel-alfonseca/|url-status=live}}</ref>), Rene del Risco (acclaimed poet who was a participant in the June 14 Movement<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 7, 2017|title=René del Risco, poesía y angustia de la ciudad|url=http://revista.global/rene-del-risco-poesia-y-angustia-de-la-ciudad/|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=Revista Global|language=es-ES|archive-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213184010/http://revista.global/rene-del-risco-poesia-y-angustia-de-la-ciudad/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=BIOGRAFIA – Fundacion Rene del Risco|url=http://fundacionrenedelrisco.org/biografia/|access-date=December 13, 2019|language=es-ES|archive-date=December 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213183933/http://fundacionrenedelrisco.org/biografia/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=December 15, 2015|title=René del Risco Bermúdez|url=http://www.educando.edu.do/portal/biografia-rene-del-risco-bermudez/|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=Educando|language=es-MX|archive-date=November 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130145044/http://www.educando.edu.do/portal/biografia-rene-del-risco-bermudez/|url-status=dead}}</ref>), [[Mateo Morrison]], among many more prolific authors, put the island in one of the most important in Literature in the twentieth century.

New Dominican writers have not yet achieved the renown of their 20th-century counterparts. However, writers such as [[Frank Báez]] (won the 2006 Santo Domingo Book Fair First Prize) <ref>{{cite web|date=December 19, 2014|title=El Hombrecito|url=http://www.elhombrecito.com/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219192846/http://www.elhombrecito.com/|archive-date=December 19, 2014|access-date=February 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Frank Baez|url=https://www.wordswithoutborders.org/contributor/frank-baez|access-date=February 14, 2020|website=Words Without Borders|archive-date=February 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214042332/https://www.wordswithoutborders.org/contributor/frank-baez|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Junot Díaz]] (2008 [[Pulitzer Prize for Fiction]] for his novel ''[[The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao]])''<ref>{{cite news|last=II|first=Louis Lucero|date=May 10, 2018|title=Junot Díaz Steps Down as Pulitzer Chairman Amid Review of Misconduct Allegations|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/10/books/junot-diaz-pulitzer-prize.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/10/books/junot-diaz-pulitzer-prize.html |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |url-access=limited|access-date=February 14, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref> lead Dominican literature in the 21st century.

===Music and dance===
{{Main|Music of the Dominican Republic}}
[[File:Romeo Santos y Juan Luis Guerra.jpg|thumb|[[Merengue music|Merengue]], sung by [[Juan Luis Guerra]] (left), and [[Bachata (music)|bachata]], sung by [[Romeo Santos]] (right), are two very popular music genres native to the Dominican Republic.]]

Musically, the Dominican Republic is known for the [[Popular culture|world popular]] [[musical style]] and genre called [[Merengue music|merengue]],<ref name="Harvey2006"/>{{rp|376–7}} a type of lively, fast-paced rhythm and dance music consisting of a tempo of about 120 to 160 beats per minute (though it varies) based on musical elements like drums, brass, chorded instruments, and accordion, as well as some elements unique to the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, such as the ''[[tambora (Dominican drum)|tambora]]'' and ''[[güira]]''.

Its [[Syncopation|syncopated beats]] use [[Latin percussion]], [[brass instruments]], bass, and piano or keyboard. Between 1937 and 1950 merengue music was promoted internationally by Dominican groups like Billo's Caracas Boys, Chapuseaux and Damiron "Los Reyes del Merengue", Joseito Mateo, and others. Radio, television, and international media popularized it further. Some well known merengue performers are [[Wilfrido Vargas]], [[Johnny Ventura]], singer-songwriter [[Los Hermanos Rosario]], [[Juan Luis Guerra]], [[Fernando Villalona]], [[Eddy Herrera]], [[Sergio Vargas]], [[Toño Rosario]], [[Milly Quezada]], and [[Chichí Peralta]].

[[File:Dominican Republic Dance.jpg|thumb|left|Dominicans dancing in parade with traditional dress]]
[[Bachata (music)|Bachata]], a form of music and dance that originated in the countryside and rural marginal neighborhoods of the Dominican Republic, has become quite popular in recent years. Its subjects are often romantic; especially prevalent are tales of heartbreak and sadness. In fact, the original name for the genre was ''amargue'' ("bitterness", or "bitter music"), until the rather ambiguous (and mood-neutral) term ''bachata'' became popular. Bachata grew out of, and is still closely related to, the [[Pan-Latinism|pan-Latin]] American romantic style called ''[[bolero]]''. Over time, it has been influenced by merengue and by a variety of Latin American guitar styles.

[[Palo music|Palo]] is an [[Afro-Dominican (Dominican Republic)|Afro-Dominican]] sacred music that can be found throughout the island. The drum and human voice are the principal instruments. Palo is played at religious ceremonies—usually coinciding with saints' religious feast days—as well as for secular parties and special occasions. Its roots are in the [[Congo region]] of central-west Africa, but it is mixed with European influences in the melodies.<ref>[http://www.iasorecords.com/music/palo-drum-afro-dominican-tradition Palo Drum: Afro-Dominican Tradition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118114239/http://www.iasorecords.com/music/palo-drum-afro-dominican-tradition |date=January 18, 2015 }}. iasorecords.com</ref>

[[Salsa music]] has had a great deal of popularity in the country. During the late 1960s Dominican musicians like [[Johnny Pacheco]], creator of the [[Fania All Stars]], played a significant role in the development and popularization of the genre.

[[Dominican rock]] and [[Reggaeton]] are also popular. Many, if not the majority, of its performers are based in Santo Domingo and Santiago.

===Fashion===

The country boasts one of the ten most important design schools in the region, La Escuela de Diseño de Altos de Chavón, which is making the country a key player in the world of fashion and design. Noted fashion designer [[Oscar de la Renta]] was born in the Dominican Republic in 1932, and became a US citizen in 1971. By 1963, he had designs bearing his own label. After establishing himself in the US, de la Renta opened boutiques across the country.{{clarify|date=September 2017}}<!-- Which country—US or DR? --> His work blends French and Spaniard fashion with American styles.<ref>[http://www.wcax.com/story/7036793/fashion-oscar-de-la-renta-dominican-republic Fashion: Oscar de la Renta (Dominican Republic)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116205803/http://www.wcax.com/story/7036793/fashion-oscar-de-la-renta-dominican-republic |date=January 16, 2013 }} WCAX.com&nbsp;– Retrieved October 31, 2012.</ref><ref name="britannica de la renta">[https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/764644/Oscar-de-la-Renta Oscar de la Renta]. [[Encyclopædia Britannica]]. Retrieved October 31, 2012.</ref> Although he settled in New York, de la Renta also marketed his work in Latin America, where it became very popular, and remained active in his native Dominican Republic, where his charitable activities and personal achievements earned him the Juan Pablo Duarte Order of Merit and the Order of Cristóbal Colón.<ref name="britannica de la renta"/> De la Renta died of complications from cancer on October 20, 2014.

===Cuisine===
{{More citations needed section|date=June 2020}}
{{Main|Cuisine of the Dominican Republic}}
[[File:ChicharronMixto.JPG|thumb|Chicharrón mixto, a common dish in the country derived from Andalusia in southern Spain]]

Dominican cuisine is predominantly [[Spanish cuisine#Spanish regional variation|Spanish]], [[Taíno#Food and agriculture|Taíno]], and [[African cuisine|African]] in origin. The typical cuisine is similar to what can be found in other Latin American countries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/visit-dominican-republic/caribbean-culture/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/visit-dominican-republic/caribbean-culture/ |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Caribbean culture in Dominican Republic|last=Booth|first=Joanna|date=July 5, 2017|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=September 14, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> One breakfast dish consists of eggs and ''[[Mangú (dish)|mangú]]'' (mashed, boiled plantain). Heartier versions of ''mangú'' are accompanied by deep-fried meat (Dominican salami, typically), cheese, or both. Lunch, generally the largest and most important meal of the day, usually consists of rice, meat, beans, and salad. "La Bandera" (literally "The Flag") is the most popular lunch dish; it consists of meat and red beans on white rice. ''[[Sancocho]]'' is a stew often made with seven varieties of meat.

Meals tend to favor meats and starches over dairy products and vegetables. Many dishes are made with ''[[sofrito]]'', which is a mix of local herbs used as a wet rub for meats and sautéed to bring out all of a dish's flavors. Throughout the south-central coast, [[bulgur]], or whole wheat, is a main ingredient in [[Tabbouleh|''quipes'' or ''tipili'']] (bulgur salad). Other favorite Dominican foods include ''[[chicharrón]]'', ''[[Cassava|yuca]]'', ''[[Tapioca|casabe]]'', ''[[Cuban pastry|pastelitos]]'' ([[empanada]]s), ''[[Sweet potato|batata]]'', [[Yam (vegetable)|''ñame'']], ''[[Pasteles|pasteles en hoja]]'', ''[[chimichurris]]'', and ''[[tostones]]''.

Some treats Dominicans enjoy are ''[[Rice pudding|arroz con leche]]'' (or ''arroz con dulce''), ''[[Bizcocho Dominicano|bizcocho dominicano]]'' ({{lit|Dominican cake}}), ''[[habichuelas con dulce]]'', [[Crème caramel|flan]], ''[[Snow cone|frío frío]]'' (snow cones), [[dulce de leche]], and ''caña'' ([[sugarcane]]). The beverages Dominicans enjoy are ''[[Morir Soñando]]'', [[rum]], beer, ''[[Mama Juana]]'',<ref>[http://www.republicadominicana.net/4-bebidas-tipicas-de-republica-dominicana/ "Bebidas típicas de República Dominicana"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073748/http://www.republicadominicana.net/4-bebidas-tipicas-de-republica-dominicana/ |date=March 4, 2016 }}. ''RepublicaDominicana.net'' (in Spanish).</ref> ''batidas'' (smoothie), ''jugos naturales'' (freshly squeezed fruit juices), ''[[Mauby|mabí]]'', coffee, and ''[[chaca (dessert)|chaca]]'' (also called ''maiz caqueao/casqueado'', ''maiz con dulce'' and ''maiz con leche''), the last item being found only in the southern provinces of the country such as San Juan.

===National symbols===
[[File:Pereskia quisqueyana.JPG|thumb|upright=0.7|Bayahibe rose]]

Some of the Dominican Republic's important symbols are the [[Flag of the Dominican Republic|flag]], [[Coat of arms of the Dominican Republic|the coat of arms]], and the national anthem, titled ''[[National Anthem of the Dominican Republic|Himno Nacional]]''. The flag has a large white cross that divides it into four quarters. Two quarters are red and two are blue. Red represents the blood shed by the liberators. Blue expresses God's protection over the nation. The white cross symbolizes the struggle of the liberators to bequeath future generations a free nation. An alternative interpretation is that blue represents the ideals of progress and liberty, whereas white symbolizes peace and unity among Dominicans.<ref>
{{cite web |url=http://www.ejercito.mil.do/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=165&Itemid=132 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113181033/http://www.ejercito.mil.do/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=165&Itemid=132 |archive-date=January 13, 2009 |title=Ejército Nacional de la República Dominicana&nbsp;– Bandera Nacional |access-date=October 20, 2008 |publisher=National Army of the Dominican Republic |language=es}}</ref>

In the center of the cross is the Dominican coat of arms, in the same colors as the national flag. The coat of arms pictures a red, white, and blue flag-draped shield with a Bible, a gold cross, and arrows; the shield is surrounded by an olive branch (on the left) and a palm branch (on the right). The Bible traditionally represents the truth and the light. The gold cross symbolizes the redemption from slavery, and the arrows symbolize the noble soldiers and their proud military. A blue ribbon above the shield reads, "Dios, Patria, Libertad" (meaning "God, Fatherland, Liberty"). A red ribbon under the shield reads, "República Dominicana" (meaning "Dominican Republic"). Out of all the flags in the world, the depiction of a Bible is unique to the Dominican flag.

The [[Floral emblem|national flower]] is the [[endemic]] [[Pereskia quisqueyana|Bayahibe rose]] (''Leuenbergeria quisqueyana'') and the [[national tree]] is the [[Swietenia mahagoni|West Indian mahogany]] (''Swietenia mahagoni'').<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.listindiario.com/la-vida/2011/7/16/196080/La-rosa-de-Bayahibe-nuestra-flor-nacional |title=La rosa de Bayahíbe, nuestra flor nacional |author=López, Yaniris |work=Listin Diario |date=July 17, 2011 |access-date=July 17, 2011 |archive-date=July 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719112914/http://www.listindiario.com/la-vida/2011/7/16/196080/La-rosa-de-Bayahibe-nuestra-flor-nacional |url-status=dead }}</ref> The national bird is the ''cigua palmera'' or [[palmchat]] (''Dulus dominicus''), another endemic species.<ref name=depaul>{{cite web|url=http://www.diariodigital.com.do/articulo,30016,html |title=El jardín Botánico Nacional |trans-title=The National Botanical Garden |language=es |last=Pérez |first=Faustino |work=DiarioDigitalRD.com |access-date=October 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023033403/http://www.diariodigital.com.do/articulo%2C30016%2Chtml |archive-date=October 23, 2008 }}</ref>

The Dominican Republic celebrates [[Dia de la Altagracia]] on January 21 in honor of its patroness, [[Juan Pablo Duarte|Duarte]]'s Day on January 26 in honor of one of its founding fathers, Independence Day on February 27, [[Dominican Restoration War|Restoration Day]] on August 16, ''Virgen de las Mercedes'' on September 24, and [[Constitution Day]] on November 6.

===Sports===
{{Main|Sports in the Dominican Republic}}
[[File:Albert Pujols4.jpg|thumb|upright|Dominican native and [[Major League Baseball]] player [[Albert Pujols]]]]

[[Baseball]] is by far the most popular sport in the Dominican Republic.<ref name="Harvey2006"/>{{rp|59}} The [[Dominican Professional Baseball League]] consists of six teams. Its season usually begins in October and ends in January. After the United States, the Dominican Republic has the second-highest number of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) players. [[Ozzie Virgil Sr.]] became the first Dominican-born player in MLB on September 23, 1956. As of 2024, five Dominican-born players—[[Adrián Beltré]], [[Vladimir Guerrero]], [[Juan Marichal]], [[Pedro Martínez]], and [[David Ortiz]]—have been elected to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://baseballhall.org/node/1255 |title=Marichal, Juan |work= Baseball Hall of Fame|access-date=July 29, 2010}}</ref> Other notable baseball players born in the Dominican Republic are [[José Bautista]], [[Robinson Canó]], [[Rico Carty]], [[Bartolo Colón]], [[Nelson Cruz]], [[Edwin Encarnación]], [[Cristian Javier]], [[Ubaldo Jiménez]], [[Francisco Liriano]], [[Plácido Polanco]], [[Albert Pujols]], [[Hanley Ramírez]], [[Manny Ramírez]], [[José Reyes (infielder)|José Reyes]], [[Alfonso Soriano]], [[Sammy Sosa]], [[Juan Soto]], [[Fernando Tatís Jr.]], [[Miguel Tejada]], [[Framber Valdez]], and [[Elly De La Cruz]]. [[Felipe Alou]] has also enjoyed success as a manager<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sobreeldiamante.com/dominicana-busca-corona-en-clasico-mundial.html|title=Dominicana busca corona en el clásico mundial|trans-title=Dominicans looking for world classic crown|language=es|publisher=Sobre el Diamante|last=Puesan|first=Antonio|date=March 2, 2009|access-date=October 22, 2012|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116214549/http://www.sobreeldiamante.com/dominicana-busca-corona-en-clasico-mundial.html|archive-date=January 16, 2013}}</ref> and [[Omar Minaya]] as a general manager. In 2013, the Dominican team went undefeated ''en route'' to winning the [[World Baseball Classic]].

In [[boxing]], the country has produced scores of world-class fighters and several world champions,<ref>{{cite book |title=An Illustrated History of Boxing |last=Fleischer |first=Nat |author2=Sam Andre |author3=Don Rafael |pages=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedhisto0000flei/page/324 324, 362, 428] |publisher=Citadel Press |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-8065-2201-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedhisto0000flei/page/324 }}</ref> such as [[Carlos Cruz (boxer)|Carlos Cruz]], his brother [[Leo Cruz|Leo]], [[Juan Guzman (boxer)|Juan Guzman]], and [[Joan Guzman]].

Basketball also enjoys a relatively high level of popularity. [[Tito Horford]], his son [[Al Horford|Al]], [[Felipe López (basketball)|Felipe Lopez]], and [[Francisco García (basketball)|Francisco Garcia]] are among the Dominican-born players currently or formerly in the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA).

Olympic gold medalist and world champion hurdler [[Félix Sánchez (hurdler)|Félix Sánchez]] hails from the Dominican Republic, as do former [[National Football League|NFL]] [[defensive end]] [[Luis Castillo (American football)|Luis Castillo]] and 2020 World and European Cyclo-cross champion [[Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Shanahan |first=Tom |title=San Diego Hall of Champions&nbsp;– Sports at Lunch, Luis Castillo and Felix Sanchez |publisher=San Diego Hall of Champions |date=March 24, 2007 |url=http://www.sdhoc.com/main/articles/sportsatlunch/Sportsatlunch2007/Sanchezcastillo |access-date=May 29, 2007|url-status=usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070505132520/http://www.sdhoc.com/main/articles/sportsatlunch/Sportsatlunch2007/Sanchezcastillo| archive-date = May 5, 2007}}</ref>

Other important sports are [[volleyball]], introduced in 1916 by U.S. Marines and controlled by the [[Dominican Volleyball Federation]], [[taekwondo]], in which [[Gabriel Mercedes]] won an Olympic silver medal in 2008, and [[judo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fedojudo.org/fedojudo/index.cfm|title=Fedujudo comparte con dirigentes provinciales|publisher=fedojudo.org|language=es|access-date=September 15, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206101315/http://www.fedojudo.org/fedojudo/index.cfm|archive-date=December 6, 2010}}</ref>