The Dominican Republic has the second largest economy in the Caribbean, fueled mostly by agriculture, mining and tourism. There is a fairly large gap between income levels for those with even the slightest education, and those without. The tourist areas that generate the most revenue are based around eastern most tip of the country, covering and including the resort town of Punta Cana. The two most populated cities of Santo Domingo and Santiago, in which the technology and financial services industries are based. The rest of the country is made up of various kinds of plantations and isolated tropical jungles.
The great divide between income levels means there is a great deal of poverty in the Dominican Republic, particularly in the remote regions where plantations are numerous. Sugarcane, coffee, cocoa beans, tobacco, coconut, rice, cassava, and peanuts are just a few of the regular crops grown and exported out of the Dominican. Unfortunately the country is small, thus they do not have a significant pull in the global marketplace. Poverty and economic struggle are commonplace.
There many layers to Dominican culture; music, dance, cuisine, and of course sport. The most well-liked sport among Dominican people is baseball. When young people seek a realistic way out of poverty, they look to baseball. Every Dominican child knows how to play the game, and well. Some move on to other ways of life, and others have gone to lead very successful careers in the world of professional baseball. Since 1956 hundreds of talented athletes have come out of the Dominican Republic and gone on to lead careers in Major League Baseball.
The film "Road to the Big Leagues" is a documentary released in 2008 which tells the story of children in the Dominican who look to baseball as a way out of poverty. Certain qualities that seem to develop in those who live within limited means, such as persistence and perseverance, are highlighted as being invaluable in the drive to Major League Baseball for these children. Several Dominican professional baseball players make appearances in support of the children in the film. Vladimir Guerrero, Jesus Alou and David Ortiz all participate in the documentary, adding weight to the message.
This film is important in understanding the lives and culture of the Dominican people outside of the resort towns. While Punta Cana and other locations are indeed wonderful places to spend time in, knowing what goes on beyond the walls of the resort is important. Go to the Dominican Republic with your eyes wide open, and enjoy the experience even more!
The great divide between income levels means there is a great deal of poverty in the Dominican Republic, particularly in the remote regions where plantations are numerous. Sugarcane, coffee, cocoa beans, tobacco, coconut, rice, cassava, and peanuts are just a few of the regular crops grown and exported out of the Dominican. Unfortunately the country is small, thus they do not have a significant pull in the global marketplace. Poverty and economic struggle are commonplace.
There many layers to Dominican culture; music, dance, cuisine, and of course sport. The most well-liked sport among Dominican people is baseball. When young people seek a realistic way out of poverty, they look to baseball. Every Dominican child knows how to play the game, and well. Some move on to other ways of life, and others have gone to lead very successful careers in the world of professional baseball. Since 1956 hundreds of talented athletes have come out of the Dominican Republic and gone on to lead careers in Major League Baseball.
The film "Road to the Big Leagues" is a documentary released in 2008 which tells the story of children in the Dominican who look to baseball as a way out of poverty. Certain qualities that seem to develop in those who live within limited means, such as persistence and perseverance, are highlighted as being invaluable in the drive to Major League Baseball for these children. Several Dominican professional baseball players make appearances in support of the children in the film. Vladimir Guerrero, Jesus Alou and David Ortiz all participate in the documentary, adding weight to the message.
This film is important in understanding the lives and culture of the Dominican people outside of the resort towns. While Punta Cana and other locations are indeed wonderful places to spend time in, knowing what goes on beyond the walls of the resort is important. Go to the Dominican Republic with your eyes wide open, and enjoy the experience even more!
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