Dominican Republic, or Santo (commonly San) Domingo, a state formed of the eastern portion of Hayti (q.v.). Area, 20,587 sq. m., or over two-thirds of the whole island; population, 617,000, mostly negroes or mulattoes. The state religion is Roman Catholic; the prevailing dialect is Spanish. Civilisation has not reached a high level; but of late years the country has made considerable progress under the impulse of American enterprise. Large sugar plantations and factories have been developed in the south and west; the culture of tobacco, cotfee, and cocoa has been greatly increased; and the export of mahogany, dye-woods, and guano has been revived. Gold, silver, quicksilver, iron, and coal have been found; and there is a railway of 72 miles. The president is chosen for four years, and the legislative power is a congress of twenty-two deputies. The capital is San Domingo. - This portion of the island remained Spanish when the western part was ceded to France in 1697, and was united with the neighbouring state in 1795-1808 and 1822-43. In 1843 it assumed a separate standing as the Dominican Republic, reconstituted in 1865, after having reverted to Spain (1861-63). See works by Keim (Philadelphia, 1871) and Hazard (New York, 1873). Dominion. See Canada.