Dominican Republic

Feel the warm sun on your nose and the soft, tickly sand between your toes. Look up and see tall palm trees swaying like they are waving hello to the big, blue sky. Listen closely. Can you hear the gentle splash of the ocean waves. Can you hear that happy, toe-tapping music floating on the breeze. That is the sound of merengue. It makes everyone want to dance and wiggle. I am a happy place, full of sunshine and songs. I am the Dominican Republic, a sparkling jewel in the Caribbean Sea.

Long, long ago, my first friends lived here. They were the kind Taíno people. They loved me very much and took good care of my beaches and my forests. One day, on December 5th, 1492, big ships with puffy white sails sailed across the water and came to my shore. A visitor named Christopher Columbus was on one of those ships. He thought I was so beautiful. Soon after he arrived, his brother Bartholomew Columbus helped build the very first European forever city in the Americas right here. Around the year 1498, they started building the city of Santo Domingo. It was built with strong stones, like stacking blocks, and it is still a special, busy place today.

I have a very special birthday. On a happy day, February 27th, 1844, I became my own country. Everyone celebrated with big smiles and happy songs. Today, I am still a place full of joy. You can see children laughing as they play baseball, their favorite game. You can see families dancing together in the sunshine. Everyone loves to eat my sweet mangoes and juicy pineapples. My heart is full of music and my arms are always open for a warm hug. I am a happy home that loves to share my sunshine and smiles with everyone who visits.