Problematic Neighbors: The Relationship between the Dominican Republic and Haiti

The relationship between the problematic neighbor, the Dominican Republic and Haiti, can be characterized as a time bomb that may explode at a particular time. The tension between the two countries arises from the long-standing historical, cultural and ethnic differences. Both occupy Hispaniola and share common features, but the hatred between them is deeply rooted in the political and social identity of each state. During the colonial period, Hispaniola Island was divided into two by French and Spanish people, historically important, had an impact on the lifestyle of today's Haitian and Dominican people.

The relationship between the Dominican Republic and the neighboring Haiti has become nervous due to the massive Haitian immigration to the Dominican Republic and the citizens of the Dominican Republic condemned the crime and other social problems to increase. The Dominican Republic is an active member of international organizations in French speaking countries. The Dominican Republic has signed a free trade agreement with the United States, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua through the Dominican Republic - the Central American Free Trade Agreement. Through the Caribbean Forum, we signed an economic partnership agreement with the European Union and the Caribbean Community.

The fact of the Dominican Republic reveals interesting information about the islands where the Dominican Republic is located. Ispaniola is the second largest Caribbean island after Cuba, with two countries, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. However, the area of ​​Haiti is half of the Dominican Republic, the Dominican Republic is the second largest in the Caribbean (18,700 square miles), crosses Cuba and covers an area of ​​42,000 square miles. Various small islands near the main island, such as Saona and Beata, are also part of the Dominican Republic.

I came from the conflict between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, so I chose to talk about the Dominican Republic and Haiti. What is the interpretation of these cultural differences between the two counties that share the same island? How is Taino's Island called Hayo divided into two countries, and there are two different cultures living? I saw the colonial history of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. And it contains answers to these questions. Both countries have a colonial background and it looks like today. I have read and analyzed four different studies that discuss and explain some of the reasons the two countries are very different in education, culture and health.