GENERAL AND COMMERCIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING 
THE SANTO DOMINGO CONSOLAR DISTRICT. 
(PREPARED BY CHARLES BRIDGHAM HOSMER, AMERICAN CONSUL AT SANTO DOMINGO, JULY 1925.) 
POPULATION, RACE, PREDILECTIONS, AND STANDARDS OF LIVING: The Consular District of Santo 
Domingo includes the five southern provinces of the Dominican Republic. The population numbers about 450,CCO the 
majority of which is colored, about 75% of the total being of mixed African, Indian and Spanish descent. The majority 
of adults are illiterate, but in decreasing proportion. Although the upper classes, comprising possibly 15% of the total popu¬ 
lation, man tain a fairly high standard of living, the wants of the laboring classes are few and supplied largely by native 
products. The principle centers of population of the district are Santo Domiugo, capital, and largest city of the Republic, 
population, 33,000; San Pedro de Macons, principal port for the exportation of sugar, population 20,000; Azua, population 
6,000; Barahona, 5,000 and La Romana, 5,000. 
AREA, CLIIVIATE AND TOPOGRAPY: The area of the district is about 10,000 square miles. Climate along the 
seacoast, where the chief towns are located, tropical but salubrious; temperature seldom exceeds 90° Farhenheit even in 
summer, and nights are always pleasant. Annual rainfall varies between 45 and 60 inches. Although sectionsof the coun¬ 
try are mountainous and considerable areas toward the south are arid, the coastal plain has an average depth of about 25 
miles and comprises the most populous and developed region* 
LANGUAGE, POSTAGE AND GEN E RAL CUSTOMS POLICY: Spanish is the language of the country, and is pre¬ 
ferred by merchants for business purposes, though many understand English. Postage on first class mail, to and from 
the United States is $ 0.02 per half ounce. The parcel post convention provides for packages up to 22 pounds and postage 
at JO. 12 per pound. Import duties are specific in most cases. They are primarily for revenue and collections amount to 
15% and 20% of the total value of imports. There are no export duties collected. 
LEADING IMPORTS AND LEADING EXPORTS: Imports are made up largely of cotton textiles, iron and steel 
products, rice, flour, lard, dried and smoked fish, liquors, oils, gasoline, automobiles, coal, lumber, cement and drugs. 
In 1924, total exports from this district were valued at $24,316,912 and of this amount, sugar shipments represented 
$21,453,660. Total imports for the same period, were valued at $17,145,016. This represents 80% of the Republic’s total 
foreign trade for 1924, of which United States supplied 74% Of imports and bought 33% of Dominican exports. The larg¬ 
est industry is the cultivation and manufacture of cane sugar. Secondary industries are the cultivation of coffee, cacao, 
and corn, lumbering, apiculture and cattle raising. These products also comprise the principal items of exports. 
TRANSPORTATION CONNECTIONS AND CONDITIONS, PACKING: The Clyde Steamship Company main¬ 
tains fortnightly freight and passenger service between New York and Dominican ports. The Bull Insular Line and the 
Columbus Steamship Company, also maintain regular freight sailings from New York. Cargoes to or from American 
Gulf ports can be handled by the Lone Star Steamship Company, of Galveston. There are weekly freight and passenger 
steamer connections with Porto Rico and monthly sailings to Cuba; also irregular connections with European ports. 
RAILWAYS: There are no railroads open to the public in any part of this district. HIGHWAYS: Permanent macadam 
roads now connect the Capital with Monte Cristy on the north coast, passing through important interior towns; with San 
Pedro de Macons and Higuey tow T ard the east; with San Juan toward the west, and others are under construction. Inland 
communications have much improved during the last four years and the transportation of merchandise to interior points 
by motor trucks is steadily increasing. A fair wholesale and jobbing business, particularly in textiles and provisions, is 
gradually developing between the large ports and the interior; whereas, until recently nearly all importations were by retail 
merchants. There are no special packing requirements for merchandise exported to this district, except the precautions 
always needed when discharge may be to lighters, wdiich is neccesary in some ports. 
LEADING INDUSTRIES AND OCCUPATIONS: Minerals are not mined in commercial quantities, though known to 
exist. There are no shipyards, foundries or large industrial plants established here and the only articles manufactured 
locally are shoes, straw hats, furniture, brick, tile, cigars, cigarettes, rum, soap and candies; cigars and cigarettes are the 
only manufactured products capable of meeting local requirements. This is primarily an agricultural region and the 
major products of the district are referred to under the heading of exports. 
TERMS OF CREDIT, EXTENSION OF AMERICAN TRADE: Thirty to ninety day credits are usually exacted by 
merchants w 7 hose financial standing is good. American currency is legal tender throughout the Republic. The exchange 
rate on New York is % % and is not subject to fluctuation. Business conditions are more stable than a yea ago but AMER¬ 
ICAN EXPORTERS SHOULD STILL USE GREAT CAUTION IN EXTENDING CREDITS. Consular officers as¬ 
sume no responsibility for firms included in lists supplied to inquirers; neither can they undertake the collecting of overdue 
accounts nor furnish information relative to the credit standing of local merchants. The following banks in Santo Domingo, 
are prepared to furnish credit reports: International Banking Corporation (American), Banco Territorial y Agricola de 
Puerto Rico (American), The Royal Bank of Canada (British), and the Bank of Nova Scotia (British). 
MP* C. M C. l r A RLANE • CO. 0042 
