Dominicans (Spanish: Dominicanos) are a multi-ethnic people who originate from the Dominican Republic. Dominican was historically the demonym for the inhabitants of the Captaincy General of Santo Domingo, and was retained after the nation's independence was obtained. The majority of Dominicans reside in the Dominican Republic, although there is also a large Dominican diaspora, mainly in the United States (also in Spain, Canada and Puerto Rico to a lesser extent). The population of the Dominican Republic in 2007 was estimated by the United Nations at 9,760,000.