The Dominican Republic

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The Dominican Republic

Welcome to the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a colorful tapestry of Spanish, French, Haitian and African influences woven by a rich storied history. Christopher Columbus described this lush land as “a beautiful land paradise with high forested mountains and large river valleys”. This statement is still as true today as it was in 1492. In addition to the comforts of sun, sea and sand the Dominican Republic offers an exciting and unique cultural experience that will captivate your senses.

This is a destination like no other - a sensual feast of dazzling landscapes, exotic cuisine, and a remarkable variety of arts and entertainment options. The pulse-pounding thrill of the merengue, intriguing relics from centuries past, premium cigars, and even world-class baseball await you. The Dominican Republic is a surprising place that will delight even the most experienced traveler.

The East Coast region contains the most popular and fastest growing tourist area in the country - Punta Cana/Bávaro. Bávaro is undeniably breathtaking with tall swaying palms scattered along 21 miles of some of the whitest and finest coral sand beaches in the world. The area has become a haven for vacationers who are seeking a beach chair, a Pina Colada and a good read.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Official Hour: UTC -4

Capital: Santo Domingo

Climate: Maritime semitropical, with an average yearly temperature of 80 F.

Currency: The official currency is the Dominican peso (RD$). The exchange rate is RD$35.20 for USD$ 1.00 and RD$52.00 for 1.00€. Foreign currency can be exchanged in authorized exchange office and some banks. Most commonly accepted credit cards are Visa, Master Card and American Express.

Ethnic groups: European - 16%
African origin - 11%
Mixed - 73%

Government type: Representative Democracy

Language: Spanish

Phone Code: International access code 809 & 829

Population: 8,950,034 (as of July, 2005)

Tourism: In 2006, tourist arrivals increased by 16 percent with 4.4 million guests choosing the Dominican Republic as their top vacation spot. In addition, the number of visitors to the DR from the U.S. remains steady, with more than one million for the second consecutive year. The DR was also named “Caribbean's Number One Destination” in 2006, a title given by the World Tourism Organization and one that was owned by Puerto Rico for the last forty years.