Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic This little country is only a part of the island also containing Haiti, but nevertheless it can offer you beautiful sand-beaches, rivers and waterfalls, impressive mountains or exotic wildlife. Wether you want to explore, relax or party, this will be the place. At santo domingo you will be able to see the oldest remaining European city, or the colonial zone, where the son of Christopher Columbus had his administrative centre.

Area: 48.683 Km²
Population: 8.581.000 (2001 est.)
Density: 176 pop/Km²

System of government: Presidential Republic
Capital: Santo Domingo (3.166.000 pop.)
Major cities: Santiago de los Caballeros 1.289.000 pop., San Francisco de Macorís 250.000 pop.
Ethnic majority: Mulatto 60%, White 28%, Black 12%
Border countries: Haiti WEST

Principal mountains: Pico Duarte 3175 m
Principal rivers: Rio Yaque del Norte 200 Km
Principal lakes: Lake Enriquillo 200 Km²
Principal islands: Hispaniola 76.200 Km² (total, with haitian part)
Climate: Tropical

Language: Spanish
Religion: Catholic 95%
Currency: Dominican Peso (DOP)

Fixed public holidays: 1/1, 6/1, 21/1, 26/1, 27/2, 1/5, 16/8, 24/9, 6/11, 25/12
Dialling code: 001-809
GMT: -4

World Heritage List:

• Colonial City of Santo Domingo (1990)