Dominican Republic

Overview

The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, while Haiti lies on the western third, making it the only island in the Caribbean shared by two separate countries. The country was the site of the first Spanish colonization in the New World, and Santo Domingo, founded in 1496, is the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded settlement in the Americas. The official language is Spanish, and most of the population is of mixed Spanish and African descent (mulatto). The Dominican Republic's economy relies heavily on tourism, and the country is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, particularly among North American and European visitors.

Santo Domingo's colonial old town, the Zona Colonial, home to the oldest cathedral in the Americas, the Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990. Punta Cana, on the country's eastern tip, with its long white sand beaches and large resort complexes, is one of the most popular beach destinations in the Caribbean. The Puerto Plata area on the north coast, with Monte Isabel de Torres and its cable car, along with the nearby 27 Charcos waterfall system, showcases the island's less developed regions. Santiago de los Caballeros, the country's second-largest city, is a center of the tobacco industry and merengue music.

Off the coast of the Samaná Peninsula, humpback whales gather to breed between January and March, making the region one of the most significant whale-watching destinations in the Caribbean. The 27 Charcos (27 waterfalls) near Puerto Plata offer natural water slides and pools, explored by climbing over rocks and swimming between them. Local cuisine blends Spanish, African, and Taíno indigenous influences, with la bandera dominicana, rice, beans, and meat served on a single plate, as a signature dish, while merengue and bachata, both originating in the Dominican Republic, remain integral parts of everyday life.