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Coat of Arms

Brief Data
  • Name:
  • Area:
  • Capital:
  • Currency:
  • Population:
  • National Day:
  • La Dominicana
  • 48,730 km2
  • Santo Domingo
  • Dom. Pesos
  • 9,507,133
  • 27 February

Detailed Map

Tourism
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Other Facts:
  • Coordinates:
  • Lowest Pt.:
  • Highest Pt.:
  • Median Age:
  • Languages:
  • and
  • 19 00 N, 70 40 W
  • Enriquillo -46m
  • Pico Duarte 3,175m
  • 24.7 years
  • Mixed 73%
  • White 16%
Introduction

The Dominican Republic is the largest economy in the Central American and Caribbean region. It is a lower middle-income developing country primarily dependent on natural resources and government services. Although the service sector has recently overtaken agriculture as the leading employer of Dominicans (due principally to growth in tourism and Free Trade Zones), agriculture remains the most important sector in terms of domestic consumption and is in second place, behind mining, in terms of export earnings. Free Trade Zone earnings and tourism are the fastest-growing export sectors.

Santo Domingo

Founded by Bartholomew Columbus in 1496, it is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, and was the first seat of Spanish colonial rule in the New World. Santo Domingo came to be known as the "Gateway to the Caribbean". The original layout of the city and a large portion of its defensive wall can still be appreciated today throughout the Colonial Zone, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1990.

La Romana

La Romana is the third-largest city in the Dominican Republic with a population estimated in 2005 at 250,000. The city is capital of the southeastern province of La Romana, opposite Catalina Island. The name Romana comes from a balance that was used to weigh merchandise for export. Santa Rosa de Lima is the patron saint of La Romana. It has been a one-company town since the South Puerto Rico Sugar Co. built the mammoth Central Romana mill in 1917.

Higuey

The main historical element in Higüey is the Cathedral, which holds the famous painting of the "Virgen de la Altagracia", brought by the Spaniards in the 15th century. The painting was moved from its original location in the 500 year old church of San Dionisio. Every year on Virgin of La Altagracia Day (January 21),a national holiday, tens of thousands of pilgrims visit the Cathedral.

Bavaro/Punta Cana

Punta Cana-Bavaro's resorts show a eclectic variety of architecture and interior design inspired by Spanish, Mexican, and native Dominican cultures. Areas bordering Punta Cana include Cap Cana to the south and the original tiny fishing-village of Cabo San Rafael. A 100 metres (330 ft) high cliff is located more to the south, near of Boca de Yuma town, a fishing village dated from the 16th century.