Area Information

The white-sand beaches, impressive mountain ranges veined with spectacular rivers and waterfalls, and saltwater lakes teeming with exotic wildlife are just part of the Dominican Republic's appeal. Whether you're looking to party, relax or explore, the Dominican Republic has a lot to offer. Most tourists who come to the island are initially attracted by the magnificent golden sand beaches along its 1,400km (870-mile) coast line. The island’s northern, Atlantic side contains the majority of tourist attractions, hotels and resorts, particularly in the 64km (40-mile) zone between Puerto Plata and Cabarete. Santo Domingo, in the south, features the very first monuments of the American continent: the first cathedral, the first hospital, the first chapel and the first university. In the center of the country, the three main mountain ranges run roughly parallel to each other in an easterly/westerly direction. The Cordillera Central is the highest mountain range on the island. It includes Pico Duarte, the highest mountain in the Caribbean at a height of 3,098m (over 10,000ft).


Location
The second largest nation in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles, with Haiti occupying the western portion. Situated in the heart of the region, between North and South America, the country is bathed by the Caribbean Sea on the south coast and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. With a land area of 48,442 square kilometers, it is larger than the Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, all the Virgin Islands and the entire French West Indies put together. The Dominican Republic is approximately the size of the US state of Maryland. To the west are Jamaica and Cuba; Puerto Rico is east beyond the 112-kilometer Mona Passage; and the southern tip of Florida is about 1,000 kilometers away. The DR shares a land frontier of 275 kms with Haiti.

Topography
A land of contrasts with towering mountains and rocky cliffs, rain forests, fertile valleys, cacti-studded desert regions, 1,600 kilometers of coastline and around 300 kilometers of prime soft sand beaches. The country is crossed by four rugged mountain ranges bisecting northwest to southeast. The largest is the Cordillera Central with Pico Duarte, the tallest point in the Caribbean, rising over 3,175 meters high. Three large fertile valleys rest between the ranges, one of which holds Lake Enriquillo in the southwest, the lowest point in the Caribbean falling 40 meters below sea level and the only salt water lake in the world inhabited by crocodiles.


Climate
The Dominican Republic enjoys a year round privileged tropical maritime climate. Its latitude places the DR at the border of the tropical zone. Sea breezes refresh the insular territory (390 x 265 kms), evening out temperatures to average 23 degrees C in the early mornings to 32 degrees C at noon time year round. The lowest temperatures occur in the mountain areas near Constanza, where temperatures have dropped to 0 degrees C, and record highs have been registered at the frontier with Haiti, 39 degrees C in the summer. May through November are regarded as the rainy season. The hurricane season lasts from June through November, with August-September being the peak months. The last major hurricanes to hit the Dominican Republic were Georges (September 1998) and David (August 1979).

History
Prior to Christopher Columbus' arrival on December 5th, 1492 when he made his first settlement in the Americas, the island was inhabited by the Taino Indians. The history of the country was marked by the influence of the Spanish conquistadors, the French, and the African slaves, until independence was proclaimed in 1844 by Juan Pablo Duarte, one of the country's founding fathers. Other historical notes are the occupation of American forces from 1916-24 to ensure payment of the national debt, the 30-year dictatorship of General Rafael Trujillo from 1930-1961 and the Civil War in 1965. Since 1966, the country has been a democracy. The next presidential elections are scheduled for 16 May 2004.

Population
Estimated 9 million (2000).
A multi-racial and multi-cultural society of Spanish predominance. (European 16%, African origin 11%, Mixed 73%).
Population Average Annual Growth Rate: 1.8% (1988-1999)
Urban Population: 64.5 (1999)
Life Expectancy: 71 years
Health: Infant mortality rate--39.5/1,000.

Major cities
The capital is Santo Domingo (de Guzmán), the oldest and largest city in the Caribbean with a land area of 230 square kilometers and a population of over 2.5 million (1997). Santo Domingo is the second largest city in the Caribbean, after Havana, Cuba. Other principal cities are Santiago de los Caballeros (500,000), La Vega (225,000), San Francisco de Macorís (175,000), San Cristóbal (160,000), San Pedro de Macorís (150,000), La Romana (140,000), Puerto Plata (130,000), and San Juan de la Maguana (130,000).

Administrative divisions
The Dominican Republic is divided into 31 provinces and one National District (Santo Domingo). The provinces are: Azua, Baoruco, Barahona, Dajabón, Duarte, Elías Piña, El Seibo, Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La Vega, María Trinidad Sánchez, Monseñor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samaná, Sánchez Ramírez, San Cristóbal, San José de Ocoa, San Juan, San Pedro de Macorís, Santo Domingo, Santiago, Santiago Rodríguez, and Valverde.

Government
The Dominican Republic is a representative democracy with national powers divided among independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The president appoints the cabinet, executes laws passed by the legislative branch, and is commander in chief of the armed forces. The president and vice president run for office on the same ticket and are elected by direct vote for 4-year terms. Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral Congress--the Senate (32 members) and the House of Representatives (178 members).

The Dominican Republic has a multi-party political system with national elections every 2 years (alternating between presidential elections and congressional/municipal elections). Presidential elections are held in years evenly divisible by four. Congressional and municipal elections are held in even numbered years not divisible by four. International observers have found that presidential and congressional elections since 1996 have been generally free and fair. Elections are supervised by a Central Elections Board (JCE) of 9 members chosen for a four-year term by the newly elected Senate. JCE decisions on electoral matters are final.

Under the constitutional reforms negotiated after the 1994 elections, the 16-member Supreme Court of Justice is appointed by a National Judicial Council, which is comprised of the President, the leaders of both houses of Congress, the President of the Supreme Court, and an opposition or non-governing-party member. One other Supreme Court Justice acts as secretary of the Council, a non-voting position. The Supreme Court has sole authority over managing the court system and in hearing actions against the president, designated members of his cabinet, and members of Congress when the legislature is in session.

The Supreme Court hears appeals from lower courts and chooses members of lower courts. Each of the 31 provinces is headed by a presidentially appointed governor. Mayors and municipal councils to administer the 124 municipal districts and the National District (Santo Domingo) are elected at the same time as congressional representatives.

Education
Education is free from pre-school through 12th grade. 90% of Dominican children enroll in grade school. There is a dual system of private and public education, with an enrollment of approximately two million children. There are also public and private universities. The Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, the state university, is the first university in the New World. It dates back to 1538. An estimated 17% of the population is illiterate.

Religion
The Roman Catholic Church is the most influential in the country. The Dominican Constitution consecrates freedom of cult. Other active religions represented in the DR are Evangelical, Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist, and Mormon.