Dominican Republic
At the center of the Caribbean ring, on the eastern part of Hispaniola island, stands the Dominican Republic, a tropical island country with coral reefs, turquoise seas, and long, white beaches. Columbus landed here in 1492 describing it as an exquisitely beautiful land.
During the imperial age, the Dominican Republic passed from Spanish to French control and finally declared independence in 1844. From the 1860s to 1960s, dictators misruled the nation . Today the Dominican Republic is under a developing three-branch democracy weighted more heavily on the presidential side.
The Dominican Republic has a relatively strong economy among developing nations and is wealthy compared to Haiti, its strife-ridden neighbor.
The government has made many strides to improve infrastructure and modify policies to attract tourists.
Climate
The Dominican Republic’s climate is tropical. The rainy season is from May to November.
Health and Safety
Malaria is a risk in all rural areas, especially bordering Haiti and in La Altagracia Province.
Visit the CDC’s Dominican Republic page for updated information on health conditions in the Dominican Republic.
Religion and Festivals
The predominant religion is Christianity, of which Roman Catholicism is the largest sect.
Transportation
The Dominican Republic has eight international airports, and travel between these by small plane is a viable, if fairly expensive, option. Public buses are very cheap, though even air-conditioned buses are not in the best condition. Travel by private car can be dangerous for those without experience.
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