FACTS + STATISTICS

Dominican Republic is well known for its rich diversity. With breathtaking beaches, lush mountains and a population of the most colorful and warm people, the country gathers all the qualities that leave a lasting impression. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south, the tropical and paradisiacal country boasts about 1,600 km (1,000 miles) of coastline, where sandy-white beaches and deep blue and turquoise waters mark just the beginning of a diverse and exquisite tourism offer.

Location & Geography: Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the large island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Republic of Haiti. It is the second largest country in the Caribbean, comprising an area of 49,967 square kilometers (18,704 square miles).

Population: The country has a population of more than 10 million people.

Capital City: Dominican Republic’s historic and sophisticated capital city, Santo Domingo, has a population of nearly 3 million, and is the oldest city of the New World. Its Colonial City was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1990.

Government: The country’s political structure is based on the principles of democracy (representative democracy). Every four years, the country elects its president, vice president and legislators.

Language: Spanish is the official language; however, you’ll be surprised by the fact that the majority of employees in hotels and tourist destinations speak relatively good English, French, German and Italian, among others. If visitors intend to venture out beyond the tourist hubs it will be helpful to learn a few basic Spanish phrases.

Currency: The Dominican peso (RD$) is the official currency. Major credit cards and US Dollars are accepted at many tourist areas in the country. ATMs can be found throughout the country and at most resorts.

Climate: The country enjoys warm, tropical weather year-round. The average year-round temperatures are 78°F to 88°F (25°C to 31°C). The cooler season is November through April, while it is warmest from May through October. Prolonged rain showers season is generally from June to November, and the dry season from December to May.

Time: The local time zone is Eastern Caribbean Time (GMT -0400). Dominican Republic does not observe daylight savings time.

Religion: The religion consists mostly of Roman Catholic, but also includes Protestant, Seventh-day Adventist, Baptist and Mormon, among others.

Phone Code: The international access code is +1, and local area codes are: +1809, 829 and 849.

Topography: The country is mostly mountainous, with deserts in the extreme western regions. The principal mountain range is the Cordillera Central. The country contains both the highest mountain in the West Indies – Pico Duarte, at 10,164 feet (3,098 meters) and the lowest-lying lake, Lake Enriquillo at 151 feet (46 meters) below sea level. The Yaque Del Norte, the Yaque Del Sur and the Yuna are the principal rivers.

Economy: Traditionally, the economy has been based on agriculture, mining, trade, and services. But the largest amount comes primarily of agriculture with sugar, coffee and tobacco as the main export crops.

Tourism: In 2017, tourist arrivals increased again with 6.2 million guests choosing the country as their vacation destination, an increase of 3.8% of arrivals that it was aimed for 2016.

The most popular destination continues to be Punta Cana on the East Coast, as its international airport received over (3,643,488) nonresident arrivals in 2017. The second most visited airport is Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo with over (1,348,014) arrivals, followed by El Cibao International Airport (548,081) in the Central region, Gregorio Luperón Puerto Plata International Airport (472,705), in Puerto Plata (the North Coast), La Romana International Airport (98,750), also on the East Coast, El Catey International Airport (69,366), in Samaná (the Northeast Coast) and La Isabela International Airport (7,138), in Santo Domingo.

In 2017, tourist arrivals from around the world included 2,146,448 million visitors from the U.S.; 837,104 from Canada; 265,398 from Germany; 213,247 from France; 240,048 from Russia; 175,940 from England; 173,065 from Spain; 78,747 from Italy; and visitors from South America with 684,220.

The Dominican Republic boasts the highest number of cruise destinations in the Caribbean: Santo Domingo, La Romana, Puerto Plata, Samaná, and Punta Cana. In 2017, 533 cruise ships and 1,144,836 passengers visited from Miami, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale, among other hubs.