5 Facts of Dominican Republic

The capital of Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo

Diverse topography graces the Dominican Republic, transitioning from rain forest to desert land complete with cactus. Situated on the edge of the earth's tropical climate line, this large island benefits from year around mild weather. Settled by the Spaniards who brought along their African slaves, this land is inhabited mostly by descendants of the two groups. The Dominican Republic occupies two-thirds of the island named Hispaniola, with the other one-third being occupied by Haiti.

5 Facts You Might Not Know

1

The world's biggest open-pit gold mine is located here, and together with silver mining constitutes the nation's biggest economic factor. However, the fertile soil found on much of the island helps crops to thrive, such as sugarcane, coffee, tobacco, bananas, rice and many other food commodities.

2

Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492, the island of Hispaniola was originally home to an unknown race of Indians known as Tainos. These indigenous people had lived here since 800 A.D., but were wiped out as a race in a matter of only 50 years. This was due to violence from the Spaniards who came in conquest and to claim the island as their own.

3

Almost 800 miles of coastline circles the island, with much of it composed of picture-perfect tropical beaches. Even though the white, sandy shoreline with every shade of crystal-clear, blue water beckon tourists to visit, most vacationers head first for the more well-known islands in the Caribbean.

4

By air, the Dominican Republic is only three hours away from New York, and just under two hours away from Miami. Santo Domingo, which is the oldest city in the New World - otherwise known as the Americas, has two international airports.

5

The population of the Dominican Republic is very near ten million people, and by area it is slightly more than double the size of New Hampshire, or 18,000 square miles. In contrast, New York city has a population of almost nine million people, with an area of 305 square miles.