about the country - photo gallery

Country
The island of Hispaniola (La Isla Española) was the first New World colony settled by Spain. As such, it served as the logistical base for the conquest of most of the Western Hemisphere. Christopher Columbus first sighted the island in 1492 toward the end of his first voyage to "the Indies."

The Dominican Republic, a fertile, well-watered, mountainous country, covers the larger part of the island of Hispaniola, the second largest island in the Caribbean. About 80% of the country is covered with a series of massive mountain ranges, extending in a northwestern to southeastern direction. Pico Duarte (3175 meters, 10,417 ft) is the highest mountain in the West Indies. Between the Cordillera Central and the Cordillera Septentrional, a parallel range to the north, is the Valley of Cibao, one of the most fertile and best-watered areas of the country.

The principal lake is the saltwater Lago Enriquillo, about 43 km (about 27 mi) long, situated in the southwest. The coastline of the Dominican Republic, about 1633 km (about 1015 mi) in length, is irregular and indented by many bays forming natural harbors, notably Calderas Bay in the south and the Bay of Samana in the northeast.

The official language is Spanish although English is also spoken in tourist areas.

Politically, the Dominican Republic is split into 29 provinces and one state. Nationally, the democratic government is chosen every four years.

The capital
Santo Domingo is a city of firsts, the first capital of the new territories discovered by Christopher Columbus, the first to have Spanish coinage, a university, a cathedral, a fort, a monastery, a hospital and a palace.
Santo Domingo was built in 1502 by Nicolás de Ovando, the colonial governor. Today, it is also the second largest Caribbean city after Havana, with over 2½ million inhabitants and is the country’s financial, industrial and commercial centre. Despite the frantic pace of life here, Santo Domingo is a pleasant city, especially in the colonial zone, where colonial-era buildings are concentrated.
History buffs visiting Santo Domingo should not miss the Alcazar de Colon (a castle built in the early 1500's for Columbus's son, Diego), the Casa del Cordón, the Western Hemisphere's oldest surviving stone house; the Catedral Menor de Santa Maria, the first cathedral in the Americas; and the Columbus lighthouse, a modern structure built to commemorate the Columbus Quincentennial in which houses a sarcophagus which the remains of Columbus are said to lie.

History Table

+ / - 0	Taino Indians
1492	Discovery of the island by Christopher Columbus
1496	Foundation of the city Santo Domingo
1585	Looting Santo Domingo by the Pirate Drake
1641	The Spanish galley Nuestra Señora de la Pura y Limpia Concepción, loaded with 32 tons of silver, sinks on Dominican Republics north coast
1697	Division of the island between France and Spain (contract of Rijswijk)
1724 1782	The historic ships Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Conde de Tolosa and Scipión sink in the bay of Samaná
1821	Solution of the Spanish mother-country
1822	Cast through Haiti
1844	Independence
1861 - 1865	Spanish colony renews
1870	US-Senate refuses consent to intended annexation through the USA
1905 - 1947	USA take on the control over the Dominican customs-administration
1916 - 1924	military cast through the USA
1930 - 1961	Dictator Trujillo
20.12. 1961	first free elections since 1924
27.02. 1963	Assumption of office of President Juan Bosch
25.09. 1963	Military against Juan Bosch
April 1965	Civil war between supporters of Juan Bosch and the right military intervention of the USA
1966 - 1978	Dr. Joaquín Balaguer - president
1978 - 1982	Antonio Guzmán - president
04.07. - 16.08. 1982	Jacobo Majluta - president
1982 - 1986	Dr. Salvador Jorge Blanco - president
1986 - 1996	Dr. Joaquín Balaguer - president
1996 - 2000	Dr. Leonel Fernández Reyna - president
16.05. 2000	Presidency-elections Hipolito Mejía on 08/16/2000

Entry
All visitors require a valid passport. Visitors from the USA and Europe do not require a visa. A tourist card, valid for 90 days, can be purchased at the airport for US$ 10. There is a US$ 20 departure tax.

Vaccinations and health
Vaccinations are not stipulated officially, however, the following are recommended, as with trips to other tropical countries: Tetanus, Polio and DTP, furthermore hepatitis as prophylaxis. A malaria-prophylaxis is not necessary, the tourist areas are safe, only the borderland to Haiti passes a low danger. Don't drink Dominican tap water, and be wary of food that may have been washed in tap water.

Climate
The Dominican Republic has a tropical climate, tempered by the prevailing easterly winds. Temperatures of more than 23.3 ºC (more than 74 ºF) are registered in the lowlands throughout the year. During the summer months temperatures range between 28.7 and 35 ºC (60 and 95 ºF) in these regions. The highlands are considerably cooler. Annual precipitation averages about 1525 mm (about 60 in), but considerably more moisture is received by the mountainous areas.

Time
GMT minus four hours, with no adjustment for daylight saving time

Weights & measures
Metric with some US measurements

Extra expenses
In comparison to other islands in the Caribbean, the extra expenses are relatively low in the Dominican Republic. The prices vary according to item and exchange rate. A glass of beer costs between 1 to 3 dollars, a refreshment beverage between 0.75 and 2 dollars and a cocktail 2.50 to 5 dollars. A fish dinner can be had for 10 to 15 dollars, a Dominican specialty, goat-meat with tomatoes for 3 to 6 dollars. A wind-surf board cost about $15 per day, and a diving tour, can cost approximately $50.
A rental car costs approximately 40 dollars per day. Make sure, however, that you rent the vehicle with comprehensive insurance incl.. It is not advisable to drive at night, since often other vehicles have sparse illumination, and different driving practices. Drive very carefully and be mindful of pedestrians and animals.

A tip is approximately 1 U.S. dollars per luggage-piece for baggage carriers and 1 U.S. dollars per day for the chambermaid. In restaurants a tip from 5 to 10 percent is usual.

Transportation
Rental cars are available from all international agencies, Avis, Hertz, Budget, Enterprise etc. Prices are usually cheaper than in the USA or Europe. Local agencies offer special deals for Jeeps and motorcycles.
Comfortable, Air-conditioned buses run between all main cities. Bring a sweater, however, because the temperature is often kept quite low. The trips are very favorable: A bus trip to Santo Domingo from Sosúa (3-4 hours) costs approximately $10 U.S.
Minibuses (Guaguas) are used for shorter distances. They are usually overfull, but very cheap and stop where you want. Price: From Puerto Plata to Sosúa is less than 1 US$.
Within the cities, there are collective-taxis, called Públicos. You can just flag the driver at the roadside. Price: Between 7 and 10 Pesos per trip. Tourist Taxis are considerably more expensive than Públicos; the 30 minute drive from the airport to the city center of Santo Domingo costs about $25 U.S. Most taxis drive without a meter but fares are indicated at the taxi stations and can be negotiated in advance.
In almost each city, you can use motorcycle-taxis (Motoconchos). For short transportation within the city, 10 Pesos is normal, this charge doubles at night. If you want to drive outside the city, negotiate the price in advance.
Between Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, La Romana Samaná, Monte Cristi Santiago and Barahona there are regular small plane charters. The prices for a one-way-flight is approximately 100 dollars, with flight times of approximately 30 to 60 minutes.

Souvenirs
The most common souvenir is jewelry made from amber. Also larimar, the blue stone that is found only in this country. Other gems, rum, Music CDs and Dominican handicrafts are also popular with vacationers. Don't forget the first-class coffee and hand rolled cigars.

Products that may not be exported are black coral, tortoiseshell, tiger-shells as well as crocodile-leathers.

Phone
To telephone from the hotel is the simplest, but also most expensive. Outside the hotels calling centers offer better value. The telephone stores are usually located in shopping centers and tourist areas.

Electricity
The voltage is standard 110 volts @ 60 hz. The sockets/plugs are also standard American style. European visitors will need adapters and special plugs to use native 220v AC devices.

Food and beverage
The native kitchen blends itself from African, Spanish, Indian and international influences. Rice and black beans are basis of the usually simple, hearty and spicy meals. A typically Dominican meal called la bandera (the flag) consists of rice, beans as well as braised meat. Green salad , fried green cooking-bananas, are served as side dishes.
Miscellaneous fish are also common at mealtime, like squid, crawfishes or lobster, caught fresh from the sea. Of course, the numerous tropical fruits, like pineapple, mangos, papayas, avocados and coconut contribute to the diet.
Vacationers can find typical, and international dishes at affordable prices. Comedores, found on many street corners and markets, offer cheap Dominican fair, while international restaurants, found in the cities and tourist areas cater to your culinary senses.
The national beverage product is rum, and is found in wide variety and flavors. The common brands are Brugal, Bermúdezes and Barceló. The natives enjoy the dark brown beverage with ice only. More compatible is white Rums, that happily mix with fruits to make Caribbean cocktails, like Piña Colada, Cuba libre or Daiquiris.
Specialties include Dominican coffee, that is served as espresso or cappuccino with coco. The soda beverages are usually over sweetened, so if not to your taste, another alternative: the milk of the coconuts is sold on street-stands

Sport
The national sport and passion of Dominican Republic is baseball or "Beisbol" as the Dominicans call it. No matter where you go on the island you will find a baseball stadium/park, even in the poorest of towns. Today, men of poor origins like Sammy Sosa (one of the best home runner in the world), Pedro Martinez, Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez and many others, proudly carry the Dominican Flag in the international arena.

Like most Antilles islands, the Dominican republic also offers ideal prerequisites for water sports. But not only in the water, also the country. The sporty vacationer can let off steam with golf, hiking, riding and polo. In almost all Tourist areas, there are numerous possibilities. Special attraction for divers is beautiful aquatic animal and plant life as well as a number of wrecks dating back as far as five centuries. Because the Spanish ships on the way back to Europe were frequently loaded with gold and silver, pirates and violent storms have contributed to the variety of treasures that lure divers from all over the world. Some wrecks, that have smashed on the reefs, can even be admired when snorkeling. The underwater world is rich with many different fish and colorful reefs. Surfers and wind surfers come to all beaches of the island looking for excitement. Cabarete, on the north-coast has established itself as an international windsurf paradise because of the high wind force and the waves. Beginners can choose between a dozen surf schools. Para-sailing is common in Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata. Sailboats and catamarans can be rented in many areas also. The golf has become very popular on the island, with numerous golf courses located in virtually every tourist area. The "Pebble Beach" of the Caribbean at 18th hole Playa Grande, Robert Trent Jones at Playa Dorada, and the 18 hole course (Teeth of the Dog) in the luxurious Casa de Campo resort, in La Romana (southeast), ranked one of the best links in the world.