Dominican Republic Guide and Resources

Check for available hotels in Dominican Republic

Location
Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti

Size Comparison To U.S-located Area
slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire

Geographic Coordinates
19 00 N, 70 40 W

Capital
Santo Domingo

Nationality
Dominican(s)

Currency
Dominican peso (DOP)

Languages Spoken
Spanish

Population
8,721,594 (July 2002 est.)

Total Population Ratio Based On Gender
1.03 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Migrant Ratio
-3.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Ethnic Groups
white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73%

Religion Demographics
Roman Catholic 95%

Geographic Areas
Total :: 48,730 sq km
Land :: 48,380 sq km
Water :: 350 sq km
Coastline :: 1,288 km

Bordered By
None

Argentina Climate
tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall

Terrain
rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed

Natural Resources
nickel, bauxite, gold, silver

Natural Hazards
lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts

Brief Geography Notes
shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti)

Government
representative democracy

Administrative Districts
29 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 district (distrito)