An Exciting Caribbean Location

The D.R. is the Caribbean’s second largest nation. It has a shoreline spanning 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) – of which one third are beaches – and a varied geographical profile ranging from alpine-like mountains through tropical rain forests to desert-like plains strewn with cactus.

The nation boasts warm year-round climate and the refreshing influence of the eastern trade winds. Average temperatures in coastal regions fluctuate between 21 degrees C (70 degrees F) in mid-winter and 31 degrees C.(88 degrees F) in midsummer.

Spanish is the official language. English is taught in all schools and is the language of international business. French, German and Italian are also spoken by many, particularly those working in the tourist industry. Dominicans are generally considered cheerful, outgoing and hospitable people. Racial tension is practically nonexistent. The crime rate is low in comparison with neighboring countries. A great majority of Dominicans are friendly to foreigners and regard tourism and foreign investment as positive to the national economy.

The island’s history goes back to pre-Columhian times, when it was inhabited by the Taino indians.

Columbus discovered it on his first voyage in l192, claiming it in the name of the Spanish Crown. Thereafter it became the center of colonization of the New World. Many of the remnants of the colonial era have beer preserved and restored to their original splendor. In 18-14, the D.R. became an independent nation.

The form of government is a representative democracy, with free elections held every 4 years. For the past three decades, the country has enjoyed a period of social peace, political stability and progress that has served as an example to other developing nations.

The D.R. has a well diversified economy based on agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tourism. For the past two decades, tourism has been the economy’s workhorse, providing more foreign exchange than all other exports combined.

The country has a well developed banking system and an incipient but rapidly growing securities exchange.

The official currency is the Dominican Peso, with the current exchange rate hovering around US $1.00 = RD $37.00.