The Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo or República Dominicana in Spanish, has been a vacation spot for Europeans and Canadians for many years. Americans are just discovering this beautiful and interesting destination, which offers some of the most economical vacation and entertainment opportunities in the region. In recent years, the D. R. has also become known as the Caribbean "showcase for democracy."
The scenery is spectacular. It has the highest mountain (Duarte, which is over 10,000 feet); the lowest lake (Enriquillo, which is a salt lake, lying 140 feet below sea level and is populated by crocodiles), the oldest city in the new world, Santo Domingo (Columbus landed in the Dominican Republic in 1492) and contains the most varied landscape with mountains, tropical forests, pine forests, cactus-studded desert, fertile valleys and miles of sandy beaches and off-shore reefs. Nature lovers enjoy observing over 250 species of birds and 5,000 plant species, one third of which are indigenous.
Tradewinds blow towards the island's east and north coast where we are situated. The average temperature is 73 degrees in winter, rising to 82 in the summer. It rarely rises above 90 degrees. The majority of Islanders speak Spanish, but one often hears, English, French, Italian, and German.
Dominicans are a warm, friendly and animated people. They are helpful to outsiders visiting their country and are interested in making friends and sharing experiences and perceptions.
Updated 17 August 2006