The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean nation located on the eastern half of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. It has a total area of approximately 48,000 square kilometers and a population of over 10 million people, making it the second-largest Caribbean country by both land area and population.

The official language is Spanish, and the country has a rich history, having been colonized by Spain in the 15th century and gaining independence in 1844. The Dominican Republic has a diverse culture that is heavily influenced by both its indigenous Taíno roots and its Spanish heritage.

The economy of the Dominican Republic is the largest in the Caribbean, and it relies heavily on tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. The country is known for its beautiful beaches, lush tropical forests, and diverse wildlife. It is also a major producer of tobacco, coffee, and cocoa.

The government of the Dominican Republic is a democratic republic, with a president as the head of state and government. The country has a stable political climate, and recent governments have made efforts to improve infrastructure and economic development.

The Dominican Republic is a member of several international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the Organization of American States. It also maintains close ties with the United States, which is its largest trading partner.

Telephone Code
809

Local Emergency Phone
911

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall

Currency (Code)
Dominican pesos (DOP)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, C

Major Languages
Spanish

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 44.3%, Evangelical 13%, Protestant 7.9%, Adventist 1.4%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in the Dominican Republic, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Cuidad Colonial of Santo Domingo; Lake Enriquillo; Del Este National Park; Samaná Peninsula and Samaná Bay; Bahia de Las Aguilas and Jaragua National Park; Basilica of Our Lady

Major Sports
Baseball, soccer, boxing

Cultural Practices
Not resting elbows on the table and keeping hands visible while eating is considered polite.

Tipping Guidelines
At most restaurants, a tip of 10% is expected unless service charges are pre-added. Typical bellhop tips are $1-2 (USD) per bag and $2-3 (USD) per night for housekeepers.

Souvenirs
Larimar jewelry and stones, amber jewelry, woodcarvings, pottery, baskets, limestone carvings, cigars, rum

Traditional Cuisine
La Bandera — rice, red beans, and meat

Geography
Area
total: 48,670 sq km
land: 48,320 sq km
water: 350 sq km

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

Natural resources
nickel, bauxite, gold, silver, arable land

People and Society
Population
10,790,744 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
mixed 70.4% (Mestizo/Indio 58%, Mulatto 12.4%), Black 15.8%, White 13.5%, other 0.3% (2014 est.)

Languages
Spanish (official)

Religions
Roman Catholic 44.3%, Evangelical 13%, Protestant 7.9%, Adventist 1.4%, other 1.8%, atheist 0.2%, none 29.4%, unspecified 2% (2018 est.)

Population growth rate
0.88% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Santo Domingo

Economy
Economic overview
tourism, construction, mining, and telecommunications OECS economy; COVID-19 disrupted economic growth; major foreign direct investment and free-trade zones; developing local financial markets; improving debt management; declining poverty

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$207.082 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$18,600 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
sugar cane, bananas, papayas, rice, plantains, milk, avocados, fruit, pineapples, coconuts

Industries
tourism, sugar processing, gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco, electrical components, medical devices

Exports
$20.509 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
United States 54%, Switzerland 8%, Canada 5%, India 5%, China 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
gold, medical instruments, cigars, low-voltage protection equipment, bananas (2019)

Imports
$28.541 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
United States 50%, China 13% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, jewelry, natural gas, broadcasting equipment (2019)