Location: Caribbean, east of Haiti, occupying the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean.
Capital: Santo Domingo
Tourist Attractions: The Dominican Republic is famous for its white-sand beaches, mountain ranges, rivers, waterfalls, and saltwater lakes. Once a Spanish colony, the Dominican Republic is also known for its colonial structures, which can be seen in Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata (the Silver Port) and San Cristóbal. Other tourist attractions are the beaches at Cabarete, the beaches and caves at Samaná Peninsula, Altos de Chavón a reconstructed 15th century Mediterranean style village of culture and art; Cabritos Island National Park, Sosúa Beach, Parque Nacional Del Este, and La Casa de Juan Ponce de León (Museum). The Dominican Republic also offers perfect conditions for windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing, deep-sea fishing and whale watching.
Access: Dominica Republic is well connected by air to Europe, the Americas and Australia. Many airlines fly to the airports of Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata and Punta Cana. Several cruise lines stop over at the Dominican Republic. Tourists can also cross the land border from Haiti.
Climate: Dominica Republic enjoys a tropical maritime climate characterized by little seasonal variation in temperatures and rainfall. The average annual temperature fluctuates between 18°C / 65°F and 27ºC / 81ºF, and so the country has only one season, summer.