Dominican Republic - República Dominicana

Introduction Dominican Republic is a country of Caribbean occupying two-thirds of the western part of the island of Hispaniola (which it shares with Haiti), one of the largest of the Caribbean Islands. It is bathed by Atlantic Ocean on the north coast and by the Caribbean Sea on the south coast, while to the west the Mona canal separates the Dominican Republic from Puerto Rico. Although it is famous for its beaches and resorts, the Dominican Republic stands out for its history and rich culture.

Capital Santo Domingo Idiom Spanish Surface 48 442 km² Population 9 445 281 (2010) Currency dominican peso Time zone UTC-4 Telephone prefix 1-809, 1-829, 1-849

Understand

It is known as the "Cradle of America" ​​for being the place where the first European settlement on the continent was installed. In Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, the first cathedral, the first university and the first hospital in America were created, among other things. In addition to the historical buildings found in the country, the Dominican Republic has several resorts that take advantage of the benefits of its coasts. Punta Cana Y Puerto Plata the most popular resorts in the world.

History

Explored and claimed by Columbus on his first voyage on December 5, 1492, the island of Ayití (or Haiti), named by Columbus as Hispaniola, became a springboard for the Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American continent.

The island was first inhabited by Taínos and Caribs. The Caribs were an Arawak-speaking people who had arrived around 10,000 BCE. Within a few years of the arrival of European explorers, the Taino population had been significantly reduced by the Spanish conquerors. Based on Fray Bartolomé de las Casas (Treaty of the Indies) between 1492 and 1498 the Spanish conquerors killed around 100,000 Taínos.

The first European settlement founded on the American continent was located in La Isabela, founded in 1493 with a 15th century style, located in La Isabela, Puerto Plata (19º53'15.08 "N 71º04'48.41" W). The city of Santo Domingo was founded by Bartolomé Colón on August 5, 1496 and was later moved by Frey Nicolás de Ovando west of the Ozama River in 1502.

In 1606 the royal crown of Spain ordered the depopulation of the western end of the island due to high piracy and smuggling. This led to the French invasion and the establishment of Haiti.

In 1697, Spain it recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The rest of the island, then known as Santo DomingoIt tried to gain its own independence in 1821, but it was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally achieved independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844.

In 1966, when President Joaquín Balaguer was elected president for his second non-consecutive term (which he had served for the first time between 1960 and 1962), a legacy of unstable, especially unrepresentative rule was set aside for much of his term. later history. For the next 30 years he kept a tight grip on power, until the international reaction to flawed elections forced him to cut back his last term, hold new elections in 1996 and resign from power. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held every four years.

In recent years, the Dominican economy has had one of the fastest growth rates in the hemisphere.

Territorial organization

Provinces of Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is administratively divided into 31 provinces, and 1 National District, which in turn are subdivided into a total of 158 municipalities and 231 municipal districts.

Cities

• Santo Domingo: It is the capital of the Dominican Republic, it has several attractions such as the Malecón or its colonial zone, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and where there are several of the first buildings that existed in the city and in America such as the Primate Cathedral of America. It also owns several luxurious hotels, shopping centers and other places of interest. This province is in turn divided by the National District, Santo domingo norte, Santo Domingo East, Santo Domingo West, San Antonio de Guerra, Pedro Brand, Los Alcarrizos Y Boca Chica.
• Santiago de los Caballeros: It is known as the second capital of the Dominican Republic, it has several attractions such as shopping centers, luxurious hotels, and places such as the Monument to the Restoration, among others.
• Puerto Plata: Known as "The Bride of the Atlantic" because it has access to the Atlantic OceanIt is one of the most important cities in the country for beaches such as Playa Dorada or Maimon, also in the towns near the city are the beaches of Cabarete and Sosúa, and many more. It has several tourist hotels and an Ocean World water park. There is also the cable car to the Isabel de Torres hill that takes us to the statue of Christ the Redeemer at the top of the hill.
• The Roman: One of the most important cities in the country, it has several shopping centers and there is also the country house that is a tourist complex where several celebrities reside. There is also Altos de Chavon which is a replica of a 17th century Mediterranean village and there is also the Bayahibe beach which is 20 minutes from the city.
• Punta Cana: One of the most important tourist spots in the Dominican Republic, its beaches are preferred by many of the tourists who arrive. Being an area composed of: Punta Cana, Bavaro, Uvero Alto and Cap Cana, as the current capital of tourism in the Dominican Republic.
• Bavaro: Like Punta Cana, one of the most important tourist spots in the Dominican Republic, its beaches are preferred by many of the tourists who arrive, it is a few minutes from Punta Cana and it is the area with the largest number of hotels in the country. . Being an area composed of: Punta Cana, Bavaro, Uvero Alto and Cap Cana, as the current capital of tourism in the Dominican Republic.
• Uvero Alto: It is a growing tourist sector, 50 minutes from the Punta Cana Airport, at the beginning of 2016 3 hotels of prestigious hotel chains were inaugurated, making it the third tourist sector in the eastern part of the Dominican Republic, being a compound area by: Punta Cana, Bavaro, Uvero Alto and Cap Cana, as the current capital of tourism in the Dominican Republic.
• Cap Cana: It is known as the main tourist site nationwide since it has very beautiful paradisiacal beaches; It is also one of the many places that has luxurious hotels for wealthy people.
• Samaná: Capital of the province of the same name, Samaná is located in the northeast of the country. It has tourist towns like Las Terrenas which is a small town in the province of Samaná, there is also Las Galeras which is a small fishing village in the province of Samaná. It is in Las Galeras that you will find the beautiful beaches of Playa Rincón, Playa Frontón, Playa Madame, among others.
• Barahona: La Perla del Sur, southwest of the Dominican Republic.
• The Vega: Capital of the province of the same name, destinations such as Constance which is the coldest place in the country with beautiful rivers and beautiful flora and fauna. Too Jarabacoa which is another city that stands out for its climate and its flora and fauna.
• Flints: It is a province which is located in the southwest of the country, on the border with Haiti. Its capital is the homonymous city. It is considered the Fourth Tourist Pole of the Dominican Republic, thanks to its natural beauties. Places of interest Jaragua National Park, where the Oviedo lagoon which is the second largest in the territory, the Eagles Bay, the Hole of Pelempito.

Weather

Tropical maritime with little seasonal variation in temperature. There is a seasonal variation in rainfall. The island is in the middle of the hurricane belt and is subject to severe storms from June to October. It experiences occasional floods and periodic droughts.

To get

By plane

In Santo Domingo there is the International Airport of the Americas (IATA code: SDQ - ICAO code: MDSD), which receives travelers from Europe and the rest of America.

In Santo Domingo there is La Isabela - Joaquin Balaguer International Airport (IATA code: JBQ - ICAO code: MDJB), which receives travelers from the Antilles and the rest of America.

In Punta Cana there is the Punta Cana International Airport (IATA code: PUJ - ICAO code: MDPC), which is located in the main tourist focus of the country, receives travelers from Asia, Europe and the rest of America.

In The Roman is the La Romana International Airport (IATA code: LRM - ICAO code: MDLR), which receives travelers from the United States and Europe.

In Santiago In the northern part of the country, the main airports are: The Cibao International Airport (IATA code: STI - ICAO code: MDST), located in the province of Santiago, which receives travelers from the United States, Panama and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

In Samana Are Arroyo Barril Airport (ICAO code: MDAB), - El Catey Int. Airport (IATA code: AZS - ICAO code: MDCY), El Portillo Airport in Las Terrenas. (IATA code: EPS - ICAO code: MDPO) the latter Closed.

In Puerto Plata there is the Gregorio Luperon Airport (IATA code: POP - ICAO code: MDPP).

In Barahona there is the Maria Montes Airport (IATA code: BRX - ICAO code: MDBH).

In Constance there is the Domestic Airport June 14 (IATA code: COZ - ICAO code: MDCZ).

Boat

Several Cruises dock at the port of Santo Domingo or at Sans Soucí, Puerto Plata and La Romana. There is also the famous "Ferry" that travels from Santo Domingo toward Mayaguez Y San Juan, Puerto Rico.

By car

The Duarte Highway communicates Santo Domingo with the cities of the northern region as Santiago Y Puerto Plata

The Mella Highway, East Highway, Americas Highway and Coral Highway Communicate Santo Domingo with the cities of the eastern region as they are The Roman, Higuey or Punta Cana

The November 6 Highway communicates Santo Domingo with the southern region

The Northeast Highway (Juan Pablo II) communicates Santo Domingo with Samana

By bus

For trips within the city there are the public service buses or "Flying Guaguas" or better the OMSA

For trips to a province there is Caribe Tours, Metro Buses, among other bus lines. There are also public buses.

By train

Santo Domingo Metro

How to go

By bus

For intercity trips there are two types of buses:

• Hot: They are "normal" buses, they do not have air conditioning or a parking space, and people crowd for intercity trips of more than 3 hours as on a city bus for a 10-minute trip. These buses stop almost anywhere to get passengers on and off, so the journeys can be considerably longer.
• Express: They are buses with air conditioning and assigned seats. The stops are limited so the trips can actually be much shorter. Although they are a little more expensive, it is worth paying the price for the speed, punctuality and comfort. Two important details to know about express buses are that they tend to fill up, so it is advisable to arrive in advance of their departure (half an hour before). In addition, once they are full they leave, even before the theoretical departure time.
• OMSA: OMSA (Metropolitan Office of Bus Services) buses are buses put up by the Dominican government to control the Chaos of public transportation. These buses are much better than the others, since they are usually air-conditioned, not as damaged, and charge less for the passage. The only problem is that it is the favorite of the people, so it will always be difficult to find a seat on one of these buses.

By train

The rail transportation system in the Dominican Republic is relatively new, the Santo Domingo Metro is the public transportation system that serves the city of Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic. There are two lines in operation, the first with a North-South route, has 16 stations, starting at the Mamá Tingó Station (Av. Hermanas Mirabal, Villa Mella, corner of Av. Charles de Gaulle) and ending at the Centro de Gaulle Station. Los Héroes (Av. Independencia, Corner Av. Winston Churchill) forming a total of 14.5 kilometers in length; and the second line with a west-east route, has 18 stations, starting at María Montez Station (John F. Kennedy Av. corner with Gregorio Luperón Av.) and ending at Concepción Bona Station (Mella Highway)[1]. The Metro runs through the metropolitan area and does not necessarily cover the tourist areas of the city.

Talk

The official language is Spanish. English has become very popular due to the work facilities offered by tourism. However, it is easy to find people who can communicate in several languages, especially in the most touristy areas.

To buy

The national currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican peso. Its symbol is RD $ and it is divided into one hundred equal parts called cents. According to the Constitution of the country, the issuance of the national currency is the responsibility of a single and autonomous issuing entity, the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, whose capital corresponds exclusively to the Dominican State. Although the US dollar (USD) and the euro (EUR) are also accepted in the most touristy places, the US dollar is involved in almost all commercial transactions in the Dominican Republic. The peso was worth the same as the US dollar until the 1980s, but it has been devalued. The exchange rate in 1993 was 14 pesos per dollar and 16 pesos in 2000, but it increased to 53 pesos per dollar in 2003. In 2004, the exchange rate fell again to 31 pesos per dollar. In February 2009, the exchange rate was about 35.65 pesos per dollar. Until 2011, the rate remained around 38.55 pesos per dollar. However, on April 23, 2018 the rate oscillated at 49.30 pesos per dollar. At present, in 2020 the rate has tended to rise more and oscillates at 56.90 pesos per dollar, Data from the Central Bank of the Dom.

The situation in November 2007 is that purchases can be made practically anywhere in euros, dollars or pesos. However, each coin has its recommended place to be used:

• The peso is the best currency to use in places or activities frequented by Dominicans (Buses, shops in the capital ...)
• The dollar is the currency of the resorts and tourist areas, the base prices are put in dollars and then they are changed to other currencies
• The euro is the currency of the banks, the best exchange can be obtained with them.

What to buy

• Food and drinks: The most typical is rum and coffee, although it is worth bringing some cocoa and sweets from the areas (Dulce de leche, coconuts, etc.). It must be taken into account that the amount of rum, coffee and cocoa that can be taken out of the country is limited.
• Crafts: Many carvings can be found in different types of wood.
• Jewelry: There are two main elements in jewelry from the Dominican Republic: amber and larimar, also called blue amber. You can also find jewelry made of tortoise shell, coconut wood, etc.

Where to buy

• The drink is better to buy it in the supermarket. The price can be from half to a quarter.
• Santo Domingo is recommended for crafts, jewelry and tourist things, especially in the Mercado Modelo or "la Mella" area. There is a lot of competition and variety.

Drinks

Among the alcoholic beverages, the typical Presidente Beer and Barceló Rum stand out, both very famous in the Dominican Republic.

Another typical option is Mamajuana, a drink based on national roots, spices and honey, to which you just have to add rum or some other strong alcohol.

Sleep

The Dominican Republic has a great housing offer. It does not matter if you travel on business plans, vacations, honeymoon or simply in search of rest, surely you will find in one of the hotels that special space that you are looking for. We have compiled in this directory the best of the housing offer of each of the areas of the country. Each region has particular characteristics and beauty that will make visitors feel like they are in a true paradise.

external links

• Wikimedia Commons houses multimedia content about Dominican Republic. Commons
• Wikipedia has an article on Dominican Republic.w: Dominican Republic

This article is a derivative work of «Dominican Republic», Published under the license Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported by editors from Wikitravel in Spanish. This derivative work is also available under license GNU Free Documentation License.