Country and Culture

Geography and Climate

Located in the heart of the Caribbean region, the Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti. Comparable in land mass to the states of New Hampshire and Vermont combined, the Dominican Republic has a population of approximately 9 million. The large ocean mass surrounding the Dominican Republic stabilizes its temperature within a range of 65 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The period of heaviest rainfall for most of the island usually occurs from late April to early October. These months also tend to be the most hot and humid.

Economy and Government

Economic indicators reflect that the Dominican Republic faces many of the same development challenges that confront other Caribbean nations, such as a burgeoning youth population, environmental degradation, a weak education system, and unsustainable agricultural practices with low crop yields. In late 1998, Hurricane Georges poignantly demonstrated that these challenges are compounded by the country's predisposition to natural disasters. Poverty tends to be especially severe in rural areas and is particularly prevalent in the areas bordering Haiti.

The economic growth rate continues to be noticeably uneven. Concentrated in tourism, construction, and free trade zones, growth is stagnating in sectors that most impact the local population: agriculture, education, small and micro-business, and ecology.

Culture

The Dominican people are a blend of three races or ethnic groups: Spanish, African, and indigenous Arawak Indians. The Dominican culture is, in turn, reflective of these diverse racial and ethnic groups.

Last updated Sep 27 2008