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The Dominican Republic islocated in the West Indies, between the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico ans south of the bahamas.

The second island by its size in the Carribean with 48,734 Km2, the Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.

With its 1,600 km of ocean coast (Atlantic ocean in the North and the Carribean sea in the south), the island has the highest mountain in the all Carribean, at the Pico Duarte (3,175 meters)

Coast: 1,576 km
Frontier-line: 276 km
Lowest altitude: -46 meters (Enriquillo Salt Lake)
Highest altitude: 3,175 meters (Mount Duarte, highest of the Carribean)

DEMOGRAPHY

Total population : 9.562.541 inhabitants
Men: 71,57 years
Women: 75,91 years
Rural population: 65%
Urban population: 35%
Density: 178 inhabitants/km2 
Ethnic composition:
11% of the pop. is black
73% of the pop. is mutalo
16% of the pop. is white
Age Structure:
0-14 years: 33,7 %
15-64 years: 61,3 %
Over 65: 5,0 %

CURRENCY

The Dominicans currency is the Dominican Pesos (DOP). denominations are from 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and coins of 25, 10, 5, 1.
The dominican Pesos id represented by RD$, not to be mistaken with US$

Exchange: the peso is not available in other countries.

Currencies from United States, Canada, Euro countries, Japan, Mexico, Suisse, United Kingdom, Venezuela can be exchange into local currency.

Local change: 1peso = approx. 0.018 euros
Local change: 1 euro = approx. 53.07 Dominican pesos
Credit cards, visa, american express, diners club are accepted.

Travelers check are accepted in certain banks. You can not leave the country with more than US$ 10,000 or Euros without doing a written declaration at the airport.

ELECTRICITY

The current is AC-110 volts (50 Hz) but it is possible to install some 220 outlets by an electrician for the imported housewear.
All the housewear available at the Don Cesar is in 110 volts. For the video equipment it is the American standarts that are available NTSC, and zone 1 for the DVDs, you will need adaptadors and transformors for any europpean electrical equipment.
General household supplies (linnens-kitchenware-dishes...) are available but more expansive than in Europe and USA.

LOCAL CUSTOMS

Very little remains of the Taino Indian culture after the Spanish genocide. As for the African slaves, they did not save the right to use their own language nor practise their ancestral ceremonies. They were deprived of their culture.
The post Colombian culture of the Dominican republic is essentially Spanish. Politeness is very important in every social interaction. Greeting is a must for example a bus or in the store this is required before even engaging in conversation.
Buenos Dias (Good day), Buenas Tardes (Good Afternoon), Buenas noches (Good Evening).
Dress code is very important for Dominicans that always try to dress a well as possible and have a hard time understanding why foreigners who have the means to do so have a sloppy appearence. Opt for simple attire but corect and avoid sloppiness. Bermudas/shorts are not allowed in government buildings. As for jewelry even if little value it is better not to display it.
Dominicans don't use the normal Spanish "Vosotros-Usted or Ustedes..." Only in formal settings. Don't be chocked if they use the "Tu" at first interaction.

COOKING AND FOOD

Apart from the basic fruits and vegetables of the region (yucca, pineapple, beans, etc.) and produce from the ocean (lobster, crabs, fish, etc.) the Dominican Republic offers a wide variety of metas (beef, chicken, porc and even goat). With thos wide assortment the Dominican cooking offers a wide variety of dishes. The basic staple is rice and beans served with stewed meat (chivo = goat, res = beef, Cerdo = porc). From frugal to hearty, one can find a mix of "chicharrones", "pica pollo", "mondongo" = tripes, "sanconcho" the national dish which a ragout of different meats and vegies, "chivo guisado" = marinated goat in oregano, "empanadas" = stuffed fritters with ham and veggies (very low coast and excellent)

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