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The Dominican Republic is located in the West Indies, between Cuba and Puerto Rico, and south of the Bahamas.

The second largest country of the Carribean with 48,734 Km2, the Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.

With its 1,000 miles of ocean coast (Atlantic ocean in the North and the Carribean sea in the south), the island has the highest mountain of the Carribean, the Pico Duarte (3,175 meters).

Coastline: 1,576 km
Land boundaries: 276 km
Lowest point: -46 meters (Enriquillo Salt Lake)
Highest point: 3,175 meters (Mount Duarte, highest point of the Carribean)

DEMOGRAPHY

Total population : 9.562.541 inhabitants
Life expectancy for men: 71,57 years
Life expectancy for 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 mulato
16% of the pop. is white
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33,7 %
15-64 years: 61,3 %
Over 65: 5,0 %

CURRENCY

The currency of the Dominican republic is the Dominican Peso (RD$). Notes are in denominations of 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and coins of 25, 10, 5, 1.
The dominican Peso's symbol is RD$, not to be mistaken with US$

Exchange: the peso is not available in other countries.

Currencies from United States, Canada, EU countries, Japan, Mexico, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Venezuela can be exchanged with local currency.

Local change: 1 peso = 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 cannot leave the country with more than US$ 10,000 or Euros without signing a written declaration at the airport.

ELECTRICITY

The voltage is AC-110 volts (50 Hz). It is possible to have 220 V outlets installed by an electrician for the imported houseware.
All the houseware available at the Don Cesar is in 110 volts. The TV/video equipment is compliant with the American NTSC standard. Standard for DVD is zone 1. The proper use of any European electrical equipment requires an adapter and a transformer.
General household supplies (linens-kitchenware-dishes, etc.) are available but more expensive than in Europe and the USA.

LOCAL CUSTOMS

Very little remains of the Taino Indian culture after the Spanish genocide. As for the African slaves, they did not have the right to use their own language nor practice their ancestral religion. The Tainos were just deprived of their culture.

The post Colombian culture of the Dominican republic is essentially Spanish. Politeness is very important in every social interaction. For instance, greeting a person when boarding a bus or entering a store is required before even engaging any conversation.
Visitors will often use Buenos Dias (Good day), Buenas Tardes (Good Afternoon), Buenas noches (Good Evening).

Dress code is very important for Dominicans who 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 a simple but correct attire and avoid sloppiness. Bermudas/shorts are not allowed in government buildings. It is recommended not to display jewelry, even when of little value.

Dominicans do not use the formal Spanish address "Vosotros-Usted or Ustedes..." with the exception of formal settings. Do not be chocked if people address you casually using the "Tu" even for the first time they meet you.

COOKING AND FOOD

The Dominican Republic offers a wide variety of meat (beef, chicken, porc and even goat), a wide range of local vegetables and fruits (yicca, pineapple, etc. ) and an abundance of seafood (lobster, crab, fish, etc.). As a result, the Dominican cuisine offers a good diversity. The traditional meal is made up of rice and beans served with stewed meat (chivo = goat, res = beef, Cerdo = porc). Locals and visitors enjoy "chicharrones", "pica pollo", "mondongo", "sanconcho" the national meal which is a ragout of various meats and veggies, "chivo guisado" = marinated goat in oregano, "empanadas" = stuffed fritters with ham and veggies (very low cost and excellent)

COUNTRY CODE

The telephone prefix for the Dominican Republic is 809 (and 829).

TIME ZONE

The Dominican Republic is on GMT -4. There is no light saving change.

VACCINATIONS

There is no special health requirement when entering the Dominican republic.

MAJOR RELIGIONS

The Dominican republic enjoys freedom of religion. While the major religions are represneted in the country, a vast majority of the population is catholic (95%).

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