DOMINICAN-REPUBLIC

About the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic (DR) is located on an island that was referred to as Hispaniola in the age of explorers. The Dominican Republic is one of two nations on the second largest island in the Antilles chain of islands. The other country sharing the island is Haiti, to the east, with Puerto Rico lying in the west. Haiti faces the Caribbean Sea and the Dominican Republic faces the Atlantic Ocean and makes up roughly two thirds of the island.

Christopher Columbus discovered Hispanola when he bumped into it in his explorations. On his initial visit he discovered the side of the island that is now Haiti. He found that the Haiti side of the island was not quite hospitable and moved to the southwest side of the island, establishing Santo Domingo. Santo Domingo went from a small colony to the city it is in modern day. The country of the Dominican Republic is the first colony to be established in the New World Caribbean.

The history of the Dominican Republic is rich with tales of Pirate Lore and hidden treasure. The first Catholic Church was built in Santo Domingo and still stands today, as do many other buildings rich in local history. If you decide to take a trip to the Dominican Republic you simply must read up on pirates and treasure hunting. Try watching all the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, the read up on the real history of pirates.

In recent time many ex-patriots of various countries have moved here and opened businesses in many of the old buildings. The effect is quite rustic and gives you an old world feeling. There is also a fair share of haunted buildings so those of you that are into ghost hunting will enjoy listening to local ghost stories.

The Dominican Republic is a mix of Spanish, French, European, and African peoples. The language of the Dominican Republic is Spanish, while the language of Haiti is French. You will definitely find a blend of cultures in this country. While it is important to not be deluded about the poverty in the area, as a tourist you contribute to the economy and are most welcome.

The Peso is the national currency and the Dominicans actually prefer U.S. dollars. You end up paying a bit more for services at the airport and in the resorts at times, but you still get a good exchange for your dollar. If you are from another country other than the states, you generally get a better deal in exchange at the local banks. Remember to keep a good amount of small bills as it prevents from being overcharged and makes it easier to tip.

If you are packing your suitcase don't forget to pack a hat, sunglasses, and most importantly, sunscreen. The average temperature is 80ø and in most cases it is a perfect climate for beach goers and sports enthusiasts. You may want to include small mag-lites and maps of the area you are visiting. You might even want to include bug repellent and perhaps a small first aid kit.

One last thing I would recommend is taking a journal of some sort. It is always good to have your written impressions of a new country and you can even add photos later when you get home to make a traveling journal. Moleskin makes great journals that fit really well in backpacks and they are very durable.

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