DOMINICAN REPUBLIC : GEOGRAPHY

  • Official name : Dominican Republic
  • Capital : Santo Domingo (3 M inhabitants)
  • Area : 48380 km 2
  • Official language : Spanish
  • Population : 8 721 594
  • Ethnic groups : 16% white / 11% black / 73 % mixed
  • Distribution of active population : 58% public service / 24% industry / 17% agriculture / 15% unemployed

The island belongs to the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica). It is the most mountainous of the 4 islands with the Pico Duarte reaching 3 175m. The Dominican Republic shares the island Hispaniola with Haiti, occupying two thirds and representing an area of 4830 km². The country’s land and vegetation are varied : the country is crossed by four mountain ranges ; the north and central regions are fertile valleys, the south-west arid and practically deserted, the rivers are numerous and their waters abundant. A few small islands, practically uninhabited, the biggest being Saona scattered in the Dominican waters, often protecting animal reserves or protected fishing areas. 16 national parks cover about 10% of the territory.

Caribbean Map

  • Climate : Subtropical and humid, the sea winds and trade winds from the north break the heat, the average temperature is 25°C all year round with little variation, the sea temperature varies between 27 and 31°C. Two seasons : summer from May to September and winter (October to April).
  • Population : 8.5 million inhabitants, 60% of the population is urban and 3 million inhabitants in Santo Domingo. 40% of the population is less than 15 years old. Illiteracy rate : is at 18% and only 54% of the population is active.
  • Fauna : As found in all the Caribbean islands, and more generally the small island groups, the Dominican fauna is rather poor : the big animals portrayed in the simplistic paintings displayed in the streets only exist in the imagination of the Dominicans. Man’s activities and the island’s isolation have caused a scarcity of animal life. On the other hand, a number of endemic species are born in this island position and today many species of wild animals are protected, such as green iguanas and American crocodiles. If you are lucky, dolphins will accompany you as you sail towards the island of Saona. The humped back whales in the Samana region are an unforgetable sight !
  • Flora : the Dominican Republic, an exotic bouquet !
    8000 plant, flower and tree species, 1800 of which are endemic. Largely orchids (300 varieties) and palm trees: the Dominican nature is a rich palette of bursting colours ! Sugar cane, frangipani tree, bread tree, coffee, banana, mango, papaya, coconuts….. Flamboyant, bougainvilliers, hibiscus, antharium, water apple, bird of paradise etc.