About the Dominican Republic

Historical Summary

The island of Hispaniola, or Island of Santo Domingo, as it came to be known, was discovered by Chistopher Columbus on December 5, 1492, during his first voyage. The native Taino Indians called the island Babeque or Haiti.

After the Spanish conquest and colonization, many of America’s “firsts” took place here. This first Spanish colony experienced many “highs” and “lows” in its history, among them the 1605 and 1606 evacuations that destroyed all of the island´s northwestern and southwestern communities, giving way to buccaneer and pirate settlements in a region that was later to become a French colony. The Treaty of Aranjuez later ratified this situation by establishing the boundaries between the colonies ruled by France and Spain. The entire island was ceded to France in 1795, through the Peace Treaty of Basel. This initiated the period of French dominance over Santo Domingo.

In 1804, after Haitian forces had occupied and later surrendered the old Spanish colony, the Republic of Haiti was founded in the island´s western territory. The French Era ended in Santo Domingo in 1809, with Spain´s military triumph at the Battle of Palo Hincado, supported by the British Royal Navy.
This was followed by the period known in our history as “La España Boba – The Era of Foolish Spain” characterized by Spanish disinterest in the colony. It ended in 1821 with the proclamation of independence by José Núñez de Cáceres on November 4 and the birth of the Independent State of Spanish Haiti.

On February 27, 1844, following the cry of independence at El Conde Gate, the Dominican Republic was established by its founding fathers Juan Pablo Duarte, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, and Ramón Matías Mella.

Geographical Information:

The island of Santo Domingo is the second largest of the Greater Antilles, second only to Cuba in size.
The island, which was called the Key to the West Indies due to its geographical location, is shared by the Republic of Haiti (in the western portion) and by the Dominican republic, with the latter occupying two-thirds of the total land mass with a surface area of 48,482 km2.

Interesting Facts:

Language: Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic, though other languages are spoken in specific areas throughout the country. In Samana and Sabana de la Mar, many inhabitants speak English; along the border with Haiti, it is not uncommon to hear French Creole being spoken.

Currency and exchange regulations: The Monetary Law regulating the country´s currency exchange polices establishes that foreign currencies must be exchanged at legally-established commercial banks.The national currency is the peso, with an exchange rate of RD35.00 for each U.S. dollar sold as of October 2003. This exchange rate is subject to change.

Drugs and narcotics: The use, consumption and possession of drugs and narcotics is considered a CRIME throughout the nation´s territory. Unlike in other Caribbean islands, where the use of marijuana is tolerated, its use and consumption, as well as that of any other drugs, is penalized with arrest, fines and deportation in the Dominican Republic.

Electricity: The electric current used throughout the country is 110 volts, 60 cycles. Special fixtures allow for the use of 220 volts, 60 cycles. US appliances work well without requiring adaptors.

Entry Requirements: Citizens of the following countries do not require visas to enter the country, and they need only purchase a Tourist Card at cost of US$20.00, and present proof of citizenship (Passport, Driver´s License, Birth Certificate): United States, Canada, Spain, France, England, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Venezuela, France, Nordic nations, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Dominica, Brazil, Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, the Netherlands Antilles, Guadeloupe, Martinique Jamaica, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, among others. Citizens of all other countries require an entry visa. Tourist Cards can be acquired at international airports, upon arrival in the country.

Climate: A warm tropical climate is predominant in the Dominican Republic´s coastal areas, while cooler and a more benign tropical climate is typical in the central region. The year-round average temperature is 25 o C (77 o F). August is the warmest month of the year, January the coolest.