República Dominicana ( Dominican Republic)

1. República Dominicana(Dominican Republic) La ubicación: Caribe oriental; Oriental dos tercios de la isla de Hispanola Location: Eastern Caribbean; Eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola Coastline: 3,000 miles The country with the highest peak and the lowest point in the Caribbean

2. Mapa de la República Dominicana(Map of the Dominican Republic)

3. Información General(General Information) • GeographyArea: 48,442 sq. km. (18,704 sq. mi.), about the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined. The capital city of Santo Domingo is located on the south coast of the island. Terrain: Mountainous. Climate: Maritime tropical. • People Nationality: Noun and adjective--Dominican's).Population (2009): 9.65 million.Annual population growth rate (2009): 3.5%.Ethnic groups: Mixed 73%, European 16%, African origin 11%.Religion: Roman Catholic 95%.Language: Spanish.Education: Years compulsory--6. Attendance--70%. Literacy--84.7%. • Government Type: Representative democracy. Independence: February 27, 1844. Branches: Executive--president (chief of state and head of government), vice president, cabinet. Legislative--bicameral Congress (Senate and House of Representatives). Judicial--Supreme Court of Justice.Subdivisions: 31 provinces and the National District of Santo Domingo.

4. Las personas(people) Native Population – Taínos The indigenous Taínos (meaning ‘Friendly People’) lived on the island now known as Hispaniola. Taínos gave the world sweet potatoes, peanuts, guava, pineapple and tobacco – even the word ‘tobacco’ is Taíno in origin. Yet the Taínos themselves were wiped out by Spanish diseases and slavery. Of the 400, 000 Taínos that lived on Hispaniola at the time of European arrival, fewer than 1000 were still alive 30 years later. None exist today. Present Inhabitants Slightly fewer than half of Dominicans live in rural areas; many are small landholders. Haitians form the largest foreign minority group. All religions are tolerated; the state religion is Roman Catholicism.

5. Lugares(places) There are an abundance of recreational activities at the coast including beach and water sports such as kitesurfing, surfing, wakeboarding, windsurfing. Available at the interior are white water rafting, horseback riding, cannoning, and hiking, and mountain biking, • Punta Cana (Grey-Haired Point) • This is the easternmost tip of the country and where the airport is located. It is the ground zero of DR tourism, the epicenter of the all-inclusive resort. Where buffet items seem to outnumber grains of sand. Deservedly popular because its beaches do rival those anywhere else in the Caribbean, both in terms of their soft, white texture and their warm aquamarine waters. • On the North Coast, theme park fans will enjoy Ocean World, on Cofresí beach, where you can swim with the dolphins, but still gamble at the casino till dawn. At Damajagua are the celebrated 27 waterfalls.

6. Breve Historia(Brief History) • Puerto Plata, the largest city on the North coast, was founded by Columbus in 1493. As he approached the bay, the sunlight reflected off the water so brilliantly it resembled a sea of sparkling silver coins. Columbus named the bay Puerto Plata (Silver Port). He also named the mountain that looms over the city Pico Isabel de Torres (799m), in honor of the Spanish queen who sponsored his voyages. • Two colonies grew on Hispaniola, one Spanish and the other French. Both brought thousands of African slaves to work the land. In 1804, after a 70-year struggle, the French colony gained independence. Haiti, the Taíno name for the island, was the first majority-black republic in the New World. • In 1821 colonists in Santo Domingo declared their independence from Spain. Haiti, which had long aspired to unify the island, promptly invaded its neighbor and occupied it for more than two decades. But Dominicans never accepted Haitian rule and on February 27, 1844, Juan Pablo Duarte – considered the father of the country – led a bloodless coup and reclaimed Dominican autonomy. There were a series of military leaders, an eight-year American occupation, followed by a thirty-year dictatorship and a succession of leaders with varying commitments to developing the country.

7. Consideraciones de viajes(Travel Considerations) • Except in the central mountains, temperatures don’t vary much in the Dominican Republic, averaging a summery 81ºF (28ºC) to 87ºF (31ºC) in most places for much of the year. Tropical humidity can make the temperatures feel higher, though sea breezes help mitigate the effect. • Travel in January or February avoids the rainy season, hurricane season on Hispanola, and the frigid temperatures here in the Northeastern U. S. A. • Tap water is unsafe to drink and should be avoided. Bottled water and beverages are safe.

8. Activities (Activities) • Ocean World Here you'll learn fascinating facts aboutdolphins. Then you will be invited to swim with these amazing creatures. During your 30-minute dolphin encounter you'll dance, hug, pet and swim with them. Then you will finish the encounter with a dorsal fin tow. • Other activities at Ocean World include: • Snorkeling in the Tropical Reef Aquarium • Swimming in Tiger Grotto • Sea lion show, Dolphin Show, Shark Show and Bird Show • Rainforest and bird exhibits • Enjoy the Dolphin Beach

9. Santiago(Santiago) • Located in the north-central region • A day of history and beautiful scenery as you take in the sights and history of Santiago, the first capital of the Dominican Republic, followed by a visit to Jarabacoa Waterfalls.

10. En Santiago(In Santiago) You can visit a cigar factory where you will see them being hand rolled. Also visit a ceramic factory where the ceramic, faceless dolls are produced.

11. También en Santiago(Also in Santiago) You can head through the picturesque Dominican Alps to Jarabacoa passing through spectacular scenery of green valleys and clear streams. The waterfalls at Jarabacoa will astound you with their natural beauty as you journey by foot or by horse to the tranquil area.

12. Listo para visitar! A continuación se muestra el costo de unas vacaciones de nueve días a la República Dominicana (Ready to Visit! Below is the cost for a nine day vacation to the Dominican Republic) Expenses Flight: $ 1538. Transfers: 148. Hotels 1350. Meals & Tips: 1200. Transportation & Tours: 400. Souvenirs & Gifts: 300. Total: $ 4936.