1961
36,000
Flockulation (1961-2021)
2021
261,243
Change
+225,243
Overview
This Caribbean gem has the whole flock flocking in! The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and dazzles visitors with beaches, merengue beats, and a warm spirit that makes every ewe feel right at home.
Geography
Occupying the eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola, the DR features the Caribbean's highest peak, Pico Duarte, fertile valleys like the Cibao, the Yaque del Norte river, and stunning coastlines along both the Atlantic and Caribbean Sea.
History
Columbus landed here in 1492, making it Europe's first permanent New World settlement. The DR declared independence from Haiti in 1844. After decades of dictatorship under Trujillo, democracy was restored in 1966 and the nation has grown steadily since.
Culture
Merengue and bachata music are the country's proud cultural exports. Spanish is the official language, and Carnival celebrations each February are legendary. Cockfighting, baseball passion, and vibrant folk art all weave through Dominican daily life.
Economy
Tourism, remittances, free-trade-zone manufacturing, and agriculture drive the economy. Sugar, tobacco, coffee, and cacao are key exports. The DR has one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America over the past two decades.
Food
Sancocho stew, mangu mashed plantains, rice and beans, and fried chicharrón are staples. La Bandera—rice, beans, and meat—is the beloved national dish. Fresh tropical fruits and strong Dominican coffee round out the delicious spread.
Tourism
Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Punta Cana draws beach lovers worldwide, while Samaná Peninsula wows with waterfalls and whale watching. Jarabacoa offers mountain adventures for the more adventurous member of the flock.
People
About 11 million Dominicans reflect a rich mix of Taíno, African, and European heritage. Baseball legends like Pedro Martínez and David Ortiz hail from here. Dominicans are famously warm, expressive, and fiercely proud of their island identity.
Nature
The DR hosts diverse ecosystems from cloud forests to mangroves. Los Haitises National Park shelters manatees and cave art. Humpback whales calve in Samaná Bay each winter, and the island supports hundreds of bird species, including many endemics.
Fun Facts
The DR is home to the oldest European city in the Americas, Santo Domingo, founded in 1498. It shares the only land border between two Caribbean nations. Larimar, a rare blue gemstone, is found exclusively in the Dominican Republic.
