Although many people think the "DR" (as it is known) and "Dominicana" (proper) is its own island, the Spanish-influenced country actually shares its island land mass - properly known as Hispaniola - with the French-tinged country of Haiti which occupies the western portion of the island.
This country has more of a Central American feel - and look - to it than that of an island in the Caribbean. After Cuba, Hispaniola is the second largest island in the Caribbean while the DR is the second largest country. The influence of Spain was felt from 1492 when the country was 'discovered' by Christopher Columbus, everyone's favorite explorer. Independence was granted in 1844 though Spanish remains a national language, a holdover from the Old World while baseball, adopted from the New World, has become a national obsession.
The DR boasts the highest mountain range in the islands - at 10,000 feet - verdant valleys throughout the interior, the 500-year-old historical city of Santo Domingo (you will feel as if you were in Madrid) along with miles and miles of superb white sand coastline lined with picturesque palms.
* Nationality - Independent
* Language - Spanish
* Currency - Dominican Peso
* Approx exchange - 13.25 Peso to $ 1 U.S.
* Air service - major airlines/charters to three international airports
