Dominican Republic: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic covers the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean, sharing it with Haiti. It has the highest mountains in the Caribbean, sugar cane fields and long white beaches. It is known for merengue music, baseball and its historic colonial capital.

About Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo is on the south coast at the mouth of the Ozama River. Founded in the 1490s, its Colonial City has the first cathedral, hospital and university in the Americas and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fun facts about Dominican Republic

1. The country shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, taking up about two-thirds of it.
2. Pico Duarte, at about 3,100 metres, is the highest mountain in the Caribbean.
3. Lake Enriquillo is a salty lake below sea level, the lowest point in the Caribbean.
4. Merengue, a fast and joyful dance music, comes from here and is recognized by UNESCO.
5. The country is famous for its amber, which sometimes holds insects trapped millions of years ago.
6. Each winter, humpback whales gather in Samaná Bay to mate and give birth.