Dominican Republic - a state that is located in the Caribbean, in the eastern part of the island of Haiti.The country holds 74 percent of the island, bordered on the west by the Republic of Haiti.The area of the country is 48,730 square kilometers, the population - 9.65 million people.The state is one of the most popular resorts in the region.It is very popular among Russian tourists for reasonable pricing.
General information
To begin with, the Dominican Republic and the Dominican Republic - is one and the same country.It is located on the island, which is part of the Antillean archipelago of the Atlantic Ocean and occupies a large part of it.Previously, these lands were called the West Indies, and their predominantly inhabited by Creoles - descendants of mixed Aboriginal and European.From an administrative point of view, Dominican Republic is divided into 32 districts, each of which is the main town.The capital is Santo Domingo, and the major resort centers - Punta Cana, La Romana, Saona, San Felipe de Puerto Plata and others.
climate of the country
And where is the Dominican Republic regarding the latitudinal zonation of our planet?It is located in the tropical climate zone.And, as is surrounded by sea on three sides, the air here is always wet.It is worth noting that the continent has a mountainous area (except for the coastlines), so the cloud is formed over the hills.The average summer temperature is about 28 degrees.In winter, it drops to 23 degrees.Note that in the hottest period of the year is often rains that bring the trade winds from the ocean, the waves rise and often intermittent rain showers occur.Because summer here come mainly windsurfers.In winter, the air is a little cooler, the showers stopped and the wind, because leisure is becoming more comfortable.
Population and languages
Dominican Republic, like many Latin American countries, was colonized by settlers from Spain centuries ago.Since European settlers assimilated with the local Indians of various tribes.As a result of the current residents of the state - is mostly mestizos and Creoles who have forgotten their Indian languages and speak only Spanish.Creole language in its original form is found here is extremely rare.Also note that some people say in English.
flora and fauna of the region
Nature Dominican Republic is represented by several types of forests, as the island itself lies in the band of the tropics, but there are also areas of altitudinal zonation.So, at the foot of the mountains, by the sea, and in all other lowland tropical evergreen jungle prevail.Popular royal palms, ferns and others.The higher the mountain, the more conifers.Here there are also pine and fir, and juniper and fir, and various kinds of arborvitae.
But wildlife Dominican Republic is not as generous as in the plant.Here you can find the mongoose, coati, kakomitsli, agouti.Livestock, which has a fully imported from Spain.A lot of birds flying over a tropical paradise.The most beautiful birds considered flamingos.In contrast to the rather poor land of the world is teeming with marine fauna diversity.There is the most exotic species of fish and marine animals that are found nowhere else.
capital of Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic
was opened in 1496 the famous explorer H. Columbus.He landed on the coast of the present capital of the state and called it New Isabella.Soon the name was changed to Santo Domingo, which translated means "Holy Resurrection".The city is divided into two parts, the river Ozama.In the west are located business centers, Government House, and other modern buildings and parks for recreation.In the east front of us opens the door to the colonial era.Here there are houses and churches in the Victorian style, ancient alleyways, just after the Spanish-based land development, the citadel.The capital is also a spa town.However, there is always noisy, beaches packed with people and not always clean.
What to eat in the Dominican Republic?
But the cuisine of this country - a real godsend for fans of something new and unusual.It is a mixture of European, Indian and African traditions, because based mainly on beans, bananas, seafood and vegetables.Worth trying a traditional Dominican dish "Bandera".It consists of fried bananas, meat, rice, beans and lettuce.From here prefer drinking rum - it is considered the national drink in the Dominican Republic.Coffee is also popular, as it is grown here.The fragrance is very strong, and taste unusual, because all the tourists it will certainly try and always admired drink.
