facts about the Dominican Republic
Location/Geography
- The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Republic of Haiti.
- It is the second-largest island in the Caribbean, with a surface area of 48,198 square kilometers.
- Located in the heart of the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south.
Population
- The population of the Dominican Republic is more than 10 million people.
Time Zone
- The Dominican Republic uses Eastern Time (GMT-0400).
- It is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the United States.
- The Dominican Republic does not practice daylight savings time, as is customary in the United States.
Capital City
- The capital of the Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo, which is the oldest city in the New World.
- It has a population of almost 2.5 million people.
Government
- The Dominican Republic’s political structure is based on democratic principles.
- Every four years the country elects its president, vice president, and legislative representatives.
Language
- Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic.
- English is widely spoken in tourist destinations.
- Tourist destination employees often speak English, French, and German.
Currency
- Dominican Peso (RD$) is the official currency. 1 USD = 62.50 RDS 1 EURO = 72.50 RDS (Aug 2025)
- Major credit cards are accepted at many tourist locations.
- ATMs are located in almost all of the Dominican Republic’s cities.
Climate
- The Dominican Republic enjoys a tropical climate year-round.
- Typical daily temperatures range from 66°F to 83°F (19°C to 34°C).
- The coolest season is from November to April, and the hottest season is from May to October.