LARM Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic. Located in the center of the Caribbean Sea, the Dominican Republic is the second largest nation in the Caribbean. It occupies the eastern two-thirds of the Island of Hispaniola which it shares with the Republic of Haiti. The Dominican Republic can be reached by air in less than two hours from Miami, slightly over three hours from New York and less than an hour from San Juan, Puerto Rico. It also has the claim as the oldest city in the New World, with its quaint cobble streets and stonework houses.
- Geography
- Political
- Economy
- Social
- Phone Numbers
- Schools
- Immigration
- Housing
- More Information
Capital: Santo Domingo
Area: 48,730 sq km
Population: 8,833,634 (2003)
Major Industries: tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco.
Location
Dominican Republic is situated in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, geographically between 68° 19´ and 73° 31´ west and between 17° 36´ and 19° 59´ north. It shares the island of Hispaniola or La Espanola with Haiti. The country has a shore line of 1,576 Km and a border of 488 Km with Haiti. Climate
In spite of being a tropical country, the climate is as varied as the islands geography, varying from semiarid in the West and South of the country and extremely wet in the North and center. The average rainfall ranges from 350mm to 2,743mm per year, depending on the area. There are two rainy seasons; in the north coast the rainiest period is between November and January. For the rest of the country it is from May to November; with an average rainfall of 2,000 mm. March is the driest month in most of the country, with less than 500mm. There are, however, plenty of regional microclimates. The coasts have a tropical climate with average temperatures between 18º C and 25º C, January being the coldest month and August the hottest. Central mountains, where the weather is much cooler, can even see temperatures falling below freezing point in the winter. The hurricane season in the Caribbean begins on June 1st and lasts until November 30th.
Government
Representative democracy.
Legal system
Based on French civil codes; undergoing modification in 2004 towards an accusatory system. Executive branch: Chief of state: President Leonel Fernandez Reyna (since 16 August 2004); Vice President, Rafael Alburquerque de Castro (since 16 August 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government. Legislative branch: Bicameral National Congress consists of the Senate (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies (150 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms). Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are elected by a Council made up of members of the legislative and executive branches with the president presiding).
Representative democracy.
Legal system
Based on French civil codes; undergoing modification in 2004 towards an accusatory system. Executive branch: Chief of state: President Leonel Fernandez Reyna (since 16 August 2004); Vice President, Rafael Alburquerque de Castro (since 16 August 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government. Legislative branch: Bicameral National Congress consists of the Senate (32 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies (150 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms). Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are elected by a Council made up of members of the legislative and executive branches with the president presiding).
Currency The Dominican currency is the Dominican Peso, whose symbol is RD$.
Banking
The banking system is governed by the country's Central Bank, which is controlled by the Monetary Board and supervised by the Superintendence of Banks. The Central Bank regulates the country's credit, money supply and the official foreign exchange rate. Private banking is conducted by 14 commercial banks including major international institutions such as Scotiabank and Citibank. The Stock Market of Santo Domingo is a definite option for business development.
Some banks you may find in Dominican Republic are:
Languages
Spanish
Religion
The majority of the people in the Dominican Republic are Roman Catholics. Dominican Catholicism is an eclectic mix of Roman Catholic traditions and African-rooted religions/ceremonies, or Santeria, and is widespread in the Dominican Republic. There are some small Protestant, Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist, Mormon and Jewish communities throughout the Dominican Republic as well.
Shopping
There are many opportunities for shopping in the Dominican Republic from department stores to market boutiques. If you are buying jewelry, you should look for Larimer, the blue semi- precious stone that is only found on the island. When set in silver it is very pretty and fairly inexpensive. Amber from the Dominican Republic is considered the best in the world and there is a choice of color from yellow to deep red and smoky green. Traditionally, wooden carvings make popular gifts and holiday mementoes. Rum, cigars, and coffee are all well known island exports. When buying in the markets haggling is an essential part of the transaction as prices are often inflated by one hundred percent.
Culture
Racially, the population of the island is a mixture of black, white, and mestizo. The African and African-Cuban influence is deeply present in the song and dance of the island, with merengue the dominant beat, typically played by a three-person group. There are festivals throughout the year and international merengue celebrations that attract music lovers from all over.
Restaurants
Restaurants on the Republic are unique and eclectic, serving everything from cheese pizza to the national dish of “la bandera”. The island's cuisine is influenced by many different international cultures. Most restaurants in the Dominican Republic, especially in Santo Domingo, are somewhat formal when it comes to dinner attire. Long pants and skirts with collared shirts are normally worn to dinner, but in some fine dining establishments men are required to wear trousers and women should wear dresses. Before dining out, travelers should check with the restaurant to see if there is a dress code. Many of the restaurants on the island suggest making reservations before your meal, and some even require it. Most restaurants add a 10 percent service charge to the check. If the server was good, most patrons give an additional 5 to 10 percent gratuity.
Entertainment
Choice varies from a Las Vegas-style revue, discos and casinos to a quiet cafe by the sea in Santo Domingo. Hotels offer more traditional shows, including folk music and dancing. Popular dances are the merengue, played very loudly almost everywhere; bachata, which is becoming very popular in tourist hotspots; perico ripiao; and the salsa. The Malecón, Santo Domingo's seaside boulevard, is known for its nightlife. Concerts and other cultural events are often held at the Casa de Francia and Plaza de la Cultura in Santo Domingo, among other venues.
Spanish
Religion
The majority of the people in the Dominican Republic are Roman Catholics. Dominican Catholicism is an eclectic mix of Roman Catholic traditions and African-rooted religions/ceremonies, or Santeria, and is widespread in the Dominican Republic. There are some small Protestant, Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist, Mormon and Jewish communities throughout the Dominican Republic as well.
ShoppingThere are many opportunities for shopping in the Dominican Republic from department stores to market boutiques. If you are buying jewelry, you should look for Larimer, the blue semi- precious stone that is only found on the island. When set in silver it is very pretty and fairly inexpensive. Amber from the Dominican Republic is considered the best in the world and there is a choice of color from yellow to deep red and smoky green. Traditionally, wooden carvings make popular gifts and holiday mementoes. Rum, cigars, and coffee are all well known island exports. When buying in the markets haggling is an essential part of the transaction as prices are often inflated by one hundred percent.
Culture
Racially, the population of the island is a mixture of black, white, and mestizo. The African and African-Cuban influence is deeply present in the song and dance of the island, with merengue the dominant beat, typically played by a three-person group. There are festivals throughout the year and international merengue celebrations that attract music lovers from all over.
Restaurants
Restaurants on the Republic are unique and eclectic, serving everything from cheese pizza to the national dish of “la bandera”. The island's cuisine is influenced by many different international cultures. Most restaurants in the Dominican Republic, especially in Santo Domingo, are somewhat formal when it comes to dinner attire. Long pants and skirts with collared shirts are normally worn to dinner, but in some fine dining establishments men are required to wear trousers and women should wear dresses. Before dining out, travelers should check with the restaurant to see if there is a dress code. Many of the restaurants on the island suggest making reservations before your meal, and some even require it. Most restaurants add a 10 percent service charge to the check. If the server was good, most patrons give an additional 5 to 10 percent gratuity.
Entertainment
Choice varies from a Las Vegas-style revue, discos and casinos to a quiet cafe by the sea in Santo Domingo. Hotels offer more traditional shows, including folk music and dancing. Popular dances are the merengue, played very loudly almost everywhere; bachata, which is becoming very popular in tourist hotspots; perico ripiao; and the salsa. The Malecón, Santo Domingo's seaside boulevard, is known for its nightlife. Concerts and other cultural events are often held at the Casa de Francia and Plaza de la Cultura in Santo Domingo, among other venues.
Helpful Telephone Numbers
Emergency: 911
Directory Assistance: 1411
International Telephone Access: 809
Emergency: 911
Directory Assistance: 1411
International Telephone Access: 809
SCHOOLS
There are very good schools for all levels, from primary education to prestigious universities such as Santo Domingo and Santiago. Some of them are bilingual and where every subject is taught in English, and in some cases, French. However, these schools are quite pricey, and this is something to be taken into account when estimating a monthly budget.
There are very good schools for all levels, from primary education to prestigious universities such as Santo Domingo and Santiago. Some of them are bilingual and where every subject is taught in English, and in some cases, French. However, these schools are quite pricey, and this is something to be taken into account when estimating a monthly budget.
IMMIGRATION PROCESS
When traveling to Dominican Republic on vacation, most nationalities do not require a visa, only a valid passport and the purchase at the arrival airport of the $10 Tourist Card, valid for 15 days. Business or official trips require different kinds of visa.
Below you can find a brief description:
Diplomatic Visa: valid for multiple entries, up to 60 days
Official Visa: multiple entries, up to 1 year
Courtesy Visa: single entry 60 days- multiple entries up to 1 year
Simple Business Visa: (single entry) 60 days
Multiple Business Visa: (multiple entries) 1 year
Dependency: multiple entries, up to 60 days
Tourism: single entry, 60 days (for those countries that require it)
Residency: single entry, 60 days
Student: multiple entries, 1 year
These visas are issued by the Consular Service (Servicio Consular Exterior de la República Dominicana) or the Secretary of State (Secretaria de Estado de Relaciones Exteriores). Every document of foreign origin must be legalized by the Dominican consular in the country of origin. All documents must be presented as original plus four copies. If necessary, they will be translated into Spanish by an authorized translator and legalized in the Procuraduría General de la República. As the list of requirements is long, and can be subject to frequent changes, it is advisable to get in touch with the Dominican consulate in the country of origin, in order to get an up-to-date list of requirements.
According to the law, foreigners can obtain the right to reside in the Dominican Republic acquiring, in a first stage, a residency visa from the Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs (Secretaria de Estado de Relaciones Exteriores), and later on a Residency Card, which is obtained from the Directorate of Migration (Dirección General de Migración). In practice, the prerequisite of obtaining a residency visa before entering the country is not necessary, as it is perfectly possible and legal to enter the country as a tourist and once in it, apply for the residency card.
When traveling to Dominican Republic on vacation, most nationalities do not require a visa, only a valid passport and the purchase at the arrival airport of the $10 Tourist Card, valid for 15 days. Business or official trips require different kinds of visa.
Below you can find a brief description:
According to the law, foreigners can obtain the right to reside in the Dominican Republic acquiring, in a first stage, a residency visa from the Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs (Secretaria de Estado de Relaciones Exteriores), and later on a Residency Card, which is obtained from the Directorate of Migration (Dirección General de Migración). In practice, the prerequisite of obtaining a residency visa before entering the country is not necessary, as it is perfectly possible and legal to enter the country as a tourist and once in it, apply for the residency card.
Important Immigration Links:
- American Consulate: http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov/
- National Police: http://www.policianacional.gov.do
HOUSING
The best residential areas in Santo Domingo are, Naco, Piantini and La Esperilla, Bella Vista, Mirador Sur and Los Cacicazgos. Buildings in these areas are mainly high-rise luxury condos. In the older part of the city, Gazcue is one of the nicest, most likeable areas. In the city of Santiago the best areas are La Moraleja, La Esmeralda, Rincón Largo and Cerros de Gurabo.
The cost of the properties can vary depend on the area, but the range could be between 1500 USD for cheaper options in main areas to 15000 USD for the most exclusive apartments in the most exclusive areas.
The best residential areas in Santo Domingo are, Naco, Piantini and La Esperilla, Bella Vista, Mirador Sur and Los Cacicazgos. Buildings in these areas are mainly high-rise luxury condos. In the older part of the city, Gazcue is one of the nicest, most likeable areas. In the city of Santiago the best areas are La Moraleja, La Esmeralda, Rincón Largo and Cerros de Gurabo.
The cost of the properties can vary depend on the area, but the range could be between 1500 USD for cheaper options in main areas to 15000 USD for the most exclusive apartments in the most exclusive areas.
The Dominican Republic is a recognized tourist destination, with magnificent beaches and resorts. This beautiful island is rich with history and culture worth exploring. Abundant historical sites such as, museums, colonial architecture, the first hospital, first sugar mill, first Cathedral, and first university on this side of the world can be found here. It offers a number of sites which include 16 national parks, 9 natural monuments and 6 scientific reserves, with a total of 67 protected areas that include panoramic routes, recreational areas and ecological corridors, all of which are under the direct supervision and control of the Dirección Nacional de Parques (The National Parks Office).
Holidays
New Years Day: January 1st
3 Kings Day: January 4th
Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia: January 21st
Duarte Day: January 26th
Independence Day: February 27th
Holly Friday: March
Presidential Election: May 16th
Corpus Christi Day: May 22nd
Restauración Day: August 16th
Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes: September 24th
Christmas Day: December 25th:
The following days are celebrated on the Monday following the actual date:
Labor Day: May 1st
Constitution Day: November 6th
Technical Information
Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz, American type plug (2 flat blades). European appliances will require a transformer and a plug adaptor. Small electric devices like shaving machines or hairdryers will probably need only the plug adaptor, as many of them can run on 110 or 220V just turning a little switch. Laptops actually include the transformer so you only need the plug adaptor (available at any electricity shop).
Television: TV signal system also follows American standards (NTSC). Most modern TV sets are able to display signals in any of the main systems, so they will work here, although some settings probably need to be changed.
