# Dominican Republic

> island sovereign state in the Caribbean Sea

**Wikidata**: [Q786](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q786)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Republic)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dominican-republic

## Summary

The Dominican Republic is an island sovereign state located in the Caribbean Sea, sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Founded in 1844 after declaring independence from Haiti, it is the largest economy in the Caribbean and Central America, with a 2022 GDP of approximately $113.6 billion and a population of 10,760,028 according to the most recent census. The country operates as a presidential republic with Santo Domingo as its capital and official language Spanish.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name:** República Dominicana
- **Capital:** Santo Domingo
- **Independence:** 1844 (declared independence from Haiti)
- **Government Type:** Presidential republic
- **Area:** 48,670.82 square kilometres
- **Population (2022 Census):** 10,760,028
- **Official Language:** Spanish
- **Currency:** Dominican peso
- **Internet TLD:** .do
- **ISO Codes:** DO (alpha-2), DOM (alpha-3), 214 (numeric)
- **Time Zone:** UTC−04:00 (America/Santo Domingo)
- **Driving Side:** Right
- **Motto:** Dios, Patria, Libertad (God, Homeland, Freedom)
- **Anthem:** National Anthem of the Dominican Republic
- **Highest Point:** Pico Duarte
- **Lowest Point:** Lake Enriquillo (-45 metres)
- **Coordinates:** 18.8°N, 70.2°W
- **Continent:** North America
- **Region:** Caribbean, Hispanic America, Latin America
- **Member of UN since:** October 24, 1945
- **Current President:** Luis Abinader (since August 16, 2020)
- **VAT Rate:** 18%
- **Electricity:** 110V, 60Hz (NEMA 1-15 and NEMA 5-15 plugs)
- **Emergency Number:** 911
- **Telephone Country Codes:** +1809, +1829, +1849
- **Licence Plate Code:** DOM (since 1952)
- **Age of Majority:** 18 years
- **Marriageable Age:** 18 years (all genders)

## FAQs

**What is the Dominican Republic's relationship with Haiti?**
The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and has a 376-kilometer border with its neighbor. The two countries have a complex history involving the Dominican Republic's independence from Haiti in 1844. Diplomatic relations exist between the two nations, and the border is the only land border the Dominican Republic shares with another country.

**What international organizations is the Dominican Republic a member of?**
The country is a member of the United Nations (since 1945), World Trade Organization, UNESCO (since 1946), WHO, Interpol (founder member since 1953), Organization of American States (since 1948), World Meteorological Organization (since 1949), and numerous other international organizations including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Development Association, International Finance Corporation, and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency.

**What is the economic profile of the Dominican Republic?**
The Dominican Republic has the largest economy in the Caribbean and Central America, with a nominal GDP of $113,641,857,434 in 2022 (up from $94,243,426,487 in 2021). The country uses the Dominican peso as its currency and has a VAT rate of 18%. The unemployment rate was 15% in 2014, and the Gini coefficient was 39.6 in 2020, indicating moderate income inequality.

**What are the major cities and provinces of the Dominican Republic?**
The country is divided into 32 provinces plus the Distrito Nacional (National District). Major provinces include Santo Domingo Province, Santiago Province, La Altagracia Province, Puerto Plata Province, La Vega Province, and San Cristóbal Province. Santo Domingo serves as the capital and largest city.

**What is the demographic composition of the Dominican Republic?**
The 2022 census recorded a population of 10,760,028, with 5,634,261 males and 5,594,560 females. Urban population was 9,415,142 while rural population was 1,813,679. The birth rate was 18.111 per 1,000 in 2022, death rate was 6.068, and the total fertility rate was 2.48 in 2014.

**What languages are spoken in the Dominican Republic?**
Spanish is the official language. Additionally, Dominican Sign Language is recognized as a secondary language.

**What are the country's human development indicators?**
The Human Development Index was 0.767 in 2021 (ranked 80th globally), with an Inequality-Adjusted HDI of 0.618 in the same year. Life expectancy at birth was 74 years in 2022. The democracy index was 6.32 in 2020, and the country is classified as "partly free" according to Freedom in the World.

**What are the country's main geographical features?**
The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern portion of Hispaniola island. Its highest point is Pico Duarte at 3,098 metres, while the lowest point is Lake Enriquillo at -45 metres below sea level. The country has coastlines on the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

## Why It Matters

The Dominican Republic holds significant regional importance as the largest economy in the Caribbean and Central America, serving as an economic powerhouse that influences trade, tourism, and investment patterns throughout the region. Its strategic location on Hispaniola positions it as a key player in Caribbean affairs, with substantial influence on regional diplomatic and economic discussions.

The country's economic trajectory demonstrates remarkable growth and development since the 1960s, transforming from a primarily agricultural economy to one diversified across tourism, manufacturing, mining, and services. This economic expansion has lifted millions out of poverty and created a growing middle class, though challenges with income inequality (Gini coefficient of 39.6) persist.

The Dominican Republic's political stability since the 1960s has made it a model for democratic governance in the Caribbean, though it has experienced periods of authoritarian rule. Its membership in numerous international organizations demonstrates its commitment to multilateralism and global cooperation on issues ranging from environmental protection to nuclear non-proliferation.

The country's cultural influence extends far beyond its borders through music (merengue and bachata), baseball talent export, and diaspora communities in the United States, Spain, and elsewhere. Its tourism industry, centered on resorts in Punta Cana and other coastal areas, is a major economic driver and employs hundreds of thousands of workers.

The Dominican Republic also plays a critical environmental role, with diverse ecosystems ranging from mountain forests to coastal mangroves, and is home to unique biodiversity. Its marine waters contain important coral reef systems and fishing grounds that support both local livelihoods and broader Caribbean marine health.

## Notable For

- Largest economy in the Caribbean and Central America
- Home to the oldest European-built city in the Americas (Santo Domingo, founded 1496)
- Birthplace of merengue and bachata music genres
- Leading producer of cocoa, coffee, and tobacco in the Caribbean
- Hosts the most tourists in the Caribbean region
- Known as the "Baseball Capital of the World" with more MLB players per capita than any other country
- Contains Pico Duarte, the highest peak in the Caribbean
- Lake Enriquillo is the lowest point in the Caribbean and the only lake in the region below sea level
- One of only two nations sharing the island of Hispaniola
- Named after Santo Domingo, which derives from the indigenous Taino name "Quisqueya" or "Ayiti"
- Tourism slogan "Dominican Republic has it all" reflects its diverse attractions
- First country in the Americas to have a woman president (women have served as presidents in temporary capacity)

## Body

### History and Independence

The Dominican Republic's territory was originally inhabited by the Taíno indigenous people before European colonization. Santo Domingo, founded in 1496, is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. The country declared independence from Haiti on February 27, 1844, establishing itself as a sovereign nation. The nation is named after Santo Domingo, which itself carries the indigenous name Quisqueya.

### Geography and Environment

The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern portion of Hispaniola island in the Caribbean Sea, sharing the island with Haiti to the west. The country's total area spans 48,670.82 square kilometres. Its highest point is Pico Duarte at 3,098 metres above sea level, while the lowest point is Lake Enriquillo at -45 metres, making it the lowest point in the Caribbean. The country features diverse topography including mountain ranges, valleys, coastal plains, and the Sierra Maestra mountain range. The coordinates of the country are approximately 18.8°N latitude and 70.2°W longitude, with the northernmost point at approximately 19.93°N and the southernmost point at approximately 17.47°S.

### Administrative Structure

The Dominican Republic is divided into 32 provinces plus the Distrito Nacional (National District). The provinces include Azua Province, Baoruco Province, Barahona Province, Dajabón Province, Duarte Province, Elías Piña Province, El Seibo Province, Espaillat Province, Hato Mayor Province, Independencia, La Altagracia Province, La Romana, La Vega Province, María Trinidad Sánchez Province, Monseñor Nouel Province, Monte Cristi Province, Monte Plata Province, Pedernales Province, Peravia Province, Puerto Plata Province, Hermanas Mirabal Province, Samaná Province, Sánchez Ramírez Province, San Cristóbal Province, San José de Ocoa Province, San Juan Province, San Pedro de Macorís, Santiago Province, Santiago Rodríguez Province, Santo Domingo Province, and Valverde Province.

### Population and Demographics

The 2022 census recorded a population of 10,760,028, with 5,634,261 males and 5,594,560 females. The urban population was 9,415,142 while rural population stood at 1,813,679. Population growth has been steady from 3,311,788 in 1960 to the present day. The birth rate was 18.111 per 1,000 in 2022, with a death rate of 6.068. The total fertility rate was 2.48 in 2014. Life expectancy was 74 years in 2022. The suicide rate was 5.1 in 2019 according to WHO data.

### Economy and Trade

The Dominican Republic has the largest economy in the Caribbean and Central America, with a nominal GDP of $113,641,857,434 in 2022, up from $94,243,426,487 in 2021. The currency is the Dominican peso. The country has a VAT rate of 18%. The unemployment rate was 15% in 2014. The Gini coefficient was 39.6 in 2020, indicating moderate income inequality. The country is a member of the World Trade Organization and has diplomatic relations with numerous countries including Germany, Australia, Uruguay, Taiwan, Mexico, United States, Georgia, North Korea, People's Republic of China, and Haiti.

### Government and Politics

The Dominican Republic operates as a presidential republic with the President serving as both head of state and head of government. The current president is Luis Abinader, who took office on August 16, 2020. The legislative body is the Congress of the Dominican Republic. The country has a multi-party political system and has been classified as "partly free" by Freedom House. The democracy index was 6.32 in 2020, and the BTI Governance Index was 5.84 in 2022.

### International Memberships

The Dominican Republic is a member of numerous international organizations including the United Nations (since October 24, 1945), UNESCO (since November 4, 1946), WHO, Interpol (founder member since June 29, 1953), Organization of American States (since 1948), World Meteorological Organization (since September 15, 1949), International Hydrographic Organization, Universal Postal Union (since 1880), International Telecommunication Union (since July 11, 1926), World Trade Organization, and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. It is also part of the Caribbean Forum, Central American Bank for Economic Integration, and the Alliance of Small Island States.

### Culture and Society

The official language is Spanish, with Dominican Sign Language also recognized. The national anthem is the National Anthem of the Dominican Republic. The motto is "Dios, Patria, Libertad" (God, Homeland, Freedom), with additional mottoes including "Dominican Republic has it all" as a tourism slogan. The country is known for merengue and bachata music, which originated there. The culture is influenced by Spanish, African, and Taíno heritage.

### Infrastructure and Standards

The country uses 110-volt electricity at 60 hertz, with NEMA 1-15 and NEMA 5-15 plug types. Driving is on the right side of the road. The age of majority is 18 years, and the marriageable age is 18 years for all genders. The emergency telephone number is 911. The main voltage is 110V with frequency of 60Hz.

### Identification Codes

The country has numerous identification codes across different systems: ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code is DO, alpha-3 code is DOM, and numeric code is 214. The ITU letter code is DOM, mobile country code is 370, and the Unicode character is 🇩🇴. The licence plate code is DOM (since 1952). The ISO 3166-1 numeric code is 214, and the M49 code is also 214.

### Human Development

The Human Development Index was 0.767 in 2021, placing the country in the "high human development" category. The Inequality-Adjusted HDI was 0.618 in 2021. Life expectancy at birth was 74 years in 2022. The Happy Planet Index score was 54.8 in 2019. The country has shown steady improvement in HDI from 0.577 in 1990 to 0.767 in 2021.

### Bordering Countries and Territories

The Dominican Republic shares land borders with Haiti (376 km border, the only land border with another country) and has maritime boundaries with Venezuela, United States (Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands), and Turks and Caicos Islands. The country shares a border with Haiti along the Dominican Republic–Haiti border, and there is also a maritime border with Venezuela and the Dominican Republic–Venezuela border exists.

### Notable Features

The country is distinct from Dominica (a separate island nation). It is partially coincident with Quisqueya, the indigenous Taíno name for Hispaniola. The country is sometimes referred to by aliases including República Dominicana, RD, DR, Republica Dominicana, Dominicana, DO, DomRep, and various international names in Chinese (多米尼加共和国), Russian (Доминикана), and other languages. The capital Santo Domingo is also the largest city and serves as the cultural, economic, and political center of the country.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/dominican-republic)
2. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/place/Dominican-Republic)
3. Constitution of the Dominican Republic
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/northamerica)
7. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
8. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Americas/DOMINICAN-REPUBLIC)
9. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
10. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/dominican-republic)
11. [International Hydrographic Organization](https://www.iho.int/srv1/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=452&lang=en)
12. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
13. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
14. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=99)
15. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
16. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/dominican-republic)
17. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
18. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
19. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parties_to_the_Treaty_on_the_Non-Proliferation_of_Nuclear_Weapons)
20. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
21. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
22. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
23. FIPS 10-4
24. MusicBrainz
25. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
26. World Bank Open Data
27. [PRIMEROS RESULTADOS PRELIMINARES CENSO 2022. National Statistics Office (Dominican Republic)](https://www.one.gob.do/media/0hqd0f5b/bolet%C3%ADn-censal-26.pdf)
28. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
29. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
30. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
31. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
32. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
33. [Source](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/dominican-republic/summaries/#geography)
34. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
35. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
36. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
37. BabelNet
38. [International Numbering Resources Database](http://www.itu.int/net/itu-t/inrdb/e129_important_numbers.aspx)
39. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
40. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
41. [Source](https://apps.who.int/gho/athena/data/xmart.csv?target=GHO/SDGSUICIDE,SDG_SH_STA_SCIDEN&profile=crosstable&filter=COUNTRY:*;REGION:*;AGEGROUP:-&x-sideaxis=COUNTRY;SEX&x-topaxis=GHO;YEAR)
42. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
43. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
44. [Dominican Republic | GTA Wiki | Fandom](https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Dominican_Republic)
45. [جمهورية الدومينيكان | ويكيا جي تي أي العربية | Fandom](https://gta.fandom.com/ar/wiki/%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%87%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86)
46. [Gazetteer](https://github.com/EnvironmentOntology/gaz/blob/master/src/ontology/gaz_countries.csv)
47. iNaturalist
48. 2020 Democracy Index
49. KBpedia
50. [Source](https://www.bti-project.org)