Explored
and claimed by Columbus on his first voyage in 1492.
Dominican Republic's economy has had one of the fastest
growth rates in the hemisphere over the past decade.
Although the country has long been viewed primarily
as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, in recent
years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as
the economy's largest employer, due to growth in tourism
and free trade zones. Located in between the Caribbean
Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti.
Area: 48,730 sq km
Population: 8.71 million
Capital: Santo Domingo
People: 73% mulatto, 16% European descent, 11%
African descent
Language: Spanish; Castilian
Religion: 95% Roman Catholic
Government: Representative Democracy
GDP: US$43.7 billion
Major Industries: Tourism, sugar refining, nickel
and gold mining, cement and tobacco.
Major Trading Partners: USA, Venezuela, Belgium,
Mexico and Japan
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