The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola Island, with Caribbean beaches, the colonial old town of Santo Domingo (the New World's oldest European city), and a sport-mad merengue and bachata culture.
Geography & landscape
Dominican Republic sits in Caribbean, in the northern hemisphere of North America. With an area of approximately 48,671 km², it is a smaller nation, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Santo Domingo, lies near coordinates 19°, -70.67°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of North America, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Caribbean region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Dominican Republic.
People & society
The population of Dominican Republic is around 11M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Spanish, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Dominican Republic is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Santo Domingo, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso (DOP). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Santo Domingo and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Dominican Republic shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Dominican Republic through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Santo Domingo, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +1-809, and clocks are set to the AST (UTC-4) time zone. ISO standards identify Dominican Republic as DO (alpha-2) and DOM (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇩🇴, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Santo Domingo | — |
| Continent | North America | — |
| Sub-region | Caribbean | — |
| Population | 11M | people |
| Area | 48,671 | km² |
| Currency | Dominican Peso (DOP) | — |
| Calling code | +1-809 | international dialling |
| Time zone | AST (UTC-4) | standard time |
| Government type | Presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | DO | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | DOM | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 19 | degrees |
| Longitude | -70.67 | degrees |
Did you know?
Santo Domingo, founded in 1496, is the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the Americas.
