Location/Geography - The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Republic of Haiti. The country 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 to the south by the Caribbean Sea.
 

Population - The population of the Dominican Republic is more than 8.5 million people.
 

Climate - The Dominican Republic enjoys a tropical climate year-round. Depending on your location, a typical day could have full sun or a combination of sun and clouds. Its average annual temperatures ranges from 66° to 93° F (19° to 34° C). The coldest season is between November and April, and the hottest season is between May and October.

Capital - 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.

Language - Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic. However, you'll be surprised how many hotel and tourist destination employees speak English, French, German and Italian. If you decide to venture outside of the tourist areas, it is helpful to learn some basic phrases in Spanish.

Currency - The Dominican Peso (RD$) is the official currency of the Dominican Republic. Major credit cards and travelers' checks are accepted at many of the country's tourist locations; ATMs are located in almost all of the Dominican Republic's cities, as well as at most resorts.