Introduction to Dominican Republic
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Safety is still a concern in the Dominican Republic,
but it shouldn't dissuade you from planning a vacation here. Crime consists
primarily of theft, robberies, and muggings, and most of it is limited to Santo
Domingo (although the north coast resorts around Puerto Plata and Playa Dorada
are not as safe as they should be). There is a low incidence of violent crime
against tourists, however. Follow some simple common-sense rules, and you'll be
fine.
The combination of low prices and beautiful terrain
has made the Dominican Republic one of the fastest-growing destinations in the
Caribbean. Bargain-hunting Canadians, in particular, flock here in droves. Don't
expect the lavish, spectacular resorts that you'll find on Puerto Rico or
Jamaica, but do expect your vacation to be that much less expensive.
Often mistakenly referred to as "just a poor man's
Puerto Rico," the Dominican Republic has its own distinct cuisine and cultural
heritage. Its Latin flavor is a sharp contrast to the character of many nearby
islands, especially the British- and French-influenced ones.
Columbus sighted its coral-edged Caribbean coastline
on his first voyage to the New World and pronounced: "There is no more beautiful
island in the world." The first permanent European settlement in the New World
was on November 7, 1493, and its ruins still remain near Montecristi in the
northeast part of the island.
In the heart of the Caribbean archipelago -- nestled
amid Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico -- the island of Hispaniola (Little Spain)
is divided between Haiti, on the westernmost third of the island, and the
Dominican Republic, which has a lush landmass about the size of Vermont and New
Hampshire combined. In the Dominican interior, the fertile Valley of Cibao (rich
sugar-cane country) ends its upward sweep at Pico Duarte, the highest mountain
peak in the West Indies, which soars to 3,125m (10,250 ft.).
Much of what Columbus first sighted still remains in
a natural, unspoiled condition. One-third of the Dominican Republic's 1,401km
(869-mile) coastline is devoted to beaches. The best are in Puerto Plata and La
Romana, although Puerto Plata and other beaches on the Atlantic side of the
island have dangerously strong currents at times.
Almost from its inception, the country was steeped in
misery and bloodshed, climaxing with the infamous reign of dictator Rafael
Trujillo (1930-61) and the ensuing civil wars (1960-66). But the country has
been politically stable since then, and is building and expanding rapidly. The
economic growth hasn't benefited everybody, though. The country is still poor,
even by Caribbean standards.
The greatest threat to the Dominican Republic these
days comes from hurricanes, which periodically flatten entire cities. The major
resorts have become adept at getting back on their feet quickly after a
hurricane, but if a hurricane hits the country before your trip, you might want
to call ahead and make sure your room is still standing.
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