Question 1

What is the population of Dominican Republic?

Accepted Answer

The population of Dominican Republic is approximately 11.3M.

Question 2

How do people greet each other in the Dominican Republic?

Accepted Answer

Greet with a handshake, direct eye contact and a welcoming smile, using the greeting for the time of day. Do: Maintain eye contact to show interest Say "buenos dias," "buenas tardes" or "buenas noches" for the time of day Shake hands when meeting someone Don't: Avoid gifts that are black or purple, as these are mourning colors If invited to dinner, bring a gift such as chocolates or pastries Gifts are opened when received

Question 3

What are the dining customs in the Dominican Republic?

Accepted Answer

Eating is Continental style with the fork in the left hand and knife in the right, and meals are served family or buffet style. Do: Keep your hands visible while eating Wait for the host to say "buen provecho" before starting Place knife and fork across the plate with prongs down and handles to the right when finished Don't: Don't rest your elbows on the table La bandera (rice, beans, vegetables and fried green plantain with meat) is the most common dish Sancocho is the national dish, served on special occasions Most people go home at midday for el almuerzo, the largest meal of the day

Question 4

What should I know about hospitality and social etiquette?

Accepted Answer

Dominicans pride themselves on hospitality and go out of their way to make guests feel welcome and comfortable. Do: Accept or decline offers of food and drink freely Expect house guests to be treated royally Hosts offer visitors a drink and invite them to eat if mealtime is near It is not considered impolite to refuse such an offer

Question 5

How should I dress in the Dominican Republic?

Accepted Answer

Appearance is very important; people are extremely fashion conscious and believe clothes indicate social standing and success. Do: Wear good fabrics and the best clothes you can afford Designer labels, especially from the United States, are viewed favorably

Question 6

What gestures are common in the Dominican Republic?

Accepted Answer

Simple gestures are used to hail taxis and to request service in restaurants. Wag a finger or fingers (for the number of passengers) to hail a taxi Clap to request the check at a restaurant

Question 7

What is family life like in the Dominican Republic?

Accepted Answer

Family solidarity is central, with people relying on relatives for support and help. Compadres (godparents) play an important role, chosen before birth to help with education, career and finances Many poor couples live in common-law relationships due to the cost of weddings

Question 8

What do people do for recreation in the Dominican Republic?

Accepted Answer

Dominicans are passionate baseball fans, and cockfighting remains popular among men in small towns and rural areas. Baseball, or pelota, is a national passion Each town and village has its own gallera (cockfight pit), busiest on weekends In small towns social life centers on the central park or plaza

Question 9

What is the capital of the Dominican Republic?

Accepted Answer

Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic and the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, founded by Bartholomew Columbus in 1498. Situated on the southern coast of the island of Hispaniola along the Caribbean Sea, the city served as the administrative hub for early Spanish colonization of the New World. Today it is the country's largest city and its political, cultural, and economic center, home to the nation's government, universities, and the historic Colonial Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Question 10

Where is the Dominican Republic located?

Accepted Answer

The Dominican Republic is located in the Caribbean, occupying the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles. It lies between the North Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south, positioned roughly between Cuba to the west and Puerto Rico to the east. The country shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, making it one of only two Caribbean islands divided between two sovereign nations.

Question 11

What countries border the Dominican Republic?

Accepted Answer

Haiti is the only country that shares a land border with the Dominican Republic, forming the boundary along the western portion of the island of Hispaniola. To the north, the country is bounded by the North Atlantic Ocean, while the Caribbean Sea lies to the south. The Mona Passage, a channel roughly 130 kilometers wide, separates the Dominican Republic from Puerto Rico to the east.

Question 12

What is the predominant religion in the Dominican Republic?

Accepted Answer

Roman Catholicism is by far the dominant religion in the Dominican Republic, practiced by approximately 95 percent of the population. The faith was introduced by Spanish colonizers following Christopher Columbus's arrival in 1492 and has remained deeply woven into the country's cultural identity, shaping its holidays, festivals, and social customs for over five centuries. The remaining roughly 5 percent of the population follow other religious traditions, including various Protestant denominations.

Question 13

What currency is used in the Dominican Republic?

Accepted Answer

The official currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican peso, with the ISO currency code DOP. The peso is subdivided into 100 centavos and is issued by the Banco Central de la República Dominicana, the country's central bank. While the Dominican peso is the legal tender for everyday transactions, US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas and resorts, reflecting the country's strong ties to American tourism and trade.

Question 14

What language is spoken in the Dominican Republic?

Accepted Answer

Spanish is the official and overwhelmingly dominant language of the Dominican Republic, a direct legacy of Spanish colonization beginning in the late 15th century. Dominican Spanish has its own distinct characteristics, including vocabulary and pronunciation influenced by the indigenous Taíno language and West African languages brought over during the era of slavery. Haitian Creole is spoken by a portion of Haitian immigrants and their descendants living near the border regions.

Question 15

What is the Dominican Republic known for?

Accepted Answer

The Dominican Republic is known for its vibrant merengue and bachata music, both of which originated on the island and are recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The country is one of the Caribbean's largest producers of sugarcane, cacao, and coffee, and its cigars are internationally acclaimed. The northern coast near Samaná Bay is a renowned breeding ground for humpback whales, visible from January through March. The country's Taíno heritage endures in the aboriginal name for the island, Quisqueya, meaning "Mother of all lands" in the Taíno language.

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