What should you know about Dominican Republic?

You searched on tripadvisor, or google: 'the best places to vacation' or just want to go to rest in one of the best places in the world ?, the result was Dominican Republic or Punta Cana(Is the same!), and it is important that discover next details as in the countries of tourist attraction,
if not know certain things, and sometimes have to pay dearly. In this post I will give you some important information about the Dominican Republic, just as an overview of the territory, so you know where you're going if you want to leave the reasort for a moment, in fact, if you only go to some reasort you you're losing 99% of the things you can offer the Dominican Republic, that will make your next destination is the Dominican Republic to continue knowing and adventuring.

Ready.... Go!

Its environment:

Dominican Republic from the space

Known also known as: The Beautiful Quisqueya, Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, etc., is the second largest country in the Caribbean (along with Haiti is the largest of the islands). It has an area of 48.311 square kilometers, has a population of over 10 million inhabitants (For more information click here). Its boundaries is: North with the Atlantic Ocean, at south with the Caribbean Sea, at the east by the Mona Passage, and west with Haiti.

Its capital is Santo Domingo, it's the first city in America, is the first church in America, the first University in America, the first port, etc. Santo Domingo has three municipalities and one district.

Its identity:

National Shield

After 22 years of slavery, it was independent of the Haitian yoke on Tuesday February 27, 1844, by a group of fighters led by Juan Pablo Duarte Diez.

It has designed a flag with a white cross and corners colors, red and blue. In the center which is embodied in the Dominican Constitution and described in Article 32 as follows:

The National Shield has the same colors of the national flag arranged in the same way. Has in its center the Bible open to the Gospel of John, chapter 8, verse 32, and over a cross, which arise from a team of two lances and four national flags without shield, trophy arranged on both sides; He is wearing a laurel branch on the left and one on the right palm. It is topped by a blue ribbon which overseas the slogan "God, Fatherland and Freedom" is read.

Its territory:

Dominican territory is divided politically in 31 provinces and a National District. The National District where is located the capital city of the country, is similar to a province but with its own characteristics.

The provinces are political and administrative units, artificial creation that divided the country to facilitate the central government delegate authority to intermediate level at least theoretically. In each province there is a "Civil Governor", appointed by the Executive and that is their representative. Although in each province a 'Provincial Capital City ", this is just the headquarters of the main hall of the province; normally, the regional offices of the central government are in the provincial capital.

The National District was established in 1936 under the name of District of Santo Domingo, to give a special treatment category and to the territory of the host country's capital. It is administered by the National District City Council. While for many purposes the National District is similar to a province, there are many features that set it apart; for example, there is no "Provincial Governor" and consists of a single municipality.

At the provincial level, the only elected authorities are congressional representatives: 1 senator per province and the National District and a variable number of deputies (but never less than 2).

Each province is composed of two or more Municipalities (formerly called "Common"). Municipalities are political and administrative units erected by law, no objective criteria exist for its creation. His government is in charge of "City Hall", elected by the citizens living in its territory and consists of two complementary management bodies: the "Municipal Council" with policy, regulatory and supervisory functions; and the "Mayor's Office", which corresponds to the municipal executive power and is exercised by the "Mayor / sa", also elected by the inhabitants of the municipality. There are a total of 155 municipalities in the country.

When other population centers of some importance in the same municipality, they can rise to the category of Municipal District. The management and administration of a Municipal District is headed by a Director and the Board of Municipal District, composed of three members. The municipal districts are under the coordination of municipalities to which they belong. There are a total of 228 municipal districts in the country.

The municipalities are composed, in turn, for cities, villages, towns and Sections. City is the provincial capital and any people with more than 10,000 inhabitants. The Villas are the county seats and any population of over 1,000 inhabitants. It is a town with less than 1,000 inhabitants. Sections are rural entities constituted by Sites. The "Mayors headman" are appointed by the councils to represent them in the places (there are no representatives per se in other municipal units). source: jmarcano.com

Its people:

Dominicain

Mulattos, mestizos, blacks and whites are only races that are part of what is unique and special people in Dominican Republic, faith, rhythm, taste, joy, hospitality, sense of urgency, charisma, simplicity, which no matter the situation they are, always ask God for help, are a few of the features that the Dominican people, note that interest in overcoming and surviving in a country that has a source of income for tourists above 5,000,000 in which over 60% are English-speaking, according to the BBC we are positioned in moderate attitude only country in Latin America surpassed by Argentina with high proficiency in English as a second language.

Its culture:

Native Dresses

Formed by a mixture of Spanish roots, African, Aboriginal and Taino, the Dominican culture is considered one of the most versatile and contagious throughout the Caribbean, anywhere can listen to their infectious rhythms like bachata, merengue, salsa, regae. If you walk the streets you can smell and taste of their delicious dishes, the flag (rice, beans and meat), sancocho at the Cibao, the Chenchén of San Juan, mofongo of La Vega, the crackling of San Juan, cheese Higuey and fish of Samana are cuisines that catch you and make this piece of land becomes yours.

Its religion:

With the arrival of the Spaniards to the island on December 5, 1492, he came the Bible and with it the evangelizers. People considered likewise Christian roots and the Caribbean country is defined in religion, full of faith, hope and optimism, looking for moral solutions to social conflicts.

Its transit; many vehicles, little space:

Transit

When you walk on roads and highways leading to the beaches, rivers and natural landscapes, it is easily accessible either by water, land or air. The traffic is easy to use at any time when they are in Santo Domingo, when it comes to walk in Santo Domingo the capital, usually the traffic is difficult during rush hour. The morning (7:00 am to 9:00 am). At noon it is complicated in some areas because many go to lunch places, restaurants, and their houses, others go in search of the children to school, some leave school, college, etc. In the afternoon and early evening (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm) is congested because many leave their jobs, universities, schools, colleges, schools and other activities.

Its streets are not as extensive as that of many countries, and driver education is not the best, so many factors that cause congestion in traffic during those hours calls capitaleños peak generated.

Its airports:

To arrive Dominican Republic, you can come by the following airports:

Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ): The main destination of travel to the Dominican Republic, with direct flights arriving daily from around the world. (The most recommend their flights are cheaper and is the main tourist center).

Cibao International Airport, SA: Cibao International Airport.

SDQ Las Americas International Airport (Santo Domingo): The Las Americas International Airport - JFPG (AILA) is located in Punta Caucedo, approximately 20 minutes from the city of Santo Domingo. It is the main airport in the Dominican Republic and ranks first in the flow of regular passengers of the country.

Airport Arroyo Barril, Samaná: Located in the community of Arroyo Barril in Samana, is the airport bearing the same name, used to operate domestic flights.

Gregorio Luperon International Airport, Puerto Plata Gregorio Luperon International Airport: is located between Puerto Plata and Sosua, on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic.

President Juan Bosch International Airport, Samaná: In order to boost tourism in the Northeast region of the country, was built President Juan Bosch International Airport, located in the El Catey community in the province of Samana.

María Montez International Airport, Barahona: Maria Montez International Airport is located off the coast of Barahona peninsula.

Finally:

Now you know the main things of Dominican Republic, now you only have to know that you must bring and some precautions you should take when you decide to go to the paradise island of Santo Domingo.

In the next articles, I will give you some advice, the best places to visit, adventure and relax with everything you need when you come to Dominican Republic.

Each week we will be adding new destinations, tips, and you should do so that you save you a large sum of money, remember to subscribe to our blog and leave your comments.

Regards,

Carlos Báez