The Dominican Republic was discovered on December 5, 1492, by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage to the New World. Columbus himself grew a particular fondness for Hispaniola, describing it in his journal as "a beautiful island paradise with high forested mountains and large river valleys." Columbus' admiration for Hispaniola coupled with his crew's discovery of gold deposits in the islands rivers led to the establishment of European settlements, the first of which was founded in 1493 in La Isabela.
Dominican Republic - Island Paradise
The capital, Santo Domingo, is the New World's oldest capital and contains many colonial buildings which have been carefully restored to retain their original charm. Today the Dominican Republic economy is supported by four pillars: agriculture, mining, tourism and free trade zone. In recent years the number of tourists has risen to such an extent that the country is now seen as a major tourist attraction in the Caribbean. Dominican Republic geography is very diverse, offering everything from white-sand beaches, to lush green valleys, to deserts with dune formations and mountain ranges. The Dominican Republic has both the highest and lowest points in the Caribbean. Pico Duarte rises 10,400 feet above sea level and Lago Enriquillo is located at 150 feet below sea level. With four peaks over 10,000 feet the Dominican Republic is often referred to as the "Caribbean Alps". Climate in the Dominican Republic is one of the most pleasant in the Caribbean with an annual average temperature of 78 degrees. Lowest temperatures occur from December through February with an average low of 66.
