The Economy

Although the country has long been viewed primarily as an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, in recent years the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy’s largest employer due to growth in tourism and free trade zones.  The US economy accounts for 87% of export revenues. Other markets include Canada, Western Europe and Japan. In September 2005, the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement was ratified.

The country exports free-trade-zone manufactured products (garments, footwear, etc.), nickel, sugar, coffee, cacao, and tobacco, and it imports foodstuffs, petroleum, industrial raw materials, and capital goods. On August 5, 2004, the Dominican Republic signed a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. and five Central American countries to integrate into the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement. Foreign direct investment (FDI) was $309 million in 2003; although final figures are not yet available, it is expected to be about $100 million for 2004, much of it directed at the tourism sector, free trade zones, and telecommunication sector. Remittances were more than $2 billion in 2003.

A new airport is opening in the fall of 2006 in the northern region which will not only allow the island to handle increased tourism, it will also include the first runway which will allow large European flights to land.  These flights currently land in San Juan, Puerto Rico and then smaller flights shuttle the tourists to the island.  This is in addition to the other 13 airports with paved runways and 19 airports with unpaved runways.

Tourism

The primary language in the public schools is Spanish.  Private schools normally teach in English, but they are bilingual and kids from all over the world are enrolled.  There are private schools in or near every major city on the island.  Schools which are accredited by the Dominican Ministry of Education offer certificates which are valid for entrance to Dominican, European, and U.S. universities. 

That there are no large wild animals, no poisonous snakes, spiders or insects whose bite or sting is life-threatening to humans. There are some spiders whose sting can be painful but these are rare.

The Punta Cana Tourism Zone became the Caribbean's Top Golf Destination in 2006.

The Punta Cana area hosts several international fishing tournaments every year. Local waters provide white marlin, blue marlin, dorado/mahi, tuna, mahi/dolphinfish, wahoo/kingfish, sailfish, and barracuda just 15-20 minutes offshore.

The DR is closer to the US than Puerto Rico.

By law hotels in the DR cannot be built higher than the tallest palm trees.

Punta Cana has the 2nd busiest airport in the Caribbean.  Can you guess which is number 1?

The DR is the Caribbean nation with the most hotel rooms, at more than 60,000.

Between 3000 and 5000 whales pass through the coral reef of the Silver Banks every winter.

The Dominican Republic is not an island, but a country on the island of Hispaniola.

Hispaniola is the 2nd largest island in the Caribbean?  Can you guess #1?  Send your answer on the feedback (last) page.

There are 16 national parks, nine natural monuments, 6 scientific reserves, 1 UNESCO heritage site and a total of 67 protected areas in the Dominican Republic.

There are at least 50 Hotels in the Punta Cana Area with more than 25,000 rooms.