The Dominican Republic is a country in the Caribbean occupying the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with Haiti to the west. It is the second-largest country in the Caribbean by area and population. The capital city is Santo Domingo, located on the southern coast. Spanish is the official language, and the country operates as a multiparty democratic republic with a president as head of state. The Dominican Republic has a diverse geography with the Caribbean Sea to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. It has a population of about 11 million people as of 2025 and an economy significantly supported by tourism, with over 10 million tourists visiting in 2023. The president as of 2025 is Luis Abinader. Historically, the country was colonized by Spain and has a complex history of independence, conflicts, and political changes. The country is known for its cultural blend influenced by European and African heritage.
