DR Album

	Dominican Republic Photo Album.
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Browse through my Dominican photos.
Most of the photos are mine taken over the past 10 years. Since retiring in 1992 and marrying Milagros, we've lived from October to April in Puerto Plata at our condo.
Some of the photos have been taken by someone else, where possible I've put their name and place taken.
Others that are promotions for tours and activities I've linked the photo to their web site.

Geography:
Size:
Approximately 48,442 square kilometres.
Topography:
Mountain ranges divide country into three regions: northern, central, and south-western. Seven major drainage basins, most important that of Yaque del Norte River. Largest body of waters Lago Enriquillo (Lake Enriquillo), in south-west. Highest mountain peak, Pico Duarte, rises in Cordillera Central (Central Range) to height of 3,087 meters.

An example of a Dominican limousine, Papito and his bride on their way to the church.
POPULATION:
Annual rate of increase thought to be approximately 2.5 percent in mid-1980s. Projected total population to be just over 7 million by mid-1990. The Dominican Republic's population was 8.1 mil in 1996, of whom 65% lived in urban areas. The capital, Santo Domingo, has a population of about 2.5 mil. Of the population about 37% is under the age of 15 and just 4% are over age 65. Of primary school age children, about 90% are enrolled, with a literacy rate of 68% in the nation.
Language: Spanish.
Ethnic Groups:
Majority of mid-1980s population (approximately 73 percent) is mulatto, a legacy of black slavery during colonial period. Approximately 16 percent of Dominicans white; 11 percent black.

Climate:
Primarily tropical, with temperatures varying according to altitude. Seasons defined more by rainfall than by temperature. For most of country, rainy season runs roughly from May through November; dry season, from November through April. The rainfall is not uniform throughout country because of mountain ranges. Tropical hurricanes strike country on average of once every two years and usually have greatest impact along southern coast.
The geography of the country is greatly diverse, ranging from arid semi-desert plains to verdant valleys of tropical rain forests. This endows the island with a wide variety of vegetation. Most of the tourists to the island come initially attracted by its magnificent golden sand beaches along its 870-mile coast line, but they are soon taken in by its impressive historical legacy. So, the island's northern Atlantic side concentrates the majority of tourist attractions, hotels and resorts, particularly in the 40-mile zone between Puerto Plata and Cabarete.

Hotels in Puerto Plata.

Right click on any photo you wish to save.

Homes in the 1/2 million range are common.
THE RICH:
The last 200 years transformed the composition and the configuration of the country's elite. Nonetheless, at the end of the 1980s, the Dominican Republic continued to be a country where a relatively small number of families controlled great wealth. As a percentage there are far more rich here than in Canada or the United States.
THE MIDDLE CLASS:
The middle class in the late 1980s represented roughly 30 to 35 percent of the population leaving roughtly 60% classed as poor. The middle class follows the racial stratification of the society as a whole: generally lighter-skinned as one proceeded up the social scale. Ties to government were particularly important, because the government was the source of many coveted jobs.
THE POOR:
The small urban neighbourhood functioned as the centre of social life. Most sharing, mutual aid and co-operative activity took place within the confines of a narrow circle of neighbours and kin. Most Dominicans shared a general belief that neighbours should assist each other.

Click here for business opportunity, hotel investment prospectus in Puerto Plata.