Marinas in Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is what most people imagine a Caribbean Island to be like, with lush green forrest that roll down to a white sandy beach with turquoise/blue seas lapping against it. This with its latin atmosphere is what draws yachtsmen and tourists alike.

The Dominican Republic occupies two thirds of the eastern side of the island of Hispaniola. To the north is the Atlantic Ocean, to the east the island of Puerto Rico which lies across the Mona Passage and to the south the Caribbean. Haiti lies to the west occupying the remaining third of the island. The Capital and largest city is Santo Domingo an important sea port on the southern coast.

The island of Hispaniola is a semi tropical, fertile and mountainous country. Day time temperatures are usually higher than 23 degrees which rise in the summer to between 28 and 35 degrees on average. The temperature in the mountainous interior can be a lot cooler especially at the summit of Pico Duarte which is the highest mountain in the country and the Caribbean (3,175 metres/10,417 feet). Rainfall averages about 1,525 mm/60 inches most of it during the wet season from June to November.

The island lies in the path of hurricanes several of which have caused devastation to homes and crops.

Agriculture and tourism are the two main industries. Agriculture accounts for about 20% of the work force with the main crops being bananas, sugar, rice and coffee. Other notable industries are mining and fishing.