Dominican Republic

Central America and the Caribbean
Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti.

19 00 N, 70 40 W

"Dios, Patria, Libertad" (Spanish) ("God, Fatherland, Liberty")
President Leonel Fernández	Vice President Rafael Alburquerque

Capital
Santo Domingo

Government
Democratic Republic

Religion
Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%.

Population
9,823,821

Ethnic group
73% Mixed, 16% White, 11% Black.

National Language                   
Spanish
        
National Day
August 16, 1865 From Spain

Anthem
Himno Nacional

Currency
Peso(DOP)

Attractions
Amber Museum, Boca Chica, Columbus Lighthouse Monument, Fuerte San Felipe, Los Tres Ojos National Park, National Aquarium, Plaza de la Cultura, Samana Peninsula 

Website   

Art & Cultural

The ICON

Fortaleza Ozama     The Fortaleza Ozama (in Spanish; Ozama Fortress in English) is a sixteenth-century castle built by the Spanish at the entrance to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and overlooking the Ozama River. Named after this river, the castle, also referred to as "La Fortaleza" or "The Fortress", is the oldest formal military construction still standing in America. An impressive architectural structure of medieval style and design, the Tower of Homage (in Spanish: Torre del Homenaje) stands in the center of the grounds. The castle was designed to guard the entrance to the port of Santo Domingo and defend the city from seaborne enemies. Construction began in 1502. The castle was well-built enough to serve as a prison until the 1960s. When the prison was closed, the "Fortaleza" was restored and it opened to the public. It is located at the end of Las Damas Street.