The Dominican Republic is one of the most famous and beautiful island countries in the world. The place is heaven for beach-loving people and so its always full of tourists from around the world. This island country is one of the most predictable lands filled with white sand beach, palm trees gently swaying the wind, and crystal blue water. However, along with that, the nation also packed with deep cultural ties and an incredible history that is sufficient to render a luxurious holiday experience for any visitor.

The Dominican Republic is an archipelagic country that is surrounded by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. This island country is spread over a region of approximately 48,442 per square kilometre, which surprise the tourist because it is considerably larger than they expected. Besides hosting millions of tourist from around the world, the country is home to a population of about 10.63 million inhabitants. The land is no doubt famous for its beaches and beautiful resorts, but behind those scenes there lies a peek of history. Yes, DR also has a fascinating colonial history which most people do not know about. So, we have decided to make today’s article about this incredible nation that will highlight some fun facts about this country as well.

So with that, here are ten things you did not know about the Dominican Republic.

1.It Is One Of The Ancient Country

The Dominican Republic is one of the most ancient countries in the world. The country is home to the oldest European settlement in the Americas after the visit of Christopher Columbus in 1492.  In fact, the capital of the state, Santo Domingo, is not only the oldest city in the Caribbean region but is also the most former town in Europe. This city has The Cathedral of Santa María la Menor, which is the first cathedral, first castle, first monastery, and first fortress in both North and South America. Christopher Columbus’s son laid the first stone for this cathedral, and it is now protected by the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2.It Holds The Largest Economy In The Caribbean Region

The Dominican nation is one of the fastest-growing countries and has boasted strong economic growth in recent years. This country’s present financial situation is not only the largest in the Caribbean but also the eighth highest in Latin America. The thriving economy of this island nation is built on the tourism market as the country host more than 6 million every year. Along with that, the export of sugar, coffee, and tobacco also adds to the GDP of the country.

3.The Country Has A Unique Flag

Almost every nation in the world has its own national flag, and so does the Dominican Republic. However, unlike any other government, the state flag of DR is very unique. It features the image of the Bible in its centre, which makes it the only one in the world to have a copy of the holy book on it. This flag was designed by Juan Pablo Duarte, who helped the country in gaining independence from Haiti. Moreover, the reasons for having Bible in the banner is because the official religion of DR is Roman Catholicism and is followed by more than 80% of its inhabitants.

4.The Country Has A Treasure Of Rare Stones

The Dominican Republic is the only country that is blessed with some precious stones and metals. Some of them are stones are not only the ancient but are also so rare that it is found exclusively on this island. The famous stone that resembles the turquoise is called Larimar.  The name was given because of its blue colour, which resembles the Caribbean Sea where it is found. Along with that, the island also has a variety of amber and some other common metals like gold.

5.The Nation Loves To Play Basketball

The national game of the Dominican Republic is baseball which the nation is playing for a long time. The game was introduced during the 1800s and is still performed as a leading sport in the country. This national game of DR has produced many of the world’s best players. According to a report, more than 40% of the baseball players in US leagues come from this nation.

6.It Is Home To The Largest salt lake In The World

The Dominican Republic is not only famous for its stunning beaches, but the country also has numerous lakes in its territory. It is home to a very salty lake which is situated at the lowest elevation in the Caribbean. Lake Enriquillo is spread over an area of about 375 square kilometres is the largest brackish lake in the world. It is one of the main attractions of tourist in the country. It is filled with a variety of wildlife including flamingos, iguanas, and the largest population of American crocodiles.

7.The Nation Share The Island With Another Country

The archipelagic country is spread over the island of Hispaniola, which is the second-largest island in the Caribbean Sea. However, DR is not the only country on this island as it is shared with another country. The island is also home to Haiti, which is about half the size of the Dominican Republic. Furthermore, the geographical division of these two countries makes Hispaniola the only island in the world that hosts two sovereign nations.

8.It Was Named After A Saint

The official name of the Dominican Republic is not the original as it was called Santo Domingo. This name was given to the country in honor of Saint Dominic, who was the most respected personality of the nation. However, the people of this country were still called Dominicans. After gaining independence from Haiti in 1844, the residents started calling their land with the name La RepúblicaDominicana which means the Dominican Republic.

9.The Nation Is Very Family Orientated

Dominicans are considered as one of the most family-oriented nations in the world. The land follows the traditional form of the family, which extends to the larger communities. There are strong family ethics, where the oldest married couple commands the household. Dominicans are very loyal to their parents, and they value their family above anything else.

10. The Country is Dotted with Numerous Water Falls

The Dominican nation has a coastline of about 1,288 km, and it boasts numerous beaches. But besides the beaches, the territory is also famous for its 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua. The site offers a series of 27 waterfalls that snake down a mountain wilderness and gives a stunning view to most of the visitors. The site is also a famous hiking spot for the adventure lovers who hike all the way up and then come down through a series of caves and water slides.