Sugarcane

Sugarcane was originally from tropical South Asia and Southeast Asia. Different species likely originated in different locations with S. barberi originating in India and S. edule and S. officinarum coming from New Guinea. The thick stalk stores energy as sucrose in the sap. From this juice, sugar is extracted by evaporating the water. Crystallized sugar was reported 5000 years ago in India.

Around the eighth century A.D., Arabs introduced sugar to the Mediterranean, Mesopotamia, Egypt, North Africa, and Spain. By the tenth century, sources state, there was no village in Mesopotamia that didn't grow sugar cane. It was among the early crops brought to the Americas by Spaniards. Brazil is currently the biggest sugar cane producing country.

The methods of growing sugarcane and processing sugar were technologies transferred to China from India in the 7th century, during the reign of Harsha (r. 606–647) over North India and the reign of Emperor Taizong (r. 626–649) over Tang China. Two sugar makers summoned from leaders of Mahabodhi Temple traveled alongside a delegation of Buddhist monks to China, where they successfully taught the Chinese how to grow sugarcane and produce sugar.

A boiling house was used in the 17th through 19th centuries to make sugarcane juice into raw sugar. These houses were add-ons to the sugar plantations in the western colonies. This process was often conducted by the African slaves, under very poor conditions. The boiling house was made of cut stone. The furnaces were rectangular boxes of brick or stone with openings near to one side, and at the bottom to stoke the fire and pull out the ashes. At the top of each furnace were up to seven copper kettles or boilers, each one smaller than the previous one and hotter.

The cane juice was placed in the first copper kettle which was the largest. The juice was then heated and a little lime added to remove impurities. The juice was then skimmed then channeled to the other copper kettles. The last kettle, which was called the 'teache' was where the cane juice became syrup. It was then put into cooling troughs where the sugar crystals hardened around a sticky core of molasses. The raw sugar was then shoveled from the cooling trough into hogsheads (wooden barrels) where they were put in the curing house.

Sugarcane was, and still is, extensively grown in the Caribbean, where it was first brought by Christopher Columbus during his second voyage to The Americas, initially to the island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic) . In colonial times, sugar was a major product of the triangular trade of New World raw materials, European manufactures, and African slaves.

France found its sugarcane islands so valuable it effectively traded its portion of Canada, famously dubbed "a few acres of snow," to Britain for their return of Guadeloupe, Martinique and St. Lucia at the end of the Seven Years' War. The Dutch similarly kept Suriname, a sugar colony in South America, instead of seeking the return of the New Netherlands (New Amsterdam).

Cuban sugarcane produced sugar that received price supports from and a guaranteed market in the USSR; the dissolution of that country forced the closure of most of Cuba's sugar industry. Sugarcane remains an important part of the economy of Belize, Barbados, Haiti along with the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, and other islands. The sugarcane industry is a major export for the Caribbean, but it is expected to collapse with the removal of European preferences by 2009.

Sugarcane production greatly influenced many tropical Pacific islands, including Okinawa and most particularly Hawaii and Fiji. In these islands, sugar cane came to dominate the economic and political landscape after the arrival of powerful European and American agricultural business, which promoted immigration from various Asian countries for workers to tend and harvest the crop.

Sugar-industry policies eventually established the ethnic makeup of the island populations that now exist, profoundly affecting modern politics and society in the islands.

Cuba is a major grower of sugarcane, which is used to produce sugar and provide the ethanol used in making gasoline-ethanol blends (gasohol) for transportation fuel. In India, sugarcane is sold as jaggery and also refined into sugar, primarily for consumption in tea and sweets, and for the production of alcoholic beverages.

Dominican help allows faster recovery in Cuba

Havana.– The roofs of school and health facilities in eastern Las Tunas province (660 kilometers east of Havana city) are being repaired with 4,000 zinc sheets and 5,000 wooden strips donated by the Dominican Republic.

Granma newspaper reports that, just a few hours after the beginning of the fast and organized distribution of this aid, everybody agrees that it was the right thing to use those resources to repair these facilities severely damaged by Hurricane Ike’s winds that battered Cuba last September.

This decision, analyzed in the Civil Defense Council at the request of the provincial government, will benefit some 1,420 families whose children study in 13 schools currently being repaired.
Also being repaired are several senior citizen clubs in the Jesus Menendez, Puerto Padre and Manatí municipalities, as well as a maternity home and a dozen medical facilities.

Dominican Rum Brugal now in the British Market

Dominican Rum brand Brugal is to be launched in the United Kingdom on trade this month. Distributed by Maxxium, the rum produced in the Brugal produced in the Dominican Republic is currently the fourth largest rum in Europe, with over one million cases being sold last year in Spain.

Two varieties will launch in the UK: Brugal Anejo Golden Rum and more premium product Brugal Extra Viejo Golden Rum. Maxxium is supporting the launch with a program of bar staff education, trade incentives and advertising.

The launch comes at a time of increased publicity around rum, with Rum Fest, Europe’s only festival dedicated to the spirit, taking place in London on October 25 and 26.

Brugal brand manager Karen Dobie said: “The launch of Brugal into the UK is very exciting. It will be a fantastic addition to the Maxxium brand portfolio and that of our trade customers. We feel the brand authenticity and heritage will really resonate with consumers and provide them with an authentic taste of the Caribbean.”

Santo Domingo (city, Dominican Republic)

Formerly Ciudad Trujillo, largest city, chief seaport, and capital of the Dominican Republic, in the southern part of the country, capital of the National District, on the Caribbean Sea. Located at the point where the Ozama River flows into the Caribbean, the city has a fine artificial harbor accessible to most commercial and passenger ships. It is connected by both ship and airlines with principal points in North and South America and is at the hub of a network of modern roads.

Santo Domingo is a tourist, economic, and administrative center. Points of interest include the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor (built 1514-1520), believed to contain the remains of Christopher Columbus; the ruins of the palace of Columbus's brother Diego; 16th-century churches, such as San Nicolás and San Francisco; and the fortified walls of the original Spanish town. Educational and cultural institutions include the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, dating from 1538 and said to be the oldest university in the Americas, and Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University, established in 1966.

Founded in 1496 by Bartholomew Columbus, brother of Christopher Columbus, the city is the oldest European settlement extant in the New World. In 1930 it was heavily damaged by a hurricane but was subsequently rebuilt. In 1936 it was renamed Ciudad Trujillo for the Dominican President Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina. It became Santo Domingo again in 1961 after the assassination of Trujillo and the subsequent fall of his regime. In 1965 the city was the scene of an uprising against the ruling government of the Dominican Republic.

Culture of the Dominican Republic

The first permanent colony of Europeans in the western hemisphere was established in the Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo was founded in 1496 by the brother of Christopher Columbus, was the first permanent city in the New World. Some of the old colonial buildings are still standing, fine examples of which are in Santo Domingo. The colonial center of Santo Domingo was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990.

Art, music, and literature developed in part along Western patterns, with a strong African cultural component. The African heritage is especially notable in the country’s folk culture, particularly the music. The two traditions—African and Spanish—blend in the popular national song and dance, the merengue. Merengue music can be heard everywhere on the island, and every summer Santo Domingo holds a two-week merengue festival at which the world’s finest merengue bands and merengue dancers appear.

Most of the country’s major cultural institutions are in Santo Domingo. They include the Museo de las Casas Reales (Museum of the Royal Houses), a museum of colonial life; the Museo del Hombre Dominicano (Museum of the Dominican Man), with exhibits on pre-Columbian life on the island; and the Museo de Arte Moderna (Museum of Modern Art), with works by Dominican artists. The National Aquarium and National Botanical Garden, also in Santo Domingo, feature impressive displays. Puerto Plata on the north coast of the island has the Museo de Ambar, which displays unusual pieces of Dominican amber with plants and insects and other animals embedded inside them.

Among the country’s most beloved writers is Salomé Ureña de Henríquez, who is considered a national poet. She lived in the second half of the 1800s and in 1881 organized the Instituto de Señoritas, the first Dominican center of higher education for women. Her two sons, Pedro and Max Henríquez Ureña, became distinguished Latin American writers and thinkers.

Other Dominican writers include Gastón Fernando Deligne, a modernist poet of the late 1800s and early 1900s; Fabio Fiallo, author of delicate love lyrics in the early 1900s; Manuel de Jesús Galván, author of Enriquillo (1882), a historical novel based on an early Native American revolt against the Spaniards; and Manuel del Cabral, a versatile 20th-century poet whose work showed his strong sympathies with the country’s impoverished blacks.

Juan Bosch, president of the republic in 1963, was also the most distinguished Dominican writer of the mid 20th century, well known as a novelist, short story writer, and essayist.

Joaquín Balaguer, the republic’s president from 1986 to 1996, was also an accomplished writer on many topics. Much of the best known Dominican writing today comes from Dominicans who have emigrated. Julia Alvarez, who moved with her family from the Dominican Republic to New York City at the age of 10, has written about the collision of the two cultures in such works as the novel How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents (1991) and the children’s book How Tia Lola Came to Stay (2001).

Cabarete Windsurfing & Kitesurfing

Cabarete hasn't been known as a windsurfing destination until the late 80's, but in the recent years it has become very popular thanks to its wonderful conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The Eastern Trade Winds provide strong and consistent wind all year round. The water is warm all year round, so there's no need to bring your wetsuit.

All windsurfing centers in Cabarete are located right in the Bay for easy rigging and direct launch from the beach at their site. You can rent gear, store gear, purchase gear and take every level of instruction from each windsurfing center.

In the morning wind conditions in Cabarete are good for beginners or children: the wind is very light and the water tends to be flat. In the afternoon the wind increases for intermediate and expert level windsurfing, and blows until 6 p.m. The normal wind direction is South-East, cross offshore.

Cabarete Bay has a sandy bottom, with only a few spots of reef in the inner bay that are quite easy to avoid. The offshore reef is about 600m away from the beach. The great advantage of Cabarete windsurfing is that here in one place you have two types of sailing conditions - waves and flat water. Beginners and intermediates will feel comfortable inside the reef, where flat water (or chop sometimes) are optimal for learning and practicing new elements. More ambitious windsurfers can go to the reef for wave sailing.

During the winter windsurfing season (December to April), the wind is less constant but wave freaks can ride down reef waves up to 4 m in height. This period is great to learn and practice wave sailing. Average sail size for mid-sized Male: 5.7m2.

The period from June to September is the summer windsurfing season in the Dominican Republic. The wind tends to be stronger than in winter. Waves are not as consistent as in other periods, but flatter waters are great for slalom sailing. Average sail size for mid-sized Male: 5.3m2.

The months of May, and the period from October to the end of December, are less reliable in terms of sailing conditions. It can vary from not very good to excellent, depending on the weather systems moving through the area.

Diving in the Dominican Republic

The dive spots of the Dominican Republic is a heaven for an experienced diver, and also a good place to start diving. The weather conditions, warm waters and good visibility, allows to dive all year around. The undersea world has excellent reef diving, good visibility, warm waters, wrecks, caverns and marine life offering a wealth of diving experiences around the island.

The marine life is very diverse: there are hundreds of tropical fish, coral and plant life. The grouper and porcupine fish are amongst frequently spotted fish.

Magnificent and brightly-colored fan coral are habitants of the iridescent reefs with illusive visitors like whale sharks, mantas, and the cheerful dolphins. Other mammals like the Manatees are found in the endless mangrove forests and lovesick humpback whales in the Bahia de Samana in the season.

Diving conditions in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has primarily tropical climate, with more local variations in temperature than seasonal ones. Visibility can be expected to be between 50 and 100 feet (15 - 30m) and the average water temperature is between 25-29°C (76-82°F). Recommended insulation is a thin lycra suit or a 3mm “shorty” wetsuit for snorkeling and diving. For rainy days and multiple diving a 3mm full wetsuit is necessary.

Rafting and canyoning in the Dominican Republic

Rafting
River rafting in the Dominican Republic takes place in the mountains of the Cordillera Central along the country's longest river, the Yaque del Norte. The river is considered to be a quite technical one, and rafting here is more interesting in wet months of the year, with plenty of water.

The majority of companies, organizing rafting tours, are based in the town of Jarabacoa. Rafting boats are usually big enough for about eight people. Life jackets, helmets and wet suits are provided by a rafting company.

Canyoning
Canyoning (frequently referred to as "canyoneering" in the United States) is a fascinating form of outdoor activity, including hiking, climbing, jumping, swimming and rappelling to the bottom of a river canyon - in other words, all actions you have to do to get from Point A to Point B. The aim of canyoning is to overcome the obstacles you meet on your way.

Canyoning can be done in any place with suitable and challenging terrain. Mountain rivers of the Dominican Republic are perfect for this activity.
The equipment you need for canyoning includes a helmet, wet suit, harness and ropes. All these things are usually provided by companies that organize canyoning tours.

Golf in the Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic has become an extremely popular golf destination due to a combination of outstanding year round summer weather and the varied terrain. Golfing in the Dominican Republic is a pleasure both for serious and recreational players. It's difficult to say what season is the best for golf - thanks to the tropical climate golfers are able to play all year round.

Many of Dominican golf courses are located along the coastline and provide magnificent views of the ocean. Hills and coastline are incorporated into the design to challenge the golfers.
The majority of the golf courses are located in resort areas. Golf packages of any kind are available at resorts around the Dominican Republic. The golf packages usually include room, meals, and drinks, include green fees and cart rentals. Many golf resorts provide clinics and lessons. Some of them host annual tournaments.

Dominican Republic Golf Clubs

Barcelo Bavaro Golf
This golf course is part of the Barcelo Bavaro Resort complex. It is is flat, very playable, usually in excellent condition.

Number of Holes: 18

Length of Course: 6,376 yards Bavaro

Guavaberry Golf and Country Club

Guavaberry Golf and Country Club is located just 20 minutes from the Santo Domingo airport and less than a 10 minute drive from Coral Costa Caribe Beach Hotel.

Number of Holes: 18

Length of Course: 7,156 yards

Las Lagunas Country Club

Las Lagunas Club is widely spread over hilly terrain and offers scenic views. It is located in a 15-minute drive from Santo Domingo.

Number of Holes: 18

Length of Course: 6,800 yards

Los Mangos Golf Course

Los Mangos Golf Course is located only five minutes from Puerto Plata. Golfers play among tropical fruit trees.

Number of Holes: 9

Length of Course: 3,300 yards

Innovative and challenging sea-fronting golf course, designed by Pete Dye. Golfers will enjoy great ocean and panoramic views.

Number of Holes: 18

Length of Course: 7,150 yards

The Teeth of the Dog

This world renown championship course is designed by Pete Dye and ranked 28th of top 100 golf courses in the world by Golf Magazine (September 1999). In fact, it is the only Caribbean golf course included in the ranking.

Number of Holes: 18

Length of Course: Men 6,888, 6,057, 5,571/ women 5,571, 5,041 Casa de Campo, La Romana.

Dominican Republic Tourism Up 6.55% In First Half Of 2008

According to a recent report issued by the Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism, overall visitors to the DR in the first half of 2008 increased by 6.55 percent compared to the same period in 2007.* Approximately 2.2 million guests selected the DR as their vacation spot of choice in the first half of 2008.

According to Central Bank of Dominican Republic (http://www.bancentral.gov.do/), as of July 31, 2008, there were 2,602,675 visitors to the DR, a 3.81 percent increase compared to the same period in 2007.

The U.S. continues as the largest visitors market with 32.2 percent followed by Canada at 22.6 percent, France with 9 percent, Spain with 5.7 percent, Germany with 5.6 percent and UK with 5 percent.

The most popular destination remains Punta Cana. The region’s international airport received approximately 53.5 percent of 2008 first half arrivals followed by Las Americas in Santo Domingo.

Puerto Plata International Airport received approximately 16.6 percent of the arrivals, followed by La Romana with 6.06 percent.

Affirming the DR’s popularity as a growing tourism destination, JetBlue will launch its first intra-Caribbean service with daily nonstop service between San Juan, Puerto Rico and the DR beginning Dec. 18, 2008. “The DR is dedicated to supporting JetBlue’s efforts to provide the Caribbean with additional air service,” said DR Vice Minister of Tourism Magaly Toribio. “JetBlue’s new flights to our capital city, Santo Domingo, will help meet the growing demand of visitors and enhance our collective economies.”

JetBlue will also offer nonstop service between Boston and Santo Domingo, with a once-daily "holiday shuttle" in December and January. The airline will bolster its frequency between John F. Kennedy International Airport and the DR by adding a fourth daily flight to Santiago, a third to Santo Domingo, and a second to Puerto Plata over the holiday season.

Delta Airlines will also add flights to the DR this winter with daily service from Atlanta to Puerto Plata beginning Dec. 20 and continue indefinitely. A second daily flight from Atlanta to Punta Cana will begin Dec. 20 - Jan. 4 and Feb. 14 - Apr. 19, 2009. Finally, Delta will add a second Saturday flight from Atlanta to Punta Cana International Airport beginning Jan. 5 - Feb. 12 and Apr. 20 - June 30, 2009.

Rich in history, the Dominican Republic’s first tourist was Christopher Columbus in 1492. Since then, it has developed into a diverse and luxurious destination offering both Dominican and European flavors to more than one million U.S. visitors each year. At 10,000 feet, the Dominican Republic is home to the highest point in the Caribbean. It also features some of the best golf courses and beaches in the world, the largest marina in the Caribbean and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families.

Government and legislation in the DR

The Dominican Republic is a representative democracy whose national powers are divided among independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The president appoints the cabinet, executes laws passed by the legislative branch, and is commander in chief of the armed forces. The president and vice president run for office on the same ticket and are elected by direct vote for 4-year terms.

Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral congress : the senate (30 members), and the chamber of deputies (120 members). Presidential elections are held in years evenly divisible by four. Congressional and municipal elections are held in even numbered years not divisible by four.

The legal system in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Legal System, derived from laws or statues known as Napoleonic code, which were introduced to the country during the period from 1822 to 1844, when Haiti maintained political control over the entire island of Hispaniola (following the revolt and freedom from Spain in 1821). To be sure, the influence of French government and ideals goes deeper than just this period. France actually controlled the present day Dominican Republic during different periods of its history, so it is not so unusual to find this Spanish speaking country with a legal system based upon the French model.

The legal system then is that of Civil Law and not Common Law. For a generalized comparison, this means that judges hear and decide cases, not juries. The courts are comprised of the following:

Peace Courts: this really can be called a sort of generalized civil court, designed to hear small cases and those cases of a minor nature. The cases heard in a peace court are presented in front of a judge, who has the responsibility of hearing the case and rendering a verdict. For the most part, since each district has it's own peace court, we can say that this is the first level court to hear local matters and disputes.

Courts of First Instance: Like the peace courts, there is only one judge assigned to hear and decide a case. These courts are more specialized than the peace courts and are broken down into chambers according to the nature of the case being heard. As an example, there may be separate chambers for civil matters, criminal and commercial matters. To highlight the difference between this and the peace courts; a dispute with your neighbor over his dog tearing up your garden will be heard by a peace court. A dispute over legal land title or a more serious criminal matter would go to a court of first instance.

Appeals Courts: Consisting of a five judge panel, the appeals courts have the responsibility to hear cases or verdicts previously rendered by a court of first instance. In simpler terms, if you disagree with the judgment presented by a judge in the court of first instance, you may appeal your case to the appeals courts.

This system is quite different than the American System, in that there is a panel of five judges who must collectively render a decision on a case and decide if the judge in the courts of first instance was correct or not in his decision.

Supreme Court of Justice: Consisting of a 16 judge panel, the Supreme Court has the responsibility to hear cases decided upon in other courts. The Supreme Court however can only review a case whereby the interpretation of the law is in question.

History of Constanza city of the Dominican Republic

The name of Constanza has its origin in the legend the daughter of a local taino cacique whom lived in the valley. In 1852, the British explorer and consul Sir Robert Hermann Schomburgk mentions the existance of a farm in the valley of Constanza. The town was formally founded in 1894. In September 9, 1907 the town was incorporated into a municipality in the province of La Vega.

In 1955, the municipality of Jarabacoa and the municipality of Constanza were made into a province called Jarabacoa with Constanza as it's capital. It was named Jarabacoa because of the river that passed the 2 municipalities.

On June 14, 1959 a plane landed in an airstrip with more than forty rebels with the purpose of deposing the dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina. They fought in the nearby mountains, and after two months against the Dominican Army managed to end the rebellion.


From this mountain destination with cool temperatures and scenic beauty, many of our fruits and flowers come from this region.

In love with the Dominican Republic??

First time visitors to the Dominican Republic must be warned - there is a very big chance of falling in love with this country, a love affair that may last your lifetime!
The Dominican Republic is a very large island and depending on which airport you fly into you will be able to access different parts of the island easily.

Santo Domingo is the capital and the first city of the "New World". It offers some great historical sites and dining/nightlife.

To the East of Santo Domingo are the famous beaches of Punta Cana perfect for a holiday of white sand, palm tree lined beaches.

The center of the island is home to "Pico Duarte" - the highest mountain in the entire Caribbean. It's excellent for hiking.

The North Coast, or Amber Coast, of the Dominican Republic offers beautiful beaches in Puerto Plata, Sosua, and Cabarete. Cabarete is a kiteboarding and windsurfing capital of the world, one of the best places on earth to practice these fun water sports.This country is perfect for dancing salsa, drinking rum, and enjoying the relaxed island lifestyle!

Dominican Republic Family Paradise

The Dominican Republic is a family paradise destination. Perhaps overlooked, but still a paradise. There are a number of all-inclusive resorts in the area, which feature activities for adults as well as children, and tons of kid-friendly activities throughout the region.

If you’re staying at a beachside resort, many children will be entertained for days playing on the sand, and perhaps enjoying snorkeling and swimming. If it’s the right time of the year (January to April) take a boat tour to do some whale watching. Your kids will be the envy of all their friends.

A hugely popular activity in the Dominican Republic is horseback riding. This is a great activity for the school-age child who wants a little more excitement in his or her day than sitting beachside. Many of the horseback facilities in the Dominican Republic use Creole horses, who are trained to move slowly especially for children and who are known for their tameness.

Also for older children, there are a number of memory-creating activities to be found here. How about ocean kayaking? Many resorts will offer the equipment for free, or if you’re not staying there, for a small fee. Also popular are visits to cascading waterfalls, going canyoning (better for older children as this involves strenuous physical activity) and mountain biking.

What to do in the DR

Dominican Republic offers a wide variety of day trips, excursions, tours and attractions. Going all the way from, horses, waterfalls, fishing, diving, jeep tours and tons of other things to do and amazing places to visit.

Get out from your resort for whale watching in Samana, check out Santo Domingo city, or check out the national park on Saona Island.

Excursions: Go to the plaza and bargain for your excursions by choosing several. Listen to their offers, and then bargain to see if you can improve upon it .

Cabarete, offers many sport experiences, wakeboarding, kiteboarding, surfing and much, much more.

You can also take the city tour. A guide will pick you up when you request it and you will see Puerto Plata town, the rum factory, amber museum, take a cable car to the mountain top, the fort, a plantation, the Market, Central Park, the baseball stadium, local homes and all of the things like traffic and the real way of life.

You can stop at a cigar place and roll your own cigars. Buy rum in the factory and souvenirs in the market such as paintings, things made from cow horns, statues which were made in Haiti, cd's, amazing hand designed photo albums, t-shirts, beach bags with shells etc.

You can also visit Ocean World Dolphin Swim and as they say it is an experience of a lifetime. The charge of $145 includes a lunch (but no drink) and transportation to and from the hotel in a bus and access to all the shows and the snorkel reef, beach and pool.

The sea lion show is fun - these animals are intelligent and they are great. They also have shows with birds, dolphins and sharks. And the dolphin swim is terrific. You can purchase the pictures after for about 10$ each but you can also carry your camera. The gift shop has great stuff at affordable prices.

There are also good excursions for a Safari which also goes to the waterfalls, a Catamaran ride and a visit to Paradise Island.

Santo Domingo

Despite boasting a rich cultural, architectural and artistic heritage, Santo Domingo has not been exploited for all its tourist potential. You're pretty much on your own to discover this fascinating city. Make the most of your time there.

Colonial Zone

Santo Domingo was the first major european settlement in the New World. Christopher Columbus walked these streets! Check out the many examples of 15th and 16th century architecture in the Colonial Zone. Don't miss the Ozama Fort, the Alcazar de Colon and the Cathedral, all built in Columbus' lifetime. Check out La Atarrazana street after dark for a variety of romantic outdoor cafes with a spectacular view of the Alcazar and bay area. One such brasserie, Pat E Palo, has operated uninterrupted since 1505. Check out the house where Ponce DeLeon lived before he embarked upon his quest for the fountain of youth and ended up discovering Florida.

Malecon

This waterfront boulevard (George Washington Avenue) is home to several huge hotel/casino complexes and dozens of small restaurants, clubs and cafes. Go there to people watch, take a romantic carriage ride or just have a few beers. Site of many festivals and concerts throughout the year. Parallel to the Malecon you will find Avenida Independencia, a tree lined street full of shops, bed and breakfasts and affordable restaurants with a nice mix of locals and tourists. For a unique dining experience check out Adrian Tropical, a traditional Dominican restaurant literally built on the water, or San Gil, a more formal eatery occupying the ruins of a colonial fort. The Malecon Center, located on the far end of the Malecon, is a new and still underoccupied high-end shopping center/hotel/condo complex with a Botero sculpture out front that reportedly cost US$1 million.

Plaza de la Cultura

Walk all the way down the Malecon to Avenida Maximo Gomez and take a left. Walk past the McDonald's and Pizza Hut until you reach the Plaza de la Cultura. This amazing complex is home to the National Theater and five museums, ranging from the delapidated and mundane, to the crisp, modern Museum of Modern Art, the largest in the Caribbean and home to exhibits by artists from Jamaica, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and of course, the Dominican Republic. If want a nice beautiful garden to read or talk this is your place also.

Upscale Santo Domingo

If you want to see the cosmopolitan, upscale side of Santo Domingo, head to the Piantini and Naco neighborhoods. Streets like Gustavo Mejía Ricard and major avenues like Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill are lined with high end boutiques, shopping plazas, expensive cafes and restaurants offering a huge variety of international cuisines and just about anything money can buy, from cigar shops to Ferrari and Bentley dealerships. Don't miss Acropolis Center, an ultra-modern shopping center/office building where you will find everything from TGI Friday's to Prada.

Eco-Tourism

Find your way to the Parque Mirador Sur, an impressive park overlooking the coast. From there, visit the Jardin Botanico, a vast, beautiful and lush park situated near one of Santo Domingo's most exclusive neighborhoods.

Eastern Santo Domingo

Refered to as Santo Domingo Oriental, this separate municipality is not very tourist-friendly. Fortunately, most of its attractions are very close to the Colonial Zone and easy to get to. Check out the Tres Ojos, or Three Eyes, a series of open-roof caverns and underground lakes for the whole family to explore. Head over to the Faro a Colon, a huge lighthouse and monument to Christopher Columbus which not only houses his remains but doubles as a museum. Check out the Santo Domingo Aquarium, a small but impressive showcase of the local aquatic life.
Beach
Unfortunately, there isn't a beach in Santo Domingo, despite being on the water's edge. The closest beach is Boca Chica, which is about a half hour away, just past the airport and shipping port.

Museums

In the Colonial Zone:

Alcázar de Colón - Visit this stunning villa, built in 1510 and retaining period furnishings and other items owned by Governor Diego Colón, first-born son of Christopher Columbus.

Naval Museum of the Atarazanas Located across the plaza from the Alcazar de Colon on Calle Atarazana, the oldest street in the Western Hemisphere.

Museum of the Casas Reales Another great museum featuring collections depicting life in 16th century Santo Domingo. Located on Calle Las Damas, walking distance from the Alcazar de Colon and the Naval Museum.

World of Ambar Museum An impressive collection of Amber stones and aksd

Museum of Duarte A collection of artifacts and writings regarding the Dominican Republic's founding father, Juan Pablo Duarte. Located on Calle Isabel La Catolica, a few blocks west of the above museums.

Museum of Natural History

Museum of Dominican Man

Museum of Modern Art

National Museum of History and Geography

BUSINESS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Main imports: Food, petroleum, cotton, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Main exports: Ferronickel, sugar, gold, coffee and cocoa.
Main trade partners: Spain, Canada, Colombia, Japan, Mexico and USA.

Economy

Agricultural cash crops and the mining industry form the basis of the Dominican Republic's economy and are the country's main export commodities. Other industrial investments are food, drinks, chemicals and the refining of imported oil. Tourism now is contribute number one in this country. The economy experienced some problems with growth and unemployment in 2003. At the same time, the Dominican peso lost a third of its value against the dollar. (A major cause was the collapse of the international sugar market.)

Strict fiscal targets agreed in the 2004 renegotiation of an IMF standby loan helped President Fernandez stabilise the country's financial situation. The economy is growing respectably but unemployment remains a difficulty. Another problem is income inequality; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GNP, while the richest 10% has nearly 40%. The country relies on substantial foreign aid. The Dominican Republic is a member of CARICOM, the major regional trading bloc.

Business Etiquette

It is usual for businesspeople to dress smartly and to deal formally with each other at first, although the general atmosphere is informal. Spanish is the main business language and a knowledge of it will be of assistance. Hotels can usually assist with interpreter services.

Office hours: Mon-Sat 08:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00.
Government office hours: Mon-Fri 08:00-15:00.

The Dominican Republic important destination for visitors from Switzerland

The secretary of Tourism, Felix Jimenez, reported that Dominican Republic has become an important destination for Swiss visitors.

At a press conference conducted in Zurich, Switzerland, the official stressed that a sample of that attraction is the fact that tourism from that nation grew 7.2% in the first five months of this year and 25% in May and visited the Jimenez other nations during a tour of Europe in pursuit of strengthening bilateral ties and make known the initiatives of the Dominican Government through the Committee on Infrastructure Development Bank Holiday Resorts (Ceiztur).

He referred to the project of the Hot Springs salamander in Canoeing, Barahona, which involves an investment of about 25000 million pesos, whose completion is expected by 2012. The complex will have about 1000 rooms, convention center, tennis courts suitable for international competitions and hot springs for body treatments, the official elaborated.

He pointed out projects which will boost the hotels such as Westin Roko Ki, which will open at year's end, the Sanctuary Cap Cana, Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons in La Romana. He recalled that the Government, through the Sectur, has earmarked U.S. $ 450 million to improving tourism infrastructure and another $ 650 will be invested in the next biennium.

The best way to be close to the progress of purchasing Dominican Republic is already gaining from its real estate.

Touristic Proyect in Luperon creates 4 thousand jobs, invested 1.2 billion U.S. dollars

The company Terriomax Holdings will invest 1.2 trillion dollars in developing the resort Punta Alma projecting lift on the left bank of the Bay of Luperon, which generate more than four thousand direct jobs.

The information provided the project manager, the employer Lenin Fernandez, who said that the project will create the stable and strong economy in this county, in which Christopher Columbus founded in late 1493 La Isabela, First Villa erected in America. Fernandez revealed that the resort will be built in an area of nine million square meters will be lifted and where hotels and villas, with more than two thousand rooms and a golf course of international quality with 18 holes, 9 of which are front the sea.

He revealed that the land was purchased from the successors of the landowner and the landowner Bros. Omar Felix Vasquez in the amount of U.S. $ 80,000,000.00, already got the license and environmental tourism alone is expected to grant construction permits and granted exemptions that 158 law gives this type of project.

The executive of the project, announced that the tourist enclave will have a marina with a capacity of 200 luxury super yachts up to 250 metres, which will be built the left bank of the Bay of Luperon, regarded as the third surest throughout the Caribbean. Fernandez said that Lenin Punta Alma will also have a stadium for practice polo, an equestrian center, several beach clubs and a spa destination.

He said that a hospital will be built which will have the services of specialists Dominicans and Americans, an electric generator, plant wastewater treatment and more than fifty different types of businesses to provide services to tourists staying there. Similarly, it will have cable service, telephone, Internet and other services, to ensure total comfort to the guests, which will have a 10 times higher purchasing power of possessing tourists who stay in hotels all included in the north and other touristic places in the country.

Fernandez revealed that each village will occupy a site with a minimum of 4 thousand square meters and preserve the environment for visitors to enjoy the nature of space will be built soon this resort that will have the highest standard of quality of Dominican Republic. He noted the quality of Punta Alma will be so high, which may compete with the best tourist projects in Mexico, Costa Esmeralda, Europe, Australia, the Maldivian islands and other areas of the world, with a beautiful nature.

The executive director of Punta Alma conditioned the construction of this project to the Environment, Tourism and other agencies of State granted permission to the company Isabela Cement and Aggregates to build cement in the northeast where it lifted the resort valued at 1.2 trillion dollars. "I do not oppose the construction of the cement in another place, where not affect our project and other investors that Dominicans and foreigners executed in Luperon, La Isabela, La Ensenada and Punta Rucia, but promoters of the Cement want face to face at sea and that can not afford, "alerted.

Recommended that this company is built in a remote location several miles from the sea, where it is not and that in the event of a spill of fuel by the collapse of one of the boats that transported the cement and aggregates does not affect the environment.