Are you planning a visit to the Dominican Republic? How well do you know the Carribean nation, that amazing natural heaven? Here are some fun and really interesting facts about the Dominican Republic we think you should know.
1. Dominican Republic’s capital is the oldest city in the Americas
Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo, is the oldest settlement of the Europeans in the Americas. It was discovered by Bartholomew Columbus in 1496.
Santo Domingo was the first seat of the Spanish Crown’s first colonial rule in the New World. As a city of firsts, it has the first Cathedral of the New World, the Basilica Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor.
Santo Domingo is also home to the New World’s first municipal building and university.
2. You can defy gravity in the Dominican Republic town, Polo
Polo is in the southwestern part of the Dominican Republic. There, you can experience how it feels to defy gravity — or almost.
When you stop your car and put it in neutral gear downhill, the vehicle will surprisingly go up! As unbelievable as it may sound, it’s been found to be nothing but an optical illusion caused by the shape of the road.
3. The Dominican Republic is home to two unique precious stones – Interesting Facts About the Dominican Republic
You can find two precious stones in the Dominican Republic that you cannot find elsewhere. These are the Larimar and Dominican Amber.
Larimar is a rare blue variety of pectolite. Larimar is considered to be the embodiment of the sea and sky, because of its color that changes from light blue, green blue, then deep blue.
The Dominican Amber, on the other hand, is considered as the finest type of amber in the world. It is very clear and has a high concentration of fossils.
4. The Dominican Republic is basically the winter home of humpback whales
Each year, the Bay of Samaná, Dominican Republic’s northeastern coast, welcomes at least 2,000 giant humpback whales. They migrate to the warm waters of the Dominican Republic all the way from the North Atlantic.
The whales stay here until March after calving and breeding, before they go back to their summer feeding waters.
5. You can find the lowest elevation in the Caribbean in the Dominican Republic
The lowest elevation in the Caribbean is Lake Enriquillo. It is a hyper-saline lake, which covers an area of about 375 square kilometers.
Although very salty, the lake and its surrounding areas are home to a good variety of wildlife — from beautiful pink flamingos to American crocodiles.
6. Caribbean’s highest peak is in the Dominican Republic, too
Interestingly, the Dominican Republic is also home to the highest peak in the entire Caribbean, Pico Duarte.
Pico Duarte stands tall at 3,087 meters. It receives around 3,000 climbers per year.
7. The Dominican Republic is home to the extremely unique bird, Palmchat
Dominican Republic’s national bird, the Palmchat, is truly one of its kind. It is endemic to the island and is the only member of its family, Dulidae.
8. The Dominican Republic has the most number of restaurants in the entire Caribbean
Because the Dominican Republic is a top vacation, wedding, and honeymoon destination, it’s not surprising that it has an abundance of restaurants. You’ll never get hungry here!
9. The Dominican Republic is the only country with the Bible on its flag
The Dominican Republic flag featured the Dominican Republic Coat of Arms, which has a Bible in it. Many believe that the Bible in the Coat of Arms is opened to John 8:32, which states “Y la verdad os hará libre.” (And the truth shall make you free.)
10. The Dominican Republic has an “endless summer”
The Dominican Republic experiences sunny and warm conditions for almost the entire year, making it a popular “summer” destination.
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